Swaging machine and method of use
AssigneeInterface Associates, Inc.
InventorJosef J. Stupecky
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A swaging machine is configured to substantially uniformly reduce the diameter of a tubular attachment, such as a marker band, to result in a smooth and repeatable finished part. The swaging machine comprises a feed system, an impact system, and a rotation system. A split die having a compound die cavity is provided for use in conjunction with the swaging machine to receive an impact force from the impact system and, in turn, apply a swaging force to the marker band. The rotation system rotates the impact system, including the die, about the axis of the marker band to apply swaging forces about the circumference of the marker band, while the feed system feeds the marker band through the die thereby applying swaging forces along the length of the marker band.
Claims26
A swaging machine configured to swage a marker band onto a catheter, comprising:
- a feed system comprising a motor and a clamp, the clamp slideably disposed on a rail, the motor in driving engagement with the clamp and configured for transmitting a feeding force to the clamp;
- an impact system comprising a hammer and a die, the hammer configured to deliver an impact to the die, the die configured to distribute the impact force as a swaging force to the marker band;
- and
- a rotation system comprising a motor and configured to rotate the impact system to distribute the swaging force about the circumference of the marker band.
A method of swaging a marker band onto a catheter, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a work piece comprising a catheter and a marker band positioned on the catheter;
- providing a die, the die having a variable volume swaging cavity formed therein;
- feeding the work piece into the die;
- impacting the die thereby varying the volume of the swaging cavity to impart a force onto the work piece;
- and
- rotating the die to impart the force around the circumference of the work piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.