Hydraulic crimping: application to the assembly of tubular components

The crimping process using a polyurethane tool and hydraulic pressure can be used in the assembly of tubular components. This crimping operation was evaluated with the aid of the finite element method (FEM) and its application to the assembly of tubular components was investigated. The goal was to enhance the performance of the assembly by determining the optimum process and geometrical parameters, such as the material properties of the tube, the interference between the inserted rod and the tube and the rod–tube interface friction. FE simulations were used to evaluate the crimping operation under various process conditions. The crimping process of a double grooved rod/bullet with a tubular casing was evaluated as a case study. It was possible to determine the effect of manufacturing tolerances and misalignment between the rod and the casing on the quality of the final assembly in terms of the pullout force.