Importance

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Abstract

The invention is a system for the assembly of wire harnesses. More particularly the invention provides an assembly tool and a wire feed system for delivering a completed wire from a wire fabrication cell to the final wire harness assembly point. The assembly tool consists of two symmetrical parts which function together in jaw-like fashion to receive and then guide a wire to an assembly point. Each half of the assembly tool is double-ended, so that the wire may be inserted from either the left or right half of the assembly tool. The wire feed system includes a wire tensioning and centering tool mounted on the end effector and a pneumatically driven wire feed system. Back pressure is used to effectively blow the wire from a first point remote from the assembly point to the gripper for acquisition by the gripper. The wire harness assembly system also includes a stationary clamp which initially receives the terminated wire from the wire feed system and positions it for acquisition by the gripper and at least one and preferably several alignment fixtures disposed on various points of a wire harness formboard. The alignment fixtures are adapted to receive the contact end gripper thereinto for the proper alignment of the contact with the gripper prior to insertion of the contact into a connector. The invention also provides a technique whereby the manufacturer of high density wire harnesses can be effectively and efficiently carried out.

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First Claim