FR2670620A1 - Methods and devices for automatically manufacturing tappings on cable looms of conducting wires or optical fibres, comprising several branches and tappings - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is methods and devices for automatically manufacturing the tappings on looms of conducting wires or of optical fibres comprising several branches and tappings. The present invention makes it possible to produce tappings which each wire segment of the loom will have to follow: - by marking, for each wire segment (7f), the points associated with these tappings by their abscissae on each wire (7f) when it is unwound and by putting them in tapping clips (3'f), - by making up these tappings by gripping together, in tapping clips (3'f), all the intermediate points associated with the same tapping, by picking them up in the clips in which they have been stored. - the branches (7) of the loom (7a, 7b, ..., 7f) are separated and formed by spacing the tapping clips (3'a, 3'b,..., 3'f). One application is the manufacture of conductor wire looms in automatic mode.

Description

DESCRIPTION
Methods and devices for automatically manufacturing the leads of bundles, conductive wires or optical fibers, comprising several branches and leads.

 The present invention relates to methods and devices for automatically manufacturing the branches of bundles of conductive wires or optical fibers comprising several branches and branches.

 The technical sector of the invention is that of the construction of automatic wiring machines.

 Patent application FR 90 13137 (RICARD Claude), filed on October 17, 1990, describes methods and devices for producing wiring harnesses making it possible to automatically interconnect several terminals of various electrical components and several cells of various connector boxes with sections of conductive wires or optical fibers.

 French patent application FR 87 11391 (RICARD Claude) filed on August 7, 1987 and American patent 4,715,099 (YOSHIDA) of December 29, 1987 describe wiring machines in which we transport several conductive wires by means of clamps which are placed on a conveyor part of an automatic wiring machine, which clamps each hold one end of a section of wire. The RICARD patent also describes the production of conveyors and grippers.

 These machines are controlled by a programmable central computer. They automatically cut sections of wire whose length is determined by the program. They strip these and they automatically perform the crimping operations.

 French patent 83 18372 (ARTOS) describes another type of automatic machine and a connection device for simple beams shown in fig 7 to 11.

 Previous patents and in particular patent application 90 13137 (Claude RICARD) teach methods of preparing beams.

 However, the automatic wiring machines produced according to these patents manufacture harnesses for which only the interconnection operations are carried out.

 If these patents have made it possible to automatically carry out part of the manufacturing done previously essentially by hand, the bundles thus manufactured must be taken up manually to carry out the separation of the branches, create the branches or knots, and to tie the wires of the various branches.

 The bundles delivered by these machines are difficult to store because the wires of the various branches tend to get tangled between them and with the connectors.

 Bundles made in this way must be carefully packed separately to avoid tangling and to reduce the quality defects which are generated by manual rework.

 Even if the automatic machines taught by these patents are still profitable, this limits their profitability and reliability. These drawbacks are compounded by the complexity of the beam.

 The shaping of a bundle formed of several branches with branches often requires to extend the bundles on a nail board which simulates the shape of the bundle.

 This nail board which is made to order breaks the flexibility of the automatic machines described in the previous patents.

 An object of the present invention is to provide means allowing the construction of automatic wiring machines for automatically manufacturing bundles of conductive wires or optical fibers whose branches are formed.

 Another object of the present invention is to provide means allowing the construction of automatic wiring machines as above delivering bundles whose wires of the same branch are attached to each other.

 Another objective of the invention is to obtain flexible machines which make it possible to automatically carry out the various diversions.

 A method according to the invention is of the known type according to which the ends of sections of wires and components are transported in various clamps.

The objectives of the invention are achieved by a method according to which
- said components (24) and said ends (25) are arranged in sections corresponding to different branches of the bundle in different clamps,
- we discard some of the said various clamps to conform the bundle into various branches,
- the wires of the same branch are tied together.

The objectives of the invention are achieved by a method according to which
- the wire section is gripped and held in bypass clamps, at other intermediate points of the ends, which are associated with bundle diversions,
- Several of said intermediate points which are associated with the same derivation are grouped together in the same branch clamp.

 Advantageously, some of the said various clamps are removed to conform the bundle into various branches.

 According to a particular embodiment, the higher level branches are stretched first.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the clamps are separated by means of one or more second conveyors of the same type as said first conveyor and, advantageously, at least one of said second conveyors is located in the extension of said first conveyor.

 A device for automatically manufacturing bundles of conductive wires or optical fibers is of the known type which comprises a conveyor provided with clamps which grip and transport ends of sections of son and a loading unit which places in said clamps transferred by said conveyor the ends of sections of wire.

Advantageously, a device according to the invention comprises
- a first conveyor provided with at least component grippers for transporting the components to which certain ends are connected,
- means for spreading said clamps and tensioning the branches of the bundle,
- Means for bringing together the son of the same branch.

 According to a preferred embodiment, said means for spreading said clamps comprise at least a second conveyor of the same type as said first conveyor and advantageously at least one of said second conveyors is located in the extension of said first conveyor.

 Advantageously, a device according to the invention comprises means for unwinding sections of wire of predetermined lengths, associated with control means which control the unwinding of the wire and which stop the wire at predetermined intermediate points corresponding to branches. Advantageously, said control means are included in the form of software in the computer.

 Certain objectives of the invention are achieved by a loading unit which according to the invention comprises means for also placing in said clamps of said conveyor intermediate points of said section.

 Advantageously, said means for also setting up some of said grippers of said conveyor of the intermediate points of said section are the same means as those used for the establishment of the ends, the control cycle is different and the cutting of the wire is not controlled. by the computer during this cycle.

 A result of the present invention is the construction of wiring machines, in particular an automatic wiring machine, making it possible to automatically make bundles of conductive wires or optical fibers comprising several branches and branches.

 This first result makes it possible to automatically carry out bundles and to automatically carry out part of the manufacturing done previously essentially by hand: separation of the branches, creation of the branches and fixing between them of the wires of the same branch.

 This first result also makes it possible to deliver bundles that are easier to store because the wires of the various branches no longer have the same tendency to become entangled with each other and with the connectors and this result makes it possible to economically improve the quality and the profitability. automatic wiring machines.

 Another result of the invention is to allow the shaping of beams, formed of several branches and with branches, without having to extend said beams on a nail board which simulates the shape of the beam.

 Another result of the invention is the production of flexible wiring machines which automatically form and place the branches at the appropriate locations.

 The invention makes it possible to produce modular and flexible devices for shaping the beams.

 The present invention relates to methods and devices for automatically fabricating tree bundles of wires.

The branches or portions of branch of the bundle terminated by components are prepared
- by performing the appropriate treatments on the various ends,
- by having only components from the same branch end on the same component clamp.

 The branches or portions of branches of the bundle consisting of one or more ends are prepared by grouping in ends pliers the ends which are not plugged in and by putting in the same end pliers only ends of the same plugged.

Beam branches are separated and formed
- by grabbing in points of diversion points close to the branches,
- by organizing and arranging these branch clamps, these component clamps and these end clamps in a preferential order,
- by bringing these clips together and spreading them apart to form the branches of the bundle,
- by tying together the wires of the same branch.

 The following description refers to the appended drawings which represent, without any limiting nature, exemplary embodiments of devices according to the invention.

 FIG. 1 represents a bundle of wires comprising various branches and a branch.

 FIGS. 2 and 3 are partial, schematic, plan, top and elevation views of the assembly of a device according to the invention, in the process of manufacturing beams like that described in FIG. 1.

 FIGS. 4 and 5 are also partial, schematic, plan, top and elevation views of the assembly of a device, in the process of manufacturing beams like that described in FIG. 1 using bypass clamps, according to other features of the invention.

 Figures 6 to 12 show various stages in the formation of branches, according to partial and schematic views, in plan, from above.

 FIG. 13 represents an elementary bundle of three wires.

 Figure 14 is a schematic, partial and perspective view of a device according to the invention, showing the establishment of points, intermediate ends, which are associated with bundle leads or nodes in end clamps then group them in bypass clips.

 FIG. 14 also represents a particular embodiment of the invention in which the branches are only attached in the vicinity of the branch clamps.

 Figures 15 and 16 show a gripper, for the establishment of one or more wires in a clamp, in the process of setting up a wire in a clamp, in a side view and in a partial section in elevation .

 FIG. 17 is a detail of the base with which the clamps shown in FIGS. 15 to 19 are provided.

 Figures 18 and 19 show a clamp of known type, which can be both a bypass clamp and an end clamp, in a side view and in a partial section in elevation.

 Figure 20 shows, in a perspective view and a partial cross section, a set of three conveyors and a carriage carrying the means for the establishment of the stops and clamps.

 FIGS. 2 and 3 show a device according to the invention in the process of manufacturing beams of the type shown in FIG. 1.

 According to the example of these figures, a first conveyor (1) transports along the axis (Y'Y), either downstream, interconnected components carried by component clamps (3), such as (3a), and unconnected ends held in end clamps (3 '), like (3'f).

This first conveyor (1) is only partially shown. The upstream part carried out according to the teaching of patents (C. RICARD)
FR 90 13137 and FR 87 11391 provides
- the connection of the ends in receptacles adapted from components carried by clamps (3g), (3a), (3c), (3b), and,
- the grouping of several ends in end or group clamps (3'f), (3'e) (3'd).

 This part, which is upstream, delivers said clamps according to the mark (I) and receives the discharged clamps according to the mark (II) for recycling as it is taught in patent FR 90 13137.

 The first conveyor (1) is provided with end clamps (3 ') for transporting said ends (25), and component clamps (3), for transporting components (24), on which certain ends are connected.

 The objective of the present invention is to provide means allowing the construction of automatic wiring machines for automatically manufacturing beams, conductive wires or optical fibers, the branches of which are formed. That is, the branches are separated and the wires of a branch are linked together.

 Patent FR 90 13137 describes methods and devices for automatically connecting ends of sections of conductive wires or optical fibers to suitable receptacles for components. This patent makes it possible to interconnect the components of a bundle, but it does not teach how to form the branches of this bundle.

 Patent FR 87 11391 describes a device for grouping together several wires in an end clamp. I1 does not teach how to make the gripper which allows to have several wires in the same end clamp. An embodiment of such a clamp is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

 According to the invention, the components are held by the component clamps (3) and the unconnected ends are held in end clamps (3 ') according to a particular distribution, said components (24) and said ends (25) ) of sections corresponding to different branches of the bundle in different clamps.

 In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3 each end (5a) to (5g) is on a particular clamp (3g), (3'f), (3'e), (3'd), (3a ), (3c) and (3b). However, for other types of harness, it may be advantageous to fix several connectors on the same component clamp (3). The same branch can be terminated by several connectors, arranged on different clamps, or also include an end group clamp (3 ').

Figure 2 shows that a device according to the invention comprises
- a first conveyor (1) provided with end clamps (3f), (3e) and (3d), making it possible to transport certain ends, and clamps-components, making it possible to transport components on which other ends are connected ;
means (2) for spreading said clamps and tightening the branches of the bundle.

means (9), (10) and (11) for joining together the wires of the same branch
FIG. 1 represents an example of a beam which comprises various branches (7a), (7b) ... (7h), which comprises three nodes or branches (6a), (6b) and (6c), and various ends (5a) , (5b) ... (5g).

 According to the example in FIG. 2, there are the sets of ends (5d), (5e) and (5f) which correspond, respectively, to the different branches of the bundle, (7d), (7h) and (7f), in different pliers, respectively (3d), (3e) and (3f). These clamps are brought, by the conveyor (1), to the means (2), with which the said various clamps are moved aside to conform the bundle into various branches.

 Said means, in the device represented by FIGS. 2 and 3, comprise a set of second conveyors (2) which are parallel and of the same type as the first conveyor (1).

 Advantageously as shown in Figure 2, at least one of said second conveyors (2a) is located in the extension of said first conveyor (1).

 According to the particular embodiment of FIG. 2, the bundle is spread over all of the conveyors (2) so that the various branches are simultaneously stretched between the clamps and by means of rods or stops (4) which deflect and organize the branches of the bundle.

 The stops as (4c), (4'c) or as (4b), (4'b) are arranged at predefined locations which correspond to the branches (6c) and (6b). In combination with pliers, such as (3g), (3'f) and (3'e), also arranged in predefined locations, these stops keep the corresponding branches taut, such as (7g), (7f) and (7h) .

 For example, the stop (4c) disposed on the slide (2 "a) and the group clamp (3'f) disposed on the second conveyor (2b) have predetermined positions such that the branch (7f) is stretched. rod (4c) is in contact with the branch (7f) at the curvilinear abscissa on this branch corresponding to the length of this branch (7d).

 Other stops, such as (4x), (4y) and (4z), do not correspond to leads. They are advantageously arranged at predetermined locations to fold the branches (7d), (7a) and (7j). By way of example, the predetermined positions of the component clamp (3a) of the rod (4y) and of the rods (4d), (4'd) are such that the rods (4d) and (4'd) are in contact with the branch (7d), at the curvilinear abscissa on this branch which corresponds to the length of this branch (7d). This branch is folded by the stop (4z).

 According to an advantageous embodiment in the case of this particular embodiment, said means for spreading said clamps comprise a plurality of stops (4) which deflect and organize the branches (7) of the bundle.

 According to FIG. 2, various clamps and stops are arranged, on the second conveyor (2a) and the slide (2 "a), at predetermined locations. From upstream to downstream we note in order: the clamp component (3g), the pairs of stops (4c) and (4'c), (4b) and (4'b), (4a) and (4'a), (4d) and (4'd) and the component clamp (3b), said stops and clamps are arranged along parallel and adjacent conveyors, in approximately the same direction.

 As shown in Figure 2, the branches (7g), (7e), (7c), (7b) and (7i) are stretched by means of the assembly constituted by the second conveyor (2a) and the slide (2 " Advantageously, one stretches along one and the same second conveyor or in approximately the same direction one of the sets of branches made up of the greatest number of contiguous branches.

 For the bundle shown in Figure 1, such a set of branches, consisting of the largest number of contiguous branches, is shown on the conveyor (2a) (7g), (7e), (7c), (7b) and (7i) .

 Such a set is not unique. Another such set is: (7h), (7th), (7c), (7b) and (7d).

 Among several sets made up of the greatest number of contiguous branches, it is advantageous to select the one which includes the greatest number of sections of wire by counting the number of sections of wire in each branch and by totaling all these subtotals for all branches.

 The bundle, as shown in Figure 2, includes a basic trunk which is made up of the branches: (7g), (7e), (7c), (7b) and (7i) and a set of branches of level 1: ( 7f), (7h), (7d), (7a) and (7d).

 If the bundle were extended on the conveyors (2) and formed according to the geometrical configuration represented in FIG. 1, it would include a basic trunk constituted by the branches (7a), (7b) and (5b), two branches of level 1 : (7c) and (7d), two branches of level 2: (7d) and (7e), and three branches of level 3: (7f), (7g) and (7h).

 Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the device that attaches together the son of the same branch. It comprises a commercial robot (9) provided with an arm (11) which, under the control of the computer (8) can present the gripper for placing links (10) at any point of the second conveyors (2) and tie said wires of the same branch together. The commercially available link pliers are positioned above the point of the branch to be tied. It is oriented by the motor (lOb) according to the direction of the branch to be linked. Then it is lowered so as to arrange all the wires of the branch in the jaws (10a) which bring together all the wires of the branch by closing. The binding pliers carry out the bonding, the jaws are reopened and the pliers are removed. All these operations are carried out under the control of the computer (8) which executes a predetermined program.

 When the beam is fully formed and linked, the computer suspends the operation of the device. An operator removes the components carried by the component clamps (3g), (3a), (3c), (3b), and the ends grouped in the end or group clamps (3'f), (3'e ) (3'd). I1 thus has a bundle of conductive wires or optical fibers whose branches are shaped and linked. He then presses the push button (12) which indicates to the computer (8) that the clamps are empty and the computer (8) resumes execution of the predetermined program.

 The computer (8) controls the conveyor (2e) so as to transfer the gripper-component (3c), in the direction of the axis (Y'Y), to the downstream end of this conveyor. Then, it controls the gripper evacuation system (13) to the return conveyor (14). These devices (13), (14) are produced according to the teachings of patent FR 90 13137 (RICARD Claude) or by means of a commercial manipulator. They return this clamp to the upstream part of the device. The conveyor (1) is part of this upstream device which is only partially shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The computer controls successively
- the movement of the conveyor (2'd) to bring the carriage (15d) opposite the stop (4z),
- The outlet of the jack (16) which unlocks this stop of the toothed belt by the effect of the wedge (17) which, penetrating into the light (18), lifts the foot and releases it from the toothed belt.

The insertion of the corner also allows the carriage (15d) to move the stop (4z) along the conveyor (2 "d),
- the movement of the conveyor (2 "d) which brings back the stop (4z) with the other stops stored at the upstream end of this conveyor. The stops are stored thus, at a regular pitch which is a multiple of the pitch of the belt notched on which they are locked, at the upstream end of the conveyors (2 ");
- the retraction of the jack (16) which releases the wedge (17) and which locks the stop on the conveyor (2 "d) in this storage position.

 Similarly, the computer (8) controls the transfer to the storage position of all the stops present on the various conveyors (2 ").

 The computer (8) controls the conveyor (2d) to bring the foot (21), Figure 20, of the gripper-component opposite the cutout (22) located immediately downstream. The computer controls the conveyor (2'c) to bring the carriage (15c) opposite the component clamp (3a) and actuates the jack (23) carried by this carriage which pushes the component clamp on the belt notched conveyor (2e). The teeth of this belt are located in alignment with those of the conveyor belt (2d) and in alignment with the belts of the various conveyors (2) and (2 ') when they are stopped. The teeth of the pliers base slide thereon. The stroke of the jack (23) is such that the clamp is pushed as far as the axis of the conveyor (2e), through the openings (59) cut out regularly in all the sections forming the conveyors (2) and (2 '). The conveyors (2 ") are located at a lower level so as not to hinder this movement of the grippers along the axis (XX '). In the same way that he had ejected the gripper (3c) from the conveyor (2e) , the computer controls the ejection of the clamp (3a) brought to the conveyor (2e).

 The device for spreading said clamps and tensioning the branches of the bundle is advantageously produced by the juxtaposition of devices of the same type (2), (2 '), (2 "), represented in FIG. 20, placed under the control of the computer. (8). Thus, the conveyors (2e), (2d), (2c), (2b) and (2a) are of the same type. The conveyors (2 "d), (2" c), (2 "b ) and (2 "a) are of the same type. The conveyors (2'e), (2'd), (2'c), (2'b) and (2'a), made in the same way as the conveyor (2a), are of the same type and they transport the same type of carts. The conveyor (2 "'a) is of the same type as, for example, the conveyor (2'a).

Given its position and the actions, it is not essential to juxtapose an abutment conveyor and the carriage (15 "'a) does not require a jack (23).

 This way of making the beam shaping device is advantageous because of its modularity and flexibility.

 In the same way that he ordered the transfer of the gripper (3a) to the conveyor (2e), then its ejection to the return conveyor (14), the computer (8) controls, by means of mechanisms of the same type, the transfer of all grippers to the conveyor (2e), according to a succession of transfers from conveyor to conveyor and finally their ejection to the return conveyor (14).

 At this phase of the sequential manufacturing of the bundles, the conveyors (2) are free of any clamp, the stops are stored at the upstream end of the conveyors (2 ") in a regular pitch and the carriages (15) are arranged at the 'upstream end of the conveyors (2').

 On the conveyor (1) are prepared all the components and ends of sections corresponding to different branches of the bundle held in different clamps.

 Advantageously, these grippers are ordered on the first conveyor as a function of the abscissa, measured on the trunk, of the branch to which the branch which connects said gripper to the trunk ends.

 When at an attachment point, there is a subset of branches of which at least one is of an order greater than one, it is advantageous to repeat the same treatment for said subset.

That is to say, to have, along the same axis, the longest trunk that is in this set. The grippers that compose it are ordered according to the same rule on the conveyor (1)
The branches of this set are advantageously treated by defining a secondary base trunk and stretching, along the same second conveyor or in approximately the same direction, one of the sets of branches consisting of the largest number of contiguous branches.

 If the computer (8) centralizes the control and command of the upstream part not shown and of the conveyor (1), it directly controls the conveyor (1). Otherwise, it performs this operation via the computer which controls and commands this upstream part. This command also sets in motion the conveyor (2a) in synchronism with the conveyor (1) so that the two belts of the same type which equip them transfer the first clamp of the bundle (3b) of the conveyor (1) on the conveyor (2a ). It is advantageous to have a single computer which supervises the operation of the assembly and of the decentralized automata on the various units.

The computer controls the conveyor (2'b) which moves the carriage (15b) and the jack (16) to transport and lock
- a first stop (4'd) at an abscissa, measured along the axis (Y'Y) and from the axis (X'X), slightly greater than the width of the component clamp (3c) along the axis (Y'Y),
- A second stop on the abscissa 0, upstream of the conveyor (2 "a), so that the component gripper (3c) can be slid along the axis (XX ') between these two stops.

The conveyor (2a) is actuated and moves the clamp (3b) downstream by a distance equal to the length of the branch (7i)
The stopper (4z) is transported and locked on the conveyor belt (2 "d) at abscissa 0 upstream of it by means of the carriage (15e) and the conveyor (2'e) as before for the stopper (4d).

 The computer synchronously controls the conveyors (1) and (2a) to transfer the clamp (3c) to the conveyor (2a) and bring it between the two stops (4d) and (4'd). The clamp (3c) is thus presented between the stops (4d) and (4'd) and the base of this clamp is opposite one of the lights (22).

 The computer controls the various conveyors (2'a), (2'b), (2'c), (2'd) and the various carriages (15) and the jacks (23) to transfer along the axis ( XX ') the clamp (3g) on the conveyor (2e).

 All of the conveyors (2a), (2b), (2c) and (2d) are moved simultaneously downstream so as to stretch the branch (7j). The relative positions of the clamps (3c), (3b) and the stops (4z), (4d), with respect to each other, are those of FIG. 2, except for a translation and with the exception of the stop ( 4'd) which is offset.

 The computer then controls the conveyor (2'a) and the cylinder (23) of the carriage (15a) so as to move the stop (4'd) upstream and to bring it closer to the stop (4d) as shown in figure (2).

 At this stage of formation of the beam, that is to say of its geometrical shaping, the clamps-components (3b) and (4z), the stops (4d), (4'd) and (4z) are in the same positions as in FIG. 2 except for a translation along the axis (Y'Y).

 The computer then shifts in synchronism all the conveyors (2), (2 ') and (2 ") to shift downstream the portion of beam already formed and so that the abscissa of the stop (4d) is equal to the distance shown between the stops (4a) and (4d) in Figure 2. The unused stops are brought upstream by the carriages (15) and conveyors (2 ').

 According to a process identical to those described above, the stops (4a) and (4'a) are put in place, leaving between them the place to slide the clamp (3a). The stop (4y) and the clamp (3a) are put in place. The computer then shifts in synchronism all the conveyors (2), (2 ') and (2 ") with the exception of the conveyor (2d) carrying the clamp (3a) which is held stationary, to shift downstream the portion of bundle already formed and so as to tension the branch (7a) The stop (4'a) is brought upstream as previously for the stop (4'd).

 At this stage, the same arrangement as that shown in FIG. 2 is obtained on the conveyors (2), for these various elements and for those already in place.

 Similarly, the clamp (3'd) and the corresponding stops are put in place.

The positioning of the clamps (3'f) and (3'e) could be done in the same way as for the previous clamps by placing each of these clamps on new conveyors (2). According to another advantageous mode of forming branches which reduces the number of conveyors (2) required, it is preferable to arrange them as shown in FIG. 2. To do this, the computer controls in another sequence
- The movement of all the conveyors (2), (2 ') and (2 ") in synchronism to transfer onto the conveyor (2a) the clamps (3'f) and (3'e) apart as shown in FIG. 2. This displacement simultaneously shifts downstream the portion of beam already formed. The displacement is such that the abscissa of the stop (4b) is greater than the distance between the extreme ends of the clamps (3'f) and (3'e ) as shown in Figure 2.

 - The implementation on the conveyor (2 "a), of the stop (4'c) immediately upstream of the stop (4b), and of the stop (4c) immediately upstream of the abscissa 0. Thus l 'spacing of these two stops is greater than the size of the clamps (3'f) and (3'e).

 - The transfer of the clamps (3'f) and (3'e) on the conveyor (2b).

 - The synchronous transfer of all the conveyors (2), (2 ') and (2 ") with the exception of the conveyor (2b) carrying the clamps (3'f) and (3'e) which are kept stationary, to shift downstream the portion of bundle already formed and so as to tension the branch (7e). The conveyor is also controlled in synchronism, during this transfer. I1 transfers the clamp (3g) on the conveyor (2a) so that the distance from the clamp (3g) and the stop (4b) is that of figure 2.

 - The transfer of the stops (4c) and (4'c) to their relative locations as shown in Figure 2.

 At this stage, the same arrangement as that shown in FIG. 2 is obtained on the conveyors (2) for all the elements.

According to the description given above for the positioning of the clamps (3'f) and (3'e) another way of geometrically forming the beam consists
- to set up all the stops so as to keep their relative positions and to leave room to transfer, possibly between them, certain grippers which must be transferred to another conveyor, but by bringing them as close as possible without taking into account the distances imposed for the tension of the branches;
- To transfer onto the conveyor (2a) then, optionally, to the other conveyors and between said stops, said clamps;
- Then to bring together the stops which must be to deflect the branches, in accordance with the representation of Figure 2;
- and finally by moving the conveyors to stretch the branches and obtain the arrangement shown in Figure 2.

 Figures 4 and 5 show, in partial schematic views, in plan, from above and in elevation, a device similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 3. This device is shown in the process of making beams, as described in Figure 1. This device is a particular embodiment of the invention which uses bypass clamps.

 These figures show that all of the beam components are carried as before by the clamps (3g), (3'f), (3'e), (3'd), (3a) and (3c). The branches are held either by group clamps (3 '), or by component clamps (3), or finally by branch clamps (3 "): branch (7g) between (3g) and (3" c '), branch (7th) between (3 "ass) and (3" e) etc ...

 The branch clamps (3 "), the end clamps and the group clamps (3 ') are advantageously identical and produced according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 17.

 According to the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bypass clamps (3 "), designed to grip and hold several wires, hold all the wires of a branch at intermediate points which are associated with branches.

 According to the advantageous embodiment shown, the wires of the branches of a branch are held separately, branch by branch, in several branch clamps (3 ") arranged contiguously as (3" c), (3 "c ') , (3 "c"). These clamps have a certain footprint and there is a minimum length of wire included inside or between their jaws. With these dimensions, these bypass clamps grip the wires at same points as those which were in contact with the stops as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

 According to a variant of the invention it is possible to group said contiguous pliers in a single device and in particular to use for this purpose pliers which make it possible to grasp and hold several wires in a given order and in a reduced space.

In particular the pliers of this type described in the patent application
FR 90 13137 (RICARD Claude) are advantageous.

 The unusable lengths inherent in said space depend on the embodiment of said clamps and their arrangement.

 Apart from these unusable lengths, said intermediate points, which are associated with branches and which are held by said branch clamps, are also the branch points designated in FIG. 1 by the pins (6).

 The upstream part which delivers said clamps according to the mark (I) and which receives the discharged clamps according to the mark (II) for recycling is shown in FIG. 14.

 Advantageously, according to this particular embodiment of the method, it is no longer necessary to extend the entire bundle in a configuration which simultaneously tends all the branches. According to the embodiment of FIG. 4, only said branch clamps are moved aside with the various other clamps to conform the bundle and advantageously the various branches are stretched, and possibly linked, one after the other.

 Advantageously, as for the device, represented by FIGS. 2 and 3, and in the same way, one stretches along one and the same second conveyor or in approximately the same direction one of the sets of branches made up of the greatest number of contiguous branches.

 According to the first phase of the example of conformation of the bundle shown in FIG. 1, the stop (4w) is put in place, as explained above, by means of the carriage (15a) and the conveyor (2'a). The conveyors (1) and (2a) are driven in synchronism to transfer all of the grippers and arrive at the configuration shown in Figure 6 starting from the distribution as shown in Figure 4.

As shown in Figure 7 and in the same way as above for the device of Figure 2
- The clamp (3b) is transferred to the conveyor (2b) by means of the carriage (15 "'a) which is moved by the conveyor (2"'a);
- The branch (7i) is deflected by the stop (4w). It is stretched by moving the clamp (3b) downstream by means of the conveyor (2b);
- Three links (7'i), (7 "i) and (7"'i) are put in place by the manipulator provided with the binding pliers (9), (11) and (10).

 Depending on the length of the branch (7i) the computer controls the movement downstream of the stop (4w) to allow the transfer of the clamp (3b) to the conveyor (2a).

 The clamp (3b) is then returned to the conveyor (2a) by means of the carriage (15 "'a) moved by the conveyor (2"' a). In this case and according to the embodiment of Figure 21, the cylinder (23) pulls the clamp (3b) by means of the device (23a).

 The stop (4w) is optionally brought back to the position shown in Figure 6. The arrangement of the entire harness and the various clamps is then that shown in this Figure 6 with three links (7'i), (7 "i) , (7 "'i) which fix between them the wires of the branch (7i).

 According to the second phase of the example of conformation of the bundle represented in FIG. 1, the conveyors (1) and (2a) are driven in synchronism to transfer all of the clamps and obtain the geometric configuration represented in FIG. 8, starting from that shown in Figure 6. The installation of the three links (7'j), (7 "j), (7" 'j) is performed.

 The branch (7b) is stretched, then provided with three links (7'b), (7 "b), (7" 'b), like the branch (7i).

 The conveyors (2a) and (2b) are then driven in synchronism to transfer all of the clamps they carry, and to arrive at the configuration shown in FIG. 9.

 As before, the clamp (3c) is brought back onto the conveyor (2a), the conveyors (2a) and (2b) are transferred upstream and the stop (4w) is possibly brought back to the position shown in FIG. 8.

The arrangement of the entire bundle and of the various clamps is then that shown in this figure 8 with three links (7'b), (7 "b), (7" 'b) which fix the wires of the branch between them. (7b) and with three links (7'j), (7 "j), (7" 'j) which fix between them the wires of the branch (7j).

 According to the third phase of the example of conformation of the beam shown in FIG. 1, the conveyors (1) and (2a) are driven in synchronism to transfer all of the clamps and, starting from the geometric distribution of FIG. 8, to arrive to that of FIG. 10. The tension of the branches (7a) and (7c), the laying of the links on these branches are carried out as previously.

 Figure 11 shows a way to stretch and link the branches (7g), (7f) and (7h) using three conveyors (2a), (2b) and (2c) as before.

 Figure 12 shows the completed beam and presented to the operator who must clear the clamp boxes (3) and the clamp branches (3 ') and (3 "). The computer, which had suspended the operation of the set of conveyors (2), controls the evacuation of the empty grippers, as soon as the operator presses the button (12) to indicate that he has finished discharging the bundle.

 According to the method described above, various branches are stretched one after the other and in the order in which the various clamps are arranged on the conveyor.

 According to another embodiment which does not include conveyors for tensioning the branches, the clamps are moved by a manipulator. Advantageously, this manipulator can then be the same as that which carries the binding pliers. Advantageously, in this case, the clamps are arranged on a table which comprises a multiplicity of means for fixing the clamps. Said fixing means can be produced by cells in which the bases of said clamps are fitted or by details of complementary shapes of male-female type distributed between the bases and said table.

 According to another embodiment of the invention using a manipulator, said table and said clamps advantageously include magnetic elements, for example a soft iron plate or a set of magnets. The clamps are fixed by magnetic attraction.

FIG. 13 represents an elementary bundle of three wires:
(24), (25), (26). This bundle has three ends: (A), (B),
(C) and a derivation or node (A ') and it is formed of three branches
(27), (28) and (29).

 According to the example of FIG. 13, the branch (27) included between the end zone (A) and the bypass zone (A ') comprises part of the sections of wires (26) and (24). The end of the wire (26) of the end zone (A) is designated by (24A).

 FIG. 14 shows a device according to the invention in the process of manufacturing beams of the type shown in FIG. 13.

 Downstream of this device, there are two of these beams. Their ends (A), (B) and (C) as well as intermediate points associated with the bypass (A '), are held in clamps.

 The conveyor (1 ') is only partially shown. The gripper sequence (3 "a), (3" b) to (3 "m) continues until (3" t) in the part of this conveyor which is not shown. This part not shown also includes the empty clamps (3 "a '), (3" b') and (3 "c ') which are followed by the clamps (3" d) to (3 "t'). also include several clip sequences such as (3 "a) to (3" t). The clip sequence (3 "a ') to (3" t'), the most upstream, is a sequence of the same type in during placement in the clamps.

 Figure 14 is truncated downstream and has two references I and II. The part not shown may be one of the devices, partially shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 which themselves also include the references I and II. In this case the link laying unit (55) is optional because the links are placed by these devices.

 According to a particular and advantageous embodiment, the branches are attached to the vicinity of the bypass clamps by the link laying unit (55) disposed along the path of transfer of the clamps. The downstream part, not shown, is then limited to the means for recycling the clamps defined in patent application FR 90 13137 (RICARD Claude), filed on October 17, 1990 and to the means for discharging the bundle. These means defined elsewhere in this patent advantageously include an electric button (12), as on the device in FIG. 2, which allows the operator to indicate that he has removed the beam. The computer which had suspended the operation of the conveyor (1 ") is connected to this button. N controls the evacuation of the empty grippers as soon as it receives the signal emitted when the operator presses this button (12).

 The loading unit shown in FIG. 14 is of the known type which allows the ends (A), (B), (C) of sections of wire (24), (25), (26) to be placed in end clamps (3 "). However, according to the invention, this device is provided with complementary means with the aid of which the wire section is gripped and maintained in branch clamps at other intermediate points at the ends which are associated with beam leads.

 Advantageously, said end clamps and said branch clamps are identical.

 This loading unit (30) is part of a device for automatically manufacturing bundles of conductive wires or optical fibers which is only partially and schematically shown in FIG. 14. This device comprises a conveyor (1 '), made according to a known method, provided with pliers (3 ") which grip and transport the ends of sections of wire. The various pliers are distinguished by an index for example (3" a) and (3 "a ').

 This loading unit places ends of sections of wire in said clamps transferred by said conveyor and it includes means for also placing in some of said clamps of said conveyor intermediate points of said section.

 According to the nonlimiting example of embodiment in FIG. 14, the wire (31) is taken between the rollers (33) which are rotated by the motors (34) so as to unwind it from the coil (32) and to inject it into the telescopic tube (35).

 The telescopic tube can be retracted to the position (35a) to allow the scissors (37) to cut the wire flush with the tube or to allow the gripper (38) to grasp it.

 The wire (31) can be put in place in the double fork (36) by advancing this tube then the wire to position (35b). They pass through the guide in the form of a double fork (36) and the wire remains in this fork when the tube is retracted.

According to the example of Figure 14, the loading unit also comprises a gripper (38), detailed in Figures 15 and 16, which is moved by means comprising
- a rotary actuator (41) which makes it possible to present the gripper (38), moved in rotation by the motor (39), above
either bypass pliers (3 "t) for engaging a wire, the gripper is then as shown in (38) and the motor in (39);
either of the double fork (36) for taking the wire there; the gripper is then at (38a) and the motor at (39a);
- an indexed motor (39) which makes it possible to rotate the gripper (38) and to present it, as illustrated, above the bypass clamp (3 "t) and above the double fork (36). The rotation is carried out, clockwise or anti-clockwise, around the axis of the vertical rod (40), parallel to the axis Z'Z. Under the action of these first two means, the final result displacements of the gripper (38), from the double fork (36) to the gripper is either a simple translation or said translation associated with a rotation of 180 ", of this gripper, around the axis (40 ').

- a jack (40) which allows vertical movements parallel to the axis Z'Z
either, in the picking position (38a): to take a part of the wire by lowering the gripping pliers (38) jaws open between the teeth of the double fork (36), by closing said jaws on the wire guided in said double fork and raising said gripper holding said portion of wire;
either, in the transfer position (38): to transfer said portion of wire held in said bypass clamp (3 "t), by lowering the clamp (38) placed above the clamp (3" t) which engages the wire between the spouts of this end clamp, then winding it up with the jaws open.

By way of nonlimiting example, the device of FIG. 14 sets up the wire (24) by performing the following sequence of actions controlled in turn by the computer (42)
- Initially the device is in the following state
. the tube (35) is retracted into position (35a),
. the wire is cut flush with the end (35a).

 . the gripper (38) is arranged in the vertical loading position of the double fork (36) with its jaws aligned to grip along the axis X'X.

 - The manufacture of a new bundle begins with the placement on the conveyor (1 ') of nine empty bypass clamps (3 "a'), (3" b ') ... to (3 "i') .

 - The installation of the downstream end (26 "C) begins.

- An end clamp (3 "j ') is placed on the conveyor (1') which is advanced by one step and which presents it in the loading position,
- The tube is extended to position (35b). The motors (34) are controlled to unwind the wire to this position (35b). The tube is then retracted into position (35a). I1 discovers the end of the wire which is now guided in the double fork (36).

 - The gripper is lowered with the jaws open between the teeth of the fork (36). The jaws are closed on the wire. The gripper is reassembled with the wire.

 - The gripper (38) is brought into the transfer position above the end clamp (3 "j ') in a translational movement coupled with a rotation of 180'. The end which was directed along the axis X'X at the outlet of the tube (35) is thus turned over and held along axis XX '. The gripper (38) transfers this end directed along axis XX' into the end clamp (3 " i).

During all these movements of the gripper, the wire is delivered by the motors (34) according to the need for movements.

 - The gripper (38) is returned empty to the sampling position.

 - The new bypass clamp (3 "k ') is placed on the conveyor (1') which is advanced one step.

 - The wire is unwound by the motors (35) until the first predetermined intermediate point of said section to be placed in the bypass clamp (3 "k ') is disposed in the double fork (36).

 - The gripper (38) descends open, grabs the wire and goes back up. It is moved to the transfer position and at the same time the motors (34) deliver the wire necessary for this movement. This movement is generally a translational movement: the end of the wire which was directed along the axis X'X at the outlet of the tube (35) remains maintained along the axis X'X. The gripper (38) transfers this end directed along the axis X'X into the bypass clamp (3 "k ').

 - The gripper (38) returns empty to the picking position.

 - The establishment of the first intermediate point of the wire (26 '), corresponding to the branch (A'), is complete and the establishment of the second intermediate point of the wire (26 '), corresponding to the branch (A' ) begins.

 - The wire is unwound by the motors (35) until the second predetermined intermediate point of said section to be placed in the bypass clamp (3 "1 ') is placed in the double fork (36).

- The gripper (38) descends open, grabs the wire back and moves to the transfer position at the same time as the motors (34) deliver the wire necessary for this movement. This movement is generally a translational movement coupled with a rotation of 180 ": the end of the wire which was directed along the axis X'X at the outlet of the tube (35) is thus returned and maintained along the axis
XX '.

 - The new bypass clamp (3 "1 ') is placed on the conveyor (1') which is advanced one step.

 - The gripper (38) transfers this end directed along the axis XX 'into the bypass clamp (3 "1').

 - The gripper (38) returns empty to the picking position.

 - The establishment of the second intermediate point of the wire (26 '), corresponding to the branch (A'), is complete and the establishment of the upstream end (26 "A) begins.

 - The new clamp (3 "m ') is placed on the conveyor (1') which is advanced one step.

 - The wire is unwound by the motors (35) until the second end of the wire section (26 ') is brought along the axis of the scissors (37).

 - The gripper (38) descends open, grabs the wire and holds it.

 - The scissors (37) cut the wire at level (35a).

 - The gripper (38) rises and moves to the transfer position. This movement is generally a translational movement; the end which was directed along the axis X'X at the outlet of the tube (35) is maintained along the axis X'X.

 - The gripper (38) transfers this end directed along the axis X'X into the end clamp (3 "u).

 - The gripper (38) returns empty to the picking position.

 - The installation of the upstream end (26 "C) of the wire (26 ') is complete.

 - The installation of the downstream end (25 "A), the intermediate points (25" A ') and the downstream end (25 "C) of the wire (25') is carried out like that of the wire (26 ') detailed above.

 - The installation of the downstream end (24 "B), the intermediate points (24" A ') and the upstream end (24 "A) of the wire (24') is carried out in the same way.

 The positioning of the ends, in end clips, and predetermined intermediate points, in bypass clips, is complete.

 The manufacture of a new bundle begins again by the installation on the conveyor of nine empty bypass clamps which advantageously will be of the same type as the previous ones.

 Advantageously and, as described above and shown in FIG. 14, an intermediate point of a wire associated with a branch is maintained at two points, by means of two branch clamps: clamps (3 "k) and (3 "1) for the wire (26).

 The device, represented by FIG. 14, advantageously thus comprises means for unwinding sections of wire of predetermined lengths as well as control means which control the unwinding of the wire and which stop the wire at predetermined intermediate points corresponding to branches. . In the nonlimiting case of this example, said control means are advantageously included in the form of software in the computer (42).

Another advantageous solution consists in placing on the loading unit, a programmable controller or a secondary computer (42 ′), and connecting it by at least one link to the main computer (42).

This automaton specifically controls said unit and commands the execution of global actions from which it receives the definition by means of said link.

 Figure 14 shows end clamps, like (3 "j ') and (3" m'), holding ends, like (26'C) and (26'A). It also shows bypass clips, like (3 "k ') and (3" 1'), now intermediate points associated with leads, like (26'A '). This figure shows that one grasps and maintains the section of wire in bypass clamps at other intermediate points of the ends which are associated with beam diversions.

 According to FIG. 14, these clamps are transferred by the conveyor (1 ′) to the grouping unit (43) which makes it possible to group together in one and the same branch clamp several of said intermediate points which are associated with the same branch.

 According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 14, the conveyor (1 ') has transferred in the field of action of the transfer unit (43), the grippers (3 "k) and (3" j), as well than the nine empty clips, (3 "a) to (3" i).

 The transfer unit is advantageously placed astride two conveyors, the motors of which are independent. According to the example of Figure 14, the toothed belt conveyor (1 ') ends between the clamps (3 "j) and (3" i). It drives the grippers to the gripper (3 "j). It is followed by the conveyor (1 ') which drives the grippers from the gripper (3" i).

 In front of the grippers located in the last two positions of the conveyor (1 '), grippers (3 "k) and (3" j) of FIG. 14, there are arranged two systems for opening these grippers. Such a system which is shown in Figure 15 according to the reference (56) is known.

 Advantageously, the transfer unit has gripping means capable of simultaneously gripping two intermediate points and the field of action of this transfer unit (43) includes at least two grippers on the upstream conveyor (1 ') for simultaneously transferring the two intermediate points of a wire associated with the same branch on two branch clamps carried by the downstream conveyor (1 ').

 FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of this transfer unit (43). A manipulator is provided with two grippers, (44) and (44 '), of the same type as the gripper (38). This manipulator is also provided with means making it possible to move them from one point to another of said conveyor.

 A first part of these displacement means consists of two jacks (45), (45 ') similar to the jack (41), which allow the gripping means (44), (44') to descend independently to the clamps (3 "a) to (3" j).

 The second part of these means is of the screw-nut type. The motor (46) rotates the worm (47) which collaborates with the nut fixed on the mobile assembly (48). This nut drives this assembly (48) in translation, guided by the slides (49), along the conveyor so that the gripping members move vertically from the grippers (3 "a) to (3" j).

 So that this first manipulator (44) can grasp the end held by the clamp (3 "j) which is then opened by the opening means which are associated with it, disengage said end from said clamp which once empty is closed , move and engage this end in another predetermined clamp (3 "a) to (3" i). The clamp (3 "j) is then ejected towards the return conveyor according to an embodiment taught in the patent FR 90 13137 (RICARD Claude). The means for ejecting (19) the empty clamps from the conveyor (1 ') to the return conveyor are located at the clamps (3 "k) and (3" j) as shown in FIG. 14.

 These gripping members include pliers (38 ') and (38 ") produced according to the example of FIGS. 15 and 16. To engage the wire, the pliers (38') force the opening of the beaks (50) of the pliers (3 "d).

 According to FIG. 16, the spouts are separated by the action of this wire which acts as a wedge on the part (50a) of said spouts. The "V" shape facilitates the opening of these spouts pivoting around the axes (52b) and kept closed by the springs (51).

 According to the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16, the gripping pliers advantageously comprises a pushing finger (53) which can engage between the beaks of the pliers and which supports the wire when it is engaged in a clamp and which temporarily holds it during the withdrawal phase.

 According to this figure, the wire is held by the gripper (38 '), produced according to the example of Figures 15 to 19. When inserting the wire into a clamp, this wire is held, inter alia, by the finger (53) which supports the wire which pushes the piston (52). At the end of the descent stroke, the lower part of the finger (53) is at the same level as the detail of internal shape (50b) of the spouts.

Advantageously, said finger comprises at its lower part in
contact with the wire a shape detail (69) to retain the wire and
whose profile has a "V" shape or a concave shape.

 If the clamp is produced by a tangle of spouts or if the clamp has details of shape hindering the use of a finger as shown, said finger will advantageously be cut to slip between said spouts or avoid said details of shape.

 Thus the wire or the various wires present in the clamp are held, temporarily and in particular when the spouts are forced to open by the wire in place, by compression between the piston (52) pushed towards the finger by the spring. (54) and the finger (53).

These wires are also compressed and held by shearing between the edges of the piston (52) and the edges of the fingers (50) closed by the springs (51).

 Even if at this stage of the action of the device, the grasping pliers engage a wire in an empty pliers, note that the positioning action is carried out in the same way regardless of the number of wires already included in the clamp.

 The cavity formed by the profile (50b) of the spouts and the profile (52a) of the piston adapts to the volume of the wires which it keeps compressed. In addition, as when inserting a wire, it is the wire itself which forces the beaks to open, the beaks only open to let it pass and the wires already present cannot escape.

 According to the example shown in FIG. 14, after having ordered the sampling of the downstream end of the wire (26), end (26C) in the clamp (3 "j), the computer moves the mobile assembly (48) to bring the member (44) vertically to the clamp (3 "a). I1 engages said end in this empty clamp of said conveyor by lowering the gripping means in the low position as described above.

The computer also controls
- the simultaneous transfer of the intermediate points (26A ') of the wire (26), held by the pliers (3 "k) and (3" 1), in the pliers (3 "c) and (3" d) arranged in the unit field (43);
- the transfer of the end (26A), held by the clamp (3 "m), in the clamp (3"h);
- the transfer of the downstream end (25C) of the wire (25), held by the clamp (3 "n), in the clamp (3" b),
- the simultaneous transfer of the intermediate points (25A ') of the wire (25), held by the pliers (3 "o) and (3" p), in the pliers (3 "c) and (3" e),
- the transfer of the upstream end (25B) of the wire (25), held by the clamp (3 "q), in the clamp (3"f);
- the transfer of the downstream end (24B) of the wire (24), held by the clamp (3 "r), in the clamp (3" g),
- the simultaneous transfer of the intermediate points (24A ') of the wire (24), held by the pliers (3 "s) and (3" t), in the pliers (3 "e) and (3"d);
- transfer of the upstream end (24A) into the clamp (3 "i).

 Advantageously, as described above and represented in FIG. 14, the wires of the branches of a branch are stored and kept separately, branch by branch, in several branch clamps (3 ") arranged contiguously.

 FIG. 14 also represents a particular embodiment of the invention in which the branches are attached to the vicinity of the branch clamps by the link laying unit (55).

 According to FIG. 14, this link-laying unit is located downstream from the transfer unit (43). It is composed of a jack (56), controlled by the computer (42), which descends the known type of binding pliers (10) so that its beaks (lova) grip all the wires of a branch included in the bypass clamp presented to it by the conveyor (1 "). The computer then commands the binding clamp to attach the wires of said branch together, to open the beaks (10a) and to bring the clamp to bind above said bypass clamp.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 and described above:
- A first conveyor is provided intermittently with end clamps to grip and hold said ends.

 - It captures, maintains and intermittently transfers said ends along a certain transfer path by means of said end clamps of said first conveyor.

 - Using said end clamps, some of said ends are presented to end processing units arranged laterally along said transfer path.

 - The said ends are modified by means of the said end processing units.

 - Said ends are presented to a marriage unit which groups together several ends in the same end clamp.

 - Said ends are presented to a permutation unit which modifies the order of some of said ends on said first conveyor.

 - Several of the said ends are presented to a connection unit which connects some of the said ends to the components fixed on a component clamp.

 - Said component clamp is placed on said first conveyor when all the ends are connected.

 - Several of said intermediate points which are associated with the same derivation are grouped together in the same branch clamp.

 - We spread said bypass clamps with said various clamps to conform the beam.

FIG. 20 shows, in partial perspective view and in a cross section, the detail of the embodiment:
- a set of three belt conveyors: (2), (2 ') and (2 "),
- a stop (4) and,
- A carriage (15) transporting means for the establishment of the stops and clamps, and in particular the jacks (23) and (16).

 The gripper conveyor (2) transports a gripper (3) of which only the foot is represented by means of the belt (60). This foot has a sole (57) whose width (57a) is slightly less than the width (58) of the profile to allow good guidance of the base in the profile.

 The length (57b) is slightly less than the length of the notch (58) in order to allow the transfer of the clamp along the axis (X'X). This transfer is carried out by sliding, pulling or pushing the clamp. The base teeth then slide on the teeth of the belts (60) and (61), and on the teeth of the racks (62) and (63) cut in the profile. The teeth of the belts, in the gripper transfer position, and the teeth of said racks are aligned.

 Said clamp is pushed by means of the jack (23) or pulled by means of this jack and the elastic piece (23a). This device (23a) is produced by means of a hollow elastic rubber piece. This part can be pressurized and inflated like a balloon by injecting compressed air inside through the hollow axis (23b). This part can also be left to stand by venting to the atmosphere. This device (23a) freely penetrates, at rest, into the corresponding hole (64) which is provided with the clamp (3a). After being engaged in said hole, it is inflated and expanded by the injection of compressed air, which allows the jack (23) to pull the clamp (3).

 The carriage (15) is produced according to FIG. 20. I1 has teeth (68) engaged with teeth of the toothed belt (61) of the conveyor (2 '). This belt, which forms a loop driven by a motor, makes it possible to move the carriage (15) and to bring the axis of the jack which it carries, in correspondence with the axis of the hole (64).

 The movement of the conveyor (2 ') also makes it possible to bring the carriage (15d) opposite the stop (4z) so as to align the corner (17) with the light (18).

 The foot (19) is kept in contact with the toothed belt by means of the friction washer (66) and the elastic piece (67).

 The outlet of the jack (16) engages said corner (17) in the light (18). The wedge (17) lifts the rod (65) and the foot (19) by compressing the elastic piece or the spring (67). The teeth (66a) of the foot (19) emerge from the complementary teeth (66b) of the toothed belt (20).

Once these teeth are released, the carriage (15) allows the stop (4) to be moved along the conveyor (2 ").

Claims (12)

 1. Method for automatically manufacturing bundles of conductive wires or optical fibers which may comprise several branches and branches, of the type in which ends of wire sections and components are transported in various clamps, characterized in that  - the wire section is gripped and held in bypass clamps, at other intermediate points of the ends, which are associated with bundle diversions,  - Several of said intermediate points which are associated with the same derivation are grouped together in the same branch clamp.  2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that, in addition, it spreads some of said clamps to conform the beam into various branches.  3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the son of the branches of a bypass are held separately, branch by branch, in several bypass clamps (3 ") arranged contiguously.  4. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that an intermediate point associated with a bypass is maintained at two points.  5. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the branches are attached in the vicinity of the bypass clamps.  6. Device, comprising means for unwinding sections of wire of predetermined lengths, characterized in that it comprises control means which control the unwinding of the wire and which stop the wire at predetermined intermediate points corresponding to leads.  7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said control means are included in the form of software in the computer.  8. Device according to claim 6, for automatically manufacturing bundles of conductive wires or optical fibers, of the type which comprises a conveyor provided with clamps which grip and transport ends of sections of wires and a loading unit which sets up in said clamps transferred by said conveyor the ends of sections of wire, characterized in that said loading unit comprises means for also placing in some of said clamps of said conveyor intermediate points of said section.  9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a transfer unit for transferring and grouping the intermediate points associated with the same branch, on branch clamps.  10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the transfer unit has gripping means capable of simultaneously gripping two intermediate points.  11. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the transfer unit is placed astride two conveyors whose motors are independent.  12. Device according to claim 6 characterized in that it comprises  - a first conveyor provided with at least component grippers (3) making it possible to transport components (24) to which certain ends are connected,  - means for spreading said clamps (2) and tensioning the branches of the bundle,  - Means (9), (10) for joining the son of the same branch.