FR2670618A1 - Methods and devices for automatically manufacturing tree-structure wiring looms - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is methods and devices for automatically manufacturing tree-structure looms of conducting wires or of optical fibres. The branches or branch portions of the loom terminating in components are prepared: - by carrying out the processings which are appropriate to the various extremities, by means of units arranged on the conveyor (1). - in arranging, on the same component clip (3g), only components of the same branch extremity. The branches or branch portions of the loom which consist of one or more extremities are prepared by gripping together, in end clips (3'f), the extremities which are not plugged in and by putting into the same end clip only the extremities of the same branch. The branches of the loom are separated and formed: - by grasping, in the tapping clips (3'f) adjacent points of the tappings, - by organising and by arranging these tapping clips, these component clips and these end clips according to a preferential order on the conveyor (1), - by reuniting these clips and by separating them in order to form the branches of the loom on the conveyors - by attaching the wires of the same branch together.

Description

DESCRIPTION
Methods and devices for automatically producing tree bundles of wires

 The present invention relates to methods and devices for automatically making tree bundles of wires.

 The technical field of the invention is that of the construction of automatic cabling machines.

 The patent application FR 90 13137 (RICARD Claude) 2 filed October 17, 1990, describes methods and devices for producing wiring harnesses for automatically interconnecting several terminals of various electrical components and several cells of various connector boxes with sections of conductive wires or optical fibers.

 French patent application FR 87 11391 (Claude RICARD) filed August 7, 1987 and US Patent 4,715,099 (YOSHIDA) of December 29, 1987 describe wiring machines in which several conductive wires are carried by means of clamps which are placed on a conveyor forming part of an automatic wiring machine, which clamps each hold one end of a section of wire. The RICARD patent also describes the production of conveyors and clamps.

 These machines are controlled by a programmable central computer. They automatically cut sections of thread whose length is determined by the program. They denude these and they automatically perform crimping operations.

 French patent 83 18 372 (ARTOS) describes another type of automatic machine and a connection device for single beams shown in FIGS. 7 to 11.

 The foregoing patents and in particular patent application 9013137 (Claude RICARD) teach methods for preparing the beams.

 However, the automatic wiring machines made according to these patents fabricate beams for which only the interconnection operations are performed.

 If these patents have made it possible to automatically carry out part of the manufacture previously done essentially by hand, the bundles thus produced must be taken back manually to effect the separation of the branches, to create the branches or knots, and to tie together the threads of the various branches.

 The beams delivered by these machines are difficult to store because the son of the various branches tend to get confused with each other and with the connectors.

 The bundles thus produced must be carefully packaged separately to prevent them from becoming entangled and to reduce the quality defects that are generated by manipulations of manual rework.

 Even though the automatic machines taught by these patents are still profitable, this limits their profitability and reliability. These disadvantages are aggravated by the complexity of the beam.

 Shaping a bundle of branches with taps often requires the beams to be spread on a nail board that simulates the shape of the beam.

 This custom-made nailboard breaks the flexibility of the automatic machines described in the previous patents.

 An object of the present invention is to provide means for the construction of automatic wiring machines for automatically producing bundles of conductive wires or optical fibers whose branches are formed.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide means for the construction of automatic wiring machines as above delivering bundles whose son of the same branch are attached to each other.

 Another object of the invention is to obtain flexible machines which make it possible to carry out the various branches automatically.

 A method according to the invention is of the known type according to which ends of wire sections and components are carried in various clamps.

The objectives of the invention are achieved by a method according to which
said components (24) and said ends (25) of sections corresponding to different branches of the bundle are arranged in different clamps,
some of the said various pliers are spread apart to form the beam into various branches,
- the wires of the same branch are tied together.

The objectives of the invention are achieved by a method according to which
the wire section is grasped and maintained in bypass clamps, at other intermediate points of the ends, which are associated with shunts of the bundle,
- We group in the same bypass clamp several of said intermediate points which are associated with the same derivation.

 Advantageously, some of said various clamps are spaced apart to form the beam into various branches.

 According to a particular embodiment, first branches are stretched first.

 According to a preferred embodiment the clamps are spaced by means of one or more second conveyors of the same type as said first conveyor and, advantageously, at least one of said second conveyors is located in the extension of said first conveyor.

 A device for automatically producing bundles of conducting wires or optical fibers is of the known type which comprises a conveyor provided with clamps which grip and convey ends of sections of wires and a loading unit which sets up in said clamps transferred by said Conveyer the ends of sections of wire.

Advantageously, a device according to the invention comprises
a first conveyor provided with at least component-tongs for transporting the components on which certain ends are connected,
means for spreading said tongs and tensioning the branches of the bundle,
- Means for joining the son of the same branch.

 According to a preferred embodiment, said means for moving said tongs comprises at least a second conveyor of the same type as said first conveyor and advantageously at least one of said second conveyors is located in the extension of said first conveyor.

 Advantageously, a device according to the invention comprises means for unwinding wire sections of predetermined lengths, associated with control means which control the unwinding of the wire and which stop the wire at predetermined intermediate points corresponding to leads. Advantageously, said control means are included as software in the computer.

 Some objects of the invention are achieved by a loading unit which according to the invention comprises means for also putting in place in said clamps of said conveyor intermediate points of said section.

 Advantageously, said means for also putting in place some of said clamps of said conveyor intermediate points of said section are the same means as those used for the establishment of ends, the control cycle is different and the cutting of the wire is not controlled by the computer during this cycle.

 One result of the present invention is the construction of wiring machines, in particular an automatic wiring machine, for automatically making bundles of conducting wires or optical fibers comprising several branches and branches.

 This first result makes it possible to automatically produce bundles and to carry out automatically part of the production previously done mainly by hand: separation of the branches, creation of the branches and fixation between them of the wires of the same branch.

 This first result also makes it possible to deliver bundles that are easier to store because the wires of the various branches no longer have the same tendency to mingle with each other and with the connectors, and this result makes it possible to economically improve the quality and the profitability. automatic cabling machines.

 Another result of the invention is to allow the shaping of beams, formed of several branches and with branches, without having to extend said beams on a nail board that simulates the shape of the beam.

 Another result of the invention is the realization of flexible wiring machines which automatically form and place the leads at the appropriate locations.

 The invention allows for modular and flexible devices for shaping beams.

 The present invention relates to methods and devices for automatically making tree bundles of wires.

The branches or portions of the bundle terminated by components are prepared
- by performing the appropriate treatments on the various extremities,
- by having on the same component-gripper only components of the same branch end.

 The branches or portions of branches of the bundle consisting of one or more ends are prepared by grouping in end clamps the ends that are not plugged in and by putting in one end clamp only ends of the same plugged.

The branches of the beam are separated and formed
- by seizing in points of derivation of the points neighbors of the derivations,
by arranging and arranging these by-pass grippers, component grippers and end grippers in a preferred order,
- by gathering these clips and spreading them to form the branches of the beam,
- by tying together the threads of the same branch.

 The following description refers to the appended drawings which represent, without any limiting character, exemplary embodiments of devices according to the invention.

 Figure 1 shows a bundle of son having various branches and a branch.

 FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial diagrammatic views, in plan, from above and in elevation of the assembly of a device according to the invention, in the process of manufacturing beams such as that described in FIG.

 FIGS. 4 and 5 are also partial, diagrammatic, plan, top and elevation views of the whole of a device, in the process of producing beams such as that described in FIG. 1 using bypass clamps, according to other features of the invention.

 Figures 6 to 12 show various stages of the formation of the branches, in partial and schematic views, plan, from above.

 Figure 13 shows an elementary beam of three wires.

 FIG. 14 is a schematic partial view in perspective of a device according to the invention, showing the placement of points, intermediate of the ends, which are associated with beam leads or nodes in end clamps. then their grouping in diversion clamps.

 FIG. 14 also represents a particular embodiment of the invention in which the branches are only attached to the vicinity of the bypass clamps.

 FIGS. 15 and 16 show a gripper for placing one or more threads in a gripper, setting up a thread in a gripper, according to a side view and in partial sectional elevation .

 Figure 17 is a detail of the base which are provided with the clamps shown in Figures 15 to 19.

 Figures 18 and 19 show a known type of clamp, which can be both a bypass clamp end clamp, according to a side view and in partial section in elevation.

 20 shows, in a perspective view and a partial cross section, a set of three conveyors and a carriage carrying the means for the establishment of abutments and clamps.

 FIGS. 2 and 3 show a device according to the invention manufacturing beams of the type shown in FIG.

 According to the example of these figures, a first conveyor (1) carries, along the axis (Y'Y), or downstream, interconnected components carried by component-tongs (3), such as (3a), and unconnected ends held in end clamps (3 '), such as (3'f).

This first conveyor (1) is only partially represented. The upstream part realized according to the teaching of the patents (C. RICARD)
FR 90 13137 and FR 87 11391 ensures
the connection of the ends in adapted receptacles for components carried by clamps (3g), (3a), (3c), (3b), and
the grouping of several ends in end or group clamps (3'f), (3'e) (3'd).

 This part, which is upstream, delivers said clamps according to the reference (I) and receives the clips discharged according to the reference (II) for recycling as taught in FR 90 13137.

 The first conveyor (1) is provided with end grippers (3 ') for conveying said ends (25), and component grippers (3) for transporting the components (24), on which certain ends are connected.

 The object of the present invention is to provide means, allowing the construction of automatic wiring machines to automatically produce beams, leads or optical fibers, whose branches are formed. That is, the branches are separated and the threads of a branch are tied together.

 FR 90 13137 describes methods and devices for automatically connecting ends of sections of conductive wires or optical fibers to suitable receptacles of components. This patent makes it possible to interconnect the components of a beam, but it does not teach how to form the branches of this beam.

 The patent FR 87 11391 describes a device for grouping several wires in an end clamp. He does not teach how to make the gripper which allows to have several son in the same end clamp. One embodiment of such a clamp is shown in Figures 15 and 16.

 According to the invention, the components are held by the component clamps (3) and the unconnected ends are held in end clamps (3 ') according to a particular distribution, said components (24) and said ends (25) are provided. ) sections corresponding to different branches of the beam in different clamps.

 In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3 each end (5a) to (5g) is on a particular clamp (3g), (3'f), (3'e), (3'd), (3a) ), (3c) and (3b). However, for other types of beam, it may be advantageous to fix on the same component clamp (3) several connectors. The same branch may be terminated by a plurality of connectors, arranged on different clamps, or also include an end group clamp (3 ').

FIG. 2 shows that a device according to the invention comprises
- a first conveyor (1) provided with end clamps (3f), (3e) and (3d), for conveying certain ends, and component-clips, for transporting components on which other ends are connected ;
means (2) for spreading said tongs and tensioning the branches of the bundle.

means (9), (10) and (11) for joining the threads of the same branch
FIG. 1 represents an example of a beam which comprises various branches (7a), (7b) ... (7h), which comprises three nodes or branches (6a), (6b) and (6c), and various ends (5a) , (5b) ... (5g).

 According to the example of FIG. 2, the sets of ends (5d), (5e) and (5f) which correspond respectively to the different branches of the beam, (7d), (7h) and (7f), are arranged, in different clamps, respectively (3d), (3e) and (3f). These clamps are fed, by the conveyor (1), means (2), with which one moves apart said various clamps to form the beam into various branches.

 Said means, in the device represented by FIGS. 2 and 3, comprise a set of second parallel conveyors (2) of the same type as the first conveyor (1).

 Advantageously as shown in Figure 2, at least one of said second conveyors (2a) is located in the extension of said first conveyor (1).

 According to the particular embodiment of FIG. 2, the beam is spread over all the conveyors (2) so that the various branches are simultaneously stretched between the clamps and by means of rods or stops (4) which deviate and organize the branches of the beam.

 The stops such as (4c), (4'c) or as (4b), (4'b) are arranged at predefined locations which correspond to the branches (6c) and (6b). In combination with clamps, such as (3g), (3'f) and (3'e), also arranged at predefined locations, these stops hold the corresponding branches, such as (7g), (7f) and (7h), taut. .

 For example, the stop (4c) disposed on the slide (2'tua) and the group clamp (3'f) disposed on the second conveyor (2b) have predetermined positions such that the branch (7f) is stretched. The rod (4c) is in contact with the branch (7f) at the curvilinear abscissa on this branch corresponding to the length of this branch (7d).

 Other stops, such as (4x), (4y) and (4z), do not correspond to derivations. They are advantageously arranged at predetermined locations for folding the branches (7d), (7a) and (7j). By way of example, the predetermined positions of the component clip (3a) of the rod (4y) and of the rods (4d), (4'd) are such that the rods (4d) and (4'd) are in contact with the branch (7j), the curvilinear abscissa on this branch which corresponds to the length of this branch (7j). This branch is folded by the stop (4z).

 According to an advantageous embodiment in the case of this particular embodiment, said means for spacing said clamps comprise a plurality of stops (4) which deviate and organize the branches (7) of the beam.

 According to Figure 2, various clamps and stops are arranged on the second conveyor (2a) and the slide (2 "a) at predetermined locations.At upstream to downstream is noted in order: the clamp component (3g), the pairs of abutments (4c) and (4'c), (4b) and (4'b), (4a) and (4'a), (4d) and (4'd) and the component clamp (3b): said stops and clamps are arranged along parallel and adjacent conveyors in approximately the same direction.

 As shown in Figure 2, the branches (7g), (7e), (7c), (7b) and (7i) are tensioned by means of the assembly constituted by the second conveyor (2a) and the slide (2 " Advantageously, one of the sets of branches consisting of the largest number of contiguous branches is thus extended along the same second conveyor or in approximately the same direction.

 For the beam shown in FIG. 1, such a set of branches, consisting of the largest number of contiguous branches, is represented on the conveyor (2a) (7g), (7e), (7c), (7b) and (7i) .

 Such a set is not unique. Another such set is: (7h), (7e), (7c), (7b) and (7j).

 Among several sets made up of the largest number of contiguous branches, it is advantageous to retain the one that includes the largest number of yarn sections by counting the number of yarn sections in each branch and totaling all these subtotals. for all branches.

 The beam, as shown in FIG. 2, comprises a base trunk which consists of the branches: (7g), (7e), (7c), (7b) and (7i) and a set of level 1 branches: 7f), (7h), (7d), (7a) and (7j).

 If the beam were extended on the conveyors (2) and formed according to the geometric configuration shown in FIG. 1, it would comprise a basic trunk consisting of the branches (7a), (7b) and (5b), two level 1 branches. (7c) and (7j), two branches of level 2: (7d) and (7e), and three branches of level 3: (7f), (7g) and (7h).

 Figures 2 and 3 show the device that attaches together the son of the same branch. I1 comprises a commercial robot (9) equipped with an arm (11) which, under the control of the computer (8), may have the tie-in forceps (10) at any point of the second conveyors (2) and to tie said threads of the same branch together. The linker, a trade model, is positioned above the point of the branch to link. It is oriented by the motor (lOb) according to the direction of the branch to be linked. Then it is lowered so as to have all the son of the branch in the jaws (iota) that bring together all the son of the branch by closing. The binding clamp performs the laying of the link, the jaws are reopened and the clamp is removed. All these operations are performed under the control of the computer (8) which executes a predetermined program.

 When the beam is fully formed and bound, the computer suspends the operation of the device. An operator removes the components carried by the component-tongs (3g), (3a), (3c), (3b), and the ends grouped in the end or group clamps (3'f), (3'e). ) (3'd). It thus has a bundle of conducting wires or optical fibers whose branches are shaped and connected. I1 then presses the push button (12) which indicates to the computer (8) that the clamps are empty and the computer (8) resumes the execution of the predetermined program.

 The computer (8) controls the conveyor (2e) so as to transfer the component clamp (3c), in the direction of the axis (Y'Y), to the downstream end of this conveyor. Then he controls the pliers discharge system (13) to the return conveyor (14). These devices (13), (14) are made according to the teachings of patent FR 90 13137 (RICARD Claude) or by means of a commercial manipulator. They return this clamp ves the upstream part of the device. The conveyor (1) is part of this upstream device which is shown only partially in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The computer successively controls
moving the conveyor (2'd) to bring the carriage (15d) opposite the abutment (4z),
- The output of the cylinder (16) which unlocks this stop of the toothed belt by the effect of the wedge (17) which, penetrating into the slot (18) lifts the foot and disengages the toothed belt.

The insertion of the wedge also allows the carriage (15d) to move the stop (4z) along the conveyor (2 "d),
- The displacement of the conveyor (2 "d) which brings back the stop (4z) with the other stops stored at the upstream end of this conveyor The stops are stored thus, in a regular step which is a multiple of the pitch of the belt notched at which they are locked, at the upstream end of the conveyors (2 ");
- The retraction of the cylinder (16) which releases the wedge (17) and which locks the stop on the conveyor (2 "d) in this storage position.

 Similarly, the computer (8) controls the transfer to the storage position of all the stops present on the various conveyors (2 ").

 The computer (8) controls the conveyor (2d) to bring the foot (21), FIG. 20, of the component gripper with respect to the cutout (22) located immediately downstream. The computer controls the conveyor (2'c) to bring the carriage (15c) opposite the component clamp (3a) and actuates the jack (23) carried by the carriage which pushes the component clamp on the belt notched conveyor (2e). The teeth of this belt are located in alignment with those of the conveyor belt (2d) and in alignment with the belts of the various conveyors (2) and (2 ') when they are stopped. The teeth of the base of the clamp slide on them. The stroke of the jack (23) is such that the clamp is pushed into the axis of the conveyor (2e), through the slots (59) cut regularly in all the profiles forming the conveyors (2) and (2 '). The conveyors (2 ") are located at a lower level so as not to hinder this movement of the clamps along the axis (XX ') In the same way that it had ejected the clamp (3c) of the conveyor (2e) , the computer controls the ejection of the clamp (3a) fed to the conveyor (2e).

 The device for spreading said grippers and tensioning the branches of the beam is advantageously achieved by the juxtaposition of devices of the same type (2), (2 '), (2 "), represented in FIG. 20, placed under the control of the computer (8) Thus, the conveyors (2e), (2d), (2c), (2b) and (2a) are of the same type Conveyors (2 "d), (2" c), (2 "b ) and (2 "a) are of the same type Conveyors (2'e), (2'd), (2'c), (2'b) and (2'a), made in the same way as the conveyor (2a) are of the same type and they carry carriages of the same type The conveyor (2 "'a) is of the same type as, for example, the conveyor (2'a).

Given its position and actions, it is not essential to juxtapose an abutment conveyor and the carriage (15 "'a) does not require a cylinder (23).

 This way of producing the beam shaping device is advantageous because of its modularity and flexibility.

 In the same way that it has controlled the transfer of the clamp (3a) to the conveyor (2e), then its ejection towards the return conveyor (14), the computer (8) controls, by means of mechanisms of the same type, the transfer of all the clamps to the conveyor (2e), according to a succession of conveyor conveyor transfers and finally their ejection to the return conveyor (14).

 In this phase of the sequential production of the bundles, the conveyors (2) are free of any clamp, the stops are stored at the upstream end of the conveyors (2 ") in a regular pitch and the carriages (15) are arranged upstream end of the conveyors (2 ').

 On the conveyor (1) are prepared all components and ends of sections corresponding to different branches of the beam held in different clamps.

 Advantageously, these clamps are ordered on the first conveyor as a function of the abscissa, measured on the trunk, of the branch which terminates the branch which connects said clamp to the trunk.

 When at an attachment point, there exists a subset of branches of which at least one is of an order greater than one, it is advantageous to repeat the same processing for said subset.

That is to say to dispose, along the same axis, the longest trunk in this set. Clamps that compose it are ordered according to the same rule on the conveyor (1)
The branches of this set are advantageously treated by defining a secondary base trunk and tending, along the same second conveyor or in approximately the same direction, one of the sets of branches consisting of the largest number of contiguous branches.

 If the computer (8) centralizes the control and control of the upstream portion not shown and the conveyor (1), it directly controls the conveyor (1). Otherwise, it performs this operation via the computer that controls and controls this upstream part. This control also moves the conveyor (2a) in synchronism with the conveyor (1) so that the two belts of the same type that equip them transfer the first clamp of the beam (3b) of the conveyor (1) on the conveyor (2a). ). It is advantageous to have a single computer that supervises the operation of the assembly and decentralized controllers on the various units.

The computer controls the conveyor (2'b) which moves the carriage (15b) and the jack (16) to carry and lock
a first abutment (4'd) at an abscissa, measured along the axis (Y'Y) and from the axis (X'X), slightly greater than the width of the component-plier (3c) according to the axis (Y'Y),
- A second abutment at the abscissa 0, upstream of the conveyor (2 "a), so that the component clamp (3c) can be slid along the axis (XX ') between these two stops.

The conveyor (2a) is actuated and moves the clamp (3b) downstream a distance equal to the length of the branch (7i)
The stop (4z) is transported and locked on the conveyor belt (2 "d) at the abscissa 0 upstream thereof by means of the carriage (15e) and the conveyor (2'e) as previously for the stop (4d).

 The computer synchronously drives the conveyors (1) and (2a) to transfer the clamp (3c) on the conveyor (2a) and bring it between the two stops (4d) and (4'd). The clamp (3c) is thus presented between the stops (4d) and (4'd) and the foot of this clamp is opposite one of the lights (22).

 The computer controls the various conveyors (2'a), (2'b), (2'c), (2'd) and the various carriages (15) and the cylinders (23) to transfer along the axis ( XX ') the clamp (3g) on the conveyor (2e).

 The set of conveyors (2a), (2b), (2c) and (2d) are moved simultaneously downstream so as to tension the branch (7j). The relative positions of the clamps (3c), (3b) and stops (4z), (4d), relative to each other, are those of FIG. 2, with a translation close to and with the exception of the stop ( 4'd) which is shifted.

 The computer then controls the conveyor (2'a) and the jack (23) of the carriage (15a) so as to move the stop (4'd) upstream and to bring it closer to the stop (4d) as shown in Figure (2).

 At this stage of formation of the beam, that is to say of its geometric shaping, the component-tongs (3b) and (4z), the stops (4d), (4'd) and (4z) are in the same positions as in Figure 2 to a translation along the axis (Y'Y).

 The computer then synchronously shifts all the conveyors (2), (2 ') and (2 ") to offset downstream the beam portion already formed and so that the abscissa of the stop (4d) is equal to the distance shown between the stops (4a) and (4d) in Figure 2. The unused stops are brought upstream by means of the carriages (15) and conveyors (2 ').

 According to a process identical to those described above, the abutments (4a) and (4'a) are put in place leaving between them the place to slide the clamp (3a). The abutment (4y) and the clamp (3a) are put in place. The computer then shifts in synchronism all the conveyors (2), (2 ') and (2 ") with the exception of the conveyor (2d) carrying the clamp (3a) which is held stationary, to shift downstream the beam portion already formed and so as to tension the branch (7a) The stop (4'a) is brought upstream as before for the stop (4'd).

 At this stage, we obtain on the conveyors (2), for these various elements and for those already in place, the same arrangement as that shown in Figure 2.

 In the same way, the clamp (3'd) and the corresponding stops are put in place.

The establishment of the tongs (3'f) and (3'e) could be done in the same way as for the previous clamps by placing each of these clamps on new conveyors (2). According to another advantageous mode of branch formation which reduces the number of conveyors (2) necessary, it is preferable to arrange them as shown in FIG. 2. To do this, the computer controls according to another sequence
- The movement of all the conveyors (2), (2 ') and (2 ") in synchronism to transfer on the conveyor (2a) the tongs (3'f) and (3'e) spread as shown in Figure 2. This displacement simultaneously shifts downstream the already formed beam portion The displacement is such that the abscissa of the abutment (4b) is greater than the distance between the extreme ends of the tongs (3'f) and (3'e) ) as shown in Figure 2.

 - The establishment on the conveyor (2 "a), the abutment (4'c) immediately upstream of the abutment (4b), and the abutment (4c) immediately upstream of the abscissa 0. Thus l spacing of these two stops is greater than the size of the clamps (3'f) and (3'e).

 - The transfer of the tongs (3'f) and (3'e) on the conveyor (2b).

 The transfer in synchronism of all the conveyors (2), (2 ') and (2 ") with the exception of the conveyor (2b) carrying the clamps (3' f) and (3'e) which are kept motionless, to offset downstream the already formed beam portion and so as to tension the branch (7e) .The conveyor is also controlled synchronously during this transfer, it transfers the gripper (3g) to the conveyor (2a) so as to the distance between the clamp (3g) and the stop (4b) is that of FIG.

 - The transfer of the stops (4c) and (4'c) to their relative locations as shown in Figure 2.

 At this stage, we obtain on the conveyors (2) for all the elements, the same arrangement as that shown in Figure 2.

According to the description given above for the introduction of the tongs (3'f) and (3'e) another way of geometrically forming the beam consists
- to set up all stops so as to maintain their relative positions and to leave room to transfer, possibly between them, certain clamps which must be transferred to another conveyor, but bringing them as close as possible without taking into account the distances imposed for the tension of the branches;
- To transfer on the conveyor (2a) and possibly to the other conveyors and between said stops, said clamps;
- Then bring the stops that must be to deflect the branches, as shown in Figure 2;
- And finally moving the conveyors to stretch the branches and obtain the arrangement shown in Figure 2.

 Figures 4 and 5 show, in partial views, schematic, in plan, from above and in elevation, a device similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3. This device is shown in the process of making beams, as described in Figure 1. This device is a particular embodiment of the invention which uses bypass clamps.

 These figures show that all the components of the beam are worn as previously by the clamps (3g), (3'f), (3'e), (3'd), (3a) and (3c). The branches are held either by group clamps (3 '), or by component-clamps (3), or finally by bypass clamps (3 "): branch (7g) between (3g) and (3" c '), branch (7e) between (3 "c') and (3" e) etc ...

 The bypass clamps (3 "), the end clamps and the group clamps (3 ') are advantageously identical and made according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 17.

 According to the example shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bypass clamps (3 "), designed to grasp and hold several son, maintain all the son of a branch at intermediate points that are associated with derivations.

 According to the advantageous embodiment shown, the wires of the branches of a branch are held separately, branch by branch, in several branching clamps (3 ") arranged contiguously as (3" c), (3 "c ') (3 "c") These clamps have a certain size and there is a minimum length of wire included within or between their jaws.To this size, these bypass clamps grip the wires to same points as those which were in contact with the stops as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

 According to a variant of the invention it is possible to group said contiguous clamps into a single device and in particular to use for this purpose clamps which can capture and hold several son in a given order and in a small space.

In particular the clamps of this type described in the patent application
FR 90 13137 (RICARD Claude) are advantageous.

 The unusable lengths inherent in said space requirement are a function of the embodiment of said clips and their arrangement.

 At these unusable lengths, said intermediate points, which are associated with taps and which are maintained by said bypass clamps, are also the bypass points designated in Figure 1 by the marks (6).

 The upstream part which delivers said clamps according to the reference (I) and which receives the clamps discharged according to the reference (II) for recycling them is represented in FIG.

 Advantageously, according to this particular embodiment of the method, it is no longer necessary to extend the entire beam in a configuration that simultaneously stretches all the branches. According to the embodiment of FIG. 4, only said by-pass clamps are spread apart with the various other clamps for shaping the bundle and, advantageously, the various branches are tensioned and optionally connected one after the other.

 Advantageously, as for the device, represented by FIGS. 2 and 3, and in the same manner, one of the sets of branches consisting of the largest number of branches is stretched along the same second conveyor or in approximately the same direction. contiguous branches.

 According to the first phase of the example of conformation of the beam shown in FIG. 1, the abutment (4w) is put in place, as explained above, by means of the carriage (15a) and the conveyor (2'a). The conveyors (1) and (2a) are driven synchronously to transfer all the clamps and arrive at the configuration shown in Figure 6 starting from the distribution as shown in Figure 4.

As shown in FIG. 7 and in the same manner as above for the device of FIG. 2
- The clamp (3b) is transferred to the conveyor (2b) by means of the carriage (15 "'a) which is moved by the conveyor (2"'a);
- The branch (7i) is deflected by the stop (4w). It is tensioned by moving the clamp (3b) downstream by means of the conveyor (2b);
- Three links (7'i), (7 "i) and (7"'i) are set up by the manipulator provided with the clamp to bind (9), (11) and (10).

 Depending on the length of the branch (7i) the computer controls the downstream movement of the stop (4w) to allow the transfer of the clamp (3b) to the conveyor (2a).

 The clamp (3b) is then returned to the conveyor (2a) by means of the carriage (15 "'a) moved by the conveyor (2"' a). In this case and according to the embodiment of Figure 20, the cylinder (23) pulls the clamp (3b) by means of the device (23a).

 The abutment (4w) is optionally brought back to the position shown in FIG. 6. The arrangement of the assembly of the bundle and the various clamps is then that represented in this FIG. 6 with three links (7'i), (7 "i) , (7 "'i) which fix between them the threads of the branch (7i).

 According to the second phase of the example of conformation of the beam shown in FIG. 1, the conveyors (1) and (2a) are driven in synchronism to transfer all the clamps and obtain the geometrical configuration represented in FIG. 8, starting from that shown in Figure 6. The installation of the three links (7'j), (7tt;), (7 "il) is performed.

 The branch (7b) is stretched, then provided with three links (7'b), (7 "b), (7" 'b), as the branch (7i).

 The conveyors (2a) and (2b) are then driven in synchronism to transfer all the clamps they carry, and to arrive at the configuration shown in Figure 9.

 As previously, the clamp (3c) is brought back onto the conveyor (2a), the conveyors (2a) and (2b) are transferred upstream and the stop (4w) is eventually brought back to the position shown in FIG. 8.

The arrangement of the assembly of the bundle and the various clamps is then that shown in this FIG. 8 with three links (7'b), (7 "b), (7" 'b) which fix between them the wires of the branch (7b) and with three links (7'j), (7 "j), (7" 'j) which fix between them the son of the branch (7j).

 According to the third phase of the example of conformation of the beam shown in FIG. 1, the conveyors (1) and (2a) are synchronously driven to transfer all the grippers and, starting from the geometric distribution of FIG. to that of Figure 10. The tension of the branches (7a) and (7c), the laying of links on these branches are performed as before.

 FIG. 11 shows a way of tightening and binding the branches (7g), (7flet (7h) using three conveyors (2a), (2b) and (2c) as previously.

 Figure 12 shows the completed beam and presented to the operator who must clear the boxes of the clamps (3) and the branches of the clamps (3 ') and (3 ") .The computer, which had suspended the operation of the all the conveyors (2) controls the evacuation of the empty clamps, as soon as the operator presses the button (12) to indicate that he has finished unloading the beam.

 According to the method described above, one tends after one another various branches and in the order in which are arranged the various clamps on the conveyor.

 According to another embodiment which does not include conveyors for tensioning the branches, the clamps are moved by a manipulator. Advantageously, this manipulator can then be the same as that which carries the clamp to bind. Advantageously, in this case, the clamps are arranged on a table which comprises a multiplicity of means for fixing the clamps. Said fastening means may be made by cells in which the bases of said clamps are embedded or by details of complementary forms of the male-female type distributed between the bases and said table.

 According to another embodiment of the invention using a manipulator, said table and said clamps advantageously comprise magnetic elements, for example a soft iron plate or a set of magnets. The fixing of the clamps is performed by magnetic attraction.

FIG. 13 represents an elementary beam of three wires:
(24), (25), (26). This beam has three ends: (A), (B),
(C) and a derivation or node (A ') and it is formed of three branches
(27), (28) and (29).

 According to the example of Figure 13, the branch (27) between the end zone (A) and the bypass zone (A ') comprises a portion of the son sections (26) and (24). The end of the wire (26) of the end zone (A) is denoted by (24A).

 FIG. 14 shows a device according to the invention in the process of manufacturing beams of the type represented in FIG. 13.

 Downstream of this device, there are two of these beams. Their ends (A), (B) and (C) and intermediate points associated with the derivation (A '), are held in clamps.

 The conveyor (1 ') is only partially represented. The clip sequence (3 "a), (3" b) to (3 "m) continues until (3" t) in the portion of this conveyor that is not shown. This unrepresented part also includes the empty clamps (3 "a '), (3" b') and (3 "c ') which are followed by the clamps (3" d) to (3 "t"). also include several clip sequences such as (3 "a) to (3" t) .The sequence of clips (3 "a ') to (3" t'), the most upstream, is a sequence of the same type. set up in the clamps.

 Figure 14 is truncated downstream and has two pins I and II. The not shown portion may be one of the devices, partially shown in Figures 4 and 5 which also include the pins I and II. In this case the link installation unit (55) is optional because the links are posed by these devices.

 According to a particular and advantageous embodiment, the branches are attached to the vicinity of the bypass clamps by the link laying unit (55) arranged along the transfer path of the clamps. The downstream part, not shown, is then limited to the pliers recycling means defined in patent application FR 90 13137 (Claude RICARD), filed on October 17, 1990, and to the beam unloading means. These means defined elsewhere in this patent advantageously comprise an electric button (12), as on the device of Figure 2, which allows the operator to indicate that he removed the beam. The computer which had suspended the operation of the conveyor (1 ") is connected to this button n controls the evacuation of the empty clamps as soon as it receives the signal emitted when the operator presses this button (12).

 The loading unit shown in FIG. 14 is of the known type which makes it possible to set up the ends (A), (B), (C) of wire sections (24), (25), (26) in However, according to the invention this device is provided with complementary means by means of which the wire section is grasped and maintained in bypass clamps at other intermediate points of the ends which are associated with beam derivations.

 Advantageously, said end clamps and said bypass clamps are identical.

 This charging unit (30) is part of a device for automatically producing bundles of conducting wires or optical fibers which is only partially and schematically represented in FIG. 14. This device comprises a conveyor (1 ') realized according to a known method, provided with clamps (3 ") which grip and carry ends of sections of son.The various clamps are distinguished by an index for example (3" a) and (3 "a ').

 This loading unit installs in said grippers transferred by said conveyor ends of sections of wire and it comprises means for also putting in place in some of said clamps of said conveyor intermediate points of said section.

 According to the nonlimiting embodiment of FIG. 14, the wire (31) is taken between the rollers (33) which are rotated by the motors (34) so as to unroll it from the reel (32) and to inject it into the telescopic tube (35).

 The telescopic tube can be retracted to the position (35a) to allow the scissors (37) to cut the wire flush with the tube or to allow the gripper (38) to grip it.

 The wire (31) can be put into place in the double fork (36) by advancing this tube and the wire to the position (35b). They pass through the double forked guide (36) and the wire remains in this fork when the tube is retracted.

According to the example of Figure 14, the loading unit also comprises a gripper (38), detailed in Figures 15 and 16, which is moved by means comprising
- a rotary jack (41) which allows to present the gripper (38), moved in rotation by the motor (39), above
either of the bypass clamp (3 "t) to engage a wire, the gripper is then as shown in (38) and the motor (39);
either of the double fork (36) to pick up the wire; the gripper is then in (38a) and the motor in (39a);
- An indexed motor (39) which allows to rotate the gripper (38) and have it, as shown, above the bypass clamp (3 "t) and above the double fork (36). The rotation is carried out, clockwise or counter-clockwise, around the axis of the vertical rod (40), parallel to the axis Z'Z, under the action of these first two means, the final resultant displacements of the gripper (38), from the double fork (36) to the gripper is either a simple translation or said translation associated with a rotation of 180, this clamp, about the axis (40 ' ).

a jack (40) which, during vertical displacements parallel to the Z'Z axis,
or, in the sampling position (38a): withdrawing a portion of wire by moving the gripper (38) open jaws between the teeth of the double fork (36), closing said jaws on the wire guided in said double fork and raising said gripper holding said portion of wire;
either, in the transfer position (38): to transfer said portion of wire held in said bypass plier (3 "t), by lowering the clamp (38) placed above the clamp (3" t) which engages the wire between the nozzles of this end clamp, then pulling up jaws open.

By way of non-limiting example, the device of FIG. 14 sets up the wire (24) performing the following sequence of actions controlled by the computer (42)
- Initially the device is in the following state
. the tube (35) is retracted into position (35a),
. the wire is cut flush with the end (35a).

 . the gripper (38) is disposed in the vertical loading position of the double fork (36) with its jaws aligned to grip along the axis X'X.

 - The manufacture of a new beam starts with the installation on the conveyor (1 ') of nine empty bypass clamps (3 "a'), (3" b ') ... to (3 "i') .

 - The introduction of the downstream end (26 "C) begins.

- An end clamp (3 "j ') is placed on the conveyor (1') which is advanced by one step and which presents it in the loading position,
- The tube is out to position (35b). The motors (34) are controlled to unwind the wire to this position (35b). The tube is then retracted into position (35a). I1 discovers the end of the wire which is now guided in the double fork (36).

 - The gripper has descended jaws open between the teeth of the fork (36). The jaws are closed on the wire. The gripper is raised with the wire.

 - The gripper (38) is brought into the transfer position above the end clamp (3 "j ') in a translation movement coupled to a rotation of 1800. The end which was directed along the axis X'X at the outlet of the tube (35) is thus returned and held along the axis XX 'The gripper (38) transfers this end directed along the axis XX' into the end clamp (3 "j ').

During all these movements of the gripper, the wire is delivered by the motors (34) according to the need of the movements.

 - The gripper (38) is returned empty in the sampling position.

 - The new bypass clamp (3 "k ') is placed on the conveyor (1') which is advanced one step.

 - The wire is unwound by the motors (35) until in the double fork (36) said predetermined first intermediate point of said section to be put in place in the bypass clamp (3 "k ').

 - The gripper (38) goes down, picks up the wire and goes back up. It is moved to the transfer position and at the same time the motors (34) deliver the wire necessary for this movement. This movement is globally a translational movement: the end of the wire which was directed along the axis X'X at the outlet of the tube (35) remains maintained along the axis X'X. The gripper (38) transfers this end directed along the axis X'X in the bypass clamp (3 "k ').

 - The gripper (38) returns empty in the sampling position.

 - The establishment of the first intermediate point of the wire (26 '), corresponding to the derivation (A'), is completed and the establishment of the second intermediate point of the wire (26 '), corresponding to the derivation (A' ) begins.

 - The wire is unwound by the motors (35) until in the double fork (36) the second predetermined intermediate point of said section to be put in place in the bypass clamp (3 "1 ').

- The gripper (38) descends open, grasps the wire rises and moves to the transfer position at the same time that the motors (34) deliver the wire necessary for this movement. This movement is globally a translation movement coupled to a rotation of 1800: the end of the wire which was directed along the axis X'X at the outlet of the tube (35) is thus returned and maintained along the axis
XX '.

 - The new bypass clamp (3 "l ') is placed on the conveyor (1') which is advanced one step.

 - The gripper (38) transfers this end directed along the axis XX 'in the bypass clamp (3 "1').

 - The gripper (38) returns empty in the sampling position.

 - The establishment of the second intermediate point of the wire (26 '), corresponding to the derivation (A'), is completed and the establishment of the upstream end (26 "A) begins.

 - The new clamp (3 "m ') is placed on the conveyor (1') which is advanced one step.

 - The wire is unwound by the motors (35) to bring in the axis of the scissors (37) the second end of the wire section (26 ').

 - The gripper (38) descends open, grasps the wire and holds it.

 - The scissors (37) cut the thread at the level (35a).

 - The gripper (38) rises and moves to the transfer position. This movement is globally a translation movement; the end which was directed along the axis X'X at the outlet of the tube (35) is maintained along the axis X'X.

 - The gripper (38) transfers this end directed along the axis X'X in the end clamp (3 "u).

 - The gripper (38) returns empty in the sampling position.

 - The establishment of the upstream end (26 "C) of the wire (26 ') is completed.

 - The introduction of the downstream end (25 "A), the intermediate points (25" A ') and the downstream end (25 "C) of the wire (25') is carried out as that of the wire (26 ') detailed above.

 - The establishment of the downstream end (24 "B), the intermediate points (24" A ') and the upstream end (24 "A) of the wire (24') is performed likewise.

 Implementation of the ends, in end clamps, and predetermined intermediate points, in bypass clamps, is complete.

 The manufacture of a new beam starts again by placing on the conveyor nine empty bypass clamps which advantageously will be of the same type as the previous ones.

 Advantageously and, as described above and shown in FIG. 14, an intermediate point of a wire associated with a branch is maintained at two points, by means of two branching clamps: clamps (3 "k) and (3) "1) for the wire (26).

 The device, represented by FIG. 14, thus advantageously comprises means for unwinding wire sections of predetermined lengths as well as control means which control the unwinding of the wire and which stop the wire at predetermined intermediate points corresponding to taps. . In the nonlimiting case of this example, said control means are advantageously included as software in the computer (42).

Another advantageous solution is to have on the loading unit, a programmable controller or a secondary computer (42 '), and connect it by at least one connection to the main computer (42).

This controller specifically controls said unit and controls the execution of global actions whose definition it receives by means of said link.

 Figure 14 shows end clamps, such as (3 "j ') and (3" m'), holding ends, such as (26'C) and (26'A). It also shows diverter pliers, such as (3 "k ') and (3" 1'), maintaining intermediate points associated with derivations, such as (26'A '). This figure shows that the wire section is grasped and maintained in by-pass clamps at other intermediate points of the ends which are associated with shunts of the beam.

 According to FIG. 14, these clamps are transferred by the conveyor (1 ') to the grouping unit (43) which makes it possible to group together in one and the same branch clamp several of said intermediate points which are associated with one and the same branch.

 According to the embodiment of FIG. 14, the conveyor (1 ') has transferred into the field of action of the transfer unit (43), the clamps (3 "k) and (3" j), as well as than the nine empty clamps, (3 "a) to (3" i).

 The transfer unit is advantageously placed astride two conveyors whose engines are independent. According to the example of Figure 14, the toothed belt conveyor (1 ') terminates between the clamps (3 "j) and (3" i). He leads the clamps to the clamp (3 ") and is followed by the conveyor (1 ') which drives the clamps from the clamp (3" i).

 In front of the clamps located on the last two positions of the conveyor (1 '), clamps (3 "k) and (3" j) of Figure 14, there is arranged two opening systems of these clamps. Such a system which is represented in FIG. 15 according to the reference (56) is known.

 Advantageously, the transfer unit has gripping means capable of simultaneously grasping two intermediate points and the field of action of this transfer unit (43) includes at least two clamps on the upstream conveyor (1 ') for simultaneously transferring two intermediate points of a wire associated with the same branch on two bypass clamps carried by the downstream conveyor (1 ').

 Figure 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of this transfer unit (43). A manipulator is provided with two gripping pliers, (44) and (44 '), of the same type as the gripper (38). This manipulator is also provided with means for moving them from one point to another of said conveyor.

 A first part of these displacement means consists of two jacks (45), (45 ') similar to the jack (41), which allow the gripping means (44), (44') to be lowered independently of the grippers (3). "(a) to (3").

 The second part of these means is of the screw-nut type. The motor (46) rotates the worm (47) which collaborates with the nut fixed on the movable assembly (48). This nut drives in translation this assembly (48), guided by the slides (49), along the conveyor so that the gripping members move vertically from the clamps (3 "a) to (3" j).

 So that the first manipulator (44) can grasp the end held by the clamp (3 "j) which is then open by the opening means associated therewith, release said end of said clamp which once empty is closed move and engage this end in another predetermined clamp (3 "a) to (3" i). The clamp (3 "j) is then ejected to the return conveyor according to an embodiment taught in FR 90 13137 (RICARD Claude). The ejection means (19) of the empty clamps of the conveyor (1 ') to the return conveyor are located at the clamps (3 "k) and (3" j) as shown in FIG.

 These gripping members comprise clamps (38 ') and (38 ") made according to the example of Figures 15 and 16. To engage the wire, the clamp (38') forces the opening of the beaks (50) of the clamp 3 "(j).

 According to Figure 16, the nozzles are spread by the action of this wire which acts as a wedge on the portion (50a) of said nozzles. The shape "V" facilitates the opening of these spouts pivoting about the axes (52b) and kept closed by the springs (51).

 According to the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16, the gripper advantageously comprises a thrust pin (53) which can engage between the jaws of the gripper and which supports the yarn when the latter is engaged in a gripper. gripper and holds it temporarily during the withdrawal phase.

 According to this figure, the wire is held by the gripper (38 '), made according to the example of FIGS. 15 to 19. During the insertion of the wire into a clamp, this wire is maintained, inter alia, by the finger (53) that supports the wire that pushes the piston (52). At the end of the descent stroke, the lower part of the finger (53) is at the same level as the internal shape detail (50b) of the nozzles.

Advantageously said finger comprises at its lower part in
contact with the wire a shape detail (69) to retain the wire and
whose profile has a "V" shape or a concave shape.

 If the clip is made by a tangle of beaks or if the clip has shape details hindering the use of a finger as shown, said finger will be advantageously cut to slip between said beaks or avoid said shape details.

 Thus the wire or the various son present in the clamp are held, transiently and in particular when the nozzles are forced to open by the wire in place, by a compression between the piston (52) pushed towards the finger by the spring (54) and the finger (53).

These yarns are also compressed and sheared between the edges of the piston (52) and the edges of the fingers (50) closed by the springs (51).

 Even if at this stage of the action of the device, the gripper engages a thread in an empty clamp, note that the setting action is performed in the same way regardless of the number of son already included in the clamp.

 The cavity constituted by the profile (50b) of the nozzles and the profile (52a) of the piston adapts to the volume of the son it keeps compressed. Moreover, as when inserting a wire, it is the wire itself that forces the beaks to open, the beaks open only to let it pass and the wires already present can not escape.

 According to the example shown in FIG. 14, after having ordered the removal of the downstream end of the wire (26), end (26C) in the clamp (3 "j), the computer moves the moving assembly (48) to bring the member (44) to the vertical of the clamp (3 "a). I1 engages said end in this empty clamp of said conveyor by lowering the gripping means in the down position as described above.

The computer commands the same
the simultaneous transfer of the intermediate points (26A ') of the wire (26), held by the clamps (3 "k) and (3" 1), in the clamps (3 "c) and (3" d) arranged in the unit field (43);
- The transfer of the end (26A), held by the clamp (3 "m), in the clamp (3"h);
- the transfer of the downstream end (25C) of the wire (25), held by the clamp (3 "n), in the clamp (3" b),
the simultaneous transfer of the intermediate points (25A ') of the wire (25), held by the clamps (3 "o) and (3"p)> in the clamps (3 "c) and (3" e),
- The transfer of the upstream end (25B) of the wire (25), held by the clamp (3 "q), in the clamp (3"f);
- the transfer of the downstream end (24B) of the wire (24), held by the clamp (3 "r), in the clamp (3" g),
the simultaneous transfer of the intermediate points (24A ') of the wire (24), held by the clamps (3 ") and (3" t), in the clamps (3 "e) and (3"d);
- The transfer of the upstream end (24A) in the clamp (3 "i).

 Advantageously, as described above and shown in FIG. 14, the wires of the branches of a branch are stored and held separately, branch by branch, in a plurality of contiguous branching clamps (3 ").

 Figure 14 also shows a particular embodiment of the invention in which the branches are attached to the vicinity of the bypass clamps by the linkage unit (55).

 According to Figure 14 this link laying unit is located downstream of the transfer unit (43). It is composed of a jack (56), controlled by the computer (42), which descends the known type of binding clamp (10) so that its spouts (10a) grip all the threads of a branch included in the bypass clamp presented to it by the conveyor (1 ") The computer then commands the clamp to bind together the threads of said branch> to open the spouts (10a) and to return the clamp to bond above said bypass clamp.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 and described above:
- Intermittently transferring a first conveyor provided with end clamps for gripping and holding said ends.

 These ends are seized, held and transferred intermittently according to a certain transfer path by means of said end clamps of said first conveyor.

 By means of said end clamps, some of said ends are presented to end processing units disposed laterally along said transfer path.

 Said ends are modified by means of said end treatment units.

 These ends are presented to a wedding unit which groups together several ends in the same end clamp.

 Said ends are presented to a permutation unit which modifies the order of some of said ends on said first conveyor.

 Several of said ends are presented to a connection unit which connects some of said ends to the components attached to a component clamp.

 - Placing said component clamp on said first conveyor when all the ends are connected.

 - We group in the same bypass gripper several of said intermediate points which are associated with the same derivation.

 - Said bypass clamps with said various clamps are spread apart to form the beam.

FIG. 20 represents, in partial perspective view and in cross-section, the detail of the embodiment:
- a set of three belt conveyors: (2), (2 ') and (2 "),
- a stop (4) and,
- A carriage (15) carrying means for the establishment of stops and clamps, and in particular the cylinders (23) and (16).

 The gripper conveyor (2) carries a gripper (3) of which only the foot is represented by means of the belt (60). This foot comprises a sole (57) whose width (57a) is slightly smaller than the width (58) of the profile to allow good guidance of the base in the profile.

 The length (57b) is slightly less than the length of the notch (58) to allow the transfer of the clamp along the axis (X'X). This transfer is done by dragging, pulling or pushing the pliers. The teeth of the base then slide on the teeth of the belts (60) and (61), and on the teeth of the racks (62) and (63) cut in the profile. The teeth of the belts, in the gripper transfer position, and the teeth of said racks are aligned.

 Said clamp is pushed by means of the jack (23) or pulled by means of this jack and the elastic piece (23a). This device (23a) is produced by means of a piece of hollow elastic rubber. This part can be pressurized and inflated like a balloon by injecting inside the compressed air through the hollow shaft (23b). This room can also be left at rest by venting. This device (23a) freely engages, at rest, in the corresponding hole (64) which is provided with the clamp (3a). After being engaged in said hole, it is inflated and expanded by the injection of compressed air which allows the cylinder (23) to pull the clamp (3).

 The carriage (15) is made according to Figure 20. It has teeth (68) engaged with teeth of the toothed belt (61) of the conveyor (2 '). This belt, which forms a loop driven by a motor, moves the carriage (15) and bring the axis of the cylinder that carries, in correspondence with the axis of the hole (64).

 The displacement of the conveyor (2 ') also makes it possible to bring the carriage (15d) opposite the abutment (4z) so as to align the wedge (17) with the lumen (18).

 The foot (19) is held in contact with the toothed belt by means of the friction washer (66) and the elastic piece (67).

 The outlet of the jack (16) engages said wedge (17) in the lumen (18). The wedge (17) lifts the rod (65) and the foot (19) by compressing the elastic piece or the spring (67). The teeth (66a) of the foot (19) emerge from the complementary teeth (66b) of the toothed belt (20).

Once these teeth are disengaged, the carriage (15) moves the stop (4) along the conveyor (2 ").

Claims (17)

 A method for automatically producing bundles of conducting wires or optical fibers which may comprise a plurality of branches and branches, of the type in which ends of wire sections and components are carried in various clamps, characterized in that  said components (24) and said ends (25) of sections corresponding to different branches of the bundle are arranged in different clamps,  - the wires of the same branch are tied together.  2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that one discards some of said various clamps to form the beam into various branches.  3. Method according to claim 2 characterized in that one tends, along the same second conveyor or in approximately the same direction, one of the sets of branches consists of the largest number of adjacent branches.  4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that  the wire section is grasped and maintained in bypass clamps, at other intermediate points of the ends, which are associated with shunts of the bundle,  - We group in the same bypass clamp several of said intermediate points which are associated with the same derivation.  5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one further carries out some of the following operations  - Intermittently transferring a first conveyor provided with end clamps for gripping and holding said ends.  These ends are seized, held and transferred intermittently according to a certain transfer path by means of said end clamps of said first conveyor.  By said end clamps, some of said ends are presented to end processing units disposed laterally along said transfer path.  Said ends are modified by means of said end treatment units.  These ends are presented to a wedding unit which groups together several ends in the same end clamp.  Said ends are presented to a permutation unit which modifies the order of some of said ends on said first conveyor.  Several of said ends are presented to a connection unit which connects some of said ends to the components attached to a component clamp.  - Placing said component clamp on said first conveyor when all the ends are connected.  6. Method according to claims 2 and 4 characterized in that one deviates said bypass clamps with said various clamps to form the beam.  7. Method according to claim 4 characterized in that the son of the branches of a branch are held separately, branch by branch, in a plurality of branching clamps (3 ") arranged contiguously.  8. The method of claim 4 characterized in that an intermediate point associated with a derivation is maintained at two points.  9. Method according to one of claims 1 or 4 characterized in that  that the branches are attached to the vicinity of the bypass pliers.  10. The method of claim 2 characterized in that one tends one after the other various branches.  11. A method according to any preceding claim characterized in that the clamps are spaced by means of one or more second conveyors of the same type as said first conveyor.  12. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 4, comprising means for unwinding wire sections of predetermined lengths, characterized in that it comprises control means which control the unwinding of the wire and which stop the wire at predetermined intermediate points corresponding to leads.  13. Device for implementing the methods according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterized in that it comprises  a first conveyor provided with at least component tongs (3) for transporting components (24) on which certain ends are connected,  means for spreading said tongs (2) and tensioning the branches of the bundle,  - Means (9), (10) for joining the son of the same branch.  14. Device according to claim 13 characterized in that said means for moving said tongs comprise at least a second conveyor of the same type as said first conveyor.  15. Device according to claim 13 characterized in that said means for spacing said clamps comprise a plurality of stops (4) which deviate and organize the branches (7) of the beam.  16. Device for implementing the methods according to any one of claims 1 to 11 characterized in that it comprises  a conveyor provided with grippers which grip and convey ends of sections of threads,  a loading unit which sets up in said grippers transferred by said conveyor the ends of sections of wire,  means for also putting in place in some of said clamps of said conveyor intermediate points of said section.  17. Device according to claim 13 of the type which further comprises a transfer unit, for transferring and grouping the intermediate points associated with the same branch, on bypass clamps, carried by the downstream conveyor (1 "), characterized in that it has gripping means capable of simultaneously grasping two intermediate points and in that the field of action of this transfer unit (43) includes at least two clamps on the upstream conveyor (1 ').