Method and apparatus for straightening leads and verifying the orientation and functionality of components

In an apparatus adapted for supply, transfer to, and insertion into printed circuit boards of electronic components having a body and dual, in-line, parallel leads projecting from said body, said apparatus having supply, transfer, and insertion assemblies, the improvement comprising:

• intermediate guide and transfer means for guiding said components from said transfer assembly to a test position and transferring said component from said test position to said insertion assembly after testing;
• circuit means for testing of said components;
• contact means, provided in said transfer assembly, for electrical connection of said leads to said circuit means for said testing;
• and
• lead straightening means for straightening bent leads of said components.

A method of testing the functioning of electronic components having leads, some of which may be bent and straightening said bent leads, prior to insertion of said components into a printed circuit board by an inserter, comprising the steps of:

• guiding said components to a test position in a test assembly having lead engageable electrical contacts;
• providing selected electronic logic combinations from a controller adapted to simulate operating modes of different selected components;
• engaging said contacts with said leads, upon command, and applying said selected logic combination to said contacts during said engagement to effect said testing;
• providing said controller with a characteristic number indicative of a good component;
• sensing a resultant output of said component by said controller;
• comparing said resultant output and said characteristic number to determine good and bad test results;
• forming said leads during said testing for insertion into said printed circuit board;
• and
• straightening said bent leads during said testing.

A method of testing the functioning of electronic components, prior to insertion of said components into a printed circuit board by an inserter, and inserting said components into said printed circuit board comprising the steps of:

• guiding said components to a test position in a test assembly having lead engageable electrical contacts;
• providing selected electronic logic combinations from a controller adapted to simulate operating modes of different selected components;
• and
• engaging said contacts with said leads, upon command, and applying said selected logic combination to said contacts during said engagement to effect said functioning testing;
• providing said controller with a characteristic number indicative of a good component;
• sensing a resultant output of said component by said controller;
• and
• comparing said resultant output and said characteristic number to determine good and bad functioning test results;
• inserting components having a good functioning test result into positions on said printed circuit board;
• skipping any position on said printed circuit board at which a component having a bad functioning test result would have been inserted;
• and
• subsequently inserting a component having a good functioning test result into said any position previously skipped.