Apparatus for crimping, pleating and forming a tip on a hollow tube

摘要

An apparatus and method are disclosed for crimping, pleating and forming a tip on a hollow tube. The apparatus includes a first punch having a tubular section sized to receive the tube and having a configured tip with a plurality of elongated grooves formed therein. The first punch also contains a shoulder formed at an opposite end of the tubular section which acts as a stop for the tube. The first punch and tube are mateable with a first die. The first die includes a base having a plurality of blades extending axially outward therefrom. Each blade is designed to engage with one of the grooves formed on the first punch and causes the tip of the tube to be crimped therebetween. After an end of the tube has been crimped, it is transformed into a plurality of pleats and configured into a semi-spherically shaped tip having a central aperture formed therethrough. This is accomplished using a second punch having a tubular section sized to receive the tube. The second punch also has a semi-spherically shaped tip with a pin extending outward from the apex thereof and a shoulder formed at an opposite end of the tubular section which acts as a stop for the tube. The second punch and tube are mateable with a second die. The second die includes a base having a semi-spherical cavity formed therein with a central passageway formed at the bottom of the cavity. The cavity is sized to receive both the second punch and the tube while the passageway is sized to receive only the pin. The method of engaging the punches and dies to crimp, pleat and form one end of the tube is also described.