Abstract:
A machine for assembling the plural contact pairs of a multi-element reed capsule switch inside of a glass envelope and maintaining the overall assembly in alignment while the glass envelope is heated and sealed around the terminal ends of the contact pairs. Plural pairs of the reed switch contact members and the glass envelope are manually assembled into intermediate loading fixtures. The machine then automatically transfers the contact members and glass envelope to chucks for maintaining them in correct alignment; the chucks position the contact members inside of the glass envelope; the machine pressure chamber closes and is rapidly evacuated of atmosphere, flushed, and pressurized with an inert gas and the glass sealed about the contacts all while maintaining the correct alignment.