Abstract:
The present invention relates to a workpiece implementation device that fabricates individual workpieces, positions them at their point of use on a component, and connects the workpieces to the components. The device further comprises an accessory assembly capable of shaping the workpieces, coating the workpieces with an adhesive or solderable material, burnishing the point of use on the component, and testing the connection between the workpieces and the component. The positioning, attaching, and accessory assemblies of the workpiece implementation device are adapted to selectively perform their individual functions without the necessity of first repositioning the component or the implementation device. Accordingly, the present invention increases overall production efficiency by integrating several separate implementation tools and workstations into a single, adaptable device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part application of Petitioner&#39;s earlier U.S. application Ser. No. 09/510,281 filed Feb. 21, 2000, entitled ELECTRICAL TERMINAL IMPLEMENTATION DEVICE. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to a device that fabricates, positions, and installs electrical terminals and hardware attachments to subject components. The device of the present invention is further capable of accomplishing optional functions, such as burnishing and electrical/mechanical-pull testing, without repositioning the device for each such optional function.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0005]    Electrical terminals must be connected to certain articles of manufacture to allow for the flow of electricity from one medium to a different medium. This is particularly true in instances where the conductive elements are embedded in or disposed on a non-conductive material, such as a silica substrate. For example, electrical terminals must be attached to glass automotive windows having embedded wire or silver oxide painted defrost grids to provide a point of input and output for electrical current.  
           [0006]    Currently, such terminals are manufactured beginning with the step of obtaining a ribbon of copper, then cleaning, tin-plating, and reeling the ribbon. The ribbon is de-reeled, clad with a solder material on one side, and re-reeled. The ribbon of solder-clad copper is fed into a progressive stamping die that blanks out the flat terminal, then forms the terminal into its final shape. The terminals are connected to a carrier strip that is used to transfer the terminals along the multiple stations of the progressive stamping die. The progressive stamping die cuts the individual terminal off of the carrier strip at its last station. The individual terminals are optionally cleaned and tin-plated to cover the exposed copper where it was cut from the carrier strip. The individual terminals are fed by a vibratory bowl feeder into a machine that applies a flux coating to the solder-clad base of the terminal. The individual terminals are shipped loosely in a container to the fabricator.  
           [0007]    At the fabricator, the individual terminals are attached to the subject component, usually by either manual soldering or automated soldering. In manual soldering, the individual terminals are picked at random from the container by the operator and soldered to the appropriate component. In automated soldering, the individual terminals are fed into a vibratory bowl feeder where they are oriented, fed at random into a track, and positioned in a locating fixture from which a robot withdraws the individual terminal. The robot then moves the terminal to the component and positions it to be soldered.  
           [0008]    Although this process of production and implementation of electrical terminals is well established, it has several shortcomings that cause defects and unnecessary expense. One shortcoming of the established process is the cost of flux-coating individual terminals. The vibratory bowl feeders into which the individual terminals are loaded are frequently jammed and otherwise prevented from operating properly because the terminals become tangled. Another shortcoming of the established process is the loose packaging of the individual terminals, which causes the flux coating to be damaged. This damage can occur in shipping or in the bowl feeder used to orient the terminals in automated soldering. The damage to the flux coating reduces the ability of the terminal to adhere to the component when it is soldered. A further shortcoming of the established process is that manufacturing lot traceability is not accurate. Terminals placed in vibratory bowl feeders are moved randomly. An individual terminal that is moved through the feeder will have spent an indeterminate amount of time in the feeder. The longer a terminal spends in the vibratory bowl feeder, the more likely it is to have some or all of its flux coating removed. The problem of flux coating damage is made more difficult to identify if clear flux is used rather than colored flux. Yet another shortcoming of the established process is the expense associated with automated soldering. Separate pieces of machinery are required to orient the terminals and transfer the terminal from the locating fixture to the soldering location. A further shortcoming of the established process is the time and expense required to clean and tin plate the copper ribbon a second time to cover the copper exposed when the individual terminals are cut.  
           [0009]    Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method and device for positioning, and installing electrical terminals and to subject components.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention relates to a workpiece implementation device that fabricates individual terminals, positions the terminals at their point of use, and connects the terminals to the subject components. The present device may also include an apparatus for shaping the terminal, coating the terminal with flux, burnishing the component, attaching a terminal to the component, and testing the connection between the terminal and the component.  
           [0011]    More specifically, the device of present invention efficiently performs the functions of several separate devices. Integrated terminals are fed into the device by a terminal feeder. A selector assembly then directs the integrated terminals from the feeder toward a punch. However, before the punch separates an individual terminal from the integrated terminals, a loader assembly grips the individual terminal. The individual terminal then separated from the integrated terminals and is moved by the loader assembly to a positioner assembly. An optional burnishing tool then burnishes the point of use on the component prior to the application of the terminal. The positioner assembly moves the individual terminal to the point of use on the subject component and the terminal is connected to the component. Finally, a terminal postponer tests the mechanical connection between the terminal and the component and an electrical testing mechanism tests the electrical characteristics of the component.  
           [0012]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device which separates integrated electrical terminals and positions the terminals at a point of use.  
           [0013]    A further object of the invention is to provide a device which selects individual electrical terminals from integrated electrical terminals and implements them without subjecting the individual terminals to bulk storage or shipping.  
           [0014]    A further object of the invention is to provide a device which prevents damage to the flux coating applied to soldered terminals.  
           [0015]    A further object of the invention is to provide a workpiece attachment device that performs electrical testing and mechanical pull testing without the necessity of repositioning the device.  
           [0016]    A further object of the invention is to provide a workpiece attachment device that allows the electrical testing function to be started while the solder connection solidifies.  
           [0017]    A further object of the invention is to burnish the point of use on the component prior to connecting a terminal thereto without the necessity of repositioning the device.  
           [0018]    A further object of the invention is to provide a device that allows for the implementation of workpieces and the tracing of production lots.  
           [0019]    These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1A is an isometric view of the underside of the device, with the burnish tool and workpiece application and test tool in their “up” position;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the underside of the device, with the burnish tool in its “down” position and the workpiece application and test tool in its “up” position;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1C is an isometric view of the underside of the device, with the burnish tool in its “up” position and the workpiece application and test tool in its “down” position;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the assemblies of the device;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the infeed assembly;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the selector assembly;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is isometric view of the selector assembly in engagement with integrated workpieces;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the press assembly;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the press subassembly;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the press assembly in relation to the integrated workpieces;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the integrated workpieces;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the loader assembly;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the soldering and test assembly;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the soldering and test assembly;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the burnishing assembly;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 14A is a front elevational view of the device, depicting the manner in which the subject component is positioned relative to the soldering and pull test assembly;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 14B is a side elevational view of the device and details the manner in which the burnish tool is positioned relative to the subject component;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 14C is a front elevational view of the device and details the manner in which the subject component is positioned relative to the burnishing wheel; and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the soldering assembly and pull test assembly and details the manner in which the soldering assembly and pull test assembly are positioned against the subject component. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0039]    The numeral  10  refers generally to the workpiece implementation device of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is well-suited for the implementation of various types of workpieces including, but not limited to, electrical terminals and hardware attachments (such as mounting points for automobile wipers, rear view mirrors, and window elevators). However, for simplicity of description, the present invention will be described as it is used to implement electrical terminals.  
         [0040]    As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and  1 C, the device  10  includes a feeder assembly  12 , a soldering assembly  14 , and a burnish assembly  16 , each comprising constituent assemblies. FIG. 2 depicts the feeder assembly  12 , which includes an infeed assembly  100 , a selector assembly  200 , a press assembly  300 , and a loader assembly  400 . The infeed assembly  100  includes an infeed mount  102 . As shown in FIG. 3, the infeed mount  102  has attached to one side thereof a feed tube assembly. The feed tube assembly is comprised of feed tube collet  106 , feed tube retainer  108 , and left and right feed guides  110  and  112 . The feed tube assembly directs the integrated electrical terminals  18  through the feed tube collet  106 , feed tube retainer  108 , and left and right feed guides  110  and  112  into the device  10 . The integrated electrical terminals  18  are directed down a groove  114  in the infeed mount  102 . The infeed mount  102  has attached to it on either side of groove  114  a heel spacer  116  and a blade spacer  118 . The heel spacer  116  supports a heel plate  120 , which supports infeed cover  122 . The blade spacer  118  supports a blade plate  124 . As can be seen in the drawings, the infeed cover  122  extends over the blade plate  124 . As is also evident from the drawings, the blade plate  124  is thinner than the heel plate  120  resulting in a gap  126  between the infeed cover  122  and the blade plate  124 .  
         [0041]    The infeed assembly may also include a conventional shaping device for forming the integrated terminals  18 . Such a device (not shown) may be used to form three-dimensional terminals from a flat piece of material. The use of flat integrated terminals would allow for the reduced cost of fabrication and shipping of the terminals. Similarly, three-dimensional terminals may be formed from partially formed integrated terminals. As is known in the art, it is common for electric terminals to have ribs, channels, or the like stamped into the terminals during fabrication. Final shaping of the partially formed terminals may be completed by the conventional shaping device.  
         [0042]    The integrated electrical terminals  18  are moved through the infeed assembly  100  by the selector assembly  200  which is shown in FIG. 4. The selector assembly  200  includes a selector mount  202 , which is attached to the infeed mount  102 . An air cylinder linear actuator  204  is mounted on the selector mount  202  and supports a bracket  206  that may be moved toward and away from the selector mount  202 . The bracket  206  has mounted to it bearing rails  208  and indexing air cylinders  210 . The indexing air cylinders  210  are connected to finger bracket  212 , which supports bearing blocks  214  and feed finger  216 . The bearing blocks  214  are adapted to slidably engage the bearing rails  208  on the bracket  206 . The feed finger  216  is designed with a blade portion  218  that is adapted to fit into the gap  126  of the infeed assembly  100  and engage the integrated electrical terminals  18  therein.  
         [0043]    The selector assembly  200  works in the following manner. The indexing air cylinders  210  are adapted to move the finger bracket  212  on the bearing rails  208  toward and away from the infeed assembly  100 , as shown in FIG. 5. At the start of a cycle, the linear actuator  204  will have drawn the bracket  206  toward the selector mount  202 . The indexing air cylinders  210  will have drawn the feed finger  216  away from the infeed assembly  100 . The indexing air cylinders  210  will then move the feed finger  216  toward the infeed assembly  100  so that the blade portion  218  will engage the integrated electrical terminals  18  therein. The linear actuator  204  will then move the bracket  206  and, by necessity, the feed finger  216  away from the selector mount  202 . This action will move the integrated electrical terminals  18  along the groove  114  in the infeed mount  102 . Preferably, the integrated electrical terminals are composed of uniform individual terminals  20  connected by terminal carrier portions  22 . The feed finger  216  will, preferably, move the integrated electrical terminals  18  along the groove  114  precisely a distance equivalent to the width of an individual terminal  20  and a terminal carrier portion  22 . The indexing air cylinders  210  will then move the feed finger  216  away from the infeed assembly  100  and disengage the feed finger  216  from the integrated electrical terminals  18 . The linear actuator  204  will then draw the bracket  206  and the feed finger  216  toward the selector mount  202  to the point of origin. The cycle may then be repeated to continue the movement of the integrated electrical terminals  18  through the device  10 .  
         [0044]    The infeed assembly  100  and the selector assembly  200  may be implemented to move individual electrical terminals  20  to the loader assembly  400 . Preferably, however, the infeed assembly  100  and the selector assembly  200  are designed to move the integrated electrical terminals  18  toward the press assembly  300 . The press assembly  300  shown in FIGS.  6 - 8  includes a press frame  302  mounted on a device mount  700 . The press frame  302  has mounted to it a frame brace  304 , an upper press mount  306 , a lower press mount  308 , and a die  310 . The upper press mount  306  and the lower press mount  308  are adapted to support a press subassembly  312 .  
         [0045]    The press subassembly  312  includes a housing  314 . The housing  314  has an aperture  316  in which a piston  318  is located. The piston  318  has an axis  320  and can move along the axis  320  within the housing  314 . The piston  318  also has a shaft  322  that extends through a spring  324  to a hydraulic cylinder  326 . The hydraulic cylinder  326  is adapted to drive the piston  318  along the axis  320  away from a starting position and the hydraulic cylinder  326 . The spring  324  is adapted to draw the piston  318  back toward the hydraulic cylinder  326  to the starting position. The piston  318  has mounted to it punch holder blocks  328 . The punch holder blocks  328  are housed within spring housing  330  and are adapted to retain a punch  332  therebetween. When the press subassembly  312  is actuated, the punch  332  is driven by the hydraulic cylinder  326  along the axis  320  from a place of origin. The spring  324  then returns the punch to the place of origin. The punch  332  is adapted to fit into an opening  334  in the die  310 .  
         [0046]    The frame brace  304  supports an air/oil hydraulic intensifier  336 . The intensifier  336  is connected to the hydraulic cylinder  326  by a hose (not shown). The intensifier  336  provides sufficient force on the hydraulic cylinder  326  to drive the punch  332  through the material from which the integrated electrical terminals  18  are made and into the die  310 , removing carrier portion  22  and producing a separated terminal  20 .  
         [0047]    The device  10  includes a loader assembly  400  for the handling of a separated terminal  20 . The loader assembly  400  includes a loader mount  402 . The loader mount  402  is connected on one end to the infeed mount  102  and, on its other end, has mounted to it a loader bracket  404  and a loading air cylinder  406 . The loader bracket  404  has mounted to it loader bearing rails  408 . The loading air cylinder  406  is adapted to movably receive a gripper mount  410  such that the gripper mount  410  may move toward or away from the loader mount  402 . The gripper mount  410  has attached to it loader bearing blocks  412  and an air actuated gripper  414 . The loader bearing blocks  412  are adapted to slidably receive the loader bearing rails  408 . The air-actuated gripper  414  includes opposing left and right arms  416  and  418 , respectively. Opposing left and right arms  416  and  418  each have connected to it a gripper jaw  420  and  421 , respectively. As can be seen in FIG. 11, opposing left and right arms  416  and  418  may be configured in an open position. The air-actuated gripper  414  draws the opposing left and right arms  416  and  418  toward each other so that the gripper jaws  420  and  422  are drawn toward each other. The gripper jaws  420  and  422  are adapted to hold a terminal  20 .  
         [0048]    In operation, the loading air cylinder  406  maintains the gripper mount  410  in a starting position away from the loader mount  402 . In the starting position, the opposing left and right arms  416  and  418  are in an open position. The air actuated gripper  414  then draws the opposing left and right arms  416  and  418  toward each other so that the gripper jaws  420  and  422  grip terminal  20  at the end of the integrated electrical terminals  18 . The terminal  20  being held by the gripper jaws  420  and  422  is positioned on the downstream side of the die  310 . The terminal carrier portion  22  connecting the individual terminal  20  to the remainder of the integrated electrical terminals  18  is positioned directly over the opening  334  of the die  310  by the selector assembly  200  as is seen in FIG. 8. The punch  332  is driven into the die  310 , shearing the terminal carrier portion  22  from both the individual terminal  20  and the integrated electrical terminals  18 . The gripper mount  410  is then drawn toward the loader mount  402  by the loading air cylinder  406 , thereby placing the severed terminal  20  in its point of use, or, alternatively, loading the terminal  20  into a separate apparatus for positioning the terminal  20 .  
         [0049]    As seen in FIGS. 2, 11,  12 , and  15 , the disclosed device includes a soldering assembly  14 . The soldering assembly  14  includes a rotator mount  502 , which is mounted on the infeed mount  102 . An air-actuated rotator  504  is mounted on the rotator mount  502  and has a positioner mount  506  mounted thereon that may be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise with respect to the rotator mount  502 . A parallel gripper  508  is mounted on the positioner mount  506  and has attached to it first and second parallel jaws  510  and  512 . The parallel gripper  508  is capable of moving the first and second parallel jaws  510  and  512  toward or away from each other. The first and second jaws  510  and  512  are adapted to grab, hold, and release a terminal  20 . In the soldering assembly shown in the drawings, the soldering mechanism is an intermittent microflame soldering tool, although it is contemplated that any soldering tool could be employed in the device. In the soldering assembly  14  that is shown, the positioner mount  506  has a cavity  514  therein adapted to receive an electrode base  516  and electrode clamp  518 . An electrode  520  is retained between the electrode base  516  and the electrode clamp  518  so that the terminal  20  extends entirely through the cavity  514  to protrude on the opposite side of positioner mount  506 . The intermittent microflame soldering tool shown includes fittings  522  and  524 , fitting retainers  526  and  528 , valve  530 , and burner tip  532 . The positioner mount  506  may be modified to accept any appropriate soldering mechanism.  
         [0050]    In operation, the first and second parallel jaws  510  and  512  are drawn toward each other by the parallel gripper  508  to grasp an individual terminal  20  from the left and right gripper jaws  420  and  422  of the loader assembly  400 . The air actuated rotator  504  then rotates the positioner mount  506  so that the first and second parallel jaws  510  and  512  hold the terminal  20  at its point of use, as shown in FIG. 14A. The solder that is integrated with the terminal  20  is then heated by the soldering tool to connect the terminal  20  to the subject component. Preferably, the terminal is fed into the device  10  having not only solder integrated therewith, but also having flux coating applied thereto. The device  10  may also include a conventional apparatus for applying a soldering related material such as a flux coating apparatus (not shown) or a conventional solder paste application apparatus (not shown). The flux coating apparatus or solder paste application apparatus will, preferably, apply materials to the terminal  20  immediately prior to the implementation of the terminal  20 .  
         [0051]    A number of additional functions may be incorporated into the device  10 . Among the possible accessories are those shown in FIG. 2. For example, terminal application device  10  includes a pull test and electrical test described as follows. The pull test operation utilizes the parallel gripper  508 . The gripper  508  has movable, opposing arms  510  and  512 , respectively, and is adapted to draw the opposing arms  510  and  512  toward and away from each other. Opposing arm  510  has a feature  618  in its gripper that secures terminal  20 . Opposing arm  512  has a similar feature  622  in its gripper that secures terminal  20 . A pair of air push rod cylinders  626  and  627  are mounted to the underside of the gripper  508 . The pair of air push rod cylinders  626  and  627  include push rods  628  and  629  which has pads  630  and  631  attached to its end.  
         [0052]    In operation, the gripper  508  draws the opposing gripper arms  510  and  512  toward each other so that the gripper jaw features  618  and  622  engage a connected electrical terminal  20 . The air push rod cylinders  626  and  627  are activated so that the pads  630  and  631  at the end of the push rods  628  and  629  contact the subject component to lift the device  10  away from the subject component. The movement of the device  10  away from the subject component is restricted by the connection of the electrical terminal  20  to the subject component. If the connection between the terminal  20  and the subject component is strong enough, the device  10  will not move. If, on the other hand, the connection is weak, the force exerted by the air push rod cylinders  626  and  627  will disconnect the electrical terminal  20  from the subject component.  
         [0053]    The pull test operation may also include an electrical connection tester (not shown). The electrical connection tester is, preferably, employed in an environment where two of the devices  10  are employed to simultaneously implement electrical terminals  20  in a single circuit. The opposing gripper arms  510  and  512  of each device  10  may be supplied with electrical connections that contact each subject terminal  20  when opposing gripper arms  510  and  512  are drawn toward each other. Each of the respective terminal grippers  508  are electrically isolated from the positioner mounts  506  via eight insulating bushings  720 .  
         [0054]    One of the devices  10  may be adapted to provide an electrical charge that travels through the subject component to the terminal  20  that is in contact with the other of the devices  10 , via an electrical connection  710  being attached to gripper jaw  512 . The other of the devices  10  may be identically equipped with a sensor to determine whether the electrical charge has traveled from one of the subject terminals, through the circuit in the subject component to the other of the subject terminals, indicating a proper electrical connection.  
         [0055]    The burnishing accessory  16  includes a buffer mount  638 . The buffer mount  638  is attached to the infeed assembly  100 . A buffer housing  640  is mounted to the buffer motor mount  642 . A motor mount  642  is mounted to the buffer housing  640  so that the buffer mount  638 , buffer housing  640  and motor mount  642  define a rotatable assembly. The buffer mount  638  is mounted onto a buffer rotary actuator  730  which is secured by the buffer rotary actuator mount  740  which is attached to the infeed assembly  100 . An electric motor  644  is mounted on the motor mount  642 . A burnishing wheel adapter  646  is operatively connected to the motor  644  and is housed into the chamber formed by the buffer housing  640  and the motor mount  642 . The burnishing wheel  650  is adapted to engage outer and inner wheel flanges  648  and  649 , respectively. Accordingly, the outer and inner wheel flanges  648  and  649  hold an burnishing wheel  650  there between. Rotation of the motor  644  results in the rotation of the burnishing wheel  650 . The buffer housing  640  may also have a dust hose attached to it (not shown). The dust hose may be connected to a vacuum device (not shown) to assist in the removal of dust created by the burnishing wheel  650 .  
         [0056]    In operation, the subject component will be placed under the terminal implementation device  10  prior to the connection of the individual electrical terminal  20  thereto, as shown in FIG. 14B. The burnishing wheel  650  will prepare the surface of the subject component for connection of the individual electrical terminal  20 . This will be accomplished by the rotation of the burnish rotary actuator  730  which will position the burnishing wheel  650  below the terminal implementation tool  10  at the location where the solder tool  14  will attach the terminal  20  to the subject component. Then the burnish operation will be performed by the rotation of the burnishing wheel  650  by the electric motor  644 . Dust generated by the contact between the abrasive wheel  650  and the surface of the subject component will be removed from the surface through the dust hose.  
         [0057]    As can be seen from the drawings, the operational positions of the burnishing accessory  16  and the pull test-soldering assembly  14  are the same. The device  10 , therefore, dose not have to be moved with respect to the subject component by either air cylinders (not shown) or by activation of a robot (not shown) for the implementation tool  10  to the burnish, solder, and test operations.  
         [0058]    The accessories need not be positioned on a separate accessory assembly  16  as shown, but may be incorporated into other structures on the tool. As an example, it is contemplated that the air-actuated rotator  504  could be adapted to rotate burnish mount  638  to any one of three positions. In the first position, the first and second parallel jaws  510  and  512  could be positioned to receive the terminal  20  from the loader assembly  400 . In the second position, the burnishing assembly  16  could be positioned to burnish the subject component. In the third position, the terminal  20  could be positioned at its point of use having, the integral solder and pull test assembly  14  could be positioned to determine the mechanical strength and electrical performance of the connection. Obviously, other permutations of the structure could exist, and the above descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the structure to only the described structures.  
         [0059]    Additional conventional accessories are contemplated by this disclosure, such as a vision camera. The accessories shown are merely exemplary and do not constitute an exhaustive list of the possible structures contemplated.  
         [0060]    The device  10  as shown is adapted to be mounted on a positioning arm (not shown). Toward this end, the device  10  includes a device mount  700 . The device mount is rigidly attachable to the infeed mount  102  and the press frame  302 . A device attachment means  702  is mounted on the device mount  700 . The device attachment means  702  is attached to the positioning arm and allows the positioning arm to the device  10  as necessary.  
         [0061]    The device  10  also includes a vertical actuator  704 . The vertical actuator  704  is attached to the press assembly  300  and the device mount  700 . The vertical actuator  704  has at least one air actuated cylinder  706  that is connected to at least one of the infeed assembly  100 , the selector assembly  200 , the loader assembly  400 , the soldering assembly  14  or the accessory assembly  16 , but, preferably to the infeed mount  102 . The air-actuated cylinder  706  is adapted to move the infeed assembly  100 , the selector assembly  200 , the loader assembly  400 , the soldering assembly  14  and the accessory assembly  16  toward and away from the subject component. This movement allows the assemblies that must contact the subject component to do so and also allows the subject component to be moved relative to the device  10  without interference, as shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B,  14 C, and  15 . The movement also allows for the movement of integrated electrical terminals  18  having a flange without interference between the flange and the die  310 , as shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0062]    The integrated electrical terminals  18  are attached to the subject components sequentially, allowing for tracing of production lots and allowing for greater quality control. Furthermore, in instances where flux is applied to the integrated electrical terminals  18  prior to introduction into the device  10 , the flux is not removed from the terminal by bulk shipping or production machinery. The quality of the connection between the terminal and the subject component is thereby enhanced.  
         [0063]    In the drawings and in the specification, there has been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and although specific items are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and proportion of parts, as well as a substitution of equivalents, are contemplated and circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.  
         [0064]    Thus it can be seen that the invention achieves at least all of the stated objectives.