|
Crimping and the "Art & Science of CampbellCrimpnology™"
Q.
What is “CampbellCrimpnology”?
A. “Crimpnology”
is a term we coined and trademarked. It refers to all the technology
involved with crimping. For instance, every ferrule, sleeve,
fitting and coupling we make is designed to mate as an integrated
attachment system. We offer the most comprehensive
line of crimping products for air, steam, petroleum, chemical, and
multi-purpose hose in the industry. And perhaps most importantly,
we provide easy procedures for selecting the appropriate products
and crimp specs for the application. All of this is “Crimpnology”.
We’ve really done our homework.
Q.
Why is crimping such a hot topic?
A.
Quality ... differentiation ... and cost. In this hyper-competitive
market, our customers are looking for an edge. Crimped assemblies
are high quality and repeatable. They look better than clamps and
have unique features and benefits. In many cases crimping uses lower-cost
materials and is an easier, more efficient assembly process. These
facts get everyone excited ... sales, marketing, production, and
the bean counters!
Q.
Is crimping for everyone?
A. No. Let’s
face it ... some distributors are more progressive than others.
Talented, growth-oriented distributors are aggressively pursuing
Crimpnology. Their sales, marketing, and production personnel work
as a team and share the same goal. Crimping isn’t just a process
for them ... it becomes a way of life!
Q.
What do you mean by the “Art & Science” of Crimpnology?
A. Our customers
are smart. When we provide them with the “science” ...
in the form of products, procedures, crimp specs, and support ...
they massage it, shape it, and mold it to meet their needs. That’s
the “art”. So a true “Crimpnologist” will find
ways to improve our procedures, streamline the assembly process,
lower their costs, and find new applications.
Q.
Will band clamps become obsolete?
A. Some in
the industry have made claims that this is the beginning of the
end of the band clamp era. The reality is that band clamps are here
to stay. They are convenient, field-repairable, inexpensive products,
and there will always be a demand for them.
Q.
Are all crimpers created equal?
A. No. There
are crimpers designed specifically for hydraulic products and there
are crimpers designed for both industrial and hydraulic products.
Most hydraulic crimpers are not practical for Crimpnology. An industrial
crimper is best with industrial products. They range in size, speed,
and cost (from $15,000 and up) depending on the needs of the distributor.
Uniflex, Finn Power, and Custom Crimp manufacture the three most
popular industrial crimpers.
Q.
What is the future of Crimpnology?
A. As our
customers master the “science” and improve the “art”,
more distributors will become “Crimpnologists”. The cost
of ferrules and sleeves will decrease as volume increases. They’ll
come to Campbell with more applications and we’ll, ultimately,
engineer more products for crimping. Although, crimping will never
be used exclusively, it will be used as an important tool for our
customers to better meet the demands of the end-user.
 Top
of Page
Glossary of CampbellCrimpnology™ Terms
Crimp Chart
-- A chart designed to assist in determining the crimp
spec, which includes allowance for serration style, fitting, and
ferrule/sleeve O.D. and design.
Crimp spec (or specification)
-- The outside diameter of the ferrule/sleeve after assembling
and crimping.
Cut-slots -- Notches
cut into the turned-in end of a ferrule that allows the interlock
portion to crimp straight down into the fitting interlock without
opening outward during crimping.
Ferrule:
A tube-like product with one end turned in so as to affect an interlock
into a groove on a matting fitting or coupling.
Ferrule length
-- The overall length of the ferrule as measured from
the turned-in end to the open end.
Ferrule/Sleeve I.D.
-- The inside bowl diameter of the ferrule; the inside diameter
of the sleeve; the inside diameter of either where the hose is placed.
Gauge
-- The thickness of the ferrule/sleeve material.
Interlock groove
-- A groove designed into the fitting/coupling to accept
the turn-in end of the ferrule.
Shank length
-- The hose barb area measured from the end of the fitting
to the interlock groove.
Sleeve
-- The tube-like product with no interlock provisions.
Turn-in
-- The interlocking end of the ferrule.
|
