Method and apparatus to fabricate image intensifier tubes

An apparatus for fabricating image intensifier tubes and the like, each having at least an anode and a cathode subassembly which are pressed together in a vacuum to form a complete tube, comprising:

• first and second generally cylindrical vacuum chambers each large enough to contain a large plurality of said tubes and each having central and radially displaced access ports in at least one circular end wall adapted to receive tube formation, testing and storing devices;
• a vacuum lock cylinder structure interconnecting said chambers and having first and second portals at opposite ends thereof, each opening into a different one of said chambers;
• a transverse wall structure common to both said chambers separating said portals and defining a center aperture;
• first and second ram members on opposite sides of said transverse wall structure, moveable only along an axis through said aperture and normal to said wall structure, each ram adapted to receive a different one of said subassemblies, whereby a complementary set of subassemblies may be pressed together to form a tube and the latter transported through said aperture;
• a gate means surrounding and vacuum sealed to said ram means and independently axially moveable relative to said transverse wall structure alternately to seal and open said aperture;
• and
• drive means coupled between an external surface of said circular end wall of said chambers, said gate means and said ram member to produce said relative axial movement therebetween.