Computer aided connector assembly method and apparatus

A method for assembling multiple conductors into a connector, wherein said connector is provided with multiple apertures for receiving said conductors, said method comprising:

• identifying a given conductor and in response thereto ascertaining via electronic data lookup means the location of an aperture wherein said given conductor is to be inserted;
• extending an illuminated rod into the last mentioned aperture in response to data lookup so that said aperture is easily recognizable by an operator;
• and
• inserting said given conductor in the last mentioned aperture.

Apparatus for use in assembling multiple conductors into a connector wherein said connector is provided with apertures for receiving said conductors, said apparatus comprising:

• control means responsive to identification of a given conductor for indicating the aperture in said connector wherein said given conductor is to be inserted;
• insertable rod means extendable into said apertures;
• and
• movable means carrying said rod means and responsive to an indication that said given conductor is to be inserted in a particular aperture for moving said rod means to said last mentioned aperture and extending the rod means into such aperture.

Apparatus for use in assembling the ends of multiple rod-form elements into a predetermined array, comprising:

• connector means defining a plurality of apertures for receiving the ends of the rod-form elements respectively;
• control means responsive to identification of a given rod-form element for indicating the aperture in the connector means wherein the given rod-form element is to be inserted;
• and
• means responsive to said control means for positioning extendable means into the aperture indicated by the control means and subsequently withdrawing the extendable means from that aperture.

Apparatus for use in assembling multiple conductors into a connector, wherein said connector is provided with apertures for receiving said conductors, said apparatus comprising:

• first support means for receiving said connector;
• control means responsive to identification of a given conductor for indicating the aperture in said connector wherein said given conductor is to be inserted;
• and
• selectively illuminated extendable means positionable into at least one of said apertures in said connector and operable in response to said indication of the aperture wherein said given conductor is to be inserted for identifying the last mentioned aperture.

Apparatus for use in assembling multiple conductors into a connector adapted for coupling with a mating connection device, wherein said connector is provided with multiple elongate apertures extending longitudinally therethrough for receiving said conductors, said apparatus comprising:

• first support means for receiving said connector with an orientation facilitating manual insertion of conductors from a first side of said connector;
• a fiber optic rod extendable generally toward a second side of said connector, said fiber optic rod being provided with illuminating means;
• translating means for bringing about relative movement between said fiber optic rod and said connector, said relative movement being generally transverse to the axis of said connector;
• control means responsive to identification of a given conductor, as well as to stored data identifying the aperture in said connector wherein said given conductor should be inserted, for operating said translating means to align said fiber optic rod with the last mentioned aperture;
• and
• means for imparting longitudinal movement to said fiber optic rod for inserting said rod through said last mentioned aperture to a location proximate the first side of said connector, facilitating recognition of such aperture and the manual insertion therein of said given conductor.