A system (10) for mounting a stent (100) on a balloon catheter (19) includes two positioning and alignment stations which are used to prepare a stent and catheter for crimping using the same crimping head. The system is configured for automated assembly of the stent and catheter prior to crimping. A catheter and stent are placed on a computer controlled carriage (42) that delivers the stent and catheter to the crimper head (20). Before placing the stent and catheter into the crimper head an automated alignment system (74) locates the stent between balloon markers.
