Terminal forming and installing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for simultaneously forming a plurality of terminals from a plurality of lengths of wire and inserting the terminals simultaneously into preformed openings in a plastic part. The apparatus includes a mechanism for simultaneously moving a plurality of lengths of wire which are held in spaced relation to one another to a severing position. The wires may be arranged in both horizontal and vertical planes. At the severing position, a shear is provided for simultaneously severing end portions from the lengths of wires to form a plurality of short wire terminals. The shears and an anvil support the terminals and maintain them in spaced relation to one another after severing for insertion into the preformed openings in the plastic part. The apparatus further includes a tool which supports the plastic part. A slide moves the plastic part and the terminals into engagement with one another to thereby embed the terminals in the preformed openings of the plastic part. In a modification of the invention, the terminals are first seated in the openings and then are further embedded in a second step. A tool is provided for bending portions of the terminals after the terminals are embedded in the plastic part. The terminals may also be coined, scored or abraded after embedding. The various terminal forming and inserting tools are operated by air cylinders. The air cylinders are actuated by solenoid operated spool valves. The solenoids are sequentially energized by a programmable function generator. The various tools are easily replaceable in order to adapt the apparatus to terminal parts of varying shapes and quantities of terminals. For the same reason, the function generator can easily be reprogrammed.