AUTOMATED WIRING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

Automated wiring apparatus (20) is provided for the insertion and extraction of a length of wire (35) into a selected connector (74) on a connector block (22, 23). The apparatus (20) comprises a tool head (24) provide with one or more wire manipulation tools (30, 36, 38, 39, 49, 57) associated with effecting insertion and extraction of the wire (35). A supporting framework (25, 26) is mounted adjacent one or more connector blocks (22, 23) so as to define an operational plane for the tool head (24). The operational plane has mutually perpendicular X and Y axes, and is disposed parallel to and spaced from the connector blocks (22, 23). Positioning control means (41 ) are provided to locate the tool head (24) at any selected X1Y co-ordinates in the operational plane defined by the supporting framework (25, 26), said selected X1Y co-ordinates corresponding to a selected connector (74) on the connector blocks (22, 23), whilst wiring control means (54, 55, 56, 65, 72) are provided to actuate the wiring (30, 36, 38, 39, 49, 57) tools on the tool head (24), thereby to effect insertion or extraction of a wire (35) into a selected connector (74), as required.