[EE] Crimping tools

[PICdude]

I've been using a lot of Hirose DF13 connectors lately, and thinking
that it may be cost-effective to get a crimper now. But not for
$862-$986 (H10889-ND and H9994-ND at Digikey) !!! =8-O Yes I know
Digikey will do custom wires, which is what we use now, but I have to
order over 1400 wires this week, and considering the in-house option.

Anyone know if there are lower-cost/generic crimpers available that
have dies available for the DF13? And do these things crimp reliably
(relatively foolproofly) or will it be a skill that someone will take
time to learn?

And while I'm here, are there any other sources that will crimp these
wires at a better cost?

Thanks,
-Neil.

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[Spehro Pefhany]

At 11:35 PM 05/11/2009, you wrote:
>I've been using a lot of Hirose DF13 connectors lately, and thinking
>that it may be cost-effective to get a crimper now. But not for
>$862-$986 (H10889-ND and H9994-ND at Digikey) !!! =8-O Yes I know
>Digikey will do custom wires, which is what we use now, but I have to
>order over 1400 wires this week, and considering the in-house option.
>
>Anyone know if there are lower-cost/generic crimpers available that
>have dies available for the DF13? And do these things crimp reliably
>(relatively foolproofly) or will it be a skill that someone will take
>time to learn?
>
>And while I'm here, are there any other sources that will crimp these
>wires at a better cost?
>
>Thanks,
>-Neil.

Try wholesale suppliers of wire in your area if you want >1K pieces.
Many of them have value-added services to cut and optionally crimp terminals
to the wire (all on one automated machine typically) and supply the resulting
wires in bundles. You might have to pay for the die if they don't have it.

Best regards,

Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
sp...@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

[Mark Scoville]

Hi Neil,

Our volumes of DF13 type cables was (and still is) too low for us to justify
purchasing appropriate crimping tools. So we have DF13 cables made by these
guys...

Microplex in Canton, Ohio.
www.microplex-inc.com
You can talk to Nancy Hill 440-975-0694 - Tell her Mark from Unicontrol sent
you.

I have no affiliation with them other than being a satisfied customer. They
were easy to work with. I think we have had them make complete cables as
well as purchasing bundles of single wires with contacts crimped on. Can't
remember the cost. I didn't think it was bad - and I'm pretty cheap. It
worked out good for us because they are close by. Don't know where you are.

-- Mark

[Clint Sharp]

In message <20091105203555....@www.veisystems.com>, PICdude
<picd...@narwani.org> writes

>I've been using a lot of Hirose DF13 connectors lately, and thinking
>that it may be cost-effective to get a crimper now. But not for
>$862-$986 (H10889-ND and H9994-ND at Digikey) !!! =8-O Yes I know
>Digikey will do custom wires, which is what we use now, but I have to
>order over 1400 wires this week, and considering the in-house option.

Wow, If I had to make 1400 crimps I'd be considering outsourcing not
insourcing.

I'd be willing to bet a small amount that the cost of buying the die and
tool plus having a member of staff prepare the cable, crimp the
connector and insert into the header would be much higher per unit than
having a contractor with experience and the relevant equipment do it for
you. Concentrate on what you do best.

>
>And while I'm here, are there any other sources that will crimp these
>wires at a better cost?

Highly likely, 1400 is a fairly small number for a cable house but if
it's an on-going requirement then you should be able to work out a deal,
especially if they have the tooling already, especially if you consider
all your costs.

Might be worth talking to HiRose to see if they can recommend someone, I
found them *very* helpful a few years ago when I needed to track down
one of their products (PCMCIA sockets ISTR).
>
>Thanks,
>-Neil.
>
>

--
Clint Sharp

[James Nick Sears]

On Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 11:35 PM, PICdude <picd...@narwani.org> wrote:

> Yes I know
> Digikey will do custom wires, which is what we use now

Sorry for the thread-jacking, but could I bother you for some details on
this service (or a link)? Digikey has been my primary supplier for years
and I had no idea...

Thanks!

-n.

[Marcel Duchamp]

For example, Hirose parts:
http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Cat=1573153&k=hirose

[PICdude]

Tried a few other of our regular suppliers and OC Components was able
to beat the price (noticeably), but had a 3-week lead time. Our
regular wire supplier does not have this capability. Generally that
would've been fine, but on this order I sucked up the Digikey price
and ordered from them. Digikey does it in one day usually.

Thanks,
-Neil.

[PICdude]

I'm still evaluating doing this in house, but I think it will work
better for us, especially since we often need just a couple hundred of
these, split over 9 colors. Digikey will charge based on the quantity
of each color, and that's when the price really hurts. Having this
capability in-house would be great for those times, but only if I can
find a crimper for just a couple/few hundred dollars (as many other
manufacturers' crimpers cost). Perhaps my answer may be to eventually
switch over to a different connector. Hadn't thought of contacting
Hirose themselves, but will do.

Cheers,
-Neil.

Quoting Clint Sharp <pic...@MIT.EDU>:

> In message <20091105203555....@www.veisystems.com>, PICdude
> <picd...@narwani.org> writes

[PICdude]

Not very well documented on their website, but search for H4BXT on
their website, as an example.

Cheers,
-Neil.