Abstract: Processes for securing a fitting to a hose end, and a hose assembly produced thereby. The fitting has an interior portion, exterior portion, and cavity therebetween. An end of the hose is located within the cavity and compressed between the interior and exterior portions. The exterior portion of the fitting has at least first and second circumferential crimped portions axially spaced apart along the fitting length, and first and second portions of the hose are compressed within the first and second circumferential crimped portions. The exterior portion of the fitting has an annular-shaped bubble portion between the first and second circumferential crimped portions. The bubble portion has a diameter larger than diameters of the first and second circumferential crimped portions, and the hose has a portion radially expanded into an annular-shaped cavity surrounded by the bubble portion as the hose is compressed at the first and second portions thereof.

Abstract: Processes for securing a fitting to an end of a hose, and a hose assembly produced thereby. The fitting has an interior portion, an exterior portion, and a cavity therebetween. An end of the hose is located within the cavity and compressed between the interior and exterior portions. The exterior portion of the fitting has at least first and second circumferential crimped portions axially spaced apart along a length of the fitting, and first and second portions of the hose are compressed within, respectively, the first and second circumferential crimped portions. The exterior portion of the fitting further has an annular-shaped bubble portion between the first and second circumferential crimped portions. The bubble portion has a diameter that is larger than diameters of the first and second circumferential crimped portions, and the hose has a portion radially expanded into an annular-shaped cavity surrounded by the bubble portion due to the hose being compressed at the first and second portions thereof.

Abstract: Crimping machines, including constructions thereof and methods for their manufacture and use. The crimping machines include at least a first load-bearing component that comprises a plurality of load-bearing laminates that are assembled and secured together. The first load-bearing component is installed in the crimping machine so that a crimping load of the crimping machine is imposed on the first load-bearing component during a crimping operation performed by the crimping machine.

Abstract: A system and process for performing a crimping operation by which a fitting is crimped to the end of a fluid conduit, and which automatically compensates for one or more variables that can lead to out-of-tolerance crimp diameters, particularly fitting spring-back and crimper deflection. The system and method use a device for inputting into the system a targeted crimp diameter for the fitting, and a crimper for crimping the fitting to the end of the fluid conduit. The crimper comprises a plurality of dies and an actuator for contracting the dies around the fitting to obtain the targeted crimp diameter for the fitting. The system and method further includes a unit for attaining the targeted crimp diameter by automatically compensating contraction of the dies for spring-back of the fitting during crimping and/or deflection of the crimper during crimping.