AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT OPERATIONS ON SEMI-FINISHED DEVICES, IN PARTICULAR FOR PRODUCING DISPOSABLE CARTRIDGES FOR ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES

Apparatus for performing operations on semi-finished devices for producing disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes includes: a guide having a branch extending along a forming direction, and having a longitudinal plane; carriages movable along the guide, each guide includes a retaining element to retain a semi-finished device during operations thereon; a drive system for advancing the carriages along the guide; and operating stations spaced from each other along the forming direction, each having an operating arrangement for performing operations on the semi-finished devices carried by the retaining elements applying stresses on the semi-finished devices; wherein: the retaining element is arranged laterally relative to the longitudinal plane, the apparatus includes a stationary support located at the operating stations, and each of the carriages includes a contrast element cooperating with the stationary support and arranged to transfer stresses applied by the operating arrangement on the semi-finished devices to the stationary support.