US3837369A

US3837369A - Apparatus for processing electronic components

Info

Publication number: US3837369A
Application number: US00396856A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Bartell
Original assignee: Vicon Instrument Co
Current assignee: Vicon Instrument Co
Priority date: 1973-09-13
Filing date: 1973-09-13
Publication date: 1974-09-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-24

Abstract

The principal sections of the apparatus include a stationary support, axially slidable head stock and tail stock on the support and movable in the bending zone to cooperate in bending electronic component leads, a transfer drum to move components from a load station to a discharge station, cutoff means to cut leads to desired length during the transfer operation, and a supply table surmounting the other sections. The components are fed from the supply table to the transfer drum at the load staion and lowered to the discharge station while relatively rotatable notched discs cut the leads to desired lengths. The components drop from the drum to a support finger on the head stock in the bending zone and are gripped in lateral attitude as the head stock moves toward the tail stock. With continued extension movement of head stock and tail stock, two bending arms on the head stock advance relatively and bend the leads to about 90*. The first bending arm may be held in retracted position to prevent bending contact, while the second bending arm always advances to form a bend so that one or both leads may be bent in the operation. Further, the second arm may be caused to swing laterally after the initial bend to swing its lead to 180* while the other lead remains straight.

Description

llnite States Patent [1 1 Bartell [451 Sept. 24, 1974 APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS William H. Bartell, Colorado Springs, C010.

[75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: The Vicon Instrument Company,

Colorado Springs, C010.

[22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 396,856

Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sheridan, Ross & Fields [57] ABSTRACT The principal sections of the apparatus include a stationary support. axially slidable head stock and tail stock on the support and movable in the bending zone to cooperate in bending electronic component leads, a transfer drum to move components from a load station to a discharge station, cutoff means to cut leads to desired length during the transfer operation, and a supply table surmounting the other sections. The components are fed from the supply table to the transfer drum at the load staion and lowered to the discharge station while relatively rotatable notched discs cut the leads to desired-lengths. The components drop from the drum to a support finger on the head stock in the bending zone and are gripped in lateral attitude as the head stock moves toward the tail stock. With continued extension movement of head stock and tail stock, two bending arms on the head stock advance relatively and bend the leads to about 90. The first bending arm may be held in retracted positionto prevent bending contact, while the second bending arm always advances to form a bend so that one or both leads may be bent in the operation. Further, the second arm may be caused to swing laterally after the initial bend to swing its lead to 180 while the other lead remains straight.

22 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention lies in the field of apparatus for cutting and forming the opposed axial conductors or leads of electrical components such as transistors, capacitors, resistors, etc., and relates to such apparatus which is readily adjustable selectively to cut the leads to any desired length whether the same or different, to bend either one lead or both leads, and to bend one lead through a full 180 without the necessity of dismantling the apparatus or removing or adding any parts.

Millions of small electronic components such as transistors, resistors, etc., are secured to circuit boards for use in radio or other electronic equipment. Whether the circuitry is printed or wired, it is common practice to cut the component leads to desired lengths, bend them to desired angles, insert the leads through holes in the circuit boards, and solder them in place in the circuitry. Since the placing and securing is commonly done by automatic machinery, it is essential that the length and degree of bend of every lead be precisely controlled.

Many different machines have been devised and put into use to process such components for application to the intended circuitry. Some only trim leads, others only bend leads, and still others perform both functions. While most of such machines perform their work accurately and rapidly, they are ordinarily designed so that they can accept only one size of component, cut the leads to only one length, and bend one or both leads to only one configuration. If it is desired to modify the operation it is usually necessary to dismantle part of the machine and install different elements which are specifically designed to produce a different result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of the present invention is so constructed and arranged that it can be programmed to produce several different final configurations by means of a few minor adjustments with no necessity of substituting different parts to achieve the desired results.

Generally stated, the apparatus includes a stationary support having a longitudinal reference axis, a head stock and a tail stock axially slidable on the support, and an actuator mounted on the support with an actuator shaft connected to the head stock to impart extending and retracting movement thereto. A transfer drum mounted on a transverse shaft on the support alternately rotates about 180 in response to movement of the head stock and has a recess in its periphery parallel to the shaft axis to receive a laterally directed electronic component from a supply table at an upper load station and to release the component at a lower discharge station to drop into the bending zone where the head stock and tail stock are located.

A set of two discs is provided on the transverse shaft, one set at each side of the transfer drum. One disc of each set is non-rotatable and the other rotates with the drum, and the discs have matching notches which register with the drum recess when it is at the load station to receive the leads of the component. When the rotatable discs move with the drum the discs trim off the surplus length of lead. Each set is adjustable along the shaft so that the leads may be cut to any desired length.

The head stock at its downstream end carries a support finger which receives the component when it drops from the discharge station and also carries a clamping finger overlying the support finger. Both fingers are spring biased forward, and the support finger contacts a clamping horn on the tail stock when the head stock is retracted. On extension movement of the head stock, the clamping finger moves toward the clamping horn to yieldingly grip the component between them.

A first and second bending arm are carried on the head stock, one at each side of the supporting finger. As the head stock continues to move forward, the clamping finger and support finger are relatively retracted by the resistance of the clamping horn and therefore the bending arms relatively advance to contact the leads and bend them to the desired angle, usually about Further movement of the head stock causes it to contact the tail stock and move it in the same direction and a drag link relatively retracts the support finger to open a gap beneath the component. An additional movement of the tail stock causes an ejector arm to contact the component or its leads and urge the component to drop through a passage in the support to a receiving station.

The first bending arm is axially slidable on the head stock so that it can be retracted to inoperative position to prevent contact with its associated lead. With this adjustment the second bending arm will contact and bend its lead to about 90 leaving the other lead extending axially. In addition, cam and follower means are provided which can be selectively operated to cause the second bending arm to execute a secondary lateral swinging movement which will bend its associated lead to about Thus, with very minor adjustments, the

apparatus is adapted to produce three different configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other advantages and features of novelty will become apparent as the description proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of the apparatus incorporating the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic side elevational view ofthe mounting of the second bending arm;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the elements of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the component gripping elements;

FIG. 6 is a schematic and diagrammatic side elevational view of the transfer mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the elements of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is, a diagrammatic perspective view of the transfer and cutoff mechanism with the transfer drum at the load station; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with the transfer drum at the discharge station;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A major portion of the apparatus in its presently preferred form is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which a stationary support 10, including a base plate 12 and a ways block 14, is mounted on corner columns or posts 16 to support it in elevated position above a receiving station, not shown. A passageway 18 is formed vertically through the base plate and ways block to allow completed components to drop to the receiving station.

A head stock 20, comprising a slide 22 and carrier block 24, is slidably mounted in axially extending ways formed in the ways block and is held against separation from the ways block by gib plates 26. Tail stock 28, comprising a slide 30 and spacer block 32, similarly is slidably mounted in the same ways and is held against separation therefrom by gib plates 34. Tension springs 36 connected to pins 38 on the two pairs of gib plates urge the head stock and tail stock toward each other but the tail stock is limited in its retraction by contact of the inner ends of channels 40 with limiting pins 42 fixed in the support. The head stock is shown in its fully retracted position with its leading edge 44 spaced from the leading edge 46 of the tail stock. A servo motor actuator 48 is fixedly mounted on the aft end of the support with its actuator shaft 50 extending axially toward the head stock. The forward end 52 of the shaft extends into the aft end of coupling block 54, attached to the head stock, and engages over-run spring 56. This is a stiff spring and is sufficient to move the head stock in the direction of extension until notches 58 on leading edge 44 engage limiting pins 42. As the actuator shaft continues to extend, spring 56 compresses and the head stock is held firmly in its fully extended position. An upwardly facing gear rack 60 is mounted on one side of the head stock to reciprocate axially with it and operate the transfer mechanism which will now be described.

Considering FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be seen that a table 62 having front and

back portions

64 and 66 is mounted by means of posts 68 to the base plate 12 to constitute a continuation of the stationary support 10. A transfer shaft 70 is rotatably mounted in the side walls 72 of the recess 74 of the table and is provided at one end with a pinion gear 76 which meshes with gear rack 60 on the head stock. The gear ratio is so chosen that when the head stock extends or retracts to its full extent the transfer shaft will be rotated approximately 180. A transfer drum 78 is fixedly mounted on the midpoint of the shaft to rotate with it and is formed with a component receiver or recess 80 in its periphery extending parallel to the shaft axis to receive a component body 82 having axially extending leads 84. The components are arranged transverse to the axis of the stationary support and are moved along feed groove 86 in the top of table 64 to be fed successively into receiver 80.

The pinion gear is meshed with the gear rack in such relation that when the head stock is fully extended the recess or receiver 80 will be at the upper load station to receive a component. As the head stock retracts, drum 78 rotates clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 to bring the receiver to the lower discharge station where the component is released to drop into the bending zone 88 and onto a support member 89 to be described later. Ejection means are provided to insure that the component will be released from the receiver. A rocker 90 is pivotally mounted at 92 to the table and biased counterclockwise by spring 94. The rocker carries a pair of ejection fingers 96, one at each side of the transfer drum, and a depending actuating pin 98. When the head stock is just short of full retraction a shoulder on the first clamping finger 101 which will be described later strikes pin 98 and swings the rocker clockwise causing the ejection fingers to move downward against leads 84 and push the component out of the receiver.

The construction and operation of the cutoff means are best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Located at each side of the transfer drum is a collar 102 provided with a set screw 104 to lock it non-rotatably on transfer shaft 70. Each collar may be moved to any selected position along the shaft to control the length of a trimmed lead and the set screw is then tightened to hold it in place. Each collar has a short stem with a first disc 106 firmly secured to its end. A second disc 108 is freely rotatably mounted on the stem between the collar and the fixed disc and has a radial arm 110 extending rearwardly into an elongate transverse slot 112 in the table to allow disc 108 to move along the transfer shaft while preventing rotation. In FIG. 8 it will be seen that the transfer drum is at the load station with the receiver opening upwardly. Notches 114 and 116 are formed respectively in discs106 and 108 and also open upwardly to receive component leads 84. When the transfer drum rotates toward the lower discharge position, discs 106 turn with it, the notches move out of registry, and the knife edges on the notches shear off the excess portion of each lead. Each set of first and second discs can be adjusted laterally to any extent to produce leads of any desired length, which may be the same or different at each end of the component body.

The lead bending mechanism and mode of operation are illustrated in general in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in more detail in FIGS. 3 to 5. It will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 that when the component body 82 is released or ejected from receiver 80 it is deposited on the forward free end of the support member or finger 89 which is shown in FIG. 1 as being in contact with the leading edge 118 of the clamping horn or second clamping finger 120 fixedly mounted on the spacer block 32 of tail stock 28. The leading edges of the two clamping fingers are slightly spaced axially to form a pocket for receiving the component body.

In the solid line showings of FIGS. 1 and 2 the head stock is in its fully retracted position, as is the actuator shaft. The tail stock, urged by its tension spring connection to the head stock, is also fully retracted with the inner ends of its channels 40 abutting the limiting pins 42. A laterally extending transfer yoke 122 is fixedly mounted on an intermediate portion of actuator shaft 50, and a pair of laterally spaced push rods 124 are attached to its lower outer ends to extend forward and move axially through passages 126 in the ways block portion of the stationary support. Lugs 128, located on the forward portions of the push rods, contact leading edges 44 of the head stock to fully retract it upon retraction of the actuator shaft.

Support finger 89 is mounted on an elongate shank 130 which slides axially in passage 132 formed in carrier block 24. A drag link 134 is connected at its forward end to the aft end of shank 130. The aft portion of the drag link slides through passage 136 in transfer yoke 122 and through passage 138 in bracket 140, and a stop member 142 is fixed at the aft end of the drag link. A light compression spring 144 surrounds the drag link forward of the transfer yoke and is held in compressed condition by stop member 146.

The first clamping finger 101 has an aft body portion 148 provided with side slides 150 which ride in guides 152 in carrier block 24. A compression spring 154 is located between the carrier block and depending portion 156 of body portion 148 to yieldingly urge the clamping finger forward while a stop pin 158 in the carrier block engages channel 160 in the under side of portion 148 to limit the forward movement of the clamping finger and leave the small gap shown in FIG. 1 to form a receiving pocket when the head stock is fully retracted.

The tail stock 28 includes a yoke 162 on which the second clamping finger 120 is rigidly mounted. An ejector 164 is pivotally mounted at 166 on the clamping finger and includes an axially extending channelshaped arm 168 to contact the component leads at the end of the bending operation to urge the components to drop to the receiving station and a depending actuator arm 170. Stop plate 172 is rigidly mounted at the end of the stationary support. A rocker arm pin 174 is slidably mounted in the tail stock and is adapted to contact the stop plate when the tail stock is fully extended. Link 176 is pivotally mounted at 178 on the tail stock with its lower end pivotally connected at 180 to the rocker arm pin and its upper end in closely spaced relation with the lower end of depending arm 170 which is biased to inactive position by spring 182. It will be seen that when the tail stock is fully extended pin 174 will be forced rearward to swing link 176 and rotate the ejector against the bias of spring 182, causing arm 168 to force the component downward.

A first bending arm 184 is fixedly mounted on a slide 186 in the position shown in FIG. 2 with its forming tip 188 immediately adjacent to the side edge of clamping finger 101. Slide 186 is mounted in ways 190 of carrier block 24 for axial movement and is held in adjusted position by lock ring 192 having a handle 194. With the slide locked in forward position the bending arm is in operative position with its forming tip adapted to contact lead 84 and bend it through 90. When the slide is locked in aft position the forming arm is retracted as shown in broken lines to inoperative position where it is prevented from contacting the lead during operation.

The second bending arm 196 having forming tip 197 is rotatably mounted on vertical axle pin 198 fixed in the head stock slide. The arm may swing in toward the longitudinal axis on occasion as described later but cannot swing out from the position shown because abutment 200 on the arm contacts stop pin 202 fixed to the head stock. A spiral spring 204, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, connected to the axle pin 198 and the arm constantly urges the arm outward to maintain the contact.

pin 158 so that a pocket is formed by the support fingerv and the two clamping fingers to receive component body 82 when it drops from the discharge station.

As the head stock begins to extend, the first clamping finger moves with it until the component body 82 is yieldingly gripped between the two clamping fingers, and support finger 89 remains in yielding contact with leading edge 118 as shown in FIG. 5. As the head stock continues its extension movement it carries the first and second bending arms with it. Since tension springs 36 are much stronger than springs 144 and 154 combined, the tail stock is held tightly against limiting pins 42, and the leading edge 118 of finger remains immobile during the intermediate extension stage of the head stock. Consequently,

fingers

89 and 101 yieldingly retract relative to the head stock and bending

arms

184 and 196 advance with the head stock, and their forming tips contact leads 84 and bend them through about 90 degrees as indicated in broken lines in FIG. 2, the bends being shown at 206. At about this point the leading edges 44 of the head stock contact the leading edges 46 of the tail stock and the two move together until notches 58 in the head stock leading edges contact limiting pins 42 and halt further extension of the head stock. The initial distance between stop member 142 at the aft end of drag link 134 and the rear face of bracket is so chosen that the stop member will strike the bracket at about this time and halt further movement of the support finger.

Although the head stock has reached its limit of movement, the actuator shaft 50 continues to extend, compressing spring 56 in the coupling block. Therefore yoke 122 and its push rods 124 also continue to extend. The forward ends 208 of push rods 124 contact depending ears 210 on the tail stock slide and push it toward the stop plate 172. When rocker arm pin 174 strikes the stop plate'it is retracted and swings link 176 to depress arm 168 to contact the component and urge it down to the receiving station through passageway 18. Bythis time the clamping finger 101 has run out of travel and no longer grips the component. The actuator is programmed to start its retraction just after pin 174 strikes the stop plate to return all parts to their original position. Since actuator shaft 50 exerts only a pushing force against spring 56 and the head stock, lugs 128 are relied on to engage leading edges 44 and pull the head stock back as they retract.

The'operation just described produces a 90 bend in each of the two leads. To produce a single 90 bend merely requires moving slide 186 back so that arm 184 is held in the broken line position of FIG. 2. It will move forward with the head stock but will not contact the lead.

The apparatus also includes means for selectively forming a single bend. The mechanism is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4. As previously mentioned, the second bending arm 196 is pivotally mounted on vertical axle pin 198 fixed in head stock slide 22 and can never swing outward from initial bending position because it is restrained by abutment 200 and stop pin 202. Mounted on the same axle pin beneath the bending arm is rotor 212 which has a depending cam follower 214 riding in cam track 216 formed in the ways block. A spring arm detent 218 is mounted on the bending arm and adapted to engage in detent recess 220 formed in the periphery of the rotor. When the detent is engaged, the arm will follow the movement of the rotor as controlled by the cam track.

As will be seen in FIG. 4, the initial portion 222 of the track is straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stationary support. During the stage of extension in which the initial bend is produced as above described the cam follower will travel in portion 222 of the track and the bending arm will produce a 90 bend. As the head stock continues to extend, the cam follower will enter portion 224 of the track which is angled outward away from the longitudinal axis. This will produce counterclockwise movement of the rotor and bending arm, as viewed in FIG. 4, and the forming tip 197 will swing abruptly inward as indicated in broken lines to complete the 180 bend.

When it is desired to produce only a 90 bend, the detent must be disengaged so that the bending arm will be controlled only by detent 200 and stop pin 202. For this purpose a retracting slide 226 is slidably mounted on the head stock slide and controlled by cam lever 228. The inner end of slide 226 is formed with a hook 230 to engage the end of the spring arm detent. When slide 226 is moved in toward the cam track it allows the detent to remain engaged, and the bending arm will be controlled by the cam track. When slide 226 is pulled out, it disengages detent 218, and the arm will move only in a straight line to produce a 90 bend.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for processing electronic components having axially directed bodies provided with a lead at each end extending axially therefrom, comprising:

a stationary support having a longitudinal generally horizontal axis;

a head stock slidably mounted on the support for extending and retracting axial movement;

a tail stock aligned with the head stock and slidably mounted on the support for axial movement with and with respect to the head stock;

a transfer member formed with a component receiver adapted to hold a component in an attitude extending laterally of the support and movably mounted on the support for movement of the receiver between an upper load station and a lower discharge station and adapted to release each component thereat;

cutoff means adjacent to the transfer member arranged to act during movement of the transfer member between the load station and the discharge station to trim each of the leads to predetermined length;

a bending zone located beneath the discharge station;

a component support member and a first clamping member in said bending zone to receive each component and mounted on the head stock for axial movement with and with respect thereto;

a second clamping member in the bending zone mounted on the tail stock and axially movable therewith;

actuating means on the support and connected to the head stock to reciprocate it axially toward and away from the tail stock;

the support member being movable with the head stock in yielding axial pressural engagement with the second clamping member, and the first clamping member being movable with the the head stock to yieldingly grip the component between the two clamping members;

first and second bending arms located laterally adjacent to each side of the support member and mounted on the head stock for movement towards the component leads, with at least one bending arm positioned to engage one lead and bend it through a selected angle;

the head stock, during the final portion of its extending movement, contacting the tail stock and displacing it axially in the extending direction;

and means acting in response to final axial movement of the head stock to retract the support member to permit the component to drop to a receiving station.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the actuating means includes a servo motor actuator fixedly mounted on the support and an actuator shaft extending from the actuator axially of the support;

the shaft being connected at its free end to the head stock to extend and retract it axially.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2; further including detents fixedly mounted on the support to engage and limit the axial extension of the head stock;

a compression spring connection between the free end of the shaft and the head stock to allow further extension of the shaft after the head stock has reached its limit of movement;

and axially directed laterally spaced push rods connected to the yoke;

the forward free ends of the push rods being adapted to contact the tail stock and move it axially away from the head stock after the latter has reached its limit of movement to cause release of the gripping action between the first and second gripping members.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3; including an ejector movably mounted on the tail stock to contact the component and urge it toward a receiving station;

a stop member fixedly mounted on the support;

a spring-biased pin movably mounted on the tail stock and adapted to be moved relative to the tail stock upon contact with the stop member;

and linkage means between the pin and the ejector to actuate the ejector in response to the relative movement of the pin.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3; including lugs located on the forward portions of the push rods to contact the head stock during retracting movement of the push rods to return the head stock to its fully retracted position.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3; including tension springs connecting the head stock and the tail stock to urge them toward each other;

the detents on the support engaging the tail stock and limiting its movement in the direction of the head stock to separate it axially from the head stock when the latter is in fully retracted position.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; including a transfer shaft extending laterally of the support and rotatably mounted thereon;

means to alternately rotate the shaft back and forth through an angle of about the transfer member comprising a transfer drum coaxially and fixedly mounted on the transfer shaft for alternate rotation therewith;

the component receiver being in the form of a recess in the periphery of the drum extending parallel to the axis to successively receive the laterally extending components.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7; in which the cutoff means comprise first discs located one at each side of the transfer drum and mounted slidably but non-rotatably on the transfer shaft for rotation therewith;

the discs being formed with notches aligned with the recess in the transfer drum to receive the leads of a component located in the recess;

and second discs located one at each side of the transfer drum immediately outwardly adjacent to their respective first discs and rotatably and slidably mounted on the transfer shaft;

each second disk being provided with means to prevent its rotation with the shaft and being formed with a notch aligned with the notch in its respective first disc when the drum recess is at the load station;

the notches being adapted to cut the component leads to desired lengths as the first discs rotate with respect to the second discs;

the sets of first and second discs being adjustable along the length of the transfer shaft to cut each lead to a predetermined length.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7; in which the means to alternately rotate the transfer shaft back and forth comprises a pinion gear on one end of the shaft and a mating gear rack on the head stock which rotates the gear in opposite directions upon extending and retracting movement of the head stock.

'10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7; including a pair of pivotally mounted ejection fingers located one at each side of thetransfer drum;

and means actuated by retracting movement of the head stock to rock the fingers downward into contact with the component leads and urge the component downward toward the bending zone.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7; including a supply table mounted on the support with laterally extending edge adjacent to the transfer drum;

and an axially extending feed groove in the upper surface of the table aligned with the transfer drum and adapted to receive a plurality of laterally arranged component bodies for feeding successively into the recess of the transfer drum.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the component support member and the first clamping member are axially elongate fingers axially slidably mounted in the head stock, with the support finger immediately beneath the clamping finger and normally extending slightly beyond it to receive and support a component;

both fingers being spring-biased to an extended position to confront the second clamping member.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12; including a bracket fixedly mounted on the support;

and a drag link connected at its forward end to the component support finger;

the aft portion of the drag link being slidable in the bracket;

and a detent carried by the aft end of the drag link to engage the bracket during the final portion of the extension of the head stock and arrest further forward movement of the support finger to accomplish relative retraction thereof.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the first bending arm is axially slidably mounted on the head stock for movement between operative extended position and inoperative retracted position;

and lock means are provided to positively retain the bending arm in pre-selected position during operation.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the second bending arm is pivotally mounted on the head stock for rotation about a vertical axis with its forward bend-forming free end always in position to contact a component lead;

and path-control means are connected to the head stock and the bending arm to selectively cause it to follow only an axial path to form a bend in the lead or cause it to execute a secondary lateral movement to form a bend in the lead.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15; including a cam track formed in the support and having a configuration designed to cause lateral movement of a cam follower at a selected point in the extending movement of the head stock;

a vertical axle pin secured to the head stock;

a rotor rotatably mounted on the axle pin;

a cam follower on the rotor extending into the cam track;

the second bending arm being pivotally mounted on the axle pin;

and a retractable detent on the bending arm adapted to engage a detent recess on the rotor;-

the arm being forced to rotate with the rotor as a unit when the detent is in engagement with the detent recess and being free to follow only an axial path when the detent is disengaged.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16; including a detent retractor operable selectively to release the detent or to retain it in disengaged position during operation;

spring means connected between the axle pin and the bending arm tourge the arm toward its position for straight axial movement;

a stop pin on the head stock;

and an abutment on the arm to engage the stop pin and retain the arm in its position for straight axial movement.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the support is provided with a plurality of columns to maintain it in spaced relation above a receiving station;

the support being formed with a vertical passageway beneath the bending zone to permit released components to drop to the receiving station.

19. Apparatus for processing electronic components having axially directed bodies provided with a lead at each end extending axially therefrom, comprising:

a stationary support having a bending zone and having a selected reference axis passing through the bending zone;

transfer means to successively feed individual components to a discharge area in the bending zone with the axis of each successive component extending laterally of the reference axis;

component support means in the bending zone at the discharge area to receive and support a component for a lead bending operation;

first and second bending arms located one at each side of the component support means and movably mounted on the stationary support for movement parallel to the reference axis into contact with the component leads to bend them through a predetermined angle;

the mounting means for the first bending arm including means for selectively adjusting the arm forward to operative extended position for bending contact with a component lead and rearward to inoperative retracted position to prevent bending contact with the lead;

and lock means to positively retain the first bending arm in preselected position during operation;

the second bending arm always being held in position to contact a lead and produce a bend during operatron.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19; in which the second bending arm is pivotally mounted to swing laterally toward the reference axis;

and cam-operated means is disengageably connected to the second arm to cause it to swing laterally after producing an initial bend and increase the degree of final bend to a predetermined extent.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20; in which a carrier member is slidably mounted on the stationary support for movement parallel to the reference axis, and the bending arms are mounted on the carrier member for axial extension and retraction therewith;

the first bending arm being axially slidably mounted for extension and retraction with respect to the carrier member;

an axle pin is mounted on the carrier member with its axis perpendicular to the direction of the reference axis;

the second bending arm and a rotor are individually rotatably mounted on the axle pin and a disengageable connection is provided between the second arm and the rotor for selective operation individually or together as a unit;

the rotor is provided with a cam follower;

and the stationary support is formed with a cam track to receive the cam follower and configured to cause a lateral displacement of the cam follower at a selected point in the extension movement of the carrier member to swing the rotor and the second arm laterally and cause a secondary bending movement after the initial bend is completed when the arm is connected to the rotor.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19; in which cutoff means are located adjacent to the transfer means at each side thereof;

the cutoff means being individually adjustable laterally to trim each lead selectively to a predetermined length.

Claims

1. Apparatus for processing electronic components having axially directed bodies provided with a lead at each end extending axially therefrom, comprising: a stationary support having a longitudinal generally horizontal axis; a head stock slidably mounted on the support for extending and retracting axial movement; a tail stock aligned with the head stock and slidably mounted on the support for axial movement with and with respect to the head stock; a transfer member formed with a component receiver adapted tO hold a component in an attitude extending laterally of the support and movably mounted on the support for movement of the receiver between an upper load station and a lower discharge station and adapted to release each component thereat; cutoff means adjacent to the transfer member arranged to act during movement of the transfer member between the load station and the discharge station to trim each of the leads to predetermined length; a bending zone located beneath the discharge station; a component support member and a first clamping member in said bending zone to receive each component and mounted on the head stock for axial movement with and with respect thereto; a second clamping member in the bending zone mounted on the tail stock and axially movable therewith; actuating means on the support and connected to the head stock to reciprocate it axially toward and away from the tail stock; the support member being movable with the head stock in yielding axial pressural engagement with the second clamping member, and the first clamping member being movable with the the head stock to yieldingly grip the component between the two clamping members; first and second bending arms located laterally adjacent to each side of the support member and mounted on the head stock for movement towards the component leads, with at least one bending arm positioned to engage one lead and bend it through a selected angle; the head stock, during the final portion of its extending movement, contacting the tail stock and displacing it axially in the extending direction; and means acting in response to final axial movement of the head stock to retract the support member to permit the component to drop to a receiving station.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the actuating means includes a servo motor actuator fixedly mounted on the support and an actuator shaft extending from the actuator axially of the support; the shaft being connected at its free end to the head stock to extend and retract it axially.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2; further including detents fixedly mounted on the support to engage and limit the axial extension of the head stock; a compression spring connection between the free end of the shaft and the head stock to allow further extension of the shaft after the head stock has reached its limit of movement; and axially directed laterally spaced push rods connected to the yoke; the forward free ends of the push rods being adapted to contact the tail stock and move it axially away from the head stock after the latter has reached its limit of movement to cause release of the gripping action between the first and second gripping members.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3; including an ejector movably mounted on the tail stock to contact the component and urge it toward a receiving station; a stop member fixedly mounted on the support; a spring-biased pin movably mounted on the tail stock and adapted to be moved relative to the tail stock upon contact with the stop member; and linkage means between the pin and the ejector to actuate the ejector in response to the relative movement of the pin.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3; including tension springs connecting the head stock and the tail stock to urge them toward each other; the detents on the support engaging the tail stock and limiting its movement in the direction of the head stock to separate it axially from the head stock when the latter is in fully retracted position.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; including a transfer shaft extending laterally of the support and rotatably mounted thereon; means to alternately rotate the shaft back and forth through an angle of about 180*; the transfer member comprising a transfer drum coaxially and fixedly mounted on the transfer shaft for alternate rotation therewith; the component receiver being in the form of a recess in the periphery of the drum extending parallel to the axis to successively receive the laterally extending components.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7; in which the cutoff means comprise first discs located one at each side of the transfer drum and mounted slidably but non-rotatably on the transfer shaft for rotation therewith; the discs being formed with notches aligned with the recess in the transfer drum to receive the leads of a component located in the recess; and second discs located one at each side of the transfer drum immediately outwardly adjacent to their respective first discs and rotatably and slidably mounted on the transfer shaft; each second disk being provided with means to prevent its rotation with the shaft and being formed with a notch aligned with the notch in its respective first disc when the drum recess is at the load station; the notches being adapted to cut the component leads to desired lengths as the first discs rotate with respect to the second discs; the sets of first and second discs being adjustable along the length of the transfer shaft to cut each lead to a predetermined length.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7; including a pair of pivotally mounted ejection fingers located one at each side of the transfer drum; and means actuated by retracting movement of the head stock to rock the fingers downward into contact with the component leads and urge the component downward toward the bending zone.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7; including a supply table mounted on the support with laterally extending edge adjacent to the transfer drum; and an axially extending feed groove in the upper surface of the table aligned with the transfer drum and adapted to receive a plurality of laterally arranged component bodies for feeding successively into the recess of the transfer drum.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the component support member and the first clamping member are axially elongate fingers axially slidably mounted in the head stock, with the support finger immediately beneath the clamping finger and normally extending slightly beyond it to receive and support a component; both fingers being spring-biased to an extended position to confront the second clamping member.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12; including a bracket fixedly mounted on the support; and a drag link connected at its forward end to the component support finger; the aft portion of the drag link being slidable in the bracket; and a detent carried by the aft end of the drag link to engage the bracket during the final portion of the extension of the head stock and arrest further forward movement of the support finger to accomplish relative retraction thereof.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the first bending arm is axially slidably mounted on the head stock for movement between operative extended position and inoperative retracted position; and lock means are provided to positively retain the bending arm in pre-selected position during operation.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the second bending arm is pivotally mounted on the head stock for rotation about a vertical axis with its forward bend-forming free end always in position to contact a component lead; and path-control means are connected to the head stock and the bending arm to selectively cause it to follow only an axial paTh to form a 90* bend in the lead or cause it to execute a secondary lateral movement to form a 180* bend in the lead.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15; including a cam track formed in the support and having a configuration designed to cause lateral movement of a cam follower at a selected point in the extending movement of the head stock; a vertical axle pin secured to the head stock; a rotor rotatably mounted on the axle pin; a cam follower on the rotor extending into the cam track; the second bending arm being pivotally mounted on the axle pin; and a retractable detent on the bending arm adapted to engage a detent recess on the rotor; the arm being forced to rotate with the rotor as a unit when the detent is in engagement with the detent recess and being free to follow only an axial path when the detent is disengaged.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16; including a detent retractor operable selectively to release the detent or to retain it in disengaged position during operation; spring means connected between the axle pin and the bending arm to urge the arm toward its position for straight axial movement; a stop pin on the head stock; and an abutment on the arm to engage the stop pin and retain the arm in its position for straight axial movement.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1; in which the support is provided with a plurality of columns to maintain it in spaced relation above a receiving station; the support being formed with a vertical passageway beneath the bending zone to permit released components to drop to the receiving station.

19. Apparatus for processing electronic components having axially directed bodies provided with a lead at each end extending axially therefrom, comprising: a stationary support having a bending zone and having a selected reference axis passing through the bending zone; transfer means to successively feed individual components to a discharge area in the bending zone with the axis of each successive component extending laterally of the reference axis; component support means in the bending zone at the discharge area to receive and support a component for a lead bending operation; first and second bending arms located one at each side of the component support means and movably mounted on the stationary support for movement parallel to the reference axis into contact with the component leads to bend them through a predetermined angle; the mounting means for the first bending arm including means for selectively adjusting the arm forward to operative extended position for bending contact with a component lead and rearward to inoperative retracted position to prevent bending contact with the lead; and lock means to positively retain the first bending arm in pre-selected position during operation; the second bending arm always being held in position to contact a lead and produce a bend during operation.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19; in which the second bending arm is pivotally mounted to swing laterally toward the reference axis; and cam-operated means is disengageably connected to the second arm to cause it to swing laterally after producing an initial bend and increase the degree of final bend to a predetermined extent.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 20; in which a carrier member is slidably mounted on the stationary support for movement parallel to the reference axis, and the bending arms are mounted on the carrier member for axial extension and retraction therewith; the first bending arm being axially slidably mounted for extension and retraction with respect to the carrier member; an axle pin is mounted on the carrier member with its axis perpendicular to the direction of the reference axis; the second bending arm and a rotor are individually rotatably mounted on the axle pin and a disengageable connection is provided between the second arm and the rotor for seLective operation individually or together as a unit; the rotor is provided with a cam follower; and the stationary support is formed with a cam track to receive the cam follower and configured to cause a lateral displacement of the cam follower at a selected point in the extension movement of the carrier member to swing the rotor and the second arm laterally and cause a secondary bending movement after the initial bend is completed when the arm is connected to the rotor.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19; in which cutoff means are located adjacent to the transfer means at each side thereof; the cutoff means being individually adjustable laterally to trim each lead selectively to a predetermined length.