Method And Apparatus For Aligning A Support With Respect To A Honeycomb Body

A method of applying a cement mixture to a honeycomb body including a first end and a second end, the method comprising the steps of:

• aligning the first end of the honeycomb body with respect to a first longitudinal axis of a first support member;
• aligning a second support member with respect to the second end of the honeycomb body, wherein the second support member is allowed to move relative to the first support member such that a second longitudinal axis of second support member is not coincident with the first longitudinal axis, wherein a plurality of alignment members is radially retracted with respect to the second support member into engagement with the second end of the honeycomb body;
• fixing the position of the honeycomb body with respect to the first support member and the second support member;
• and
• applying a cement mixture to the honeycomb body.

An apparatus configured to apply a cement mixture to a honeycomb body with a first end and a second end, the apparatus comprising:

• an applicator configured to apply the cement mixture to the honeycomb body;
• a first support member configured to rotate about a first longitudinal axis;
• a second support member configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis;
• a base structure configured to rotatably support the second support member and permit relative movement between the second support member and the first support member between a first orientation where the second longitudinal axis is positioned with respect to the first longitudinal axis and a second orientation where the second longitudinal axis is not coincident with the first longitudinal axis;
• and
• a plurality of alignment members supported by the base structure and configured to be selectively extended and retracted with respect to the base structure, wherein the alignment members are configured to engage the second end the honeycomb body to align the second support member with respect to the second end of the honeycomb body.