Cartridge case crimping tool

A method of assembling a countermeasure expendable with a crimping tool, comprising:

• inserting a cap of the countermeasure expendable, a spacer of the countermeasure expendable, and a portion of a cartridge case of the countermeasure expendable into a central passageway of a main body of a crimping tool;
• pressing the cap of the countermeasure expendable and the spacer of the countermeasure expendable into the cartridge case of the countermeasure expendable by a presser of the crimping tool;
• crimping at least the cap, the spacer, the cartridge case with one another to collectively maintain the cap and the spacer with the cartridge case by a set of crimpers;
• assembling the countermeasure expendable with the crimping tool;
• and
• determining the at least the cap, the spacer, the cartridge case are crimped with one another, by at least one viewing aperture defined in the main body, when the cap, the spacer, the cartridge case are provided inside of the main body.

A crimping tool for a countermeasure expendable, the crimping tool comprising:

• a main body having a top end, a bottom end opposite to the top end, and an axis defined between the top end and the bottom end, wherein the main body is configured to receive a cap, a spacer, and a portion of a cartridge case;
• a presser selectively operably engaged with the main body and configured to press the cap and the spacer of the countermeasure expendable into the cartridge case of the countermeasure expendable, the presser further comprising a base selectively operably engaged with the main body, a stop moveably engaged with the main body and spaced apart from the base, and a biaser operably engaged with the base and the stop and configured to bias the stop away from the base;
• and
• a set of crimpers operably engaged with the main body and configured to crimp at least the cap, the spacer, and the cartridge case with one another to collectively maintain the cap and the spacer with the cartridge case and to seal the countermeasure expendable;
• wherein the main body comprises:
• a central passageway defined between the top end of the main body and the bottom end of the main body;
• and
• a set of outer passageways defined between the top end of the main body and the bottom end of the main body;
• wherein the presser is selectively operably engaged with the main body at the central passageway and the cap of the countermeasure expendable, the spacer of the countermeasure expendable, and the portion of the cartridge case of the countermeasure expendable is housed in the central passageway;
• wherein each crimper of the set of crimpers is operably engaged with the main body inside a respective outer passageway of the set of outer passageways;
• wherein each crimper of the set of crimpers comprises:
• a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a longitudinal axis defined therebetween;
• a blanked portion extending from the first end towards the second end;
• a crimping portion extending from the blanked portion towards the second end and in open communication with the central passageway;
• and
• a threaded portion extending from the crimping portion to the second end.