Automated braided sleeve placement and tensioning

A machine for drawing a flexible sleeve over an elongated mandrel, the machine comprising:

• a ring disposed within a lumen of the sleeve;
• and
• an urging mechanism configured to urge the ring longitudinally along the mandrel and toward an opposite, second end thereof, such that the sleeve is inverted over an outer surface of the mandrel, wherein
• a first end of the sleeve is fixed against movement relative to a first end of the mandrel,
• a first end portion of the sleeve is inverted over a first end portion of the mandrel so as to define a circumferential cuff in the sleeve, and
• the ring is positioned concentrically within the circumferential cuff;
• wherein the ring comprises a ferrous material and the urging mechanism comprises a magnet disposed adjacent to the ring, such that the sleeve is disposed between the ring and the magnet and the magnet exerts a magnetic force on the ring through the sleeve;
• and
• a second mechanism configured to urge the magnet longitudinally along the mandrel at a selected rate.

A system for drawing a flexible sleeve over an elongated mandrel, the system comprising:

• means for inserting a ring within a lumen of the sleeve;
• means for fixing a first end of the sleeve against movement relative to a first end of the mandrel,
• means for inverting a first end portion of the sleeve over a first end portion of the mandrel so as to define a circumferential cuff in the sleeve;
• means for positioning the ring concentrically within the circumferential cuff;
• and
• means for urging the ring longitudinally along the mandrel and toward an opposite, second end thereof at a selected rate, such that the sleeve is inverted over an outer surface of the mandrel.