The two dominant hydraulic crimping technologies—direct push systems and die cone systems—represent fundamentally different approaches to converting hydraulic force into the radial compression required for fitting attachment. Each technology has distinct characteristics that affect precision, die life, maintenance requirements, and suitability for different applications. Understanding these differences is essential for informed equipment selection.
Die cone systems are the more traditional and widely used technology. In this design, a tapered cone is driven forward by the hydraulic cylinder, forcing segmented dies radially inward against the fitting. The cone angle determines the mechanical advantage—a shallower angle provides greater force multiplication but requires longer stroke, while a steeper angle reduces stroke length but requires higher hydraulic force. The CBK-120C, CBK-750, and most Britop machines use die cone systems with optimized cone angles for their respective force ranges.
The advantages of die cone systems include proven reliability, straightforward maintenance, and the ability to achieve very high forces through mechanical advantage. The segmented die design allows for a large number of dies (8-20) that distribute compression around the fitting circumference. The MT-150 with 20 die sets exemplifies the capability of this approach for large-diameter applications.
Direct push systems, used in some compact and specialty machines, employ hydraulic cylinders that push dies directly rather than through a cone mechanism. This approach eliminates the cone-die interface, reducing the number of wearing components and potentially improving precision by removing a source of mechanical play. The tradeoff is generally lower maximum force for a given machine size, as direct push lacks the mechanical advantage of a cone system.
Precision characteristics differ between the technologies. Die cone systems can achieve excellent precision—the CBK-120C delivers 0.01mm accuracy—when properly maintained, but die and cone wear gradually affect precision over thousands of cycles. Direct push systems may offer more stable long-term precision since there are fewer interfaces where wear accumulates.
Die change and setup time also vary. Quick-change die systems, as featured on the CBK-750 and CBK-120A, reduce die change time in cone systems to seconds. However, direct push systems with fewer moving parts may offer inherently simpler change procedures.
The choice between technologies ultimately depends on application requirements. For high-force, large-diameter applications, die cone systems are essentially mandatory due to their mechanical advantage. For precision small-diameter work, either technology can deliver excellent results when properly implemented. Qingdao Britop’s product range spans both technologies, with the MT-51SM and CBK-120C representing the pinnacle of die cone precision, while the compact MT-P20 demonstrates how direct systems can deliver in space-constrained applications.
Related Products from Qingdao Britop
Explore these solutions from the Qingdao Britop product line:
- MT-51BY-KH Benchtop Crimping Machine with Die Rack
- MT-51SM CNC Crimping Machine
- MT-51BJ-1 Electric Hose Skiving Machine
- MT-P20 Compact Crimping Machine
This article is part of the Qingdao Britop Industrial Knowledge Base series.
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