Abstract: Precision forming apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a die with a cavity which conforms with the shape of a portion of a part to be formed, a punch with a cavity which conforms with the shape of another portion of the part to be formed, and means for causing relative movement of the die and the punch between(a) a first (closed) position in which the die and the punch nearly abut one another and the two cavities are aligned and form a single cavity which conforms with the shape of the part to be formed, andb) a second (open) position in which the die and the punch are separated from one another and a billet can be placed in the cavity of one to be formed, when the two are returned to the first position, to the shape of the single cavity.The cavity forms longitudinally opposed end walls in their entirety. As a consequence, the length of a part to be formed is determined by the punch cavity, and can be changed by substituting a different punch.

Abstract: A tube connector for sealing a flareless tube to a fitting having a flat sealing face perpendicular to the fitting axis. The tube connector incorporates a ferrule engaged by a sleeve mounted on the end of the tube and having a flat radial surface for engaging the fitting sealing face. The ferrule is deformable and establishes a primary wedge type metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the tube by a compression nut threaded upon the fitting. The ferrule radially bows under axial and radial compression and this deformation suppresses vibration while the shape of the ferrule end engaged by the nut increases the radial forces on the ferrule as the nut is tightened to provide firm tube support remote from the seal region. The sleeve is provided with an internal undercut adapted to outwardly flare the end of the tube to lock the tube to the sleeve, and radially support the tube end as the tube is compressed during connection.