Prestraightener for axial lead components

Abstract

An apparatus for prestraightening badly bent axial leads on electronic components and the like. The components are seated in notches on the periphery of a carrier disk assembly with the bent leads extending to each side of the assembly. The assembly is rotated about its axis to carry the leads in a circular path. The periphery of the carrier disk assembly is arranged adjacent an inner cylindrical surface or surround surface as it is called. The leads are thus caused to drag and twist against the surround surface. Two notched puller disks are mounted to rotate about nonparallel axes that intersect the axis of the carrier disk assembly at equal and opposite angles. Thus the peripheries of the two puller disks and the carrier disk assembly are closely adjacent at one point on their peripheries at all times. This is the entry point where components are seated in the carrier disk assembly. The puller disks have notches on their peripheries arranged to slidably grip the leads adjacent the component at the entry point. The puller disks are driven at the same angular speed as the carrier disk assembly. Thus as the component is carried away from the entry point it is rolled near the surround surface and the notches slidably griping the leads move apart pulling the badly bent leads substantially straight before the component reaches a stripper that removes it from the notches in the carrier disk assembly. By the time the component reaches the stripper, the notches on the puller disks have become disengaged from the axially extending leads.