Inserting insulating material into electric motor stators

The method of shaping a sheet of insulating material into a shape having a modified C-shaped cross section, the modification of the C-shape being such that the free end portions of the C-shape are inclined toward the back of the C-shape in the direction toward each free end, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a form member having an exterior surface having said modified C-shape;
• pushing a central portion of said sheet against a first portion of said exterior surface which corresponds to the back of said modified C-shape, said sheet having a marginal portion on each side of said central portion which does not contact said first portion;
• deflecting each of said marginal portions so that it extends beyond said exterior surface in the direction from said first portion toward second portions of said exterior surface which correspond to said free end portions of said modified C-shape;
• and
• folding each of said marginal portions in against a respective one of said second portions by reaching around from the side of said form member having said first portion of said exterior shape.

Apparatus for shaping a sheet of insulating material into a shape having a modified C-shaped cross section, the modification of the C-shape being such that the free end portions of the C-shape are inclined toward the back of the C-shape in the direction toward each free end, said apparatus comprising:

• a first form member having an exterior surface having said modified C-shape, a first portion of said exterior surface corresponding to the back of said modified C-shape, and second portions of said exterior surface corresponding respectively to the free end portions of the C-shape;
• a second form member having a forming surface which is the complement of said first portion;
• means for positioning said sheet between said first and second form members;
• means for moving said first and second form members relative to one another so that a central portion of said sheet is pressed against said first portion by said forming surface, said sheet having a marginal portion on each side of said central portion which is not engaged by said first portion or said forming surface;
• first and second arms mounted on said second form member so that a terminal portion of each arm is adjacent a respective one of said marginal portions, said terminal portions extending beyond said forming surface in the direction of said first form member so that as said first and second form members are moved relative to one another, said terminal portions extend beyond said second portions in the direction from said first portion to said second portions and cause said marginal portions to similarly extend beyond said second portions;
• and
• means for causing each of said terminal portions to pivot toward the adjacent second portion after it has extended beyond said second portion in order to fold the associated marginal portion in against said second portion.