Method for connecting an electrical cable to a contact piece

A method for connecting an electrical cable including a plurality of electrically conductive strands to a contact piece, comprising:

• forming a crimping region including a central recess surrounded at least in part by a crimp tab on the contact piece;
• fixing axial ends of the plurality of electrical strands using a clamping tool before the axial ends are inserted into the recess so that the axial ends of the plurality of electrical strands protrude axially out of the clamping tool and shearing off the ends of the plurality of strands protruding axially from the clamping tool in a transverse direction using a cutting tool, to produce a closed end face at the axial end of the plurality of electrical strands, the closed end face being transverse to an axial direction of the plurality of electrical strands;
• inserting the axial ends of the plurality of electrical strands into the recess;
• pressing the axial ends of the plurality of electrical strands together with the crimp tab to produce an electrical connection;
• and
• welding the plurality of strands to the contact piece by melting the closed end face arranged in the recess by radiation energy of a radiation source directed substantially normal onto the end face,
• wherein the radiation source is directed substantially normal to the end face, and wherein, due to adhesive forces, the melted closed end face forms a concave surface.