Abstract: A fluid delivery system is provided having a disposable fluid reservoir that is integral with, and supported by, a pump housing. A peristaltic pump head is mounted within the pump housing. A length of flexible tubing is operatively engaged by the peristaltic pump, and includes a first end arranged in flow communication with the fluid reservoir and an accessible second end. A central portion of the tube is operatively engaged by the peristaltic pump head so that consecutive portions of the flexible tubing are successively collapsed to thereby propel fluid through the tubing so as to exit the second end. The disposable cartridge is preferably mateable with a recess in a base housing. A transmission system is mounted within the recess of the base housing and arranged to operatively engage the peristaltic pump head. A control module is disposed in control communication with the transmission system for selective operation of the fluid delivery system.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system is provided having a disposable fluid reservoir that is integral with, and supported by, a pump housing. A peristaltic pump head is mounted within the pump housing. A length of flexible tubing is operatively engaged by the peristaltic pump, and includes a first end arranged in flow communication with the fluid reservoir and an accessible second end. A central portion of the tube is operatively engaged by the peristaltic pump head so that consecutive portions of the flexible tubing are successively collapsed to thereby propel fluid through the tubing so as to exit the second end. The disposable cartridge is preferably mateable with a recess in a base housing. A transmission system is mounted within the recess of the base housing and arranged to operatively engage the peristaltic pump head. A control module is disposed in control communication with the transmission system for selective operation of the fluid delivery system.

Abstract: The insertion head of the present invention is for a wire trimming and inserting machine, i.e., a machine or apparatus for loading color-coded, or otherwise coded wires into a connector half. It includes a platform with an appendage coupled thereto. The appendage has a channel formed therein to receive and guide wire therethrough to a terminal of a connector half. The insertion head includes a spring biased guide, which bears against the channel-received wire, and imposes a movement-retarding force or drag on the wire to insure that the latter is held taut until engaged with the connector terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically making and testing electrical cable assemblies. A novel coupling is provided between the bulk cable contained on a large reel and the logic circuitry of the automated machine so that individual wires within the cable can be identified, inserted into a desired terminal of a connector, and tested. The coupling utilizes a slip ring assembly to communicate with the individual wires of the cable through a connector that has been previously terminated on a pigtail extending from the central core of the reel.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting components into a workpiece comprises a rotary disc cam having first and second communicating endless superposed, cam tracks for receiving a cam follower connected to a tool holder carrying a component insertion tool. Rotation of the disc cam drives to the tool through a component inserting stroke and a return stroke. Over tool driving lobes thereof, the cam tracks are offset from each other radially of the axis of rotation of the disc cam. The cam follower is carried by a slide in the tool holder, the slide being connected to a drive unit which is actuable selectively to move the slide between a first position in which the cam follower is engaged in one of the cam tracks and a second position in which it is engaged in the other. By virtue of the offset of the cam tracks, the component is inserted more deeply into workpiece in the second position of the slide than in the first.

Abstract: A pick-up head (20) for a robot (2), comprises a body (28) having a plate (30) for attachment to the Z-axis shaft (18) of the robot (2). Two pick-up arms (34), pivotally attached to the body (2) each carry a riveting tool (26). The tools (26) are driven through a working stroke by a piston and cylinder drive unit (52) on the body (2), against the action of return springs (82). The tools (26) are inserted by the robot (2) lowering the pick-up head (20), into rivets at the ends of the leading electrical connector (25') at a pick-up station (21) and are arranged to be releasably secured to the rivets to allow the robot (2) to transfer the connector (24') to a circuit board (19) and to insert projecting ends of the rivets into holes in the board (10). The drive unit (52) is then actuated to cause the tools (26) to expand the projecting ends of the rivets, the tools (26) are released from the rivets, and the pick-up head (20) is raised by the robot (2).

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: A plurality of components are force-fitted into a workpiece simultaneously, by the following steps: preparing a dummy workpiece with tool supports fixed thereto in a predetermined pattern, each tool support being removably surmounted by a component insertion tool; placing the dummy workpiece beneath a magnetic chuck on the platen of a hyrdraulic press; lowering the platen so that the tools are magnetically secured to the chuck; raising the platen to remove the tools from the tool supports; replacing the dummy workpiece by an actual workpiece with the components arranged thereon in said predetermined pattern; lowering the platen so that each tool on the chuck force-fits the component therebeneath into the workpiece; raising the platen with the tools thereon; and removing the actual workpiece from the press.

Abstract: Apparatus for force fitting components into a workpiece comprises a gantry supporting two insertion heads above an indexable support for the workpiece, a workpiece pick-up station on each side of the workpiece, and rods by which the insertion heads are suspended from the gantry and which are rotatable to translate the insertion heads between positions over the pick-up stations and positions over the workpiece and to operate tooling of the insertion heads to pick-up components from the pick-up station and to force fit them into the workpiece. The apparatus is programmed so that when one of the insertion heads is located over a pick-up station the other is located over the workpiece.

Abstract: A clinching plate for supporting a circuit board to be loaded with electrical connectors by means of a robot or a pick-and-place machine, comprises a plurality of clinching units set in openings in the plate. The units comprise pairs of slides having clinching ears for clinching a pair of posts at each end of each connector to the board to hold the connectors in place while the board is transported to a soldering station. One clinching unit is provided for each connector and each unit is operated by means of an individual drive cylinder under the control of the microprocessor of the mother machine.

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.