Apparatus for forming a catamenial tampon

A doming tool for absorbent tampon manufacture, said tool comprising a plurality of stations made of devices for shaping a tampon pledget tip, and a hollow mandrel engaging with the stations;

• said stations being supported by at least one mounting plate, wherein
• a) said plurality of stations comprises at least one passive cavity and at least one chuck device:
• b) said hollow mandrel is a prismatic tube containing a movable sliding insert, and said hollow mandrel and a movable sliding insert arranged and configured to support a tampon withdrawal end and partially a tampon lateral flank while the tampon tip is being shaped during use of the doming tool;
• c) said sliding insert which comprises stop pins arranged and configured to engage with slots in walls of the hollow mandrel can move along the length of said hollow mandrel;
• and
• d) said sliding insert comprises a cup shaped receptacle sized to engage with a tampon withdrawal end during use of the doming tool, and a rim of said cup shaped receptacle is tapered to engage with a portion of a tampon lateral flank during use of the doming tool.