Method for assembling a connector to the edge of a circuit board

A method for assembling an electrical connector to an edge of a circuit board by attaching leads of said connector to circuitry on at least one of first and second opposed major surfaces of said circuit board utilizing a machine for positioning said electrical connector with respect to said edge of a said circuit board, said circuit board having a thickness between said opposed major surfaces and defining a plane that intersects the center of an edge surface of said edge and is substantially parallel with said major surfaces, said machine including:

• a frame;
• means attached to said frame for receiving said circuit board and positioning said second major surface with respect to said frame;
• sensing means for sensing the thickness of said circuit board;
• alignment means coupled to said frame and responsive to said sensing means for positioning said connector in a first position in alignment with said plane;
• and advancing means for moving said connector from said first position along said plane and in alignment therewith to a second position wherein said leads of said connector are in engagement with said circuitry on said circuit board, the method comprising the steps:
• (a) securing said circuit board in said means for receiving said board;
• (b) placing said connector in a connector holding module of said machine;
• (c) sensing said thickness of said circuit board and aligning said connector in said first position with a centerline of said connector substantially coincident with said plane;
• and
• (d) moving said connector from said first position along said plane and in alignment therewith to said second position in assembled engagement with said edge of said circuit board.