Abstract: The specification discloses a crimping process for crimping a metal ferrule (19) onto a hose (17) including the steps of applying a radially inwardly directed crimping force to die elements (16) adapted to engage the ferrule (19) and increasing said crimping force to a first level over a first period of time, at least partially removing the crimping force from said die elements after said first period of time, and reapplying the radially directed crimping force to said die elements (16) and increasing said crimping force to a second level over a second period of time, said second crimping force level being equal to, higher or lower than said first level, and at an end of the crimping process, removing the crimping force fully from the die elements (16).

Abstract: A swaging press (30) includes a piston member (16) and a plurality of die shoes (18), the piston member (16) in use driving the die shoes (18) inwardly during a swaging process in response to axial movement of the piston member (16), the piston member (16) defining a plurality of substantially flat die shoe engaging surfaces (31) configured to provide a polygonal shape in transverse cross-section, each die shoe (16) being located at each corner (32) of the polygonal shape whereby a portion of each dies shoe (16) engages a corresponding die shoe engaging surface (31) on either side of the corner (32).

Abstract: The specification discloses a crimping process for crimping a metal ferrule (19) onto a hose (17) including the steps of applying a radially inwardly directed crimping force to die elements (16) adapted to engage the ferrule (19) and increasing said crimping force to a first level over a first period of time, at least partially removing the crimping force from said die elements after said first period of time, and reapplying the radially directed crimping force to said die elements (16) and increasing said crimping force to a second level over a second period of time, said second crimping force level being equal to, higher or lower than said first level, and at an end of the crimping process, removing the crimping force fully from the die elements (16).

Abstract: A die element configuration for use in a swaging or crimping press includes at least two cooperating die elements that, in use, are radially moved inwardly during a swaging or crimping process. Each die element has a body portion with a work element engaging surface located at a radially inner location on the body portion, the work element engaging surface having an axial direction and a circumferential direction transverse to the axial direction with the work engaging surface being concavely curved in the circumferential direction. The work engaging surface has a first central section extending axially with at least a pair of axially spaced first lateral sections and at least one second lateral section extending from the first central section oppositely to the first lateral sections, whereby a first lateral section of a first die element in the configuration is located axially adjacent a second lateral section of a second similarly formed die element.

Abstract: A swaging press (30) includes a piston member (16) and a plurality of die shoes (18), the piston member (16) in use driving the die shoes (18) inwardly during a swaging process in response to axial movement of the piston member (16), the piston member (16) having a recess (42) defining a plurality of substantially flat die shoe engaging surfaces (31) configured to provide a polygonal shape in transverse cross-section, each die shoe (16) being located at each corner (32) of the polygonal shape whereby a portion of each die shoe (16) engages a corresponding die shoe engaging surface (31) on either side of the corner (32).

Abstract: A die element configuration for use in a swaging or crimping press includes at least two cooperating die elements that, in use, are radially moved inwardly during a swaging or crimping process. Each die element has a body portion with a work element engaging surface located at a radially inner location on the body portion, the work element engaging surface having an axial direction and a circumferential direction transverse to the axial direction with the work engaging surface being concavely curved in the circumferential direction. The work engaging surface has a first central section extending axially with at least a pair of axially spaced first lateral sections and at least one second lateral section extending from the first central section oppositely to the first lateral sections, whereby a first lateral section of a first die element in the configuration is located axially adjacent a second lateral section of a second similarly formed die element.

Abstract: A metal forming machine for cold forming a metal product to a desired dimension and/or configuration includes a forming means with at least one movable part for applying load to the metal product. A position sensing means establishes a measured position of the movable part indicative of a measured dimension and/or configuration of the metal product, and a load measuring means establishes a measured load applied by the moving part. A control means selects a nominal load (nom load) setting to achieve the desired dimension and/or configuration (pos nom), and enables actuation of the forming means until a calibration load (cal load) is reached where the position sensing means establishes the measured dimension and/or configuration (pos cal), whereupon the load is lowered. The control means then establishes a new load setting as a function of (pos nom) minus (pos cal), and reactivates the forming means to the new load setting to form the metal product.

Abstract: The specification discloses a die element change tool for use with a crimp press having a plurality of die shoes positioned about a crimping work space, the die shoes being movable from a radial outer position to a radial inner position during a crimping process, the change tool being effective to remove a die element set or introduce a new die element set while the die shoes are in the radial outer position, the change tool having a main body part and a movable body part, the main body part having a number of circumferentially spaced operational positions each capable of retaining an individual die element held at one axial end by the movable body part and at the other axial end by the main body part, the change tool being bodily movable into the crimping work space to position each said die element carried thereby adjacent to a respective die shoe to be secured thereto, said movable body part being movable to disengage from said die elements such that the change tool can be withdrawn from the crimping work

Abstract: The specification discloses a die element change tool for use with a crimp press having a plurality of die shoes positioned about a crimping work space, the die shoes being movable from a radial outer position to a radial inner position during a crimping process, the change tool being effective to remove a die element set or introduce a new die element set while the die shoes are in the radial outer position, the change tool having a main body part and a movable body part, the main body part having a number of circumferentially spaced operational positions each capable of retaining an individual die element held at one axial end by the movable body part and at the other axial end by the main body part, the change tool being bodily movable into the crimping work space to position each said die element carried thereby adjacent to a respective die shoe to be secured thereto, said movable body part being movable to disengage from said die elements such that the change tool can be withdrawn from the crimping work

Abstract: The invention provides a check valve for a test point for taking pressure measurements or fluid samples in a pressurized fluid system, said check valve including a housing having a bore and a movable valve body located in said bore, one end of said housing adapted to receive a pressure measuring probe for taking said pressure measurements or fluid samples, said one end of said housing including an upper bore section within which, in use, said pressure measuring probe is located wherein said movable valve body includes an end, located in said upper bore section, of nominal diameter less than the nominal diameter of said upper bore section.