Production monitoring of crimped electrical connectors - using built in strain gauge to measure load as indication of crimping quality

摘要

An automatic process is used to secure crimped electrical connections to the ends of wires. The machine used has a crank press (11,12) used to move the top die (15) of a forming tool relative to the lower die block (19). The die profile is shaped to cause crimping of the connector inserted in the set. The top die has a built in strain gauge (21) that measures the applied force. Variations in force can be used as a measure of crimping quality. USE - Real time monitoring of quality of crimping.