The Boeing Company
Pallet for transporting electrical connectors

Abstract:

A pallet, manufacturing system, and method for transporting and assembling different electrical connectors are provided. The pallet includes first and second jaw assemblies spaced apart from a connector support. The jaw assemblies include jaw plates with gripping edges that form a contoured opening therebetween. As the jaw assemblies move toward one another, dimensions of the contoured opening decrease such that the gripping edges contact and grip an electrical connector placed in the contoured opening. The jaw assemblies are connected to each other by a synchronization device that synchronizes motion of the jaw assemblies and centers the jaw assemblies about an alignment point on the pallet. The pallet accommodates a number of different sizes and/or types of electrical connectors.