Patent ID: 8245559
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: B21J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. Radial compression mechanism comprising: a plurality of elongated compression dies movably mounted for reciprocal movement and defining a central product receiving cavity; a plurality of cam followers with each die of the plurality of dies having a different cam follower of the plurality of cam followers associated therewith; a plurality of first curved cam surfaces affixed relative to the plurality of dies, each cam follower associated with each die engaging a separate first curved cam surface of the plurality of first curved cam surfaces to define a first position control constraint; a plurality of second curved cam surfaces movable relative to the first curved cam surfaces, each cam follower associated with each die engaging a separate second curved cam surface of the plurality of second curved cam surfaces to define a second position control constraint; each die having a position relative to each adjacent die and the central product receiving cavity that is controlled by the first position control constraint and the second position control constraint; and whereby reciprocal movement of each die associated with each cam follower is non-linear as each cam follower moves along the separate first curved cam surface and the separate second curved cam surface.