Abstract: A supply of elongated metal tubes are successively transferred laterally to and from a reducing position aligned with the axis of a hollow spindle, and one end of each tube is clamped by a gripper mechanism mounted on a carriage supported between two vertically spaced horizontal lead screws. Each tube is fed by the carriage onto a non-rotatable mandrel located within a non-rotatable guide tube supported within the spindle. The mandrel is supported by a mandrel rod and a centering cone movable axially on the rod within the guide tube, and the mandrel is positioned within a zone where a set of shear forming wheels are orbited around the metal tube by an annular forming head supported by the spindle. While the head is rotating, the orbiting forming wheels are movable radially in response to movement of an eccentric cam mechanism operated by an actuating tube carried within the spindle.

Abstract: A packing gland assembly providing separate tightening of a packing seal in both the axial and radial directions. Tightening of the packing seal in the aforesaid directions is provided by a pair of concentric sleeves mounted about a shaft wherein the latter may experience either rotational or axial movement or both with respect to a housing surrounding the shaft. The packing seal is disposed on the shaft with one of its axial end faces abutting the housing with the other of its end faces abutting the inner sleeve. With the inner sleeve being selectively positioned in an axial direction, the axial pressure on the packing seal can be adjusted. In addition, a segmented ring is provided to encompass the packing seal to urge the latter into radial engagement with the shaft. The outer surface of the segmented ring is beveled to engage the outer sleeve in a wedge type of manner so that upon selected axial movement of the outer sleeve, the segmented ring adjustably tightens the packing seal against the shaft.