Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming thin-wall tubing in a funnel die or with a series of sets of forming rollers. The tubing is then welded by a method and apparatus which includes simultaneous guiding of the both the inner and outer peripheries of the tubing during the welding operation by a mandrel and a sleeve, respectively, so that lack of rigidity of the tubing is not a limitation. The edges of the tubing are not clamped, but are allowed to "float" during welding. The resulting tubing is highly uniform. A wide range of tubing materials can be welded and thin-wall tubing of nearly any desired length or wall thickness can be produced.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 1, 1988
Date of Patent:
March 6, 1990
Assignee:
Westport Development & Manufacturing Co., Inc.