GB1449530A - Method of and apparatus for positioning wires at a work zone - Google Patents

Abstract

1449530 Terminal applying machine; straightening wires AMP Inc 22 Nov 1974 [12 Dec 1973 (3)] 50617/74 Headings B3A and B3E Apparatus 10, Fig. 1, for positioning the free ends 46 of a plurality of wires 43 at a work zone 151, Fig. 6, in a predetermined spaced array comprises a template 30 having a plurality of spaced apart grooves 32, Fig. 2, extending from end to end of the template on a first surface 31, means 50, for securing the wires so that portions of the wires overlie the surface 31, a wire straightening mechanism 22 including a pair of co-operating arms 132, 134 movable between an open position and a closed, wire gripping position, the mechanism being movable between ends of the template to position wires over the surface and to extend beyond the end 41 of the template, and a member 112 movable relatively to the template for engaging and forcing the wires, when positioned on the surface, into individual grooves. The apparatus also includes a pair of co-operating shear blades 150, 152, a centering device 156 for locating the wires in a predetermined spaced array at the work zone 151 prior to wire trimming by the blades, and an anvil 204 adapted to support terminals 200 having open ferrules (266), Figs. 7-9 (not shown), and a crimping die 222 movable relative to the anvil for crimping the ferrules about respective wire ends. The wire gripping member 50 is pivotable on a pin (72), Figs. 10, 11 (not shown), between a cable loading position and a cable securing position by means of a handle 56. The straightening mechanism 22 has a housing 136 mounted for both axial and rotational movement at the end of a shaft 138. A member 144 of polyurethane is mounted on the lower arm 134 to define a gap 146, Fig. 4, when the arms are in a closed position. A roller 112 is mounted on a pivotable support 114 for movement along the template. In operation, a rotatable cam assembly 165 initiates downward movement of a slide 160 and with it the centering device 156 and shear blade 150. After trimming the wires the blades 150, 152 are moved away from the work zone 151 by the provision of a cam track 180 on the ram 184 and a cam follower 182 attached to the housing 164. Thus, as the slide 160 moves downwardly the blades are moved transversely and crimping can be performed using the die and anvil assembly, the template 30 having been previously moved to a lower position by a wire clamp plate 206. The template is mounted on a block 230 and is vertically movable by way of a slide 234 secured within an aperture 232 in the block. The slide is attached via a lever arm 238 and link 244 to a lever 242 movable by a cam 252 and pivotally mounted to a bracket 240 to which lever 238 is also pivotally mounted. The position of the template can therefore be set corresponding to various operations of the apparatus.