Automated wire processing system and methods

A wire processing method for use in manufacturing an assembly from at least two components comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component is a wire, the method comprising:

• receiving the wire, and the second component to be assembled with the wire in forming the assembly, with a wire channel disposed within a body and comprising a wire channel entry and a wire channel exit;
• and
• flowing fluid through one or more fluid guides to cause the fluid to move the second component along a wire length in the wire channel in the predetermined longitudinal direction along the wire length, the second component positioned at least partially in the wire channel and coupled to the wire, the second component being moved relative to the wire, wherein:
• the one or more fluid guides are disposed within the body, are fluidically connected to the wire channel, and comprise a guide entry, a guide fluid channel, and a guide exit, wherein:
• the guide entry receives the fluid from at least one said fluid source,
• the guide exit flows the fluid into the wire channel to move the second component along the wire length in the wire channel in the predetermined longitudinal direction along the wire length, the second component positioned at least partially in the wire channel and coupled to the wire, the second component being coupled to the wire while being moved relative to the wire between ends of the wire to change the wire length between the second component and a predefined point of the wire inside the wire channel, and
• the guide fluid channel fluidically connects the guide entry to the guide exit.

An apparatus comprising:

• a body;
• a wire channel disposed within the body, comprising a wire channel entry and a wire channel exit, and configured to receive a wire;
• and
• one or more fluid guides disposed within the body, fluidically connected to the wire channel, and comprising a guide entry, a guide fluid channel, and a guide exit, wherein:
• the guide entry is configured to receive a fluid from a fluid source,
• the guide exit is configured to flow the fluid into the wire channel for the fluid to move, along a wire length in the wire channel in a predetermined longitudinal direction along the wire length, a component positioned at least partially in the wire channel and coupled to the wire, the component being moved relative to the wire, and
• the guide fluid channel fluidically connects the guide entry to the guide exit;
• wherein the guide entry comprises a fluid source receiver configured to couple to the fluid source to receive the fluid, and
• the second component is a solder sleeve.

An apparatus for use in manufacturing an assembly from at least two components comprising a first component and a second component, wherein the first component is a wire, the apparatus comprising:

• a body;
• a wire channel disposed within the body, comprising a wire channel entry and a wire channel exit, and configured to receive the wire and the second component to be assembled with the wire in forming the assembly;
• and
• one or more fluid guides disposed within the body, fluidically connected to the wire channel, and comprising a guide entry, a guide fluid channel, and a guide exit, wherein:
• the guide entry is configured to receive a fluid from a fluid source,
• the guide exit is configured to flow the fluid into the wire channel for the fluid to move the second component along a wire length in the wire channel in a predetermined longitudinal direction along the wire length, the second component positioned at least partially in the wire channel and coupled to the wire, the second component being moved relative to the wire, and
• the guide fluid channel fluidically connects the guide entry to the guide exit;
• wherein the guide entry comprises a fluid source receiver configured to couple to the fluid source to receive the fluid, and
• the apparatus comprises one or more stations configured, after the second component has been moved in said moving the second component, to strip a wire portion, position the second component adjacent to the stripped wire portion, and solder the second component to the stripped wire portion.