Method and apparatus for stripping shielded flat cable

A method of preparing the end of shielded flat multiconductor cable for termination, the cable comprising a plurality of side by side insulated conductors in a coplanar array surrounded by a conductive shield which is surrounded by a continuous insulative outside jacket, the cable having opposed side edges and opposed flat external surfaces extending therebetween, the method comprising the steps of,

• simultaneously cutting the opposed edges of said cable in the plane of the conductors between said end and a predetermined distance therefrom, said cutting being accomplished by a pair of cutting blades which penetrate the outside jacket and said shield,
• cutting into the opposed flat external surfaces transversely of the cable at substantially the predetermined distance from said end, said cutting substantially penetrating said outside jacket without cutting said shield,
• removing the outside jacket for said predetermined distance from said end,
• folding the shield so exposed back against the outside jacket of said cable.