Abstract: A tool for use in loading a transcatheter valve prosthesis within a delivery catheter includes a body portion, a pivotable element and a biasing element. The body portion includes a central passageway extending form a proximal end to a distal end of the body portion. The central passageway is configured to receive a distal portion of a delivery catheter therethrough. The pivotable element is attached to the body portion and is configured to secure a tether during loading of a transcatheter valve prosthesis within the delivery catheter. The biasing element compresses the pivotable element against the body portion such that the pivotable element holds a second end against the delivery catheter and secures the tether thereto. The pivotable element may be two or more pivotable elements.

Abstract: An exemplary system for crimping a prosthetic valve comprises a radially expandable and compressible prosthetic valve, a crimping device positioned around the valve and configured to reduce the diameter of the valve to a delivery configuration, and a sterile package enclosing the valve and the crimping device. The valve can be pre-assembled in a partially crimped configuration within the crimping device. After removing the sterile packaging, the crimping device can be used to crimp the valve from the partially crimped configuration to the delivery configuration, such as by twisting a knob on the crimping device. The system can further comprise at least a portion of a delivery catheter within the sterile package, wherein the valve is pre-mounted on or adjacent to an inflatable balloon of the delivery catheter, such that the valve can be crimped onto the delivery catheter using the crimping device.

Abstract: A diameter-reduction apparatus for can-trunk for performing a diameter-reduction process on a trunk part of a can-body having a closed-end cylindrical shape with an open end, including: a can-body holder holding a bottom part of the can-body, which is provided with: a base pad abutting on the bottom part of the can-boy; and a first clamping-ring having substantially a cylindrical shape which clamps an outer circumference surface of a trunk part of the can-body at the bottom side and which moves back and forth relative to the base pad along a can-axis direction; a die unit for diameter-reduction provided with a die for a diameter-reduction process of the trunk part by moving back and forth with respect to the can-body holder along the can-axis direction; and a first clamping-ring moving device moving the first clamping-ring backward along the can-axis direction along with an advance of the die.

Abstract: A crimping head for use with an impact wrench to crimp fittings onto a structure carrying the fitting, that includes a universal adaptor having a head, and a socket positioned in the head sized and shaped to receive a standard anvil of an impact wrench without further connection between the impact wrench and the crimping head. A locking assembly is provided for cooperating with the universal adaptor head for locking the anvil into the socket, and a transmission is attached to the universal adaptor for being driven by the universal adaptor and for converting rotational movement of the anvil into selective rearward and forward movement. A jaw assembly is attached to the transmission and adapted to close into a crimping position and open into a release position responsive to the rearward and forward movement of the transmission.

Abstract: A device and a method for providing a stent for implantation into a body lumen are provided, wherein the stent (3) has a proximal end (31) and a distal end (32), between which a stent lumen having a compressible diameter d extends. The device comprises a crimping apparatus (4), having elements (40) which are disposed about an axis and can be moved at least partially relative to each other radially to the axis, and an activator (42) for actuating the crimping apparatus (4). The elements (40) of the crimping apparatus comprise the stent (3) and can be moved radially by means of the activator (42) from a widened position, in which the stent (3) is not crimped, into a closed position, in which the diameter d of the stent (3) is compressed.

Abstract: An electrically conductive wire (D) is provided which is constructed on the basis of copper and which includes a core (1) as well as a layer (2) metallically connected to the layer (2), while the layer (2) has a proportion of the wire cross section which is between 20% and 50% of the cross section of the wire. The core (1) on the one nano and the layer (2) surrounding the core (1) consist of different materials on the basis of copper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for swaging a square or rectangular tube, the apparatus including a support for external dies, both surface dies and corner dies, which when actuated, apply pressure to the outside of a tube to achieve its swaging to a lesser dimension, and having a collapsible mandrel located therein, supporting internal dies, that apply a lesser pressure against the interior of the tube, during a swaging operation, to assure that wall buckling does not occur. An internal die with its removing tool may locate within the end of the tube to be swaged to cooperate with the pressure from the external dies to swage the tube without any final buckling.

Abstract: A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the stent-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure.

Abstract: In order to allow a more targeted intervention in a drawing procedure, in particular on a linear drawing device, the invention proposes a linear drawing machine for the linear drawing of a workpiece through a drawing ring, a drawing unit, in which one or more drawing tools grasp the workpiece and draw it linearly in the drawing direction, being situated behind the drawing ring, the linear drawing device being distinguished in particular by a drawing ring which is situated fixed in relation to the drawing direction during the drawing procedure, preferably perpendicularly, and by a workpiece guide situated in front of the drawing ring in the drawing direction, which is displaceable perpendicular to the drawing direction.

Abstract: The one end side portion is nipped by a jig including a jig member having a pair of convex portions which are to be fitted to a depressions in contact with a tooth side face and a inclined portion and positioning a bar and a jig member which is to be clamped/opened with respect to the jig member. A die having an inside diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer periphery is pressed onto the outer periphery of the end portion of the cylindrical end side portion projected from the jig up to a press-in depth determined preliminarily based on the rack, so as to reduce the diameter of the end portion.

Abstract: A method for forming hollow profiles is disclosed. In one exemplary method, a hollow profile is guided through a die in a processing direction and fixed by a mandrel such that at the die, the hollow profile has a material flow velocity in this processing direction (2), in which the method the mandrel has a drawing velocity in the processing direction that is greater than the material flow velocity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stabilizer bar for a vehicle includes cutting a stabilizer bar material having a round bar-shaped configuration, heating both end portions of the cut stabilizer bar material to be formed as leg bars of the stabilizer bar, rolling both side surfaces of each of both heated end portions of the stabilizer bar material so that both side surfaces are tapered, rotating the stabilizer bar material about an axis thereof between rollers to taper both remaining non-rolled side surfaces of each of both end portions of the stabilizer bar material to be formed as the leg bars of the stabilizer bar, so that each or both end portions of the stabilizer bar material has an elliptical cross-section, forming eyes on distal ends of the stabilizer bar material, and bending the stabilizer bar material into the shape of the stabilizer bar.

Abstract: In a thermocouple, a pair of thermoelements extend within a protective sheath. The thermoelements are spaced from the sheath by an insulator. The sheath comprises an outer sheath formed from a metal alloy adapted to provide mechanical support and corrosion resistance during use of the thermocouple, typically at elevated temperature. The sheath further comprises an inner sheath positioned between the outer sheath and the thermoelements and formed from a nickel-based alloy containing less than 10 wt % Cr, to prevent diffusion of Cr and/or Mn from the outer sheath to the thermoelements.

Abstract: A method of producing a seamless, tubular product includes centrifugally casting a corrosion resistant alloy into a tubular workpiece having an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The method then removes material from the inner diameter of the workpiece and subjects the workpiece to at least about a 25% wall reduction at a temperature below a recrystallization temperature of the workpiece using a metal forming process. The metal forming process includes radial forging, rolling, pilgering, and/or flowforming.

Abstract: An exemplary system for crimping a prosthetic valve comprises a radially expandable and compressible prosthetic valve, a crimping device positioned around the valve and configured to reduce the diameter of the valve to a delivery configuration, and a sterile package enclosing the valve and the crimping device. The valve can be pre-assembled in a partially crimped configuration within the crimping device. After removing the sterile packaging, the crimping device can be used to crimp the valve from the partially crimped configuration to the delivery configuration, such as by twisting a knob on the crimping device. The system can further comprise at least a portion of a delivery catheter within the sterile package, wherein the valve is pre-mounted on or adjacent to an inflatable balloon of the delivery catheter, such that the valve can be crimped onto the delivery catheter using the crimping device.

Abstract: A spring plunger for insertion into an aperture, the spring plunger including a body having a recess and a proximal opening to the recess surrounded by a chamfered rim with the chamfered rim extending at least partially across the recess. A coil spring and plunger are retained within the recess, with the plunger abutting the coil spring and contacting the chamfered rim. Also, a method of manufacturing a spring plunger and a method of use.

Abstract: A method of producing an ultrathin-wall metal tube by a cold drawing method includes a diameter-expanding drawing method, in which an entry solid die, the diameter of which increases, remains constant or decreases from the engaging entry side toward the finishing exit side, and a delivery solid die, the diameter of which decreases at least in the vicinity of the engaging entry, are arranged in series and in an abutting relation on the same pass line. A tapered plug, the diameter of which increases from the engaging entry side toward the finishing exit side, floats along the pass line, whereby in the entry solid die region, the wall thickness is reduced while the mid-wall diameter of a hollow shell is being expanded between the solid die and the plug, and in the delivery solid die region, the tapered plug floats by performing reduction working of the outside diameter.

Abstract: A method for attenuating vibration in a driveline having a shaft assembly that transmits torque between first and second driveline components. The shaft assembly can have a hollow shaft member and at least one liner. The liner has a mass and a stiffness that are tuned such that the liner is a tuned resistive absorber for attenuating shell mode vibrations as well as at least one of a tuned reactive absorber for attenuating bending mode vibrations and a tuned reactive absorber for attenuating torsion mode vibrations. The tuned liner is inserted into the shaft member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a method for producing an ultra thin wall metallic tube by a cold rolling method with significant wall thickness reduction. In a method for producing the metallic tube with a cold pilger mill, a wall thickness is reduced to perform elongation while a wall thickness center diameter is expanded using a pair of rolls, which has a tapered groove die whose diameter is gradually expanded or reduced from an engaging inlet side of the roll toward a finishing outlet side thereof, and a tapered mandrel bar, whose diameter is gradually expanded from an engaging inlet side of the tapered mandrel bar toward a finishing outlet side thereof.

Abstract: A method for producing a tubular drive shaft is described, comprising a first section with a first diameter and a second section with a second diameter, said second diameter being smaller than the first diameter, and a transition section in which a diameter of said drive shaft diminishes from the first diameter to the second diameter and which is provided with an annular bead which coaxially surrounds a longitudinal axis of said drive shaft, and in the process of which method, a tube with the first diameter is reshaped and reduced in diameter to form the second section and the transition section. According to the invention it is provided that the bead is formed during, after, or during a break in the reshaped process that results in the production of a second section with a second diameter.

Abstract: When an outer circumference of a clamping portion 25 and an outer circumference of a circular outer circumference 26 are restrained by a die 6 while inserting a non-circular punch 5 into a circular hole 28, paddings 27, 27 are pressed by a semi-circular inner circumference of the die 6 to thereby be forced into interior of the circular hole 28. The volume of the paddings 27, 27 is set to be substantially the same as a volume obtained by subtracting the volume of a non-circular hole 23 in an extension shaft 2 from the volume of the circular hole 28. The circular hole 28 is deformed, and the paddings 27, 27 forced into the circular hole 28 abut with inclined planes 52, 52 of the punch 5, whereby the non-circular hole 23 is formed in the extension shaft 2.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a catalytic converter is described where the catalytic converter is comprised of an outer tube member having a monolith substrate internally compressed therein with a wrapped mat material surrounding the monolith substrate and intermediate the outer tube. One or more monolith members can be applied within the outer tube and heat shields may also be applied internal to the outer tube and adjacent to the monolith substrate. The assembly of the catalytic converter includes measuring the sequence of compression of the mat material to the monolith substrate in order to understand the possible force characteristics that can be applied during the assembly thereof. The mat material is therefore compressed within the outer tube by way of compression jaws, by compression rollers, by spinning and/or by a shrinker including compression members. The compression of the mat material can be in single or multiple steps.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing the stress state of compressed ends of compressed tubes are disclosed. The methods and systems may provide a reduced tensile residual stress state, or even a compressive residual stress state. Tube products produced from the same are also provided.

Abstract: A flexible stent structure includes a plurality of axially spaced strut portions defining generally tubular axial segments of the stent and constructed to be radially expandable. A helical portion is interposed axially between two strut portions and has a plurality of helical elements connected between circumferentially spaced locations on the two strut portions. The helical elements extend helically between those locations and the length of a helical element is sufficient so that, when the stent is in a radially expanded state, it can simultaneously withstand repeated axial compression or expansion and bending.

Abstract: A mechanical process to reduce and/or reform the mass of a tube (either metallic or of some other material) to specified dimensions, by any or all of the following means: thinning the wall of the tube, reducing the diameter of the tube, and elongation of the tube. The tube is operated on by a ball and a die having interior areas including: an initial entry with reduction angle, a wall reduction chamber, a final reduction angle, a land/bearing, and an exit relief ending in an area with a reverse taper. The tube has an outside diameter larger than the wall reduction chamber (in the raw material starting size) with a wall thickness somewhat larger than the gap between the outside diameter of the ball, and the inside diameter of the wall reduction chamber. The tube is pulled, pushed or drawn between the die and the ball, reducing its dimensions.

Abstract: A swaging process is utilized for reducing the diameter of an outer ring of a bushing using a swaging tool including a gap or profile in the area of a flange of the outer ring in order to prevent or reduce the stresses that are formed in the flange radii area.

Abstract: A tubular workpiece with a throughgoing bore is held by a handler having a passage alignable with the bore and of a predetermined inside passage diameter. A rod carrying a mandrel and of an outside rod diameter is provided with a guide having an outside guide diameter slightly smaller than the inside passage diameter but greater than the outside rod diameter The passage is aligned by the handler with the workpiece bore and the mandrel is inserted through the handler passage into the workpiece bore while sliding the guide along the passage and centering the rod in the passage with the guide out of contact with an inner surface of the passage. The workpiece is externally engage around the mandrel with forging tools and thereby forged around the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of producing a hollow shaft having first and second profilings provided for torque transmission at respective ends thereof, wherein a shaft section between the ends has a smaller diameter than at least one of the profilings, and the hollow shaft is assembled from hollow shaft and sleeve components joined via a torque-transmitting slip joint, in which the shaft and sleeve components are each formed from cut blanks by cupping, perforating. cold extrusion and turning steps, and the respective components are assembled to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for forming a seal within a ferrule having a compression ring disposed therein. The apparatus comprises a frame assembly for crimping a portion of the ferrule, and a push rod assembly coupled to the frame assembly. The push rod assembly is capable of independent articulation with respect to the frame assembly and is configured to compress the compression ring within the ferrule.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one piece axle tube housing with an integral spindle includes providing a tube blank, providing the blank with a region of increased thickness, inserting a mandrel having a reduced diameter profile, passing a reducing die over the tube to conform the tube to the shape of the mandrel; and extraction of the mandrel from the tube to cause outward deformation of the tube at specific locations. A further swaging step may be used to form the final spindle structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a part of deformed cross section with non-rotation symmetry on an end portion of a cylindrical workpiece. The method includes steps of performing a first relative motion of a roller against the workpiece toward its one open end, and performing a second relative motion of the roller against at least a part of outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the workpiece toward the inside thereof, while the roller is rotated relative to the workpiece by one rotation, in such a state as being held to be in contact with the end portion, in a plane which is perpendicular to the moving direction of the first relative motion, and which includes a position where the roller contacts the outer peripheral surface of the end portion, and performing a rotational motion of the roller relatively rotating around the workpiece, while performing the second relative motion, with the roller being held to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the end portion.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy comprising up to about six weight percent zinc and up to about one weight percent cerium may be hot worked to produce an intermediate or final alloy workpiece that exhibits enhanced ductility and strength at room temperature. The addition of zinc and a small amount of cerium may affect the magnesium alloy by increasing strength and ductility, and improving the work hardening behavior.

Abstract: The utilization of smaller dies than those originally intended for a given size pilger mill is made possible for the first time by a new means of strengthening the necessarily small diameter shaft and by novel bearing blocks wherein smaller bearings are mounted off center. The smaller die assembly constructed according to this invention is completely and simply interchangeable with the original die sets and can be inserted in the pilger mill as a matter of course without modifications or adjustments to the machine proper.

Abstract: The invention is a heat-resistant drive shaft damper adapted to be inserted into a hollow automotive drive shaft. The damper with improved heat-resistant and NVH-reduction properties includes a retaining member that extends above the damper's outside surface and possesses a maximum operating temperature of 175° C. or higher. The invention further relates to a method of forming such a damper.

Abstract: A rotary swaging method for the tapering of metal tubes is disclosed. The method comprises the use of a rotary swaging machine comprising a die comprising a die taper comprising a length of greater than about 12 inches, a diameter reduction of greater than about 30%, and/or a taper angle of less than about 12 degrees.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow molded part with a closed cross-section and a reinforcement, wherein the hollow molded part is formed as a single piece and exhibits a blank mold, with the first region (1) with a first starting outer diameter (D1) and the starting wall thickness (b1), and at least a second region (2) with an outer diameter reducing in comparison to the starting outer diameter (D1) and having an increased wall thickness in comparison to the starting wall thickness (b1), wherein the increased wall thickness forms a reinforcement.

Abstract: A ferrule securing assembly including a die set assembly for reducing a cylindrical ferrule. The die set assembly having a female die and a male die. The female die having a female die opening sequentially defined by a tapered section, a parallel section, and a concave seat. The male die having a concave die face with at least two lateral edges, a medial area, and a radius of curvature. The male die is receivable in the female die opening to move the ferrule through the tapered section so as to forge the ferrule into a substantially oval shape, to move the oval shaped ferrule through the parallel section, and to compress the oval shaped ferrule between the concave die face and the concave seat to forge the oval shaped ferrule into a substantially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for use in crimping a stent. In one embodiment, an arrangement is described that includes a stent delivery device. A stent having a plurality of struts is crimped onto the stent delivery device. The arrangement also includes a crimp sheath that covers at least a portion of the stent. The crimp sheath is formed at least in part from a compliant viscoelastic material. The viscoelastic portions of the crimp sheath protrude into the gaps formed between adjacent crimped struts. In this manner, the viscoelastic portions form protrusions that extend into the gaps to a sufficient depth to prevent the struts from contacting one another. By way of example, in one embodiment, the protrusions extend to a depth of at least 18 percent of the thickness of the associated adjacent struts.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a hollow metal ball bat includes forming a shell into a tubular shape using a pilger mill. The wall thickness of the tube shell is reduced by drawing the tube shell with the draw bench. A handle section and a taper section are created using the pilger mill. The handle is drawn through a draw bench, and the handle and taper sections are swaged.

Abstract: A method for forging a rack bar from a blank pipe. Prior to the rack forging process, a blank pipe is subjected to a process for obtaining an adjustment of a cross-sectional shape of the blank pipe. Such a preliminary adjustment is constructed by a swaging process for reducing an outer diameter of the blank pipe and a ironing process for obtaining a desired irregular cross-sectional shape of the blank pipe. The ironing process is such that locally thickened wall portions are obtained at length wise ends as well as tooth width ends of a rack forging die.

Abstract: A process for forming oversized circular pipe has the steps of affixing an elliptically-shaped forming head onto a spiral pipe forming machine, driving a metal strip along the forming head such that the metal strip takes on a shape of the forming head, moving said metal strip out of the forming head into a spiral pattern such that edges of the metal strip engage with each other so as to form an elliptically-shaped spiral pipe, removing the spiral pipe from the forming machine, and forming the elliptically-shaped pipe into a circular shape. The circular pipe has a diameter of greater then forty-eight inches. The forming head has an adjustable diameter.

Abstract: A method for draw forming a desired contour to the outer diameter of a tubular work piece provides that the selected work piece have a wall thickness uniform throughout its length. The outer diameter of selected work piece is reduced along essentially only a part of the starting metal blank by drawing the metal blank only partly through a die or only partly through each one of a succession of dies. The resulting drawn reduced diameter will have essentially the same wall thickness as the starting blank. If a thinner wall thickness is desired on the reduced outside diameter, an internal mandrel can be inserted in the starting tube, which will work with the draw die to decrease the resulting wall thickness of the drawn tube to an amount less than the starting tube. The workpiece recovered after the drawing method is useful for producing an automotive fuel tank filler tube or an automotive instrument panel support beam.

Abstract: A process by which the end of a tube having at least one internal surface feature is reduced and at least a portion of the surface feature eliminated from the tube end while achieving accurate control of the outer diameter of the tube end. The process preferably makes use of a forming tool comprising an external die for reducing the outer diameter of a tube and a mandrel for deforming the internal passage of the tube. The process generally comprises forcing the external die over the end of the tube so that the outer diameter of the tube end is reduced and so that the mandrel is simultaneously inserted through the internal passage of the tube end. While the tube end remains within the external die, the mandrel is withdrawn from the internal passage of the tube end to eliminate the internal surface feature.

Abstract: A circular-shaped metal structure formed by spinning working has a thickness equal to or smaller than 0.09 mm. The structure may be used as a photosensitive drum or fixing belt in an electrophotographic printer.

Abstract: In a method of securing a rod-shaped part in a surrounding holding member, a flat holding member is fabricated with opposite side edges that are formed with elements configured for interlocking engagement. The side edges of the holding member are bent upwards, and the holding member is then shaped into a cross section in accordance with the cross section of the rod-shaped part. After inserting the rod-shaped part into the holding member; the holding member is press-fitted about the rod-shaped part.

Abstract: While one end of a material (31) that has nearly the same diameter as that of a first connecting portion (15) is secured, pressure is applied to the portion between the middle and the other end of the material (31). A slender portion (32), which has nearly the same diameter as that of a buckle portion (18), is formed adjacent to said other end of the material (31), and a stepped portion (20) is formed adjacent to the slender portion (32). Thus, a first-stage unfinished body (33) is formed. By radially enlarging a part of the slender portion (32), i.e. the portion between the distal end and the portion to become a buckle portion (18), until the diameter of said part becomes nearly the same as the diameter of a second connecting portion (16), the portion to become the second connecting portion (16) is formed. Thus, an arm-to-be portion is formed, wherein the portion that has not been enlarged shall be formed into the buckle portion (18).

Abstract: A method for draw forming a desired contour to the outer diameter of a tubular workpiece provides that the selected workpiece have a wall thickness uniform throughout its length or a combination of uniform thicknesses at end portions with a mid portion of a tapering wall thickness. The outer diameter of selected workpiece is reduced along essentially only a part of the starting tubular metal blank by drawing the metal blank only partly through a contoured die or only partly through each one of a succession of contoured dies.

Abstract: The invention relates to press tools for the connection, by cold forming, of tubular workpieces (2, 3) whose connection regions are provided with circular external cross-sectional shapes and are pushed one into the other. The press jaws (10) of the press tool have, in the closed state, approximately the external cross-sectional shape of the workpieces and can be provided with recesses (13, 17). Such a press tool may also have only two press jaws (10) and one bearing bolt (4). As a result of drive forces (F) introduced into the tool, cold-forming forces are exerted on the workpieces (2, 3) via said tool. Depending on manufacturing tolerances of the workpieces (2, 3), the distance (A) between the press jaws (10) varies.

Abstract: A tubular blank (22) is rolled on a mandrel (14) in a pilgrim rolling mill. In a first rolling stage, a first part of the blank (22) is rolled on a first part (18,19) of the mandrel (14), with a reduction of the outside diameter of the blank (22) to the outside diameter of the guide tube and a reduction of the wall thickness of the blank (22) to one of a first wall thickness (e1) and a second wall thickness (e2) exceeding the first wall thickness (e1). The mandrel (14) is advanced in the axial direction. A second part of the blank (22) is rolled on a second part (20,21) of the mandrel spaced from the first part in the axial direction with a reduction of the outside diameter of the blank to the outside diameter of the guide tube and a reduction of the wall thickness of the blank (22) to the other of the first wall thickness (e1) and second wall thickness (e2).