Abstract: Under direction of a machine controller, an endless chain conveyor is incrementally passed by a plurality of loader heads. The loader heads receive a series of components taped on a reel supplied substrate, sever individual taped components from the supply, and load the individual taped components onto clip carriers of the endless conveyor, on command, in a preferred sequence. The clip carrier mounted components are then indexed past a cutter assembly for trimming the lengths of the leads and removing the substrate, and a positioning disc assembly for positioning the components in the clip carriers before being passed to a rotary transfer assembly. The rotary transfer assembly removes individual components from the conveyor and rotates to an unload position above a linear loader, which laterally transfers the components from the rotary transfer to an insert head assembly.

Abstract: In an improved machine wherein a plurality of component dispensers transversely deposit individual axial-leaded components on a moving conveyor belt in a preferred sequence for subsequent taping of the leads to form a belt of sequenced components, the rate of component deposition is increased although the linear velocity of the conveyer is decreased. Component leads are received in conveyor notches having a pitch distance which is a submultiple of the spacing between the component dispensers.