Abstract: Apparatus for rotating an electrical lead through an angle of 180 degrees comprises a frame in surrounding relationship to a conveyor clamp in which the lead is held, rotating assemblies and a control system. The rotating assemblies are in alignment with each other and on each side of the conveyor clamp, and are movable from a remote position to a proximate position relative to the conveyor clamp. The rotating assemblies contain rotating clamps. The control system releases the lead from the conveyor clamp simultaneously with closure of the rotating clamps in the rotating assemblies. After rotation of the rotating assemblies, the lead is released by the rotating clamps and the conveyor clamp is closed to grip the lead in its rotated orientation.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing components for example, electrical posts, from a strip of such components and for inserting each severed component into a workpiece, for example, a circuit board, comprises a row of strip feed units, each for feeding a different strip of components towards strip severing and component insertion means. The row of units can be shifted lengthwise thereof to align a selected one of the units, at a time, with the severing and insertion means, in accordance with a component insertion program, the insertion means is adjustable, also according to the program to insert the components to selected depths.

Abstract: Apparatus for severing components from a strip of components and for inserting the severed components one by one into a work piece, comprises means for feeding the strip of components incrementally to a component severing station, means for severing the leading component from the strip at the severing station and an insertion tool for inserting the severed leading component into the work piece; all driven by a stepping motor through step down transmission means acting on a main cam shaft. A disc cam on the shaft has on opposite faces cam tracks receiving cam followers connected to the insertion tool and the severing means, the feeding means being driven through a barrel cam on the shaft. An electronic control unit monitors the angular position of the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting the ends of a plurality of wires to the terminals in a connector comprises a press having a reciprocating ram and insertion tooling on the ram for inserting the wires into terminals in a connector located in an insertion zone beneath the ram. The wires are presented to the insertion zone by means of a slide member which is movable between a loading station, which is beside the insertion zone, and an insertion station. Connectors are delivered to the insertion zone during each operating cycle by a connector feeding means. The apparatus is of the manually assisted type in that an operator need only place the wires on the slide while it is at the loading station.