System for sensing and forming objects such as leads of electronic components

An apparatus for bending one or more leads of a first component so that, after bending, the leads of the first component will fit simultaneously into predetermined holes in a second component, wherein the leads of the first component are approximately of the same length, said apparatus comprising:

• means for sensing the positions of the tips of the leads of the first component;
• means for comparing the positions of the leads to the positions of the predetermined holes before the leads are inserted into the holes and for determining from the comparison information related to which leads, if any, need to be bent so that, for a variety of lead configurations, after such leads have been bent, all the leads of the first component will fit simultaneously into the holes without requiring any further bending;
• means for detecting the position of a portion of each lead to be bent determined by the comparing and determining means, and for generating an output signal to indicate said position;
• controller means for producing a control signal in response to the detecting means output signal and to the information;
• and
• bending means for bending said lead in response to said control signal so that, after sequential bending of the leads to be bent as determined by the comparing and determining means, the leads of the first component can simultaneously fit into the predetermined holes.

A method for bending one or more leads of a first component so that, after bending, the leads of the first component will fit simultaneously into predetermined holes in a second component, wherein the leads of the first component are approximately of the same length, said method comprising:

• sensing the positions of the tips of the leads of the first component;
• comparing the positions of the leads to the positions of the predetermined holes before the leads are inserted into the holes and for determining from the comparison information related to which leads, if any, need to be bent so that, for a variety of lead configurations, after such leads have been bent, all the leads of the first component will fit simultaneously into the holes without requiring any further bending;
• detecting the position of a portion of each lead to be bent determined by the comparing and determining means, and for generating an output signal to indicate said position;
• producing a control signal in response to the output signal and to the information;
• and
• bending said lead in response to said control signal so that, after sequential bending of the leads need to be bent as determined by the comparing and determining means, all the leads of the first component simultaneously fit into the predetermined holes.