Method for producing a socket contact

A method for producing a socket contact comprising a sleeve and a contact cage, which are formed from a first and a second metal strip, wherein at least one step for forming the sleeve and one step for forming the contact cage are performed in a parallel shaping and forming process, the method comprising the steps of:

• feeding the first metal strip into a first punching device and feeding the second metal strip into a second punching device;
• perforating and die-stamping the first metal strip by a punching tool of the first punching device, wherein a perforation is carried out in each case after a first predetermined length and the first metal strip is formed by the die-stamping to give a sleeve blank having connection portions, wherein the sleeve blank is connected by the perforation to a subsequent sleeve blank, such that the first metal strip is formed to give a plurality of sleeve blanks connected at the perforation;
• perforating and die-stamping the second metal strip by a punching tool of the second punching device, wherein a perforation is carried out in each case after a second predetermined length and the second metal strip is formed by the die-stamping to give a contact cage blank having a grating structure and connection portions, wherein the contact cage blank is connected by the perforation to a subsequent contact cage blank, such that the second metal strip is formed to give a plurality of contact cage blanks connected at the perforation;
• and
• feeding the first metal strip, comprising the plurality of sleeve blanks, to a first separating and forming device and feeding the second metal strip comprising the plurality of contact cage blanks, to a second separating and forming device,
• separating and forming the first metal strip comprising the plurality of sleeve blanks, in the first separating and forming device, wherein in each case the sleeve blank is separated from the first metal strip at the perforation and formed by rolling or bending the sleeve blank to give the sleeve and,
• separating and forming the second metal strip comprising the plurality of contact cage blanks, in the second separating and forming device, wherein in each case the contact cage blank is separated from the second metal strip at the perforation and formed by rolling or bending the contact cage blank to give the contact cage.