Abstract: A crimping tool is provided for compressing a terminal onto an electrical wire. The tool includes an anvil having a terminal engaging surface area. A ram is reciprocally movable toward and away from the anvil and has a terminal engaging surface area opposing the terminal engaging surface area of the anvil for compressing the terminal therebetween. A second ram is movably mounted on one of the anvil and ram in the respective terminal engaging surface area thereof for selectively compressing the terminal to an extent greater than that afforded by the anvil and the ram alone.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing wire harness assemblies is provided. Each wire harness includes a shielded cable having a plurality of insulated conductors therein, with each conductor being terminated at its respective opposed ends and with the terminated ends being mounted in connector housings. The system includes a plurality of pallets that are movable along a conveyor to work stations at which various assembly steps are carried out. A first station is provided for mounting the cables to the pallet, such that the wires at the opposed ends are mounted in fixtures. A second station may selectively deposit drop wires into fixtures on the pallets. A third station trims and strips the ends of the wires and aligns the drop wires with the cable wires. A fourth station sequentially crimps terminals to the ends of the wires, with the pallet being indexable between successive crimps.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing wire harness assemblies is provided. Each wire harness includes a shielded cable having a plurality of insulated conductors therein, with each conductor being terminated at its respective opposed ends and with the terminated ends being mounted in connector housings. The system includes a plurality of pallets that are movable along a conveyor to work stations at which various assembly steps are carried out. A first station is provided for mounting the cables to the pallet, such that the wires at the opposed ends are mounted in fixtures. A second station may selectively deposit drop wires into fixtures on the pallets. A third station trims and strips the ends of the wires and aligns the drop wires with the cable wires. A fourth station sequentially crimps terminals to the ends of the wires, with the pallet being indexable between successive crimps.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing slits in wire insulation including a pair of opposed cutting blade assemblies moveable toward the wire to penetrate the wire insulation down to the conductor. The cutting blade assemblies are configured to create one or more sections of the insulation which will completely separate from the wire conductor, or which will be held together remaining in contact with the wire conductor with a small unslit insulation portion.

Abstract: This specification discloses an electrically conductive raceway as used in an prefabricated interior wall panel system with a means for electrically connecting a ground wire directly to a portion of the raceway without the need for separate clips or terminals and the method and apparatus for making same.