Abstract: The manufacturing system includes a wire segment preparation subsystem and a termination subsystem, each of which operates independently under the direction of local computer controllers. The preparation sybsystem measures and marks wire and cuts it into segments. The termination subsystem processes the ends of the wire segments. A transport subsystem selectively transports batches of wire segments from the preparation subsystem to the termination stations of the termination subsystem. A system controller oversees the operation of the system and transmits batches of computer process control data to the subsystems. The local controllers use the downloaded batches of data to direct the processing of batches of wire segments. The system may be entirely automated, or may include a mix of automated and manual work stations. The segments are preferably loaded in batches in carriers for transport between subsystems and work stations. The carriers may be transported by hand, along roller tables, and/or on conveyors.

Abstract: The method of processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to strip sheathing from the wire to expose wire ends at opposite ends of the sections, and by operation of wire feed means and cutter means, the steps that include operating the feed means and cutter means to displace the wire endwise along an axis to a first position; sever the wire thereby to form wire forward and rearward sections, the forward section having a rearward end portion; and, the rearward section having a forward end portion, and; stripping sheathing from the forward section rearward portion and from the rearward section forward portion thereby to expose wire ends at the portions; the cutter means including three blade pairs, each pair including two blades located at opposite sides of the axis, both blades of one pair being displaced toward the wire to sever the wire, and both blades of the remaining two pairs being displaced toward the wire sections to strip sheathing from the rearward and forward portions during controlled endwise

Abstract: Printed circuit board assembly apparatus comprises means for supporting a printed circuit board for assembly of components on one side of the board by inserting leads of the components into corresponding holes formed in the circuit board at predetermined locations, light projecting means for illuminating from the one side of the board the holes intended to receive the leads of a selected component and cutting means for cropping and crimping the leads of the component projecting from the other side of the board after assembly of the component on the board, the cutting means comprising a pair of cutters mounted on a rotatable carrier for linear movement in a pitch direction and each having a nip to be aligned with a corresponding hole in the board prior to the insertion of a corresponding component lead.

Abstract: An electrical cable stripping device is disclosed for stripping an end outside coating of an electrical cable to form an exposed conductor part having a resistance wire wrapped around a flexible core. The device includes clamping member for clamping an intermediate portion of the electrical cable, a stripping knife operatively provided to insert knife edges halfway to the electrical cable at a position between the clamped point and the end of the electrical cable to cut the end outside coating, a moving device for moving the stripping knife, while maintaining the sme at the closed position, away from said clamping member to strip the end outside coating and to expose the conductor part. At least the resistance wire is extended between the end outside coating and the exposed conductor part. Further provided is a wire cuter for cutting the exposed conductor part.

Abstract: Strip feeding mechanism for a terminal applicator comprises a feed pawl which is mounted on an oscillatory pawl carrier so that oscillation of the pawl carrier results in to and from movement of the feed pawl. The pawl carrier is coupled by a torque responsive coupling to an oscillatory shaft which in turn is coupled through a gear train to a rack on the applicator ram. Reciprocation of the ram results in oscillation of the shaft which in turn results in oscillation of the pawl carrier. The amplitude of oscillation of the pawl carrier, and therefore the limits of the feed stroke of the feed pawl, are adjusted by means of a fixed stop which is on the applicator frame and movable stops which are on the pawl carrier. The torque responsive coupling permits overtravel of the shaft relative to the pawl carrier.

Abstract: A seal mounting device for use in an electric wire processing machine that cuts and removes an insulation from an end portion of an insulated electric wire, includes an openable and closeable guide part which correctly orients a deformed electric wire and keeps it oriented for mounting a seal thereon, and a seal holder positioned opposite to the guide part for mounting a seal on the electric wire as the guide part is closed for advancing the seal until it reaches a predetermined position on the electric wire as the guide part is opened. The guide part may also comprises a strip blade portion.

Abstract: A film carrier is used for fabricating a semiconductor device, and comprises an insulating film and a plurality of conductive leads each extending on the insulating film and having a front side surface and a reverse side surface, and a bump is formed in each of the conductive leads and has a projecting surface projecting from the reverse side surface and a depressed surface defining a recess open to the front side surface, so that the bump has a dome-shaped configuration and is much liable to deform in a thermocompression bonding stage.

Abstract: Pliers for cutting, peeling telco cord, and press-fitting such cord to a telco plug having three cavities for three plugs of different size is a tool for cutting neatly a telco cord, for peeling its clad, and for press-fitting such a cord onto a telco plug so as to secure the cord in the plug.

Abstract: The method and the apparatus for the performance of the method for feeding cable into an automatic cable-processing machine allows to move normal cables (18) and cables of reduced wall thickness at high speeds. The cable (18) is driven by the driving surfaces (3.1, 8.1) of two belts, (3, 8), where the belts (3. 8) of two belt drives (b 1.2), roll off one another. The first belt drive (1) is stationary, while the second belt drive (2) is arranged to be parallel displaceable and disposed perpendicular to its driving surface (8.1). The second belt drive (2) can be pressed onto a laid-in cable (18) by at least one pneumatic piston-cylinder unit (24). In order to assure a clean passage of a cable (18) through the belt drives (1, 2), a cable clamping and tightening device (19) is arranged on the cable feed side (16), and a cable-clamping device (20) is arranged on the cable exit side (17). Thereby, the laid-in cable (18 ) is tightened and precisely aligned before the start of operations. The driving surface (8.

Abstract: An applicator ram (8) driven by a press ram (46) drives an insulation barrel crimping die (10) which is adjustable lengthwise of the rams (8) and a wire barrel crimping die (14) fixed to the applicator ram (8), to crimp electrical terminals (T) to leads (L) in cooperation with an anvil (22). A crimp height adjustment disc (60) is rotatable about a shaft (104) on the applicator ram (8) selectively to interpose first projections (76) on one side of the disc (60) between the press ram (46) and the applicator ram (8) to adjust the shut height of the wire barrel crimping die (14) and selectively to interpose second projections (82) on the other side of the disc (60) between the applicator ram (8) and the insulation barrel crimping die (10) to adjust its shut height.

Abstract: The outer portion of a die stamped metal frame encompassing the outer ends of the electrical connecting pins is subjected to press striking for re-establishing planarity and parallelism of the opposite faces of the patterned pins which have become deformed during the die stamping, before proceeding to the assembly operations. The eventual bending of the pins of the finished product between a bending punch and a contrasting punch is performed on pins having planar and parallel faces thus preventing twisting and slanting of the bent pins.

Abstract: An apparatus (40) for attaching successive pairs of wires (25) to successive pairs of opposed contacts (20) includes a pair of opposed ram assemblies (54), each provided with a knife blade (56) for ramming a wire against the contact for attachment thereto. Advantageously, the knife blade (56) is provided with a contact protector assembly (64) which serves to straddle the contact during wire attachment to protect the contact against deformation. The attachment apparatus (40) is also provided with a mechanism (88) for attaching each of a pair of strain reliefs (26,28) to the connector following attachment of the wires to the contacts to avoid the need to handle the connector between these two operations and to prevent any stress to the connection between the wire and contact.

Abstract: Cable making machine has first and second modules which contain connectors and which are movable along a cable feed path that extends past a connector installing press. Cable is fed by feed rolls to the first module along the feed path. A cable clamp is provided between the modules for pulling cable from a cable source during operation. A deflector is provided for feeding cable in a manner which forms a loop between the first and second modules. The machine is relatively compact and is capable of producing relatively long cable assemblies.

Abstract: Slide forming tape-automated-bonded leads extending from an integrated circuit chip with a support ring on the leads between the outer periphery of the chip and the outer lead ends. After the leads are formed the support ring remains attached to the vertical portion of the leads opposite the chip. The present invention is well suited for minimizing and footprint on relatively long TAB leads which fan out and require a support ring to maintain proper lead pitch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a Y-shaped wire harness (23) having a pair of wires (2,3) and for orientating the wires (2,3) in a specific orientation. More particularly the apparatus includes jaws (12) for orientating the wires (2,3), an identification member (14) for holding the wires (2,3) in that orientation during termination of one ends thereof and a guide member (18) for receiving and storing the wire harness (23) with the wires (2,3) in the specific orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing wire subject to displacement, comprising first means including a first Geneva mechanism for rotatably displacing the wire to alter its endwise orientation; second means including a second Geneva mechanism for displacing the wire endwise; and drive means for driving the two mechanisms in such relation that the wire is displaced endwise by a carrier part of the second means during a dwell period of the first mechanism.

Abstract: The treatment of terminals of cables in producing electrical harnesses is effected by cutting a shield ribbon cable into two portions, making shallow cuts on the sheath of each portion, pulling the two cable portions in opposite directions so as to separate their sheath portions from the respective cuts with the uncovered terminals of the cable portions remaining in the sheath portions, and cutting the uncovered terminals outside the respective sheath portions so as to align the cut ends thereof.

Abstract: A strip (20) of electrical terminals (10) having barrel portions (14) advanced intermittently through a ferrule assembly station (AS) and a ferrule (22) is assembled to the barrel portion (14) of each terminal (10) when it has reached the assembly station (AS). A shuttle (30) is used to align a ferrule (22) with the barrel portion (14) of each terminal (10) when it is at the assembly station (AS), between the barrel portion (14) and an insertion tool (32) which is used to push the ferrule (22) from the shuttle and over the barrel portion of the terminal (10).

Abstract: An electrical cable-making apparatus includes a cable-making area in which a shuttle mechanism (10) moves electrical wires (1) clamped therein from a first position to a second position at which the spaced wire ends are positioned between spaced parallel tapes (26). Clamping members (25c) move the tapes into engagement with the spaced wire ends and clamp the taped wire ends therebetween whereafter the shuttle mechanism (10) having been unclamped from the wire moves along the wires back to the first position. A wire-feeding mechanism (34, 38) feeds the wires (1) to a prescribed length and cutting and terminating members (61, 61a) cut the wires and terminate them in an electrical connector (2) thereby forming a cable with one end of the wires being taped and the other ends connected to a connector. A transfer mechanism (40) receives the wires (1) adjacent the taped wire ends and transfers the cable away from the cable-making area.

Abstract: Lead making machine has crimping presses in which the press ram comprises a vertically extending reciprocable rod which is contained in a vertically extending static press frame. The rod and press frame have laterally extending arms between which a terminal applicator is mounted with the applicator frame supported on the arm of the press frame and with the applicator ram coupled to the rod. The stresses developed during a crimping operation are confined to the rod and press frame and are not borne by the housing in which the presses and the actuating mechanism is contained. The presses are vertically adjustable with respect to the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping the insulation from an end portion of an insulated electrical wire (W), withdrawing an electrical terminal (ET) from a carrier tape (T) therefor and crimping the terminal (ET) to the stripped end portion of the wire (W), comprises a rotary conveyor (18) for advancing the tape (T) step by step to align it with a fixed wire gripper (10), a prefeed mechanism (20) for partially detaching the terminal (ET) from the tape (T), an insulation severing and stripping unit (12), and a pair of terminal gripping and terminal crimping heads (14 and 16). The insulation severing and wire stripping unit (12) is retracted to strip an end portion of the insulated wire (W) upon the end of the wire (W) interrupting a laser beam (L).

Abstract: The present invention is an automated method for making an electrical cable assembly including the automatic verification of insertion of each wire into its respective correct terminal and the automatic verification of the absence of short circuits. The overall system is controlled by a computer which is table driven by cable assembly parameters retained in a data base.

Abstract: An electronic connector assembly in which multiple fine gage, closely spaced ground and signal wires of a matched impedance flat cable are gang terminated on centers by an improved crimp design and method. Each of the many wires in the cable is mechanically crimped by an applicator tooling into a contact which is narrow and thin enough to enable all of the wires to be terminated on the same close centers they have in the cable. The wire contacts can be made with great precision from uniform flat metal stock having the necessary narrowness, thinness, hardness and strength to serve also as high performance output spring terminals for the connector. The metal stock does not have to be as thick as the diameter of the wires to be terminated.

Abstract: A machine for connecting an end of an optical fiber cable (1) to an optical fiber connector (2) comprises a stripping mechanism (10) that strips an end of a jacket (1b) from an end of the optical fiber cable (1) to expose an end of a fiber core (1a), a connector-connecting mechanism (30) which inserts the stripped end of the optical fiber cable (1) into a hole (2a) in the optical fiber connector (2) and connects the cable (1) with the connector (2), a core-cutting mechanism (60) which cuts the length of the fiber core (1a) protruding from the front end of the connector (2) leaving a tiny length of protruding fiber core (1a), and a core-finishing mechanism (70) which finishes the end surface of the protruding tiny length of fiber core (1a).

Abstract: An electrical cable-making apparatus comprises a feeding device (16) for feeding a shielded ribbon electrical cable (11) and discrete electrical insulated conductors (12) from supply members (23,24) along a path (15), a clamping device (17) clamps onto the cable (11) and conductors (12) and moves the cable and conductors along the path a specified distance, clamping devices (18,20) move adjacent cutting and stripping members (18a,19a) band clamp onto the cable and conductors, cutting blades (29a,29b) of the cutting and stripping members (19a,19b) cut the cable and conductors while the stripping blades (27a,27b and 28a,28b) cut through an outer jacket (11e) and shield (11d) of the cable (11) stripping the outer jacket and shield from the cable when the clamping devices (18,20) move in opposite directions exposing cable conductors (11c) of the cable (11) and forming trailing and newly-formed leading ends of the cable conductors (11c) and discrete conductors, the trailing and newly-formed conductor ends are posi

Abstract: A plastic leaded chip carrier connector of a base having a plurality of apertures for receiving and orienting a plurality of wire pins therein, and a plurality of wire pins each of a predetermined configuration lockingly engaged within a corresponding aperture of the base for transmitting electrical information therethrough. A method for making such connectors by aligning the base with a wire feed device, advancing one end of a wire from the wire feed device on one side of the base through an aperture in the base to the opposite side of the base, forming a predetermined configuration of the wire end, retracting the formed wire into the aperture to lockingly engage said formed wire end therein, cutting the wire to form a pin locked in the aperture, and repeating the previous steps to form a pin in each aperture of the base. Also, an apparatus for carrying out this method to manufacture the desired connectors.

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 method and apparatus for connection of wires to a connector is disclosed. A means is provided for exerting a predetermined tension on the wires so that they are held in alignment while being pressed into the connector.

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: Apparatus for coupling the stripped free end of a ribbon cable with a connector comprising a fixed recipient block having a slot for the receipt of the striped and bent wires of a ribbon cable; reciprocable blocks located on opposite sides of the fixed recipient block with crimping fingers secured thereto and reciprocal through apertures in the fixed recipient block; and means to move the reciprocable blocks and crimping fingers toward each other into the slot for effecting the mechanical coupling of the connector housing locate din the slot with at least some of the stripped wires. Also disclosed is the method of coupling connectors to the free ends of cables with such apparatus.

Abstract: A method of terminating a set of leads integral with a winding on a dynamoelectric machine stator assembly with the winding and the leads formed of magnet wire having a conductor with a dielectric material coating adhered in insulating relation thereto, and a set of dielectric tubes extend about the leads, respectively. To practice this method, the tubes are arranged in preselected positions with the free ends of the leads extending beyond one opposite end portion of the tubes, respectively. Each tube is melted through to sever a distal section from each tube adjacent its one opposite end portion while the insulating integrity of the dielectric material coating on the leads is maintained.

Abstract: A wire processing system, comprises:(a) structure to advance a wire of selected cross section generally endwise toward a primary station, the wire having a forward portion,(b) a wire deformer at the primary station to form at least one bend in the advancing wire,(c) a clamp at the primary station to clamp the forward portion of the wire that has passed the deformer,(d) a cutter to sever the wire after a selected length of wire has advanced past the cutter, whereby a wire section of predetermined length is formed,(e) and conveyor apparatus operable to grip the formed wire section and to convey that section along a generally longitudinally extending travel path away from the primary station after the clamp releases the wire, and with at least one end of the formed wire section presented laterally for processing, as for example insulation stripping and attachment of terminals to stripped wire ends.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading components into a component insertion machine. The apparatus comprises structure releasably mounted on component magazine loading apparatus to retain components in component magazines received by and aligned in the component magazine loading apparatus. The structure is removable after installation of the component loading apparatus on the component insertion machine to enable components to be selected by the component insertion machine from the component magazines.

Abstract: Terminal crimping apparatus having crimping dies and crimping anvils and strip feeding means for feeding terminal strip to a crimping zone between the dies and anvils has a strip lifter mounted on the press ram which lifts the strip above the level of the crimping anvils after completion of a crimping operation. The strip lifter prevents misfeeding of the strip in that after being lifted, the strip is above the surface of the anvil assembly and can be fed therepast in preparation for the next crimping cycle.

Abstract: A terminal strip applicator includes a ram that carries a first die set mounted for reciprocation along a first path within a machine body and a track that automatically adjusts to accept a strip of terminals to limit the terminal strip to a second path which intersects the first path. A terminal feed mechanism sequentially resiliently advances the terminal strip along the second path until the terminal feed mechanism engages the shoulder of an interchangeable die set that precisely aligns the lead terminal carried by the terminal feed mechanism with the die sets of the applicator.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention, a wire routing tool grasps a wire, inserts one end into a connector, routes the wire along a predetermined path to another end connector under the control of a robot, and inserts the second end into that connector. The trailing end of the wire is detected with a circuit using an electrostatic technique. The tool can move the wire along a predetermined linear path to effectuate the connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making electrical harnesses of flat cable (30) terminated at respective opposite ends in electrical connectors (13) with individual conductors electrically connected to corresponding contacts of rows of contacts in conductor-receiving faces of the connectors (13). The flat cable (30) is fed longitudinally along a path extending towards a terminating station adjacent the feed path (12) along which the contact rows extend and a loop is formed in a leading end with the plane of the cable (30) and the loop axis extending perpendicularly to the contact rows and conductor-receiving faces. The leading and trailing ends of the cable loop are then rotated in opposite senses through 90.degree. to extend parallel to the plane of the conductor-receiving faces of the connectors (13) with individual conductors aligned with respective contacts and terminated therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for semiautomatic termination of conductors of a ribbon cable to electrical terminals of an electrical connector having conductor receiving cavities located on opposite sides thereof. In operation the apparatus combs and shears individual conductors of the ribbon cable. The comb means cooperates with the individual conductors adjacent the dielectric jacket of the cable, ensuring that the individual conductors will be combed and spaced as required for termination to the terminals. The shear means is retracted, leaving the comb means in contact with the conductors, maintaining the position of the conductors until the connector is brought into place. A shuttle then places the connector in engagement with the conductors. The comb means is retracted, permitting the conductors to be positioned in alignment with terminating sections of the terminals which in turn allows for insertion and crimping of the conductors to occur.

Abstract: It is convenient to supply electrical or electronic components for placement on tapes; however it has proved difficult to satisfactorily handle tapes for carrying large components. Use of wide tapes to feed larger components is facilitated by using a drive belt (48) to rotate at a sprocket wheel (44) to feed the tape (38,40), a drive wheel (52) to move the belt, and drive means conveniently a ratchet wheel to cause the drive wheel (52) to rotate through a predetermined angle to feed the tape a distance equal to the spacing between the components on the tape. Wide tape can conveniently be disposed of after unloading by using means (88,90) for severing the tape (38) immediately downstream of an unloading position, and means for collecting the severed tape preferably comprising a duct (84) through which a current of air flows to carry the severed tape to a remote receptacle (85).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method through which a machine is enabled to feed a preloaded electrical connector (10) on appropriate spacings to allow the termination of individual wires (W) in terminals (13) in the connector through a novel indexing feed finger (120) which is capable of engaging surfaces (A-E) on the connector which are different relative to a constant indexing stroke. The indexing finger includes surfaces (126-132) capable of handling more than one set of dimensions of more than one style of connector without adjustment. The invention further includes a mechanism (180) for bending a scored portion of terminals to effect a later removal of the terminal carrier strips.

Abstract: Cables having interspersed co-planar signal and ground wires are terminated at a planar circuit board by stapling the cable to the circuit board with a bus member, mechanically and electrically connecting the signal wires to signal wire termination sites which are downstream from the bus member, folding the ground wires back over the bus member, and mechanically and electrically connecting the ground wires to the bus member.

Abstract: A connector and cable preparation fixture to provide a coaxial cable tap while the cable continues to pass signals. The apparatus of the present invention attaches the cable tap without shorting the conductors and without significantly changing the coaxial cable parameters which would affect the data flow therein. The fixture described herein provides a guide for a cutting operation and for the subsequent assembly of the finished connector. The connector includes a cable tap which mounts on the coaxial cable in a perpendicular manner, and a center pin which attaches to the coaxial cable center wire along the axis of the cable tap. The center pin has two prongs spaced apart in opposition to straddle the center conductor. The connector is easily installed with no measurements. The resultingconnection has a long and reliable life without causing an interruption to information or signal flow on the cable at any time.

Abstract: A device for automated manufacture of wiring harness is described. The device feeds the wires through a number of channels in a die to position the wires at the proper termination points and then terminates the wires in connectors. The wiring harness assembly device permits the automated assembly of wiring harnesses which have wires which interconnect the connectors at positions which do not positionally correspond.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and assembly for testing the electrical integrity of a multi-circuit cable harness. An intermediate harness product is prepared including a short test tab comprising a portion of insulated multiconductor cable extending from a terminated multi-circuit connector. The test tab is stripped to expose at least a portion of the tab conductors. Adjacent exposed portions of the tab are contacted with a test probe capable of electrically testing the adjacent circuits of the harness. If a positive test result is obtained, the test tab is trimmed to provide the finished cable harness product. If a negative test result is obtained, the test tab is left on the intermediate harness product to provide a ready visual indication of a defective cable harness product.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical cable harness making apparatus including a shuttle table system for moving a connector between loading and termination stations. The shuttle table system includes a plurality of coplanar tables moveable in a common closed rectilinear path.Also disclosed is an arrangement for removing integrally molded tabs which join a plurality of housings together at spaced predetermined distances from each other. The arrangement includes a plurality of punches aligned with the connecting tabs and mounted for selective movement between operative and inoperative positions. A cover overlying the punches maintains groups of punches in their respective operative and inoperative positions.Also disclosed for use with the above apparatus is an arrangement of wire guides which pay out predetermined lengths of cable from a supply source and, after cutting the cable free of the source, provide transport thereof to a termination station.

Abstract: A method for assembling terminal cup-shaped end caps over the ends of cartridge-type electrical subminiature fuses during the assembly thereof has for its novel feature the provision of a centered axially extending handling wire attached to the outer face of each end cap prior to the assembly process. By configuring the lengths of the handling wires substantially longer than the dimensions of the cap itself, the use of an alignment fixture employing the wires for handling and alignment purposes allows for precise orientation of the end caps during the press-on assembly process over the ends of the fuse body. After assembly the wires are removed from their respective end caps. A shearing station suitable for mass production lead removal has upwardly extending sheraing blades with the fuses passed sequentially past the blades with their leads extending slightly over the top of the blade cutting edges.

Abstract: A pair of fingers are operated by air cylinders at different rates in accordance with a given wiring function. In one function, one finger engages, supports and aligns an IDT at low pressure prior to insertion of the wire by the other finger at high pressure. The opening and closing of the fingers is also at high pressure. The closing of the fingers captivates the wire in alignment therewith as the tool travels from terminal to terminal. The wire is severed from the last terminal in the wiring sequence by an air operated knife. The tool is adapted to be connected to a robotic arm.

Abstract: A wire routing tool grasps a wire, inserts one end into a connector, routes the wire along a predetermined path to another end connector under the control of a robot, and inserts the second end into that connector. The trailing end of the wire is detected with a circuit using an electrostatic technique. The tool can move the wire along a predetermined, linear path to effectuate the connection.

Abstract: A terminal crimping machine has an insulation stripping unit and a plurality of terminal crimping units disposed laterally of a transfer conveyor path. The transfer conveyor carries a number of wire transfer units for gripping insulated wires cut to predetermined lengths and travels intermittently. Each terminal crimping unit has a crimping bed for vertically moving from a position below the level of the ends of wires being transferred to the level of the ends of the wires. A crimping die is disposed above the crimping bed and adapted for vertical movement for crimping terminals. The arrangement is such that when a wire which corresponds to a particular one of the terminal crimping units is fed to that unit, in accordance with a signal from a separate control device, the corresponding crimping bed is raised while the crimping die is lowered to effect a terminal crimping operation. However, wires which do not correspond to the particular terminal crimping unit are allowed to pass thereover.