Abstract: An insulated electric wire having a conductive core and an insulation jacket is center stripped by cutting a pattern in one side of the insulation jacket with a laser beam, and then cutting a coordinated pattern in an opposite side of the insulation jacket with a laser beam to produce two axially spaced circumferential cuts connected by a plurality of generally axial cuts that define at least two removeable insulation slugs for exposing the conductive core while the insulation jacket on either side of the exposed conductive core is left intact. An in-line center stripping device or a multiple wire rotation device may be used for center stripping the insulated electric wire. The insulated slugs may by removed by an insulation removal device on an offal removal assembly.

Abstract: An insulated electric wire having a conductive core and an insulation jacket is center stripped by cutting a pattern in one side of the insulation jacket with a laser beam, and then cutting a coordinated pattern in an opposite side of the insulation jacket with a laser beam to produce two axially spaced circumferential cuts connected by a plurality of generally axial cuts that define at least two removeable insulation slugs for exposing the conductive core while the insulation jacket on either side of the exposed conductive core is left intact. An in-line center stripping device or a multiple wire rotation device may be used for center stripping the insulated electric wire. The insulated slugs may by removed by an insulation removal device on an offal removal assembly.

Abstract: An automated wire harness machine is capable of manufacturing a wire harness in an automated process. The wire harness is generally a plurality of bundled, preferably un-stripped, insulated wires. Each un-stripped end portion of each wire is preferably terminated by an electrical terminal in one of a series of electrical connectors of the wire harness. Each connector has at least one wafer which houses a plurality of terminals. The wire harness machine utilizes a pallet that holds all of the wafers of one wire harness. A conveyor transports the pallet and wafers through a series of stations which perform automated manufacturing steps. The first station is a terminal inserter which inserts and locks the terminals within pre-assigned cavities of the wafers. The next station is an automated wire loader which measures, cuts and crimps the two ends of each wire into the respective terminals of the loaded wafer assembly.

Abstract: An automated wire harness machine is capable of manufacturing a wire harness in an automated process. The wire harness is generally a plurality of bundled, preferably un-stripped, insulated wires. Each un-stripped end portion of each wire is preferably terminated by an electrical terminal in one of a series of electrical connectors of the wire harness. Each connector has at least one wafer which houses a plurality of terminals. The wire harness machine utilizes a pallet that holds all of the wafers of one wire harness. A conveyor transports the pallet and wafers through a series of stations which perform automated manufacturing steps. The first station is a terminal inserter which inserts and locks the terminals within pre-assigned cavities of the wafers. The next station is an automated wire loader which measures, cuts and crimps the two ends of each wire into the respective terminals of the loaded wafer assembly.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with an improvement in a process for forming a tubing-machined metallic member joint and with said joint, the process comprising providing a metallic member of substantially full theoretical density having a portion thereof adapted to matingly receive a metallic tube, placing one end of said tube against the mating portion of said member, said tube being formulated of a less hard metal than said member, and urging said one end of said tube against said mating portion of said member thereby forming said joint. The improvement comprises an increase in the torque strength of said joint attained by contacting said member, prior to the placing the one end of said tube in mating contact with the mating portion of said member, with steam at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a thin hard metal oxide on said mating portion and cooling the member after completion of the contacting and prior to placing said tube in mating contact with said mating portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for modulating a high energy beam such as a laser beam comprising a rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced selectively shaped openings formed in a periphery thereof and adapted to rotate in the path of said high energy beam for permitting modulated portions of said beam to pass through to a work piece. Impeller blades are integrally formed on the rotor to provide a supply of cooling air that is pumped axially inward and directed radially outward through a space between the rotor and end shroud positioned thereover. The shroud contains a plurality of vanes formed to direct the cooling air against the peripheral portion of the rotor exposed to the laser beam to effect cooling thereof. The periphery is also provided with a reflective surface adapted to reflect the impinging portions of the beam to a beam trap to reduce the heating effect of the beam on the rotor.