Abstract: A machine including apparatus for accurately measuring and inserting into the machine almost any desired predetermined length of insulated wire, a device for cutting the wire to that length and stripping the insulation from the ends of the wire, and apparatus for attaching a terminal to one or both of the stripped ends. The measuring apparatus includes a pair of belts each reeved about a pair of pulleys. From the measuring apparatus the wire passes through a flexible tube and through two linearly aligned grippers, separated by the cutting and stripping device. Once the wire is fed to the proper length, the two grippers grip the wire, and the wire is cut and stripped, creating a lead of the predetermined length. As the wire and lead are drawn back, the stripped ends may be inspected by an inspection device so as to ensure that they are properly cut and stripped before electrical terminals are applied.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for repeatedly severing cable segments of desired lengths from a continuous strand of thick multi-conductor cable for stripping desired lengths of tough outer insulation sheath from the strand and segment ends, and for coiling the stripped segments. The apparatus comprises a cutter/stripper machine, a long-strip attachment mechanism, and a coiling mechanism. The cutter/stripper machine comprises an axially retractable/extendable wire guide tube into which the cable strand is fed while the tube is extended and a movable clamp grips the lead end of the strand. A stationary clamp grips the exposed portion of the strand when the tube retracts. A cutter/stripper head mechanism between the clamps severs the strand and scores the insulation sheath. The cutter/stripper mechanism and the movable clamp move away from the stationary clamp at different rates of speed to effect stripping, open to release the stripped cable segment, and then return to their starting positions.

Abstract: A series of wire processing machines strip insulation from wire segment ends and attach electric terminals to the ends. A quality control device inspects each stripped end and sends signals which prevent the terminal attachment machine from operating upon the defective stripped end. The quality control device comprises an illuminated field at which the stripped end momentarily stops, an optical lens opposite the illuminated field for providing an optical image of the stripped end, and a converter for converting the optical image to an electronic image signal. Solid state electronic circuits compare the image signal to a reference signal, provide an error signal if the stripped end is defective and store the error signal in a memory circuit. The error signal, if present, is recalled from the memory at the appropriate time and converted to an output signal which prevents the downstream terminal attachment machine from operating on the defective wire end.

Abstract: A small, simple, accurate, low-cost wire cutting and stripping apparatus includes a wire feed mechanism which periodically feeds a measured length of an insulated wire strand to a wire cutter/stripper mechanism which clamps the wire strand, severs it and scores the insulation, axially separates the wire segment cut from the wire strand and strips the scored insulation during such axial separation. The wire feed mechanism is driven intermittently by a continuously rotating electric motor through an electrically-operated wire feed clutch/brake, the clutch mechanism of which engages in response to an electric signal from a timer switch (start wire feed) and which disengages in response to an electric signal from an electric wire measuring encoder (measure and stop wire feed). The wire cutter/stripper mechanism includes a stationary pair of separable clamps, a movable pair of separable bladed cutter/stripper heads and a movable pair of separable clamps.

Abstract: A machine cuts elongated wire segments from a continuous wire strand. A belt type conveyor conveys each segment in incremental steps along a path, with the axis of each segment transverse thereto. The conveyor initially grips a segment near one end and presents it to a first terminal attachment machine on one side of the conveyor where a first terminal is attached. Then, separator devices cause the conveyor to temporarily release its grip on the wire segment to allow wire shifter devices, first, to axially shift the wire segment very rapidly a great distance so that the conveyor can regrip the wire segment near its other end and, secondly, to axially shift the wire segment slowly for a short distance to precisely position its opposite end in final position wherein a second terminal attachment machine on the other side of the conveyor attaches a second terminal to the opposite end. A control system comprises sensors for determining when the wire segment has been moved by the wire shifters.

Abstract: A belt type conveyor is provided for conveying segments of wire cut from a continuous strand by a cutting machine to other wire processing machines, such as terminal attachment machines or the like. The conveyor comprises a pair of endless flexible belts supported one above the other by pulleys and guide rails so that the upper flight in the lower belt closely confronts the lower flight in the upper belt whereby wire segments entrapped between the flights are movable along the path of travel of the confronting flights. Each wire segment is disposed so that its axis is perpendicular to the path of travel of the flights and the ends of the segment extend beyond the sides of the flights so as to be accessible to the processing machines. A drive mechanism drives the confronting flights in steps or increments in the same direction and at the same speed. The belts and guide rails are constructed so that the confronting flights are biased toward each other to ensure a firm grip on the wire segments.

Abstract: A belt type conveyor is provided for conveying segments of wire cut from a continuous strand by a cutting machine to other wire processing machines, such as terminal attachment machines or the like. The conveyor comprises a pair of endless flexible belts supported one above the other by pulleys and guide rails so that the upper flight in the lower belt closely confronts the lower flight in the upper belt whereby wire segments entrapped between the flights are movable along the path of travel of the confronting flights. Each wire segment is disposed so that its axis is perpendicular to the path of travel of the flights and the ends of the segment extend beyond the sides of the flights so as to be accessible to the processing machines. A drive mechanism drives the confronting flights in steps or increments in the same direction and at the same speed. The belts and guide rails are constructed so that the confronting flights are biased toward each other to ensure a firm grip on the wire segments.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for repeatedly cutting segments from a strand of wire or cable and for conveying them to work stations so that either or both ends can be processed to provide a partly or fully finished wire lead or cord.