Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the present invention employ a clamp ring apparatus having an upper die assembly with an upper die, a lower die assembly with a lower die, an actuator for bringing the upper die assembly and the lower die assembly together, a leg deflection element for offsetting legs of clamps formed by the apparatus, and a spring for controlling welding pressure on the wires formed to make the clamp rings (for those embodiments in which the wires are welded together). Spine and rib wires are fed into the apparatus from respective wire supplies, and are preferably brought into overlapping relationship between the upper and lower die assemblies. The upper and lower die assemblies then compress the wires to form a clamp from the rib wire and to attach the wires together preferably by using welding electrodes at or adjacent to the lower die assemblies.