Inserter device for electronic components

Apparatus for the automatic insertion into a device at an insertion station of a capacitor or like electronic component having a body portion and leads extending axially from the distal ends of said body portion comprising a forming station, an applicator assembly for receiving a component at said forming station, bending said leads relative to said body portion, and inserting the distal ends of said leads into said device at said insertion station, a feed assembly for supplying components seriatum at said forming station, said feed assembly including elongate magazine means having a feed channel sized to support a multiplicity of components in side to side engagement, an elongate pusher member disposed in said channel in engagement with an endmost one of said components, pusher drive means yieldably urging said pusher member axially of said channel toward said forming station, to thereby urge a column of components in said magazine toward said station, and sensor means adjacent said forming station for retracting said pusher member from said magazine responsive to proximate approach of said pusher member toward said forming station.