GB1471092A - Apparatus for and method of processing electrical leads - Google Patents

Abstract

1471092 Processing electrical leads AMP Inc 22 Jan 1975 [27 Feb 1974] 2863/75 Heading B3A [Also in Division B8] Apparatus for processing electrical wire leads comprises a plurality of wire supply sources, means 16 feeding a lead length 24 of wire from each supply source, means for severing each lead length from its supply source to produce a lead, a lead conveyer 200 extending transversely of the direction in which the lead lengths are fed, a plurality of lead end processing devices 18, 20 arranged in succession beside the conveyer, and a lead transfer mechanism 100 movable from a first position, Fig. 1, to receive the lead lengths as they are fed from the or each supply source, to a second position, Fig. 3 (not shown), to load the conveyer 200 with the severed lead lengths. A pair of leads are severed from the lead lengths 24 along a plane 34 and the insulation of the wire is severed along planes 36, 38, by a cutting and stripping mechanism 14. A platform 28 of the feed mechanism 16 and a transfer mechanism 100 are moved simultaneously away from the mechanism 14, Fig. 2 (not shown), thereby stripping the covered insulation from the wire ends. Meanwhile wire measuring mechanisms 10 measure further lead lengths 24. The feed mechanisms 16 are swung round to present the stripped ends of the lead lengths 24 to a terminal applicator 12, Fig. 3 (not shown), and simultaneously the transfer mechanism 100 is swung round to dispose the stripped ends of the leads between the jaws of a clamping assembly 212 mounted on the conveyer 200. Terminals T are applied by the applicator 12 and then the jaws of the assembly 212 are closed while simultaneously the jaws of a further assembly 212 at the other end of the conveyer are opened to release completed leads into a container 22 and the devices 18, 20 crimp terminals T1 to the ends of leads 29. The conveyer is then advanced one step, the feed mechanism 16 and the transfer mechanism 100 are swung back to their original positions and the work cycle repeated. The various operations in the work cycle may be synchronized by the use of a common cam-shaft and/or by electronic means. Further means may be provided downstream of the applicator 20, e.g. for forming the leads into an electrical harness or for applying insulating housings to the terminals.