Automated wiring apparatus

Abstract

Abstract A wire stringing apparatus interconnects terminals of electronic components mounted upon a circuit board. A wire stringing head, which is transported on an x-y mechanism driven by a controller, wraps an insulated wire about terminals and guide pins mounted on the circuit board. The insulated wire is connected throughout the circuitry to form all of the necessary interconnections. After the wire is installed an automatic solder feeding mechanism and a heating element are transported over the circuit board to selectively solder the interconnecting wire to the appropriate component terminals. The heat generated for the soldering procedure additionally removes the insulation from the interconnecting wire at the connection terminal. A cutting tool transported over the circuit board severs the interconnecting wire at selected points to form individual conduction paths between circuit terminals. During the stringing and soldering procedures, error checking mechanisms insure that the insulation on the interconnecting wire has not been broken, that the stringing head has not missed a guide or pin, and that the soldering apparatus has produced a reliable solder connection.

Inventors

• 👤 Evan J. Evans

Bibliographic Details