Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically expanding pipe of the type having a helical weld seam which includes a radially expandable die head assembly for incrementally expanding the pipe advanced over the die head and wherein the die head has a helical groove which corresponds to the helical weld seam of the pipe. Means are provided for advancing the pipe longitudinally over the die head assembly for incremental expansion and preferably for substantially simultaneously rotating the pipe to maintain the conformity between the die head groove and the helical weld seam of the pipe.

Abstract: A system for forming wheel rim blanks in which a coiling station, an end conditioning press, a welding station, and a weld seam finishing station are all arranged to form a continuous path in the direction of the axis of the rim blank so that blanks can be readily transferred from one station to the next, with each station being simultaneously loaded and unloaded. In the coiling station a blank of strip material is coiled into the form of a cylinder with the longitudinal edges of the coiled blank defining a preloaded longitudinal gap. The coiled blank is then axially transferred to an end conditioning press while moving the longitudinal edges of the blank to predetermined circumferential positions so that the gap has a preselected width and circumferential location as it enters the press. Each time a coil blank is axially transferred from the coiling station to the end conditioning press, an end conditioned blank is simultaneously axially transferred from the press to the welding station.