Apparatus for crimping articles

Abstract

An apparatus for crimping electrical connectors to cables. The apparatus generally has a ram, an anvil, an electrical ram position sensor, and a computer for at least partially controlling movement of the ram relative to the anvil. The computer can use the position sensor for monitoring the position or location of the ram. The apparatus can have a hydraulic system for moving the ram relative to the anvil and a hydraulic system deactivation valve with a plunger, an extension, means for biasing, and a computer controlled limiter for limiting movement of the plunger and/or extension. The apparatus can also have a pressure sensor for sensing pressure in the hydraulic drive system including two electrical switches and two plungers suitably connected to the hydraulic drive system and adapted to be moveable by hydraulic system pressure at different hydraulic system pressures such that the different hydraulic system pressures can be communicated to the computer by the plungers activating the electrical switches. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus is provided as a hand-held and hand operated crimper with a ram position sensor, a hydraulic drive system, an electrical hydraulic system pressure sensor, a hydraulic system deactivation valve, and a computer connected to the sensors and the valve for at least partially controlling operation of the crimper.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.