Artos Engineering Company

David G Moore

Magnus R Randar

Apparatus is provided for manufacturing electrical cords comprising modular multi-contact connectors attached to opposite ends of a segment of a multi-conductor sheathed cable. Each connector comprises a plastic housing having a cavity for receiving an end of the cable segment, displaceable anchors for mechanically engaging the cable sheath and the insulation on the conductors, and flat contacts displaceable for piercing the insulation on the conductors and making electrical contact with the wires therewithin. The apparatus includes: machinery for cutting segments from a strand of cable and for conveying them along a path; strippers along the path for removing small portions of the sheath from the ends of the segments to expose the ends of the insulated conductors therewithin; trimmers along the path for trimming the exposed ends of the insulated conductors; and connector attachment machines along the path. Each connector attachment machine comprises: a magazine and a feed mechanism which places a connector on an end of a cable segment; a first press operable to displace the anchors and mechanically anchor the housing to the cable sheath and to the insulated conductors; second and third presses operable in succession to force the contacts through the insulation and into electrical contact with the wires therein; and a fourth press which operates to perform a continuity test on a finished cord and disposes of any defective cord either by sorting it out for further rework or by destroying it by severance. Each press comprises a movable drive component and these components are driven in synchronism with each other by a motor-driven rack and pinion mechanism.

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Ecanaba, MI, United States of America

David G Moore