Modern tractors and agricultural machinery are becoming increasingly compact. In order to accommodate more functions in a small space, hydraulic lines have to be laid in a space-saving manner - often with very tight bending radii. This poses particular challenges for cutting ring assembly.

In machine assembly, the pipe end is inserted into an assembly machine, which automatically cuts the cutting ring into the pipe. However, with strongly bent tubes, there is often a collision with the machine housing. The pipe cannot be fully inserted - machine assembly is no longer possible. In such cases, the only option is often manual assembly using an open-end spanner and a great deal of force.

Manual assembly:

• Feed-through with bending lever

• High effort required

• Depending on the experience and care of the fitter

• Risk of assembly errors with complex geometries

Mechanical assembly:

• Reproducible quality

• Less effort required

• Faster and more efficient

• Previously limited for tight bending radii

Mechanical assembly offers clear advantages - if it is technically possible. This is exactly where STAUFF comes in with a new solution.

STAUFF has developed an optional assembly head for its flagship assembly machine, the SPR-PRC-POC, which has been specially designed for tubes with tight bending radii.

The decisive difference lies in the position of the tube holder:

• On the standard model, the distance from the pipe axis to the top edge of the machine is 77 mm.

• With the new mounting head it is only 31 mm.

This means that even heavily curved pipes can be easily inserted and assembled by machine - without colliding with the housing.

The machine's light barrier can be deactivated for particularly complex pipe geometries, such as those with a short pipe end and a directly adjacent 90° outlet. The SPR-PRC-POC machine's innovative measuring system and guaranteed cutting path ensure that each individual assembly can be produced reproducibly with exactly the same cutting path. The machine reliably recognises errors during execution and issues an early warning in the event of deviations. The assembly is also triggered by pressing the pipe into the assembly cone. This ensures that the pipe remains in contact with the base of the spigot throughout the entire assembly process.

The required assembly pressure can therefore vary and is only considered for error analysis, as the machine considers the cutting path and always produces the same material throw-up. This clearly sets the machine apart from the competition.

• Compatible pipe sizes:
  • Light series (L): 6 to 18 mm
  • Heavy series (S): 6 to 16 mm
• Advantages of the new assembly head:
• Enables machine assembly even with tight bending radii
• Reduces the distance to the top edge of the machine by 46 mm
• Increases flexibility when processing complex pipe geometries
• Deactivatable light barrier for special cases

The solution was developed in close collaboration with a manufacturer of tractors and agricultural machinery - based on specific practical requirements.

The new assembly head is aimed at companies that regularly work with tight bending radii and complex pipe runs:

• Manufacturers of tractors and agricultural machinery

• Producers of hydraulic clamping tools for machine tools

• Service companies for the maintenance and modernisation of hydraulic systems

• Pipe assemblers, e.g. in press construction or for lubrication lines

For these target groups, the new solution means less manual work, greater process reliability and reproducible quality.

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