TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to wire processing and more specifically, for example, to wire processing for wire harnesses used in aircraft.

BACKGROUND

High reliability is often needed for wiring harnesses such as those used in aircraft subsystems. The production process used to fabricate such harnesses are required to be of high standards, including using high quality wires, connections, and connectors and assembling them in a repeatable manner that minimizes failure. Such high standards have traditionally rendered automated wire assembly systems impractical for fabricating aircraft wiring harnesses.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for wire processing. In certain examples, a solder sleeve positioning station may be disclosed. The solder sleeve positioning station includes a wire guide configured to receive and position a wire, a pair of solder sleeve pinchers associated with the wire guide, where each solder sleeve pincher includes a pinching portion configured to hold the wire and/or a solder sleeve, and where the pair of solder sleeve pinchers are configured to move between at least a first pincher position, a second pincher position, and a third pincher position to hold and/or move the wire and/or the solder sleeve, and a pincher sensor coupled to at least one of the solder sleeve pinchers and configured to output sensor data associated with a position of the solder sleeve pincher.

In certain other examples, a method may be disclosed. The method may include receiving and positioning a wire and a solder sleeve threaded onto the wire, manipulating the wire and/or a solder sleeve pincher to a position wherein the solder sleeve pincher is holding the solder sleeve threaded onto the wire, detecting that the solder sleeve pincher is holding the solder sleeve, moving, after detecting that the solder sleeve pincher is holding the solder sleeve, the solder sleeve to a processing position, and releasing the solder sleeve from the solder sleeve pincher.

The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which are incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete understanding of the disclosure will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more implementations. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described briefly.

