Crimper Calibration - How do you Control & Calibrate your crimpers?

What we use here is a "belt and suspenders" approach to the issue.

Crimpers are calibrated to the manufacturer's tolerances. That can either be done with go-nogo gauging pins, crimp height micrometer, whatever method the manufacturer specifies. If there is no manufacturer provided specification / method then we will perform a pull test using industry standard ( IPC WHMA-A-620A, etc. ) pull force values for the wire gauge. This verifies that the crimp tool is good, but it is the crimp process on the factory floor that is critical.

On the factory floor they perform pull tests of samples, so that we can determine that the tool is functioning properly and the tool operator is using the tool correctly. This testing is recorded in a log book.

we use go/no go pin gages for our crimpers. We have the tool cribs do a daily calibration to validate the tool. Any tool that can not be checked with go/ no go cage we put it on a 3 month calibration cycle.

Hi Fabo, and how do you document the daily cal process? Thanks Optomist1

The results of your crimper is what is measured. One technique is to section the crimp, look to assure all of the strands have no gaps in between them and are deformed at the correct crimp height. If not, that crimper is too worn and needs replaced. Some terminals have specific dimensions that need verified after crimping - usually under great magnification. That measurement system would need calibrated. How often do you test your crimper output? It depends on its throughput (used for thousands of parts or only a few hundred?) Here is a resource to review: Crimp Quality Process Validation and Monitoring: Part One | WireProcess Specialties

bobdoering said:

The results of your crimper is what is measured. One technique is to section the crimp, look to assure all of the strands have no gaps in between them and are deformed at the correct crimp height. If not, that crimper is too worn and needs replaced. Some terminals have specific dimensions that need verified after crimping - usually under great magnification. That measurement system would need calibrated. How often do you test your crimper output? It depends on its throughput (used for thousands of parts or only a few hundred?) Here is a resource to review:

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the link is broken. The only piece I still need help with is the crimp height test. Any clue on where I could find an example? Thank you.

Hunter said:

Unfortunately, the link is broken. The only piece I still need help with is the crimp height test. Any clue on where I could find an example? Thank you.

Click to expand...

The article appears to have been moved. Try this article.