Modular lead maker

Abstract

Lead making apparatus has normally aligned transfer heads with conductor cutting and stripping blades therebetween. Each head is mounted on a rotatable transfer head shaft and has a slide with a clamp thereon through which wire is fed and clamped. The slides carry followers in respective first arcuate track segments which pivot to pull the slides away from each other for insulation stripping. The transfer head shafts rotate in opposite directions through ninety degrees to align stripped ends with terminating stations as the followers ride through first arcuate track segments into second arcuate track segments, each pair of track segments forming a continuous ninety degree arc of circular track. The second track segments pivot an adjustable amount to push the slides forward for inserting conductor into terminals to an adjustable degree. Transfer head shafts carry pinion gears fixed thereto against rotation and driven by a rack which reciprocates intermittently. Shafts have cylindrical tracking cams on the lower ends opposite the transfer heads, each having two circumferential tracks which contain two pairs of diametrically opposed followers on linkage which causes vertical movement of shafts. Only one track is profiled to closely contain its pair at a given stage of shaft rotation, so that vertical movement can be varied with angular position of the shaft. The linkage which controls vertical movement when heads are aligned with terminating stations is adjustable. A single camshaft carries tracking cams which control pivotal movement of track segments and vertical movement of the transfer head shafts. Shifting mechanism on linkage for vertical movement permits a different tracking cam for each transfer head to control vertical movement thereof as necessary for open barrel or closed barrel terminals.