Programmable pin feeder

摘要

A programmable pin feeder for use in connection with an automated component assembly system, for providing pin headers from a supply reel containing a continuous carrier strip of the pins. The feeder includes a motor for indexing the carrier strip, a pin removing mechanism for removing pins from the carrier strip, a pin crimping mechanism for crimping pins in the carrier strip, a gripper for releasably gripping the pin headers at a pick-up station, and a cutter for cutting the headers from the carrier strip. A programmable logic controller is responsive to Pin Count, Pin Configuration and Pin Crimping instructions, and actuates the motor, pin removing mechanism, pin crimping mechanism, gripper and cutter as a function of the instructions to provide the desired pin headers.