Abstract: An automated wire stripper has a forward wire-gripping assembly, a rearward insulation-pulling assembly, and a rotatable knife hub assembly positioned intermediate of the forward and rearward assemblies. The knife hub assembly includes a pair of thermal knife elements which are spring-biased to normally close upon the end of a wire. Pneumatic actuators open the knife elements against the bias of the springs. The rearward assembly is operable to clamp and pull a section of outer jacket or insulation covering from the wire after the knife hub has cut around the its circumference of the jacket.

Abstract: A drive for the pivot arm of a pivoted arm punching machine includes an electrical drive motor arranged to drive a driving gear wheel which, in turn, is in meshed engagement with and drives a driven gear wheel secured to the pivot arm. A braking mechanism arranged to stop the driven gear wheel when the drive motor is stopped. The braking mechanism includes a brake lining which is pressed against the driven gear wheel by a brake plate. The brake plate is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder located within the punching machine when the drive motor is stopped.