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!
Thanks!





RE: Prefabbed Hydraulic Tubes
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