Powered band clamping under electrical control

A method for tightening a band claim about an object, comprising:

• inputting a first magnitude related to a desired tension associated with the band clamp about the object;
• tightening the band clamp about the object after positioning the band clamp thereabout, said tightening step including using an electric motor to move a mandrel about which the band clamp is wrapped and ascertaining whether a home position associated with said mandrel is reached;
• outputting an electric actual tension signal having a second magnitude related to actual tension of the band clamp;
• and
• determining using circuitry whether said desired tension is obtained using said actual tension signal.

A method for tightening a band clamp about an object, comprising:

• inputting a first magnitude related to a desired tension associated with the band clamp about the object;
• tightening the band clamp about the object after positioning the band clamp thereabout;
• outputting an electric actual tension signal having a second magnitude related to actual tension of the band clamp;
• determining using circuitry whether said desired tension is obtained using said actual tension signal;
• and
• cutting a band tail from the band clamp and ejecting the band tail by moving at least portions of an ejection assembly substantially laterally.

A method for tightening a band clamp about an object, comprising:

• inputting a first magnitude related to a desired tension associated with the band clamp about the object;
• tightening the band clamp about the object after positioning the band clamp thereabout;
• outputting an electric actual tension signal having a second magnitude related to actual tension of the band clamp;
• determining using circuitry whether said desired tension is obtained using said actual tension signal;
• and
• severing a band tail from the band clamp after said tightening step and ejecting the band tail, with the band tail having substantially curved portions at least when said ejecting step is being conducted.

A method for tightening a band clamp about an object, comprising:

• inputting a first magnitude related to a desired tension associated with the band clamp about the object;
• tightening the band clamp about the object after positioning the band clamp thereabout;
• outputting an electric actual tension signal having a second magnitude related to actual tension of the band clamp;
• determining using circuitry whether said desired tension is obtained using said actual tension signal;
• defining a home position;
• defining an override tension;
• detecting said home position during said tightening step;
• determining that said actual tension is at least equal to said override tension;
• and
• continuing said tightening step.

A method for tightening a band clamp about an object, comprising:

• inputting a first magnitude related to a desired tension associated with the band clamp about the object;
• tightening the band clamp about the object after positioning the band clamp thereabout;
• outputting an electric actual tension signal having a second magnitude related to actual tension of the band clamp;
• determining using circuitry whether said desired tension is obtained using said actual tension signal;
• and
• associating a predetermined run time with said electric motor used in tightening the band clamp and ascertaining whether said predetermined run time is exceeded and, when not exceeded, continuing to power said electric motor.

A method for tightening a band clamp, comprising:

• positioning a band clamp to be tightened about an object;
• providing at least portions of the band clamp about a mandrel using an electric motor to tighten the band clamp about the object to a desired tension;
• and
• associating a home position with said mandrel and establishing an open position of a gripper mechanism of a band tightening assembly when said mandrel is associated with said home position.

A method for tightening a band clamp, comprising:

• positioning a band clamp to be tightened about an object;
• providing at least portions of the band clamp about a mandrel using an electric motor to tighten the band clamp about the object to a desired tension;
• and
• establishing a home position related to said mandrel and determining whether an override tension is present when said home position is reached after performing at least part of said providing step.

A method for tightening a band clamp, comprising:

• positioning a band clamp to be tightened about an object;
• providing at least portions of the band clamp about a mandrel using an electric motor to tighten the band clamp about the object to a desired tension;
• and
• associating a predetermined run time with said electric motor and determining whether said predetermined run time is exceeded.

An apparatus for controlling the connection of a band clamp about an object, comprising:

• a banding system for use in joining the band clamp to the object that includes an electric motor used in the joining the band clamp to the object, said electric motor having a motor input, a motor output and a motor;
• and
• a control system for use in controlling the joining of the band clamp to the object, said control system including a device that receives at least a first input related to desired tension of the band clamp about the object and circuitry that determines whether to discontinue tightening of the band clamp;
• wherein said circuitry outputs an electric actual tension signal related to actual tension of the band clamp and said electric actual tension signal is obtained at a location after said motor including said location being different from said motor input.

An apparatus for controlling the connection of a band clamp about an object, including:

• a banding system for use in joining the band clamp to the object, said banding system including a band tightening assembly and at least a first band cut-off assembly removably connected to said band tightening assembly and in which said first band cut-off assembly is used to sever a clamp tail from remaining portions of the band clamp;
• a second band cut-off assembly that is removably connected to said band tightening assembly when said first band cut-off assembly is not connected to said band tightening assembly and in which said second band cut-off assembly locks and cuts the band clamp differently from said first band cut-off assembly;
• and
• a control system for use in controlling the joining of the band clamp to the object, said control system including a device that receives at least a first input related to desired tension of the band clamp about the object and a control assembly that includes circuitry that determines whether to discontinue tightening of the band clamp.

An apparatus for controlling the connection of a band clamp about an object, comprising:

• a banding system for use in joining the band clamp to the object;
• and
• a control system for use in controlling the joining of the band clamp to the object, said control system including a device that receives at least a first input related to desired tension of the band clamp about the object and a control assembly that includes circuitry that determines whether to discontinue tightening of the band clamp;
• wherein said banding system includes a band ejection assembly having at least portions that move laterally under control of said control system after the clamp tail is cut from the band clamp.