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Prefabbed Hydraulic Tubes

Prefabbed Hydraulic Tubes

Prefabbed Hydraulic Tubes

(OP)
My company currently fabricates the stainless hydraulic tubing for all of our standard machines right on the assembly line. Looking to reduce costs, I was wondering if our method is typical of medium to high volume manufacturing and if there is a methodology to enabling the use of prefabricated lines on manufactured equipment. Given tolerance stack ups, I'm not sure if prefabricated lines could be used.

Thanks!

RE: Prefabbed Hydraulic Tubes

>>>Given tolerance stack ups, I'm not sure if prefabricated lines could be used.<<<

If you've actually done a tolerance stackup for every line, how could you not know?

Assuming for the moment that prefab is okay:

Some cost savings come from using an automated or programmable bender to make a pile of tubes all the same. You still have to handle the tubes. You may have to mark them if any two are similar.

More cost savings come from using a jam-in type of connector so you don't spend time wrenching B-nuts. You still have to do _some_ end prep, e.g. removing burrs, but not having to flare the ends helps.

I've had good luck with Lenz O-seal connectors. They're not jam-in, but they don't need a flare.

You might also go to a few car showrooms and take a look at some of the super- fast- assembling connections they're using nowadays.

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

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