Abstract: An apparatus for preparing the free ends of individual wires of a multi-conductor cable is disclosed. The apparatus includes a wire nest for separating the individual wires into distinct multiple wire sets and each wire of the wire sets includes multiple conductive strands. A wire stripper is provided in alignment with the wire nest to grip outer insulative coverings of the wires in each set and strip a preselected length of the covering therefrom. A wire twister is provided generally adjacent the wire stripper to engage and twist the multiple strands of each wire and a trimming knife cuts the exposed, twisted wires after they have been twisted.

Abstract: A machine for producing wire harnesses of the type having multiple connectors terminated to the wires of the harness, the connectors being arranged in serial order along the length of the wire harness and some of the connectors being of two-piece construction is disclosed. The machine includes a reciprocating carriage and a nest that retains a lead connector in place during termination and subsequent advancement of the harness wires. The carriage is received within a termination assembly which has different termination members for different connectors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for terminating the metallic shield of a high speed cable, and including a terminating member used with the method. At least a portion of the outer jacket of the high speed cable is removed to expose a portion of the metallic shield of the cable. The cable is positioned on a conductive terminating member having an opening in registry with the exposed portion of the metallic shield. The shield is soldered to the terminating member through the opening.

Abstract: A wire transferring assembly for a wire harness assembly machine has two adjoining termination stations. First connector elements are advanced in a reciprocating nest from a supply of connector elements into contact with wires extending from a positioning head and terminated thereto. After termination, to the wires, the connector elements are drawn away in the nest from the wire feed source and the wires are cut at their ends opposite the first connector elements. The cut wires are clamped onto a moveable clamping head and maintained in a preselected order while they are transferred to a second termination location, where a row of second connector elements are advanced into contact with the wire ends and terminated thereto.

Abstract: A wire harness-making machine for producing wire harnesses of the type in which multiple wires extend between opposing first and second electrical connector elements. The machine includes a feeding assembly which separates successive first wire connectors and a transfer nest which shuttles the first array of connectors from a first connector advancement track to a first termination station. Multiple wires are fed to the first termination station where first free ends thereof are terminated to the first connector. Once terminated to the multiple wires, the first connector is shuttled back to the first connector advancement track. The first connector is then advanced along a feedpath and a set of second free ends of the wires are transferred to a second termination station while maintaining the order of the wires.

Abstract: A modular application tooling machine includes a base unit with a delivery station for electrical connectors, a intermittently operated connector feed drive system and a continuously operated work station drive system. Feed track modules define a connector feed track along which connectors are fed by pusher modules driven by the feed drive system. Work station modules powered on demand by the work station drive system carry out cycles of operation to perform operations on connectors in the feed track. One work station module terminates conductors into insulation displacement terminals of the electrical connectors and another work station module breaks off a carrier strip connected to the terminals.

Abstract: A termination machine for inserting wires into insulation displacement slots of terminals of an electrical connector. During each termination stroke, a connector locating member moves together with the termination blade to precisely position the connector for termination. A wire locator moves together with the termination blade and moves the wire into a guide slot in a template over the connector. When the blade, the wire and the connector are in precise alignment, the termination blade completes the termination stroke. A feed slide and pawl system moves the connector in steps equal to the terminal centerline spacing, and the feed stroke is selectively adjusted to skip voids where terminals are not to be terminated.

Abstract: A termination machine for inserting wires into insulation displacement slots of terminals of an electrical connector. During each termination stroke, a connector locating member moves together with the termination blade to precisely position the connector for termination. A wire locator moves together with the termination blade and moves the wire into a guide slot in a template over the connector. When the blade, the wire and the connector are in precise alignment, the termination blade completes the termination stroke. A feed slide and pawl system moves the connector in steps equal to the terminal centerline spacing, and the feed stroke is selectively adjusted to skip voids where terminals are not to be terminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of electrical harnesses in a single machine cycle. A push bar device spaces a plurality of connectors in a predetermined, spaced relation one to another at a first station. The plurality of connectors are moved in longitudinal alignment from a first station to a second station where the connectors are each terminated to wires, for example ribbon cables. The terminated connectors then are moved back toward the first station pulling the cables with the connectors and then the cables are cut at the second station at a predetermined length. A second plurality of connectors can be loaded in predetermined spaced relation at the second station and terminated to the cut cable ends to manufacture a plurality of double-ended harnesses in a single machine cycle.

Abstract: A method of polarizing a female pin conductor receiving connector and an apparatus for performing said method. The female connector has a plurality of pin receiving openings formed in the housing thereof so that a pin conductor may be received therethrough for mating with a terminal mounted inside the housing. The polarizing method comprises deforming a portion of the housing adjacent the pin receiving opening to define a deformed section whereby the opening is substantially closed by the deformed section to prevent a pin conductor from being received therethrough. The apparatus includes means for holding the connector in a given disposition and punch means having an end engageable with the housing for deforming and moving a portion thereof in order to close the opening.