Abstract: A method and apparatus suitable for safely and efficiently heating a hose for insertion therein of an attachment. The apparatus includes a heating assembly having at least one hose heater including an electric heating element. The hose heater is adapted to be collapsed, inserted, and expanded into an end of the hose to increase the temperature of the end of the hose.

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.