Stripping and defillering method and apparatus

Abstract

Method and apparatus for removing filler from a jacketed multiconductor filler cable for termination of the conductors in that cable is disclosed, wherein the outer insulating jacket is removed from a portion of the cable near one end, and an air flow is induced in the vicinity of the jacketless portion to separate the filler from the conductors and thereafter the separated filler is severed from portions of individual conductors near the one end of the cable for termination as desired. The air flow may be provided by a nozzle and die or guide having coaxial apertures therein and relatively movable between a spaced apart position and a position in close proximity for severing the filler material. The jacketless end of the cable is passed through the guide and into the nozzle whereupon the nozzle is moved to the spaced apart position and a flow of air passed through the nozzle and outwardly between the nozzle and die to blow the filler material radially outwardly and thereafter the nozzle is moved toward the die to sever the filler material. Removal of the outer insulating jacket from a portion of the cable may be accomplished by rotating a cutter about the cable which cutter is spring biased away from the cable and provided with weights actuated by rotation to move the cutter toward the cable with a stop preventing the cutter from damaging the conductor insulation within the cable. A variation on the outer cover removing feature allows the contemporaneous stripping of insulation from a stranded single conductor insulated wire and the twisting of those strands to prevent dishevelment of the exposed strands and to expedite further processing of the wire, for example, by eliminating solder dipping of the exposed wire.