Abstract: A rotor assembly comprising a rotor, starter pawls, and springs. The rotor has a permanent magnet and starter pawl mounting posts. The starter pawls are movably mounted on the posts. The springs are mounted on the posts biasing the starter pawls in first positions. The springs each have a middle section with a retaining section that engages the exterior of the post and hold the spring on the post during assembly of the rotor assembly.

Abstract: A rotor assembly machine for assembling spring biased starter pawls to a rotor. The machine includes three loaders. A first loader positions a coiled spring around a post of a rotor. A second loader connects the starter pawl onto the post. The third loader moves a first end of the spring into operable biasing engagement with the starter pawl. The machine is substantially entirely automated with various testing stations along the assembly line path. The machine uses various novel methods at the loaders that allow a substantially trouble free automated assembly.