Method and apparatus for enhancing seam uniformity in spirally wound tubes

摘要

The invention provides a method and apparatus for spirally winding a tube of enhanced spiral seam uniformity that is simple and reliable. The spirally wound tube is formed using a spiral pitch control surface that engages with an exterior or interior cylindrical surface of a spirally wound tube and constrains movement of the tube to a predetermined spiral rotation as it is formed on a cylindrical stationary mandrel. Preferably, the pitch control surface comprises a tube engaging surface positioned along at least one spirally aligned portion of the exterior portion of the tube forming mandrel.