A system for forming tubular scaffolds for tissue engineering, comprising: a mandrel with an outer circumference configured to receive a strip of scaffolding material wound there around; at least one first structure configured with at least one first recess configured to receive at least a first portion of the circumference of the mandrel with the wound scaffolding material; at least one second structure configured with at least one second recess configured to receive at least a second portion of the circumference of the mandrel with the wound scaffolding material; at least one channel provided along a length of the second structure and arranged between the internal surface of the second recess and an external surface of the second structure, wherein the at least one first structure and the at least one second structure are configured for mated arrangement such that upon mating the circumference of the mandrel having the strip of scaffolding material wound there around is substantially encompassed by the first and second recesses, the strip of scaffolding material wound around the circumference of the mandrel such that a first lengthwise edge of the strip is aligned immediately adjacent to a second lengthwise edge of the strip to form a tubular structure , the two adjacently positioned lengthwise edges forming a lengthwise boundary, the lengthwise boundary being arranged adjacent the channel; and at least one needle arranged adjacent the channel and configured for insertion through the channel to tangentially puncture the tubular structure proximate to and along the boundary from at least one side of the boundary such that a portion of one or more fibers from the strip near at least one of the lengthwise edges traverses the boundary and intertwines with one or more fibers from the strip near the other lengthwise edge thereby forming a seam. a mandrel with an outer circumference configured to receive a strip of scaffolding material wound there around; at least one first structure configured with at least one first recess configured to receive at least a first portion of the circumference of the mandrel with the wound scaffolding material; at least one second structure configured with at least one second recess configured to receive at least a second portion of the circumference of the mandrel with the wound scaffolding material; at least one channel provided along a length of the second structure and arranged between the internal surface of the second recess and an external surface of the second structure, wherein the at least one first structure and the at least one second structure are configured for mated arrangement such that upon mating the circumference of the mandrel having the strip of scaffolding material wound there around is substantially encompassed by the first and second recesses, the strip of scaffolding material wound around the circumference of the mandrel such that a first lengthwise edge of the strip is aligned immediately adjacent to a second lengthwise edge of the strip to form a tubular structure , the two adjacently positioned lengthwise edges forming a lengthwise boundary, the lengthwise boundary being arranged adjacent the channel; and at least one needle arranged adjacent the channel and configured for insertion through the channel to tangentially puncture the tubular structure proximate to and along the boundary from at least one side of the boundary such that a portion of one or more fibers from the strip near at least one of the lengthwise edges traverses the boundary and intertwines with one or more fibers from the strip near the other lengthwise edge thereby forming a seam. <EOS>