A terminal crimping machine includes a termination tool having crimp tooling defining a crimping zone that receives the terminal and the wire. The crimp tooling is actuated during a crimp stroke to crimp the terminal to the wire. The terminal crimping machine includes a wire clamp holding the wire near the crimping zone. The wire clamp releases the wire prior to completion of the crimp to allow extrusion of the wire during the crimping process. Optionally, the wire clamp may release the wire prior to bottom dead center of the crimp stroke. The wire clamp may release the wire after the terminal partially retains the wire.

A fastener applying apparatus includes: an insertion mechanism for inserting a fastener into a fastener hole in an object to be fastened; a support mechanism for supporting the insertion mechanism; and a fastener conveying device for conveying the fastener to the insertion mechanism. The insertion mechanism includes a holding portion for holding a shank portion of the fastener. The fastener conveying device includes a gripping portion for gripping the fastener in a axial direction of the fastener.

A system and method for rivet setting comprising an anvil having an anvil face and a plunger having a sensor coupled to a control system that measures the distance between the anvil face and the work surface during the rivet setting process and stops the rivet driver when the driven rivet head achieves a desired head height above the work surface. In preferred embodiments, the control system also communicates the stage of the rivet driving cycle to the operators to expedite the rivet driving process.

A die is supported in a die holder such as a frame or an adapter supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurised air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

A method for implementing machining operations for a workpiece. Pre-existing hole locations for temporary fasteners in the workpiece requiring a clamp-up force for performing the machining operations to form holes in the workpiece is identified. A set of the pre-existing hole locations is determined from the pre-existing hole locations that results in an optimal path for performing the machining operations on the workpiece taking into account clamp-up force specifications for the workpiece. The optimal path has a near-minimum distance. An ordered sequence for performing the machining operations to form the holes at hole locations is determined that has the optimal path. Robotic control files that causes robotic devices to perform the machining operations using the optimal path is created. The robotic devices are operated using the robotic control files to form the holes in the ordered sequence using the optimal path that takes into account the clamp-up force specifications.

In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.

A method is provided for ensuring and/or checking the quality of a crimping using a crimping machine for crimping a cable with a contact sleeve and using a first optical sensor for detecting and/or recording first image data of the contact sleeve and using an evaluation electronics system. The method includes detecting the first image data of the contact sleeve by the first optical sensor; carrying out, via the evaluation electronics system, a first comparison of the first image data of the first optical sensor with first reference data of a predetermined contact sleeve; checking the first comparison for the presence of a predetermined first criterion; and, if the predetermined first criterion is satisfied, outputting a first signal. The detection of the first image data and the first comparison and the checking for the first criterion and the output of the first signal are carried out before the cable is crimped with the contact sleeve. A crimping machine suitable for carrying out the above method is also provided.

A press apparatus includes a press assembly and an activation assembly. The press assembly includes a plurality of dies. The plurality of dies defines a center opening for receiving a work piece. The central opening defines a central longitudinal axis. The activation assembly is adapted to actuate the press assembly. The activation assembly includes a first switch and a second switch. The second switch includes a capacitive touch surface that faces in a direction toward the central longitudinal axis of the press assembly.

A method for implementing machining operations for a workpiece. Pre-existing hole locations for temporary fasteners in the workpiece requiring a clamp-up force for performing the machining operations to form holes in the workpiece is identified. A set of the pre-existing hole locations is determined from the pre-existing hole locations that results in an optimal path for performing the machining operations on the workpiece taking into account clamp-up force specifications for the workpiece. The optimal path has a near-minimum distance. An ordered sequence for performing the machining operations to form the holes at hole locations is determined that has the optimal path. Robotic control files that causes robotic devices to perform the machining operations using the optimal path is created. The robotic devices are operated using the robotic control files to form the holes in the ordered sequence using the optimal path that takes into account the clamp-up force specifications.

A method of crimping a stent on a balloon of a catheter assembly is provided. A polymeric stent is disposed over a balloon in an inflated configuration. The stent is crimped over the inflated balloon to a reduced crimped configuration so that the stent is secured onto the balloon. The balloon wall membrane is wedged or pinched between the strut elements of the stent for increasing the retention of the stent on the balloon.