The P.S.U. 16-22, automatic, multicontact, universal crimping tool

Citation

(2002), "The P.S.U. 16-22, automatic, multicontact, universal crimping tool", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 74 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2002.12774aad.011

The P.S.U. 16-22, automatic, multicontact, universal crimping tool

Keywords: Aircraft, Crimping

Developed by the French company Atlantic Technologies, the P.S.U. 16-22 enables automatic crimping of contacts on electrical harness wires, for application in the aerospace, marine, telecommunications and industrial sectors, in civil or defence fields.

The multicontact P.S.U. 16-22 is a novel tool that can reportedly crimp almost all the contacts in an aircraft or helicopter, without having to change the die or adjust the selector for jaw height. The P.S.U. 16-22 is believed to be the only fully automatic, multicontact, universal crimping tool which, at the same time as it crimps, enables the crimping to be monitored in real time and retains a complete record in memory.

The P.S.U. 16-22 records all the crimping parameters as well as the crimping curve produced in real time. A complete data base holds the essential-information such as date, time, tool and die references, contact batch and wire numbers, connector number, harness number, manufacturing file number, and aircraft or helicopter number. This total traceability is ideal for quality service and control, in conformance with ISO 9000 standards.

The method of operation for the P.S.U. 16-22 is said to make the unit exceptionally user-friendly by using a regular keyboard or a bar code technology. After having entered his own code, the operator records the code for the copper wire to be crimped and the code for the contact. The tool then selects the correct die series as well as the crimp height.

Monitoring for errors in the selection of the wire or contact or exceeding the tolerance of the wire or contact, the

tool's screen indicates to the operator as the wire is inserted into the contact whether he can proceed with the crimping.

The manufactures assert that it is thanks to this crimping tool, the risks of mistakes in connection, adjustment of the pressure selector, and the quality of the contact materials chosen are eliminated. Added to these advantages are said to be the elimination of tests, test assemblies, tensile strength test and risks of operator injury, as well as the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome sometimes associated with crimping, ensuring that the P.S.U. 16-22 produces a large gain in productivity.

The P.S.U. 16-22 in combination with: The M.A.E., a Plugging Assistant Machine for contacts crimped in connectors and an automatic stripping machine constitutes a fully automated production line for electrical harnesses, linked to the same data base.

Details available from: Atlantic Technologies Tel: +33 5 63 29 06 60; Fax: +33 5 63 29 06 05.