Method and device for monitoring the state of pressing elements of a crimping device

A method for monitoring a degree of wear of the pressing elements of a crimping device of an indent crimping apparatus, the method comprising:

• configuring E(n) a crimping height H(n), wherein n is the number of the configurations of a crimping height carried out using the pressing elements of the crimping device, and wherein configurations of the crimping height include at least a configuration of a first crimping height and a configuration of a second crimping height that is different than the first crimping height;
• measuring a travel X(n) of the pressing elements of the crimping device from a first position P0(n) to a second position P1(n), wherein the pressing elements are in a rest position (P0) thereof in the first position P0(n) and are in a working position (P1) in the second position P1(n), which corresponds to the set crimping height H(n);
• comparing the travel X(n) of the configuration E(n) to a travel X(n−1) of a configuration E(n−1) of a crimping height H(n−1) carried out before the configuration E(n) of the crimping height H(n) by subtraction of the measured travel (X) in accordance with the formula
• ΔX(n)=X(n)−X(n−1);
• recording data, wherein the recorded data comprises at least the travel X(n) and/or the difference ΔX(n);
• comparing the difference ΔX(n) to a predetermined deviation;
• and
• outputting a signal when the comparison fulfills a predetermined criterion.

A crimping apparatus for crimping a predetermined cable with a predetermined contact sleeve using a sensor for measuring a travel of a device for actuating and/or applying pressure to a crimping device and an evaluation electronics unit having the following features:

• the crimping device is suitable for compressing the cable with the contact sleeve;
• the device for actuating the crimping device has a pneumatic pressure device having a cylinder and a piston, which are operationally connected to the crimping device via a lever;
• a setting mechanism is provided for setting a predetermined crimping height;
• and
• the crimping apparatus is configured suitably for carrying out a method comprising:
• configuring a first crimping height;
• measuring a first travel from a first rest position to a first working position of the pressing elements, which corresponds to the first crimping height;
• configuring a second crimping height that is different than the first crimping height;
• measuring a second travel from a second rest position to a second working position of pressing elements of the crimping device, which corresponds to the second crimping height;
• comparing the second travel of the configuration of the second crimping height to a recorded travel of the measurement of the first travel of the configuration of the first crimping height previously carried out;
• recording data, wherein the recorded data comprises at least the second travel and/or comprises at least one result of the comparison of the second travel of the configuration of the second crimping height to the recorded travel of the measurement of the first travel of the configuration of the first crimping height previously carried out;
• checking the comparison for the presence of a predetermined criterion;
• and
• outputting a signal when the predetermined criterion is fulfilled.