Robotic wire termination system

A system, comprising:

• a holder member adapted to removably receive and hold an electrical connector;
• a robotic positioner, the robotic positioner comprising a first positioner movable along a first longitudinal axis, a second positioner movable along a second longitudinal axis substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis, and a third positioner movable in a third longitudinal axis substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis and to the second longitudinal axis, wherein each of the first positioner, the second positioner, and the third positioner is selectively and independently controllable for movement;
• wherein the second positioner is connected to the first positioner, wherein the third positioner is connected to the second positioner, wherein the first positioner moves the second positioner along an axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and wherein the second positioner moves the third positioner along an axis that is parallel to the second longitudinal axis;
• a heating device connected to the third positioner of the robotic positioner;
• and
• a control unit in communication with the robotic positioner, wherein the control unit is configured to independently control the first positioner, the second positioner, and the third positioner to position the heating device in a plurality of heating positions with each heating position of the plurality of heating positions being associated with a connector pin of a plurality of connector pins of the electrical connector to melt solder in a corresponding wire receptacle of a plurality of corresponding wire receptacles of the electrical connector;
• wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis extend laterally beneath the plurality of connector pins, and the third longitudinal axis extends vertically in relation to the plurality of connector pins;
• wherein the control unit is configured to move and position the heating device to a first set of coordinates that correspond to a first heating position relative to a first selected connector pin of the plurality of connector pins and a second set of coordinates that correspond to a second heating position relative to a second selected connector pin of the plurality of connector pins.

A robotic positioner system, comprising:

• a holder member adapted to removably receive and hold an electrical connector;
• a first positioner movable along a first longitudinal axis;
• a second positioner movable along a second longitudinal axis substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis;
• a third positioner movable in a third longitudinal axis substantially orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis and to the second longitudinal axis;
• wherein each of the first positioner, the second positioner, and the third positioner is selectively and independently controllable for movement;
• wherein the first positioner and the second positioner are each comprised of a linear positioner;
• wherein the second positioner is connected to the first positioner, wherein the third positioner is connected to the second positioner, wherein the first positioner moves the second positioner along an axis that is parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and wherein the second positioner moves the third positioner along an axis that is parallel to the second longitudinal axis;
• a heating device connected to the third positioner, wherein the heating device comprises a thermal tip or a nozzle adapted to direct a flow of heated air;
• and
• a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to communicate with and independently control the first positioner, the second positioner, and the third positioner to position the heating device in a plurality of heating positions with each heating position of the plurality of heating positions being associated with a connector pin of a plurality of connector pins of the electrical connector to melt solder in a corresponding wire receptacle of a plurality of corresponding wire receptacles of the electrical connector;
• wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis extend laterally beneath the plurality of connector pins, and the third longitudinal axis extends vertically in relation to the plurality of connector pins;
• wherein the control unit is configured to move and position the heating device to a first set of coordinates that correspond to a first heating position relative to a first selected connector pin of the plurality of connector pins and a second set of coordinates that correspond to a second heating position relative to a second selected connector pin of the plurality of connector pins;
• wherein the control unit is configured to automatically control the first positioner, the second positioner, and the third positioner to position the heating device in the plurality of heating positions.