A method for straightening connector pins is disclosed as a preparatory measure for the stringing of wires between the pins. The pins are first anchored in a mounting board which is run subsequently through a pin straightening machine. The pins, when bent, are individually deflected to assume the desired position, and they are twisted around the respective axis defining that desired position, beyond the elastic limit for torsional deformation.
A pin straightening tool including a shaft terminating in an end assembly, a chamber in the end assembly for receiving a bent pin therein, the chamber terminating in a shelf inside the end assembly, and a bore located in the chamber for straightening the bent pin as the shaft is rotated urging the distal end of the bent pin into the bore.
A backplane (32) supporting a plurality of pins (31) is clamped to a fixture (86) which is mounted on a movable platform (48). A pin straightening assembly (85) is attached to a movable holding bar (73) above the backplane-supported pins (31). By selective vertical movement of the straightening assembly (85), tips of the pins (31) are captured therein. The assembly (85) is then reciprocated horizontally in the plane of the assembly to straighten the pins (31) in a first plane. The tips of the pins (31) are then captured by other portions of the assembly (85). The platform (48) is reciprocated horizontally in the plane thereof to straighten the pins (31) in a second plane.
A plurality of pins (21) supported by a backplane (22) are initially processed through a straightening operation within a pin straightening apparatus (23) while using a preselected straightening amplitude. The centroids of a statistical sample of the pins (21) are then measured to obtain a measure of pin deviation from nominal. The measured data is then processed by a computer (48) to determine statistical values for mean deviation from nominal and standard deviation. Using the statistical values, a determination is made as to whether another straightening operation is required. If another operation is required, a modified straightening amplitude is determined by using the statistical values and is established within the pin straightening apparatus (23). The pins are then processed through the second straightening operation using the modified straightening amplitude.
A plurality of pins (21) supported by a backplane (22) are initially processed through a straightening operation within a pin straightening apparatus (23) while using a preselected straightening amplitude. The centroids of a statistical sample of the pins (21) are then measured to obtain a measure of pin deviation from nominal. The measured data is then processed by a computer (48) to determine statistical values for mean deviation from nominal and standard deviation. Using the statistical values, a determination is made as to whether another straightening operation is required. If another operation is required, a modified straightening amplitude is determined by using the statistical values and is established within the pin straightening apparatus (23). The pins are then processed through the second straightening operation using the modified straightening amplitude.
A backplane (22) supporting a plurality of pins (21) is supported in a fixture (84) which is mounted on a movable platform (51). A pair of straightening bars (82 and 83) are attached to a movable holding bar (76) above the backplane-supported pins (21) and are spaced at least a distance equal to the spacing between alternate rows of the pins. The straightening bars (82 and 83) are positioned to capture the tips of alternate rows of pins (21). The fixture (84) is then reciprocated in a first direction and then in a second direction to process the pins (21) through a single straightening cycle. Eventually, the straightening bars (82 and 83) and all of the rows of pins (21) are processed in a similar fashion whereby each of the pair of bars processes each row of pins through a single straightening cycle. In this manner, each pin (21) is processed ultimately through two straightening cycles.
