Stepping transport device for work pieces.

摘要

A stepping transport device for work pieces such as electrical connectors, comprises a support frame defining a rectilinear track and a carriage (7) reciprocable along the track over a predetermined distance between spaced releasable clamps (7) mounted on the frame for clamping work pieces at work stations spaced uniformly along the track. Releasable clamps (21) being mounted on the carriage at corresponding spacing. The clamps (10, 21) being selectively operable so that the work pieces are clamped to and movable with the carriage (7) during movement in one direction, and are clamped to the frame (5) at the work stations on carriage reverse movement. The frame may be made up of modules arranged end to end, each having a carriage module, a carriage (7) of one end module being half of the effective length of the other modules, each module being of length corresponding to two stations.