A radial compression mechanism utilizes a string wrapped around a plurality of compression dies to move the dies inward and close a central cylindrical cavity defined by the working surfaces of the dies. The string may be coupled to a string tension mechanism that enables a user to applied a desired tension to the string and thereby compress an article within the central cylindrical cavity. The compression dies may be coupled to a base and move along die-guiding slots from an open position to a closed position. A spring may be configured to force the compression dies open and provide some back-tension to the string. The string may extend around a pully on an opposing side of the compression mechanism and both ends of the string may be coupled to the string tension mechanism.

A surgical handheld devices are essentially made up of a device body or main body and of a tubular shaft. In the production of known surgical devices, the tubular shafts are welded to the device bodies. A large number of very complex work steps are necessary for this purpose. On account of the high quality demands placed on surgical handheld devices in respect of mechanical stability and sterility, the weld seam has to meet the most stringent requirements. The invention makes available a method for producing a surgical handheld device, which can be used particularly easily and reliably. This is achieved by the fact that at least one device body and at least one tubular shaft of a surgical handheld device are connected to each other with form-fit engagement by hydroforming.

A surgical handheld devices are essentially made up of a device body or main body and of a tubular shaft. In the production of known surgical devices, the tubular shafts are welded to the device bodies. A large number of very complex work steps are necessary for this purpose. On account of the high quality demands placed on surgical handheld devices in respect of mechanical stability and sterility, the weld seam has to meet the most stringent requirements. The invention makes available a method for producing a surgical handheld device, which can be used particularly easily and reliably. This is achieved by the fact that at least one device body and at least one tubular shaft of a surgical handheld device are connected to each other with form-fit engagement by hydroforming.

A capped fastener is provided with two outer flanges and a groove therebetween. The cap is crimped around the first outer flange without covering the second outer flange. The end of the cap is crimped in a groove between the first and second outer flanges. A crimping tool and method of crimping are also provided for crimping the end of a cap into a groove between two outer flanges.

A pressing tool, particularly a pipe pressing tool, for plastically deforming a tubular workpiece, particularly a fitting, is described. The pressing tool includes pressing jaws and a motor which is adapted to drive the pressing jaws in order to apply a force to the workpiece. Further, a method of operating such a pressing tool, and pressing jaws as well as a tubular workpiece are described.

A pressing tool is described for plastically deforming a workpiece. The pressing tool comprises a piston pump driven by a motor that rotates in operating rotation direction RA and a pressure release valve and a coupling arrangement, which mechanically couples the motor to the pressure relief valve, so that the motor opens the pressure relief valve when operated in a loosening rotation direction RL opposite to the operating rotation direction RA. Also described is a corresponding method of operating a pressing tool.

The apparatus for producing a branch structure has: a die 10 having a spherical shape, and having a long diameter A1 and a short diameter B1 that is shorter than the long diameter A1; and an extraction jig 20 that can be connected to the die 10. At a time of removal, by the extraction jig 20 connected to the die 10, of the die 10 having been inserted into a pipe 30 in which a flanged portion 32 is to be formed, first flanging is performed by the die on a pilot hole 31 that is formed at a branch portion formation position in the pipe 30 and that runs radially through a body of the pipe 30, and then the extraction jig 20 causes the removed die 10 to rotate by a predetermined angle about a central axis, whereupon second flanging is performed on the pilot hole 31, from outside the pipe 30, by the rotated die 10.

The apparatus for producing a branch structure has: a die 10 having a spherical shape, and having a long diameter A1 and a short diameter B1 that is shorter than the long diameter A1; and an extraction jig 20 that can be connected to the die 10. At a time of removal, by the extraction jig 20 connected to the die 10, of the die 10 having been inserted into a pipe 30 in which a flanged portion 32 is to be formed, first flanging is performed by the die on a pilot hole 31 that is formed at a branch portion formation position in the pipe 30 and that runs radially through a body of the pipe 30, and then the extraction jig 20 causes the removed die 10 to rotate by a predetermined angle about a central axis, whereupon second flanging is performed on the pilot hole 31, from outside the pipe 30, by the rotated die 10.

An assembly (10) for crimping a frame (56) of an implant (58) comprises a crimping device (20) with a base (22) and a crimping mechanism (24) that defines a crimping aperture (26). A bath (28) having a floor (30), and one or more side-walls (32) extending upward from the floor to a side-wall height defines a receptacle (18) that is shaped to receive a portion of the crimping device. The apparatus has an assembled state in which the portion of the crimping device has been received by the receptacle, the crimping device is held securely by the bath, and the aperture is below the side-wall height. Other embodiments are also described.

A pressing tool for pressing workpieces is described. The pressing tool comprises a hydraulic pump for conveying a hydraulic fluid, an electric motor for driving the hydraulic pump, a working cylinder which is hydraulically connected to an outlet of the hydraulic pump, a pressure-relief valve which is hydraulically connected to the outlet of the hydraulic pump and which opens at a certain predefined pressure P.sub.v of the hydraulic fluid, an electronic control for controlling the electric motor and a sensor 60 which monitors the state of the pressure-relief valve and emits a signal which describes the state of the pressure-relief valve to the electronic control. Furthermore, a method of operating such a pressing tool is described.