Method and Apparatus to Control Crimping Processes Using Ultrasonic Transmission Analysis

摘要

A method of crimping wires includes positioning a wire/terminal combination between first and second crimp forming tools. A force is applied to the crimp forming tools to deform the wire/terminal combination. The method further includes measuring ultrasonic energy that is transmitted across the wire/terminal combination as the terminal is being deformed. A rate of change of the magnitude of the ultrasonic energy is also determined as the terminal is being deformed. The crimping process is terminated if the rate of change of the magnitude of the ultrasonic energy falls below a predefined threshold level. Data gathered during the crimping process can also be utilized to determine if a faulty crimp has occurred.

主权项

1. A method of crimping wires, comprising:
positioning at least one wire in a terminal to form a wire/terminal combination; positioning the wire/terminal combination between at least first and second crimp forming tools; applying a force to at least one of the first and second crimp forming tools to move the crimp forming tools towards a closed position relative to one another and to deform the terminal; measuring ultrasonic energy transmitted across the wire/terminal combination as the terminal is being deformed; determining a rate of change of a magnitude of the ultrasonic energy transmitted across the wire/terminal combination as the terminal is being deformed; terminating the crimping process by reducing the force being applied to the at least one crimp forming tool if the rate of change of the magnitude of the ultrasonic energy transmitted across the wire/terminal combination falls below a predefined threshold level.