Die set for forming axial leads of electrical component into hairpin lead pattern

An improved die set for a machine for forming component leads which extend in substantially opposite directions from the body of a component into a pattern;

• the machine including structure for holding the dies spaced apart in a first plane on opposite sides of the component axis through component leads in the first plane and facing each other for subsequent movement and engagement in the first plane to form the component leads, structure for contacting one lead of a component located between the dies for aiding in temporarily fixedly securing the position of the one lead and the component body, and means for providing relative movement of the dies in the first plane such that they engage each other in an extended position to form the component leads;
• the improved die set being adapted for forming the component leads into a hairpin lead pattern, and comprising:
• a first die comprising first and second elongated finger members having one end held by the holding structure so as to be in a substantially parallel spaced apart relationship in the first plane, the other ends thereof for contacting a component body and the one lead thereof, respectively, being curved convexly toward the component axis in the first plane;
• and
• a second die comprising a third elongated finger member which is a forming anvil that is held on one end by the holding structure so as to be substantially parallel to said first and second members, the other end thereof being adjacent the component axis, said anvil having in the first plane portions of first and second opposite surfaces that are adjacent the other end thereof, said first opposite surface having an opening formed in said anvil that is spaced a prescribed distance from said other end thereof and being dimensioned for receiving therein a portion of the component body spaced toward the other end of said anvil from a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane through the component axis;
• the contacting structure of the machine pressing the one lead against the other end of said anvil with one point on the perimeter of the component body being in the first plane and being spaced away from said first and second members with one end of the component body being adjacent said first opposite surface of said anvil and being spaced in the first plane from said first opposite surface a distance which is greater than the prescribed distance;
• the component body being aligned with the other end of said first member in the first plane and at least a portion of the one lead extending past said second opposite surface of said anvil being aligned with the other end of said second member in the first plane;
• relative movement of the dies in the first plane causing the other ends of said first and second members to contact the component body and the one lead, respectively, and to move beyond the other end of said anvil on opposite sides of the latter such that said first and second members press a portion of the component body into said opening in said anvil and the one lead adjacent to said second opposite surface of said anvil, respectively, to form the component leads into a hairpin lead pattern in which the leads are substantially parallel to each other adjacent to the other end of the component.