Patent GB-1335085-A (GB)
Title: Wire cutting stripping and terminal applying machine
IPC: H01R43/052
Filed: 1971-11-26
Abstract: 1335085 Terminal applying apparatus; feeding wire stock ARTOS ENG CO 26 Nov 1971 [4 Dec 1970] 54918/71 Headings B3A and B3W [Also in Division H2] Apparatus 10, Fig. 1, for applying terminals to wire comprises a wire cutting and stripping assembly 16, a terminal applicator 18, 20, Fig. 2, positioned on at least one side of the cutting and stripping assembly, means 15 for feeding the wire 12 to the assembly, including a guide tube assembly 190 for aligning the wire in the stripping assembly, and means 80 for pulling the wire through the wire-cutting and stripping assembly to strip the wire and bring it into alignment with the terminal applicator. Wire is fed to a press frame 14 by means of the wire feed assembly 15, the length of wire fed to the frame being controlled by a wire measuring device 22 which stop operation of assembly 15 after a preselected length of wire has passed through the measuring device 22. The cutting and stripping assembly 16 includes respective upper and lower tool holder assemblies 24, 26 including guide blocks 32, 34 for supporting severing blades 36 and insulation cutting and stripping blades 38. The upper tool holder assembly is powered by an electric motor 40 through a belt 52, flywheel 50, and a cam-shaft (42), Fig. 3 (not shown). The lower tool holder assembly is powered by means of a linkage assembly (54), Fig. 5 (not shown), connected to block 32 and a cam cluster (56). Stripping of the insulation from the cut ends of the wire 12 is accomplished by means of clamp assemblies 80 which each include a pair of stripping clamps 84 which are movable towards and away from the cutting and stripping blade 38 by means of a stripper cam cluster (100) Fig. 6 (not shown). The motion of the clamp assemblies 80, which are mounted for sliding movement in slide plates 82 on tool-holder assemblies 24, 26, is synchronized with that of the tool-holder assemblies 24, 26 by a common connection to camshaft (42). The wire feeding assembly 15 includes a support frame (132), Fig. 8 (not shown), and respective upper and lower drive assemblies (136), (138), Fig. 9 (not shown) Drive wheels 148, (160) are secured to respective shafts (142), (154) which are driven through a pulley system by a motor (170), Fig. 10 (not shown). Support plates (140), (152) may be moved towards and away from each other on shafts (134) by means of a pneumatic piston-and-cylinder assembly (175). The guide tube assembly 190 is used to accurately guide the wire 12 to the clamp assemblies, and includes a pair of guide bars 192 on the frame (132) with a guide block 196 to which is secured a guide tube 198. The block 196, which is used to actuate switches (205), (207) is aligned with terminal applicators 18, 20 and clamp assemblies 80. A cam (200), Fig. 7 (not shown) is mounted on cam-shaft (42) and moves the guide block 196 via a rack (216) and pinion (212). A loop assembly 232 provides slack in the wire between the measuring device and guide tube assembly 190 in order to allow free movement of tube 198 into the press frame 14. A wire drag and discharge assembly (245), Figs. 12, 13 (not shown), is used to hold the wire in a fixed position when the guide tube is withdrawn from the press frame and comprises respective upper and lower jaws 242, 244 for gripping the wire 12. The jaws are able to move downwardly with the wire during the cutting and stripping motion on a bracket (251) secured to frame 14. The assembly (245) is movable outwardly to discharge the wire by means of a cam 262 secured to cam-shaft (42) and linkage assembly 264, after the terminals have been crimped on to the ends of the wire, to a wire stacking device or collecting trough. The press frame 14 is driven through a cycle of motion by means of a pin clutch (44), Fig. 3 (not shown), which connects flywheel 50 to cam-shaft (42), and through the various linkages and cam clusters the various operations of the assemblies of the apparatus are synchronized, Fig. 16 (not shown), so that in one revolution of cam-shaft (42) a complete cycle takes place. Further cycles may be initiated when the slide block 196 engages a switch (207), if the apparatus is on automatic operation, i.e. switch (209), Fig. 17 (not shown), is closed.