Process and machine for inserting points in a mandrel

A machine for inserting points in a supporting mandrel made from a material able to receive the points by direct insertion under pressure, in order to form axial rows of points aligned in accordance with the generatrixes of the mandrel, and circumferential rows of points aligned in accordance with the circumference of the mandrel, said machine comprising means for supporting the mandrel in rotary manner, a working head carrying means for inserting the points in the mandrel, and displacement means for carrying out a given relative displacement parallel to the closest generatrix of the mandrel and a step by step relative displacement along the circumference of the mandrel between the working head and the mandrel, wherein the working head also carries a punch located ahead of the point to be inserted, in the displacement direction of the working head relative to the mandrel carried out by said displacement means, said punch being displaced by at least a distance equal to the spacing being defined by two successive points in at least one of said rows with respect to said point to be inserted, the means for inserting the points simultaneously acting on the punch to bring about a prior perforation of the mandrel.