Wire feed and positioning unit

摘要

A mechanisms (18) is disclosed for feeding electrical wire (24) in a lead making machine (10) and for positioning the end of the wire with respect to an applicator press (14) for termination. The mechanism includes a wire feed unit (42) mounted on a platform (40) that is pivotable from a position adjacent a wire cutting and stripping unit (34) and a position adjacent the applicator press (14). Two concentric drive shafts are provided, the outer shaft (44) being hollow and the inner shaft (62) being within the outer shaft. The inner shaft is drivingly coupled to the feed unit while the outer shaft is rigidly attached to the platform. A single actuator motor (196) drives both the inner and outer shafts (62, 44) through a coupling (204) that selectively couples to and decouples from each. The coupling includes an air cylinder (218) and two clutches 230, 232) that operate to lock one shaft in position while permitting the other shaft to be rotated by the motor.