Automatic-robotic-cable-connector-assembly method

Abstract

An automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly is provided. The system is configured to detect the inner-wire placement. The detected inter-wire is conveyed toward a connector's relevant pad. In addition the robotic system is configured to associate the inner wire to the connector's relevant pad.

Claims

1. A cable assembly method, comprising: stripping at least a part of a jacket from a cable, thereby exposing a plurality of inner wires twisted within the cable; automatically detecting at least one aspect of one or more of the plurality of inner wires; automatically selecting at least one of the plurality of inner wires based on the detected aspect; automatically grasping the selected inner wire without grasping the jacket; while grasping the selected inner wire, automatically moving the selected inner wire toward a wire holder such as to place the selected inner wire to touch the wire holder; and automatically electrically connecting the selected inner wire to a relevant pad at least partly while the selected inner wire is touching the wire holder.

2. The cable assembly method of claim 1, wherein automatically detecting at least one aspect of one or more of the plurality of inner wires comprises detecting inner-wire type.

3. The cable assembly method of claim 1, further comprising coating the selected inner wire with a coating substrate.

4. The cable assembly method of claim 3, wherein the coating substrate is tin.

5. The cable assembly method of claim 1, wherein the detecting is by image processing.

6. The cable assembly method of claim 1, further comprising partially stripping the selected inner wire.

7. The cable assembly method of claim 1 further comprising partially cutting the selected inner wire.

8. The cable assembly method of claim 1, wherein electrically connecting the selected inner wire to the relevant pad of a connector is by soldering.

9. The cable assembly method of claim 1, wherein electrically connecting the selected inner wire to the relevant pad a connector is by crimping.

10. The cable assembly method of claim 1, wherein the cable assembly method is configured for cable harness assembly.

11. The cable assembly method of claim 1, further comprising: after automatically grasping the selected inner wire, untwisting the selected inner wire from at least another of the plurality of inner wires.

12. The cable assembly method of claim 11, wherein untwisting the selected inner wire from at least another of the plurality of inner wires is performed prior to moving the selected inner wire to touch the wire holder.

13. The cable assembly method of claim 1, wherein the wire holder comprises a dent; and wherein the selected inner wire is automatically placed into the dent of the wire holder in order to at least partly hold the selected inner wire.

14. The cable assembly method of claim 13, wherein the dent is shaped to partly encircle the selected inner wire when the selected inner wire is placed into the dent.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Few examples of embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

(2) FIGS. 1a-e are schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of cables and their inner wires;

(3) FIGS. 2a-c are schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of connectors and their pins;

(4) FIG. 3 is schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of an automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly (ARSFCA), according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 4a-e is schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of a cable holder, according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure;

(6) FIG. 5a-b is schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of an inner-wire placer, according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 6a-b is schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of a cable holder with inner wires associated to it, according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 7a-d is schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of a cable holder's hook, according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 8a-d is schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of a stripping and/or cutting blades, according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure;

(10) FIG. 9 is schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of an inner wire coating system, according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure;

(11) FIG. 10a-b is schematic illustrations of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of an examples of an inner wire guider, according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure;

(12) FIG. 11a-b is schematic illustrations of simplified flowchart with relevant acts of an examples of an automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly (ARSFCA) method, according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure; and

(13) FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of simplified block diagrams with relevant elements of examples of a controller of an automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly (ARSFCA), according to exemplary teaching of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(14) Turning now to the figures in which like numerals and/or labels represent like elements throughout the several views, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described. For convenience, only some elements of the same group may be labeled with numerals. The purpose of the drawings is to describe exemplary embodiments and is not for production purpose. Therefore, features shown in the figures are for illustration purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to-scale and were chosen only for convenience and clarity of presentation.

(15) FIG. 1a schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an inside view of an example of an unshielded-twisted pair (UTP) cable 100. The UTP cable 100 may include a plurality of unshielded twisted pair wires. Each wire 106a-d may have a shield 108a-d. A pair of unshielded twisted wires may be: 106a wire twisted with 106b wire; 106c wire twisted with 106d, for example. UTP cable 100 may include a shield/screen sleeve 104 along its surrounding.

(16) FIG. 1b schematically illustrates a simplified diagram with relevant elements of an example of a twisted pair wire 101. The twisted pair wire 101 may include two wires: wire 120 and wire 122. Wires 120 and 122 may be twisted one along the other in a twist rate (also called pitch of the twist, usually defined in twists per meter).

(17) FIG. 1c schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of a cable 103. Cable 103 may be similar to cable 100 (FIG. 1a), for instance. The cable 103 is partially stripped from it shielding/screening sleeve 112 thus exposing a plurality of inner wires 116a-n. Each inner wire 116a-n is shielded by a shielding sleeve 114a-n.

(18) FIG. 1d schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an inside view of an example of a shielded twisted pair (STP) cable 105. STP cable 105 may include a shielding/screening sleeve 103 and a plurality of shielded twisted pair inner wires. An inner wire 132a shielded by a shielding sleeve 134a may be twisted with an inner wire 132b shielded by a shielding sleeve 134b. Together twisted inner wires 132a-b may be further shielded with a shielding sleeve 136. In some embodiments the twisted shielded pair may further comprise an additional inner wire 138. Inner wire 138 may be a drain wire, for instance.

(19) FIG. 1e schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of a coaxial cable 107. The coaxial cable 107 may include a center core 140, in the center of a dielectric insulation 142 further shielded by a metallic shield, for example.

(20) FIG. 2a schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of a USB connector type A 202. USB connector type A 202 may have a plurality of pins 204a-d at the surface of one of its sides.

(21) FIG. 2b schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of a USB connector type B 210. USB connector type B 201 may have 2 pins 212-b on the surface of one of its side and pins 212c-d on the surface of the contrary side, for example.

(22) FIG. 2c schematically illustrates a simplified USB connector's pin chart. Pin 1 named VCC may be pin 204a of FIG. 2a, for instance. Pin 1 may need to be connected to a red inner wire of a USB cable for a 5 DC voltage. Pin 2 named D may be pin 204b of FIG. 2a, for instance. Pin 2 may need to be connected to a white inner wire of a USB cable for differential data transfer. Pin 3 named D+ may be pin 204c of FIG. 2a, for instance. Pin 3 may need to be connected to a green inner wire of a USB cable for differential data transfer. Pin 4 named GND may be pin 204d of FIG. 2a, for instance. Pin 4 may need to be connected by a green inner wire of a USB cable to ground (zero voltage).

(23) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of an automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly (ARSFCA) 300. It should be appreciated that the illustrated blocks in FIG. 3, as well as other diagrams throughout the application, are for illustration purposes, such as to show categories of functionality that may or may not be included in various embodiments of an ARSFCA but are not necessarily separate functional systems or devices. In this regard, the functional blocks may be represented in separate devices, or may be represented in fewer devices, or may be represented in a single device. Further, the functional separations illustrated are not for production but rather for illustration.

(24) A cable 302 and a connector 304 may be input to the ARSFCA 300. Input may be automatically and/or via an operator. In some embodiments, the ARSFCA 300 may include a detector 304 and a cable-holder 306. The detector 304 may include one or more sensors. The sensors may be of various types such as, but not limited to: cameras, optical sensors, ultrasound sensors, a combination of them as well as other types.

(25) In some embodiments, the detector 304 may detect the input cable 302 type. The detection may be according to different criteria: color, thickness, marking on the cable, etc. In this regard, the sensor may sense at least a part of the input cable (e.g., optically sense the input cable, such as inputting an image of the input cable), analyze the sensed input (e.g., analyze the image to determine the criteria, such as color, thickness, etc.), and determine the type (e.g., use a table that correlates the determined criteria to the type). In another embodiment, an operator may input the type of cable and connector that will be used. The cable-holder 306 may obtain and hold the input cable 302.

(26) In some embodiments, the detector and cable-holder 306 may include a cable stripper that may strip the edge of the input cable 302 from its first screening sleeve. In other embodiments, the input cable's 302 edge may already be stripped from the first screening sleeve before entering the ARSFCA 300. The cable-holder may further include a plurality of hooks.

(27) The detector 304 may detect and distinguish between the different inner-wires of the stripped-edge cable 306. As a non-limiting example, the distinction may be done by the colors and/or labels of the shielding of the inner-wires. For example, the stripped-edge cable 306 may be imaged, and then analyzed to determine the colors and/or labels of the shielding of the inner-wires. The detected information on the detected inner-wires may be sent toward a controller 314. Example of detected information may be the detected place in space of one or more of the inner wires (three dimension place in space, for instance).

(28) According to commands obtained from the controller 314, an inner-wire placer 308 may get one or more of the detected inner wires. In some embodiments, the inner-wire placer 308 may be a robotic hand, for example. The inner-wire placer 308 may: get an inner wire of the input cable 302; may partially untwist the inner wire around the other inner wires. Next the inner-wire placer 308 may place the partially untwisted inner wire on one of the cable-holder's 306 hook. The chosen hook may be according to different criteria. An example of criteria may be the placement of a pin on an input connector that the inner wire will be soldered to.

(29) After each inner wire has been placed on the relevant hook of the cable-holder 306, one or more of the inner wires may be treated by an inner-wire handler 310. The inner-wire handler 310 may: partially strip one or more of the inner wires from its shield sleeve; may cut the edge of the inner wire to a certain length; and coat the edge of the inner wire with coating substance. Coating substances may include, but are limited to: flux, tin, a combination of them, etc.

(30) Next, a guide and solder 312 may guide each one or more of the inner wires toward the appropriate pad of the connector 304. A solder iron together with tin may solder each inner wire to its relevant pad (pin) of the connector 304. Thus, a connected cable and connector 312 may be output from the ARSFCA 300.

(31) In some embodiments, the automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly (ARSFCA) 300 may include other units (not shown in the drawing). Other embodiments of automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly (ARSFCA) 300 may not include all the units described in FIG. 3. In some embodiments of an automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly (ARSFCA) 300 a few similar units may work in parallel, such as a bottle neck unit, and so on.

(32) FIG. 4a schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of an automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly's cable-holder 400 together with a plurality of detectors and an inner wire placer. A cable holder 402 may grip a cable 420. The cable holder 402 may be of one of various types, such as: a tube-like shape with an adjustable diameter; a clip-like shape gripper (not shown in drawing); etc. The cable 420 may be partially stripped from its shielding/screening sleeve, and a plurality of inner wires 422a-d may protrude out of the cable 420.

(33) The cable holder 402 may include a plurality of hooks 404a-f associated to axis 406a or 406b. One or more of cameras 430 and 432 may video or take still picture(s) of the exposed and protruded inner wires 422a-d. In some embodiments, one or more of the cameras 430 and/or 432 may be in movement. The movement may be according to commands obtained from a controller 410, for example. Movement of cameras 430 and/or 432 may be similar to arrows 450 and 452 and/or a combination of them, for instance.

(34) The images from the cameras may be obtained by an image processor 440. The image processor may obtain the images from the cameras and accordingly determine the placement of each inner wire 422a-d in space. The placement of each inner wire 422a-d may be expressed in x-y-z axis, for instance. The information on the placement of each inner wire may be obtained by the controller.

(35) According to commands received from the controller 410, an inner-wire placer 460 may get one of the inner wires 422a-d and associate the inner wire to the relevant hook 404a-f. The commands may include: placement of the inner wire in space; the relevant hook to associate the inner wire to; etc.

(36) FIG. 4b and FIG. 4c schematically illustrate a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a cable-holder's 402 axis 406a-b placements and movement. In some embodiments, each of the axis 406a and/or 406b may move in a directions similar to arrows 454 or 456. The movement of the axis 406a-b may be according to commands obtained from a controller. The movement and placement of the axis 406a-b may be before and/or while inner wires of a cable are associated to the axis 406a-b.

(37) FIG. 4d schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a cable-holder's 402 axis 406a-b placements and movement. In some embodiments each of the axis 406a and/or 406b may move in a directions similar to arrows 457. The movement of the axis 406a-b may be according to commands obtained from a controller. The movement and placement of the axis 406a-b may be before and/or while inner wires of a cable are associated to the axis 406a-b.

(38) FIG. 4e schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a cable-holder's 402 hooks 404a-f placements and movement. In some embodiments each of the hooks 404a-f may move in a direction similar to arrow 458. The movement of the hooks 404a-f may be according to commands obtained from a controller. The movement and placement of the hooks 404a-f may be before and/or while inner wires of a cable are associated to the hooks 404a-f. The hooks may further move along the axis 406a or 406b in direction similar to arrow 460.

(39) FIG. 5a schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of an inner-wire placer 500a. The inner-wire placer 500a may include: a motor 502, a gripper 508a-b, and an arm 506. The inner-wire placer 500a may receive commands from a controller 510. The commands may assist in gripping an inner wire and placing on the correct hook of a cable holder, for example. The arm of 506 may have a plurality of axis that may enable it to bend in different directions.

(40) The gripper 508a-b of the inner-wire placer 500a may have a clip-like shape, for instance. The clip-like shape may open and close in direction similar to arrow 530, according to commands gotten from the controller 510. The motor 502 may move the inner-wire placer 500a in a different direction according to controller 510 commands, such as a direction similar to arrows 534, 532, and/or a combination of them.

(41) FIG. 5b schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of an inner-wire placer 500b. The inner-wire placer 500b may include: a motor 522 a gripper 520, and an arm 526. The inner-wire placer 500b may get commands from a controller 550. The commands may assist in gripping an inner wire and placing on the correct hook of a cable holder, for example. The arm of 526 may have a plurality of axes that may enable it to bend in one or more different directions.

(42) The motor 502 may move the inner-wire placer 500a in a different direction according to controller 510 commands, such as directions similar to arrows 534, 532, and/or a combination of them. The gripper 520 of the inner-wire placer 500b may have a cup-like shape, for instance. The cup-like shape may wrap an inner wire 540 and guide it toward the relevant hook of a cable holder (not shown in drawing). The cup-like shape gripper 520 may be a simple cup and/or may have additional attributes. Examples of attributes may be: vacuum, adjustable diameter, etc.

(43) FIG. 6a schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a cable-holder 602 holding a cable 620. The inner wires 622a-d of the cable 620 are associated to the cable holder's 602 hooks 604a-d.

(44) FIG. 6b schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a cable-holder 602 holding a cable 620. The inner wires 622a-d of the cable 620 are associated to the cable holder's 602 hooks 604a-d. The hooks 604a-d may be rotated in 90 degree along axis 606a or 606b in comparison to the placement of the hooks 604a-d in FIG. 6a, causing the inner wires 622a-d to protrude perpendicular to the axis 606a or 606b.

(45) FIG. 7a schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a cable-holder's hook 700. The hook 700 may include: a hollow housing 702, a piston 704, and a movable gripper 706. The movable gripper 706 may have a griping mechanism 708 protruding from the surface of the hook's housing 702.

(46) FIG. 7b schematically illustrates the embodiment of a cable-holder's hook 700 of FIG. 7a, wherein the piston has moved according to commands gotten from a controller, for example. The movement of the piston is in direction similar to arrow 730. The piston may push the movable gripper 706 to move as well in direction similar to arrow 730. Thus creating a gap between the griping mechanism 708 and the surface of the hollow housing 702.

(47) FIG. 7c schematically illustrates the embodiment of a cable-holder's hook 700 of FIGS. 7a and 7b, wherein an inner wire 710 of a cable (not shown in the drawing) has been placed between the griping mechanism 708 and the surface of the hollow housing 702. A spring mechanism (not shown in the drawing) may return the griping mechanism 708 toward the surface of the hollow housing 702 in a direction similar to arrow 732. Thus the inner wire 710 may be held tightly to the hook 700.

(48) FIG. 7d schematically illustrates the embodiment of a cable-holder's hook 700 of FIG. 7a-c, wherein the surface of the hollow housing 702 may further include a dent 712. Into the dent, the inner wire 710 may be placed. Advantageously, the inner wire 710 may be even further held tightly/securely in place to the hook 700 by the griping mechanism 708 when placed in the dent 712.

(49) FIG. 8a schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of stripping and/or cutting blades 800a. The stripping and/or cutting blades 800a may be used to strip the inner wires from their shielding sleeve. The stripping and/or cutting blades 800a may further be used to cut the inner wires to a required length, for example.

(50) The stripping and/or cutting blades 800a may include one or more counter blades, such as two counter blades 802 and 804. Each counter blade may include a plurality of structural blades 802a-d and 804a-d. The spacing between the structural blades 802a-d and 804a-d may be even. In other embodiments, the spacing between the structural blades 802a-d and 804a-d may differ. The space between the hooks in a cable-holder may be adjusted to be similar to the spacing between the structural blades 802a-d and 804a-d. The parameters of the structural blades 802a-d and 804a-d may be similar between all structural blades 802a-d. Example of parameters may be, but not limited to: shape, with, height, thickness, the sharpness, etc.

(51) A controller may receive information regarding the placing of the inner wires edge in accordance to the blade's structural blades 802a-d. The controller may command the hook to correct placement of the inner wires in order to make sure that the inner wire is stripped and/or cut to the correct length.

(52) Once all the inner wires have been placed in a required length between the counter blades 802 and 804, the counter blades 802 and 804 may move one toward the other in a direction similar to arrows 812 and 810. In some embodiments, one of the counter blades 802 or 804 may stay in place and another of the counter blades 802 or 804 may move toward it.

(53) The distance left between the counter blades 802 and 804 may determine if a cutting operation is performed or a stripping operation is performed. If a stripping operation is performed, the controller may further command the hook and/or the counter blades to move in a stripping motion as well.

(54) FIG. 8b schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a stripping and/or cutting blades 800b similar to 800a of FIG. 8a when the counter blades 802 and 804 closed together.

(55) FIG. 8c schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a stripping and/or cutting blades 800c similar in operation to stripping and/or cutting blades 800a of FIG. 8a. The stripping and/or cutting blade's 800c may have different parameters to the different structural blades 812a-d and 814a-d. For example, the diameter of each structural blades 812a-d and 814a-d may differ from the other.

(56) FIG. 8d schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a stripping and/or cutting blades 800d similar in operation to stripping and/or cutting blades 800a of FIG. 8a. The stripping and/or cutting blade's 800d may have a shape for stripping and/or cutting. Two shielded twisted pair with a grounding wire. The Two shielded twisted pair inner wires may be inserted through 822c together with 824c and 822a together with 824a respectively, and the grounding wire may be inserted between 822b and 824b.

(57) FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of a coating mechanism 900. A cable holder 902 may carry a cable 920. The cable's 920 inner wires 922a-d may be held by the hooks 904a-d respectively. The hooks may be placed such that the inner wires edges are direct toward a bath 930. The bath 930 may include different coating substances 932. Coating substances such as, but not limited to: tin, flax, a combination of them as well as other substances.

(58) The bath 930 may include a heating element (not shown in drawing) and a temperature measurements (such as a temperature sensor) and feedback 934, to control the temperature of the coating substance 932. A controller 910 may control the hooks and the cable holder, together with the heating element. The controller 910 may direct the cable holder to dip the edges of the inner wires when the temperature is right. Further the controller 910 may command the cable-holder 902 the depth to dip the inner wires. The controller 910 may further command the cable holder 902 to output the inner wires from the bath, after a pre-defined time has passed.

(59) FIG. 10a schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of an embodiment of an inner-wire guiding 1000a. The inner-wire guiding 1000a may include an inner-wire guider 1020. Then, inner-wire guider 1020 may be a movable substrate comprising a plurality of inner channels 1022a-d. The inner channels 1022a-d may have a constant shape/placement and/or an adjustable shape/placement.

(60) The shape/placement of the inner channels 1022a-d may be according to the inner wires of a cable that needs to be connected to a connector 1030, and/or according to the placement of the pads 1032a-b of the connector 1030 and/or a combination of them.

(61) A plurality of cable holder's hooks 1040a-b may hold the inner wires 1014 and 1016. In some embodiments, the cable holder may guide the inner wires toward and through the inner-wire guiding 1000. In other embodiments, the inner-wire guiding 1000 may move toward the inner wires with the hooks and guide them toward and through the channels 1022a-d respectively.

(62) Once the inner wires 1014 and 1016 edges have passed through the inner-wire guider channels 1022a-d than a connector 1030 may be connected to the inner wires. Each connector's pad 1032a-b may be associated to the relevant inner wire 1014a-b. The association may be by crimping or soldering, for example.

(63) FIG. 10b schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a block diagram with relevant elements of an example of another embodiment of an inner-wire guiding 1000b. The inner-wire guiding 1000b may include a main block 1052 a plurality of sliders 1050a-n; two bars 1054 and 1056 through which the sliders are connected and passed through sliders.

(64) At stage one: A plurality of inner wire 1060a-d may be associated to the main block 1052. At stage two: the two inner wires are held by the bar 1056. At stage three: the bars 1056 separate and guide the inner wires 1060a-d together with the sliders 1050a-n toward the required pads of connector (not shown in the drawing). Once the pads are reached, stage four, the wires are associated to the pads of the connector and the bar 1056 and sliders 1050a-n detach from the inner wires 1060a-d.

(65) FIG. 10b schematically illustrates a simplified portion of a flowchart with relevant acts of an example of an embodiment of an automatic-robotic-system-for-cable assembly (ARSFCA) method 1100. ARSFCA method 1100 may initialize 1104 resources. Resources such as, but not limited to: timers, counters, etc. ARSFCA method 1100 may get information on cable and connector that is about to be connected via the ARSFCA process 1100. The information may be input be an operator, for example.

(66) Then, ARSFCA process 1100 may wait 1108 for a cable and/or connector entry to a ARSFCA system. Once the cable and/or connector has entered, the ARSFCA method 1100 may strip 1108 the shielding/screening sleeve and/or isolation sleeve of the cable. Next, a loop may begin 1110 for each inner wire twisted pair, for example.

(67) The ARSFCA method 1100 may detect 1112 an inner wire. Grasp 1114 the detected inner wire. Untwist 1114 the inner wire around the bundle of inner wires of the cable (in clockwise direction, for instance). Place 1114 the inner wire on a relevant hook of a cable holder. If at 1116, another inner wire is required to be handled then ARSFCA method 1100 returns to act 1112. If at 1116 another inner wire does not need to be handled, then ARSFCA method 1100 may proceed to act 1120 FIG. 11b.

(68) At act 1120 FIG. 11b ARSFCA method 1100 may strip 1120 and cut 1120 each inner wire edge and coat 1120 them with required coating substance (tin, for example). A guider and a connector may be synchronized 1122 in place. Next, the guider may guide 1124 the inner wires toward the relevant pads of the connector. A soldering iron may solder 1126 the inner wires to the relevant pads. Once cooled, the assembled connector and inner wires may be output 1128. ARSFCA method 1100 may then return to act 1106 in FIG. 11a and/or end.

(69) FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the components of an exemplary embodiment of system or sub-system operating as a controller or processor 1200 that could be used in various embodiments of the disclosure for controlling aspects of the various embodiments. It will be appreciated that not all of the components illustrated in FIG. 12 are required in all embodiments of a controller but, each of the components are presented and described in conjunction with FIG. 12 to provide a complete and overall understanding of the components.

(70) The controller can include a general computing platform 1200 illustrated as including a processor 1204 and memory device 1202 that may be integrated with each other or communicatively connected over a bus or similar interface 1206. The processor 1204 can be a variety of processor types including microprocessors, micro-controllers, programmable arrays, custom IC's etc., and may also include single or multiple processors with or without accelerators or the like. The memory element of 1202 may include a variety of structures, including but not limited to RAM, ROM, magnetic media, optical media, bubble memory, FLASH memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.

(71) The processor 1204, or other components in the controller may also provide components such as a real-time clock, analog to digital convertors, digital to analog convertors, etc. The processor 1204 also interfaces to a variety of elements including a control interface 1212, a display adapter 1208, an audio adapter 1210, and a network/device interface 1214. The control interface 1212 provides an interface to external controls such as, but not limited to: sensors, actuators, drawing heads, multiple-orifice nozzles, cartridges, pressure actuators, leading mechanism, drums, step motors, a keyboard, a mouse, a pin pad, an audio activated device, as well as a variety of the many other available input and output devices or, another computer or processing device or the like.

(72) A display adapter 1208 can be used to drive a variety of alert elements 1216, such as, but not limited to: display devices including an LED display, LCD display, one or more LEDs or other display devices. An audio adapter 1210 may interface to and drive another alert element 1218, such as a speaker or speaker system, buzzer, bell, etc. A network/interface 1214 may interface to a network 1220 which may be any type of network including, but not limited to the Internet, a global network, a wide area network, a local area network, a wired network, a wireless network or any other network type including hybrids. Through the network 1220, or even directly, the controller 1200 can interface to other devices or computing platforms such as but not limited to: one or more servers 1222 and/or third party systems 1224. A battery or power source may provide power for the controller 1200.

(73) Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains. In case there is a conflict in the definition or meaning of a term, it is intended that the definitions presented within this specification are to be controlling. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples that are presented throughout the description are illustrative only and are not necessarily intended to be limiting.

(74) Reference in the specification to one embodiment or to an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure, and multiple references to one embodiment or an embodiment should not be understood as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or all embodiments.

(75) Implementation of the method and/or system of embodiments of the disclosure can involve performing or completing selected tasks manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of embodiments of the method and/or system of the disclosure, several selected tasks could be implemented by hardware, by software or by firmware or by a combination thereof and with or without employment of an operating system. Software may be embodied on a computer readable medium such as a read/write hard disc, CDROM, Flash memory, ROM, etc. In order to execute a certain task, a software program may be loaded into or accessed by an appropriate processor as needed.

(76) In the description and claims of the present disclosure, each of the verbs, comprise, include and have, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements, or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb and further, all of the listed objects are not necessarily required in all embodiments.

(77) As used herein, the singular form a, an and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term a material or at least one material may include a plurality of materials, including mixtures thereof.

(78) In this disclosure the words unit, element, and/or module are used interchangeably. Anything designated as a unit, element, and/or module may be a stand-alone unit or a specialized module. A unit, element, and/or module may be modular or have modular aspects allowing it to be easily removed and replaced with another similar unit, element, and/or module. Each unit, element, and/or module may be any one of, or any combination of, software, hardware, and/or firmware. Software of a logical module can be embodied on a computer readable medium such as a read/write hard disc, CDROM, Flash memory, ROM, etc. In order to execute a certain task a software program can be loaded to an appropriate processor as needed.

(79) The present disclosure has been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the disclosure. Some embodiments of the present disclosure utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teaching of the embodiments comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments.

(80) It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention.

(81) It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims that follow.