Tube loading apparatus

摘要

Apparatus for automatically loading a series of hairpin tubes into a magazine that is used to temporarily store the tubes so that they can be later laced into a fin pack. The magazine contains individual open-ended compartments for receiving and storing the tubes therein. The compartments are indexed into a loading station having a ram for driving hairpins into the indexed compartment. A gripping mechanism is also located in the loading station having fingers that engage the extended legs of the hairpin and guide the legs into the magazine compartment.