Patent ID: 6898957
Filing Date: 2005-05-31
Classification: B21C,B21H

Abstract:
1. A method of reducing slot width in slotted tubular liners, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a slotted tubular liner having an interior surface, an exterior surface and a plurality of slots extending between the interior surface and the exterior surface; (b) providing at least one contoured rigid forming tool; (c) applying pressure to a selected one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the slotted tubular liner with the at least one contoured rigid forming tool; and (d) moving the at least one contoured rigid forming tool, relative to the slotted tubular liner, in a sweep pattern traversing the selected one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the slotted tubular liner, until plastic deformation narrows the width of the plurality of slots, as measured at the selected one of said interior and exterior surfaces, to within desired tolerances: wherein the direction of relative movement of the at least one rigid forming tool is largely transverse to the longitudinal axis of the slotted tubular liner.