METHOD OF MAKING METAL TUBE WITH LONGITUDINAL WELD Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: optical industry; manufacturing metal tubes with longitudinal weld, outer diameter from 1 to 6 mm. SUBSTANCE: metal tape is formed into tube with longitudinal slot. This slot is welded by laser welder. Tube to be welded is passed directly before place of welding and directly after place of welding through tools acting onto surface of tube which hold tape edges in contact with each other and hold weld without efforts. Directly after second tool, welded is subjected to action of drawing device clamping cams which direct tube reliably holding it from turning. EFFECT: possibility of manufacturing tubes of long length without defects. 15 cl, 6 dwg