Connector termination apparatus and method

A method of terminating electrical connectors of the type including a row of cavities containing terminals with insulation displacement slots, said method comprising;

• moving the connector to position the slot of a terminal approximately in alignment with a termination tool;
• positioning a wire between the termination tool and the slot;
• said positioning step including moving the wire into a guide overlying the slot;
• moving a drive member in a termination stroke from a rest position toward the approximately positioned connector, the drive member supporting both the termination tool and a locating member;
• forcing the wire into the slot with the termination tool;
• and
• contacting the connector with the locating member during the drive stroke accurately to position the slot in alignment with the termination tool before the wire is forced into the slot.

A connector terminating machine for terminating wires into insulation displacement slots of terminals mounted in a row of cavities in a housing of an electrical connector, said insertion assembly comprising:

• a termination station;
• connector feed means for moving the connector to be terminated to said termination station;
• a wire termination blade disposed adjacent said termination station;
• blade drive means for moving said termination blade in a termination stroke in which a wire is inserted into the slot of one terminal of the connector;
• connector positioning means for positioning the connector with the slot of the terminal in alignment with said termination blade during said termination stroke;
• said connector terminating machine being characterized by;
• said connector positioning means including a locating member movable by said blade drive means into contact with the connector during said drive stroke prior to insertion of a wire into the slot of the terminal of the connector and
• said locating member being engageable with a cavity in the connector housing adjacent to the cavity containing the terminal to be terminated.