SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR CRIMPING A FITTING TO A FLUID CONDUIT

摘要

A system (40) and process for performing a crimping operation by which a fitting (14) is crimped to the end (16) of a fluid conduit (12), and which automatically compensates for one or more variables that can lead to out-of- tolerance crimp diameters, particularly fitting (14) spring-back and crimper deflection. The system (40) and method use a device (36,38) for inputting into the system (40) a targeted crimp diameter for the fitting (14), and a crimper (22) for crimping the fitting (14) to the end (16) of the fluid conduit (12). The crimper (22) comprises a plurality of dies (24) and an actuator (26,27) for contracting the dies (24) around the fitting (14) to obtain the targeted crimp diameter for the fitting (14). The system (40) and method further includes a unit (36) for attaining the targeted crimp diameter by automatically compensating contraction of the dies (24) for spring-back of the fitting (14) during crimping and/or deflection of the crimper (22) during crimping.