Punch hammer supporting assembly for can manufacturing machine and can manufacturing machine comprising punch hammer supporting assembly
By using the hammer support components of the yoke body and sliding device in the tank body manufacturing machine, the dependence of the static pressure slider on oil and electrical energy is solved, and a more efficient and stable tank body production is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380087282.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-12-20
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-25
AI Technical Summary
The static pressure slider of the hammer in the existing tank manufacturing machines requires high levels of oil filtration and a large amount of electrical energy, and changes in hydraulic pressure lead to uncertainty in the hammer alignment, affecting production stability.
The hammer support assembly with a yoke body and sliding device utilizes the sliding engagement of hardened steel rails and ceramic rollers or balls to reduce dependence on lubricating oil and reduce friction and wear through a gas cooling system.
It reduces fuel consumption and energy costs, improves production efficiency, reduces fault points and downtime, and ensures the accuracy and stability of tank manufacturing.
Smart Images
Figure CN120379779A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The disclosed concepts generally relate to machinery, and more particularly, to can-making machines for producing cans used in the food and beverage packaging industry. More particularly, the disclosed concepts relate to a punch support assembly for use in a can-making machine and a can-making machine incorporating such a punch support assembly. Background Art
[0002] Typically, an aluminum can can start from an aluminum sheet, and circular blanks are cut out from the aluminum sheet. The blanks are formed into "cups" having a bottom and a hanging side wall. The cups are fed into a can-making machine, which passes the cups through a toolpack that thins and elongates the cups to form cans. That is, the cups are placed on a punch mounted on an elongate punch. The punch is configured to reciprocate and pass the cups through the toolpack, which (re)draws and thins the cups. That is, in each forward stroke of the punch, the cups are passed through the toolpack, which forms the cups into cans. At the start of the return stroke, the cans that have been elongated are removed from the punch before the punch moves backward through the toolpack. Before the punch moves forward through the toolpack again, new cups are placed on the punch. After completing additional finishing operations (such as trimming, cleaning, printing, etc.), each can is transferred to a filling machine that fills the cans with product. Then a top lid is coupled to the can and sealed against the can to complete the can.
[0003] The toolpack in a can-making machine has a plurality of spaced-apart dies, each die having a generally circular opening. Each die opening is slightly smaller than the next adjacent upstream die. Thus, when the punch pulls a cup through the first die (redraw die), the aluminum cup deforms on the generally cylindrical punch. Since the openings in the subsequent downstream dies of the toolpack have a smaller inner diameter (i.e., a smaller opening), the aluminum cup is thinned as the punch moves the punch and the aluminum cup thereon through the remainder of the toolpack.
[0004] After the cup (now generally in the shape of a can body) has moved through the last die, the bottom and side walls of the cup have the desired thickness; the only other deformation required is to form the bottom of the cup into an inwardly extending (i.e., concave) dome. To achieve this, the distal end of the punch is concave, and at the maximum extension position of the ram is a generally convex dome element (with a formed perimeter) commonly referred to as a "domer". When the ram reaches its maximum extension, the bottom of the can body engages the domer and is deformed into a dome, and the perimeter of the bottom of the can body is formed into the desired shape (usually angled inwardly to increase the strength of the can and enable the resulting cans to be stacked). When the ram retracts, the can body is stripped from the end of the punch by injecting air into the center of the ram. The air travels through the ram and exits from the said end of the punch, and loosens the can body from the punch. Typically, there is also a mechanical stripper that prevents the can body from remaining on the punch when the punch retracts through the die set. The ram retracts through the die set, a new cup is placed on the punch, and the cycle is repeated.
[0005] In a conventional can body manufacturing machine arrangement, the ram is supported by a plurality of oil fed hydrostatic slides and driven by a mechanical crank and flywheel drive system. Such a hydrostatic device requires a high level of oil filtration and a large amount of electrical energy to power the motor to drive a large pump for the operation of the slides. Additionally, the alignment setting with the slides depends on the oil temperature, pressure, and the installation status of the appropriate Lee nozzle holes. During the normal operation of the can body manufacturing machine to produce can bodies, the hydraulic pressure supplied to the slides may change randomly and frequently, resulting in uncertainty in the alignment of the ram, which may greatly affect the production of can bodies. Summary of the Invention
[0006] In one aspect, the disclosed and claimed concept provides a ram support assembly for a can body manufacturing machine. The ram support assembly includes: a yoke body configured to be coupled to an end of a ram body of a ram extending from a first side of the yoke body, and coupled to and driven by an operating mechanism of the can body manufacturing machine, the operating mechanism being coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side via a connecting device; and a sliding device coupled to the yoke body and configured to be coupled to a frame of the can body manufacturing machine such that the yoke body can linearly move relative to the frame, the sliding device including a certain number of guide rails and a certain number of carrier members, wherein each of the certain number of guide rails slidably engages at least one of the certain number of carrier members.
[0007] Each of the number of rails may comprise a hardened steel material. Each carrier member may comprise a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding rail; and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may comprise a ceramic material.
[0008] The number of guide rails may include two guide rails; and the number of carrier members may include at least two carrier members.
[0009] The certain number of guide rails may include two guide rails; the certain number of carrier members may include four carrier members; each of the certain number of guide rails may include hardened steel material; each carrier member may include a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with the corresponding guide rail; and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may include ceramic material.
[0010] In another aspect, the disclosed and claimed concept provides a ram assembly for a can making machine. The hammer assembly includes a hammer and a hammer support assembly, wherein the hammer has an elongated, generally cylindrical hammer body positioned around a longitudinal axis, the hammer body having a proximal end and a distal end positioned opposite to the proximal end, and the hammer support assembly includes: a yoke body, the yoke body being coupled to the proximal end of the hammer body so that the hammer body is supported by the yoke body and extends in a cantilevered manner from a first side of the yoke body, the yoke body being configured to be coupled to and driven by an operating mechanism of the can body manufacturing machine via a connecting device, the connecting device being coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite to the first side; and a sliding device, the sliding device being coupled to the yoke body and being configured to be coupled to a frame of the can body manufacturing machine so that the yoke body can only be moved linearly relative to the frame, the sliding device including a certain number of guide rails and a certain number of carrier members, wherein each of the certain number of guide rails is slidingly engaged with at least one of the certain number of carrier members.
[0011] Each of the number of rails may comprise a hardened steel material. Each carrier member may comprise a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding rail; and the plurality of balls and / or rollers comprise a ceramic material.
[0012] The number of guide rails may include two guide rails, and the number of carrier members may include at least two carrier members.
[0013] The certain number of guide rails may include two guide rails; the certain number of carrier members may include two carrier members; each of the certain number of guide rails may include hardened steel material; each carrier member may include a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with the corresponding guide rail; and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may include ceramic material.
[0014] In yet another aspect, the disclosed and claimed concepts provide a can body manufacturing machine including a frame, an operating mechanism coupled to the frame, and a hammer assembly, the hammer assembly including: a hammer having an elongated, generally cylindrical hammer body positioned about a longitudinal axis, the hammer body having a proximal end and a distal end positioned opposite the proximal end; and a hammer support assembly including a yoke body and a slide, the yoke body coupled to the proximal end of the hammer body so that the hammer body is supported by the yoke body and extends in a cantilevered manner from a first side of the yoke body, the yoke body coupled to and driven by the operating mechanism via a connection device, the connection device coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side, the slide device coupled to the yoke body and the frame so that the yoke body can only be moved linearly relative to the frame, the slide device including a certain number of guide rails and a certain number of carrier members, wherein each of the certain number of guide rails is slidingly engaged with at least one of the certain number of carrier members.
[0015] Each of the number of rails may comprise a hardened steel material. Each carrier member may comprise a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding rail; and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may comprise a ceramic material.
[0016] The number of guide rails may include two guide rails, and the number of carrier members may include at least two carrier members.
[0017] The number of guide rails may include two guide rails; the number of carrier members may include four carrier members; each of the number of guide rails may include a hardened steel material; each carrier member may include a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding guide rail; and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may include a ceramic material. The number of carrier members may be fixedly coupled to the yoke body; and the number of guide rails may be fixedly coupled to the frame. The can body manufacturing machine may further include a cooling system configured to supply a coolant to or near the slide. The coolant may be a gas.
[0018] These and other objects, features and characteristics of the disclosed concepts, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structures, and the combination of parts and economy of manufacture will become more apparent after considering the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are provided for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limitations of the concepts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] A complete understanding of the disclosed concepts can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a can body manufacturing machine according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept;
[0021] Figure 2 is a partially schematic perspective view of a portion of a can body making machine having a ram assembly with a ram support assembly according to an example embodiment of the disclosed concept, with certain parts removed to show details of certain components;
[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The view of Figure 2 Detail of the portion shown in ;
[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A partial schematic top view of the portion of the can body manufacturing machine;
[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 1 and Figure 4 The parts of the can body making machine are as follows Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken as shown in ; and
[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The view of Figure 5 Detail of the section shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The specific elements illustrated in the drawings and described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concepts. Therefore, specific dimensions, orientations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosed concepts.
[0027] As used herein, the term "can" refers to any known or suitable container configured to hold a substance (e.g., but not limited to, a liquid; food; any other suitable substance), and expressly includes but is not limited to drink cans such as beer cans and soda cans, and cans for food.
[0028] As used herein, "coupled" means a connection between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a connection exists. Another object merely resting by gravity on an object held in place is not "coupled" to the lower object unless the upper object is otherwise substantially held in place. That is, for example, a book on a table is not coupled to the table, but a book glued to the table is coupled to the table.
[0029] As used herein, "directly coupled" means that two elements are coupled in such a way that they are in direct contact with each other.
[0030] As used herein, "fixedly coupled" or "fixed" means that two components are coupled so as to move as a unit while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. Fixed components may or may not be directly coupled.
[0031] As used herein, the word "integral" means that a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes parts created separately and then joined together as a unit is not an "integral" component or body.
[0032] As used herein, "associated" means that the identified components are related to, in contact with, and / or interacting with each other. For example, a car has four tires and four wheels, and each wheel is "associated" with a particular tire.
[0033] As used herein, when referring to a gear or other toothed component, "meshed" means that the teeth of the gears engage and the rotation of one gear causes the other gear to rotate as well.
[0034] As used herein, the term "a number of" means an integer of one or greater (i.e., a plurality).
[0035] As Figure 1Schematically shown in FIG. 0, a can body manufacturing machine or can forming machine 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept includes an operating mechanism 12 configured to provide a cyclic and / or reciprocating motion (as shown by the double-headed arrow 13), a punch 14, a loading station 16, a die assembly or die set 18, a can stripper 20, and a domer assembly 22. In such an exemplary embodiment, each of the above components is directly or indirectly coupled to a frame or housing (generally designated 24) for maintaining such components and / or selected portions thereof in a known relationship relative to one or more other such components.
[0036] Continuing to refer Figure 1 , the punch 14 has an elongated, generally cylindrical punch body 26 that is positioned about a longitudinal axis 28 such that the punch 14 moves generally back and forth along the longitudinal axis 28. The punch body 26 includes a proximal end 30 that is positioned closest to and coupled to the operating mechanism 12; and a distal end 32 that is positioned opposite the proximal end 30. A punch head 34 is disposed at or above the distal end 32 of the punch 14. The punch head 34 is a generally cylindrical body with a concave distal end 36 that can be shaped to correspond to a cavity 38 of a domer die 40 of the domer assembly 22. The operating mechanism 12 provides a reciprocating motion to the punch body 26, causing the punch body 26 and thus the punch head 34 to move back and forth along its longitudinal axis 28. That is, the punch head 34 is configured to reciprocate between a retracted position, in which the punch head 34 is positioned between the loading station 16 and the operating mechanism 12, and an extended position, in which the punch body extends generally horizontally through the die set 18, and the distal end 36 of the punch head 34 is disposed adjacent to a convex domed structure 42 of the domer die 40 of the domer assembly 22 and indirectly engages via the bottom of the can body positioned on the punch head 34 with the convex domed structure, which is provided as part of the domer die 40 of the domer assembly 22 and extends into its cavity 38.
[0037] The die set 18 includes a number (e.g., but not limited to, three as shown in the example) of dies (multiple dies) 50, each of which has an opening 52 therein. The opening 52A in the first die 50A (the die 50 closest to the operating mechanism 12) is slightly larger than the opening 52B in the second (intermediate as shown) die 50B. The opening 52B in the second die 50B is slightly larger than the opening 52C in the third (farthest from the operating mechanism 12) die 50C. The openings (multiple openings) 52 of the dies (multiple dies) 50 are disposed along a common axis 54 that is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis 28 of the punch body 26.
[0038] In Figure 1In the configuration shown, the can body manufacturing machine 10 is configured to transform a cup into a can body, to which a top lid can subsequently be added to form a can. As previously described, before the punch 34 moves forward through the die set 18 from the retracted position to the extended position, a cup is placed on / above the punch 34 by the loading station 16. When the punch 34 pushes the cup through the die set 18, ideally, if the openings 52 of the dies (multiple dies) 50 of the die set 18 are correctly aligned with the path of the punch 34, the cup is thinned and stretched to the desired length and wall thickness. The elongated cup is the can body.
[0039] The domer assembly 22 is disposed at the end of the stroke of the ram body 26. The domer assembly 22 includes a domer die 40 that is coupled to the frame 24 of the can body manufacturing machine 10 by a mounting assembly 56, which can be any suitable arrangement. The domer die 40 is a body 44 that has a cavity 38 defining a convex dome structure 42. The cavity 38 can include other features configured to shape the bottom of the cup. Ideally, the center of the dome structure 42 is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis 28 of the ram body 26. In such an arrangement, when the ram body 26 reaches its maximum extension (i.e., is in the extended position discussed previously), the bottom of the cup (i.e., the portion of the cup covering the concave distal end 36 of the punch 34) is shaped by entering the cavity 38 of the domer die 40 through the punch 34. That is, the bottom of the cup becomes a dome extending into the can body. After the dome is formed in the newly formed can body still positioned on the punch 34, the ram body 26 begins the backward portion of its stroke from the extended position back to the retracted position.
[0040] The can stripper 20 is disposed on the outer surface of the stripper partition 60 opposite the die set 18. After the dome has been formed in the bottom of the can and the ram 14 has started to move backward, the can stripper 20 removes the can body from the punch 34. Thus, the punch 34 travels backward with no cup or other material between the punch 34 and the dies 50 of the die set 18.
[0041] A basic overview of the general components of the can body manufacturing machine 10 has been provided. Now, a detailed exemplary embodiment of the ram support assembly 100 used in such a can body manufacturing machine 10 (an exemplary embodiment according to the disclosed concepts) will be described in connection with Figures 2 - 6 The ram support assembly 100 includes a yoke body 102 formed of a suitable rigid material (such as, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, etc.), which is coupled to the proximal end 30 of the ram body 26 such that the ram 14 is supported by the yoke body 102 and extends outwardly from the first side 102A of the yoke body in a cantilever manner.
[0042] The ram support assembly 100 further includes a sliding device 104 that is coupled to the yoke body 102 and the frame 24 of the can body making machine 10 such that the yoke body 102 can only move linearly relative to the frame 24 (i.e., slide along a linear path, e.g., along Figure 1 the common axis 54 shown). The sliding device 104 includes a number of guide rails 106 and a corresponding number of carrier members 108, where each guide rail 106 slidably engages with at least one carrier member 108. In the Figures 2 - 6 example embodiment shown, the sliding device 104 includes two guide rails 106 and a total of four carrier members 108, where each guide rail 106 slidably engages with two carrier members 108. Further, each guide rail 106 is rigidly coupled to the frame 24 of the can body making machine 10, and each carrier member 108 is rigidly coupled to the yoke body 102 such that each carrier member 108 is slidably coupled to the frame 24 via the guide rail 106, and each guide rail 106 is slidably coupled to the yoke body 102 via two carrier members 108. It should be understood that the number of guide rails 106 and / or carrier members 108 (and / or the number of carrier members 108 slidably engaged with each guide rail 106) can vary without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept.
[0043] To minimize friction and wear between the parts of the sliding device 104, each guide rail 106 is formed in whole or in part (e.g., the contact surface) of hardened steel or other suitable material and thus includes hardened steel or other suitable material. At the same time, each carrier member 108 includes a plurality of balls and / or rollers formed of one or more ceramic materials and thus includes one or more ceramic materials, and the plurality of balls and / or rollers engage with the hardened portion of the corresponding guide rail. It should also be understood that other suitable materials capable of achieving high-speed functionality (such as but not limited to hardened steel rollers, hardened steel balls, etc.) can be used in the carrier member(s) 108 and / or the guide rail(s) 106 without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. It should also be understood that by adopting such an arrangement of the guide rails 106 and the carrier members 108 and their specific materials, the very strict / precise tolerances required for can body manufacturing can be easily maintained without the need for any lubricating fluid(s) and the associated supply arrangement.
[0044] The yoke body 102 is driven back and forth in a reciprocating linear motion along a number of guide rails 106 of the sliding device 104 by an operating mechanism 12 (also schematically shown) of the can body making machine 10 via a suitable connecting device 110 (schematically shown) that couples the yoke body 102 (e.g., generally at or near the second side 102B of the yoke body opposite the first side 102A) to the operating mechanism 12.
[0045] AsFigure 2 As schematically shown, to provide cooling for the sliding device 104 and its components, a cooling system 112 may be included to directly supply a coolant 114 to or in the vicinity of the sliding device 104. Such a coolant 114 may be a suitable gas or liquid. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept, a certain number of grease packs integrated adjacent to the yoke body 102 and one or more carrier members 108 apply high-temperature grease to the corresponding guide rails 106 to reduce the friction between the guide rails 106 and the carrier member(s) that slidably engage therewith.
[0046] It should be understood from the above that the embodiments of the disclosed concept provide many advantages over conventional arrangements, such as reduced setup time, reduced fuel consumption, reduced energy costs, reduced costs for oil cooling, fewer failure points, reduced downtime / increased productivity, etc.
[0047] Although specific embodiments of the disclosed concept invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications and substitutions can be made to these details in accordance with the general teachings of this disclosure. Therefore, the specific arrangements disclosed herein are intended to be illustrative only and not a limitation on the scope of the disclosed concept, which is defined by the full scope of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.
[0048] In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word "comprising" or "including" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in the claim. In a device claim enumerating several devices, several of these devices may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The word "a" or "an" before an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several devices, several of these devices may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that these elements cannot be used in combination.
Claims
1. A ram support assembly (100) for a tank body manufacturing machine (10), the ram support assembly comprising: A yoke body (102) configured to be coupled to an end of a ram body (26) of a ram (14) extending from a first side of the yoke body and configured to be coupled to and driven by an operating mechanism (12) of the tank body manufacturing machine, the operating mechanism being coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side via a connecting device (110); and A sliding device (104) coupled to the yoke body and configured to be coupled to a frame (24) of the tank body manufacturing machine such that the yoke body can linearly move relative to the frame, the sliding device comprising: A certain number of guide rails (106), and A certain number of carrier members (108), Wherein each of the certain number of guide rails slidably engages at least one of the certain number of carrier members.
2. The impact hammer support assembly according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the certain number of guide rails comprises a hardened steel material.
3. The ram support assembly according to claim 1, wherein: Each carrier member comprises a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaging a corresponding guide rail; and The plurality of balls and / or rollers comprises a ceramic material.
4. The ram support assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The certain number of guide rails comprises two guide rails; and The certain number of carrier members comprises at least two carrier members.
5. The ram support assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The certain number of guide rails comprises two guide rails; The certain number of carrier members comprises four carrier members; Each of the certain number of guide rails comprises a hardened steel material; Each carrier member comprises a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaging a corresponding guide rail; and The plurality of balls and / or rollers comprises a ceramic material.
6. A ram assembly for a tank body manufacturing machine (10), the ram assembly comprising: A ram (14) having an elongated generally cylindrical ram body (26) positioned about a longitudinal axis (28), the ram body having a proximal end (30) and a distal end (32) positioned opposite the proximal end; And A ram support assembly (100) comprising: A yoke body (102) coupled to the proximal end of the ram body such that the ram body is supported by the yoke body and extends from a first side of the yoke body in a cantilever manner, the yoke body being configured to be coupled to and driven by an operating mechanism (12) of the tank body manufacturing machine via a connecting device (110), the connecting device being coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side; and A sliding device (104) coupled to the yoke body and configured to be coupled to a frame (24) of the tank body manufacturing machine such that the yoke body can only linearly move relative to the frame, the sliding device comprising: A certain number of guide rails (106), and A certain number of carrier members (108), Each of the certain number of guide rails is slidably engaged with at least one of the certain number of load-bearing members.
7. The impact hammer assembly according to claim 6, wherein, Each of the certain number of guide rails comprises a hardened steel material.
8. The ram assembly according to claim 6, wherein: Each load-bearing member comprises a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding guide rail; and The plurality of balls and / or rollers comprises a ceramic material.
9. The ram assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The certain number of guide rails comprises two guide rails; and The certain number of load-bearing members comprises at least two load-bearing members.
10. The ram assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The certain number of guide rails comprises two guide rails; The certain number of load-bearing members comprises two load-bearing members; Each of the certain number of guide rails comprises a hardened steel material; Each load-bearing member comprises a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding guide rail; and The plurality of balls and / or rollers comprises a ceramic material.
11. A tank body manufacturing machine (10) comprising: A frame (24); An operating mechanism (12) coupled to the frame; And A ram assembly, the ram assembly comprising: A ram (14), the ram having an elongated generally cylindrical ram body (26) positioned about a longitudinal axis (28), the ram body having a proximal end (30) and a distal end (32) positioned opposite the proximal end; and A ram support assembly (100), the ram support assembly comprising: A yoke body (102), the yoke body being coupled to the proximal end of the ram body such that the ram body is supported by the yoke body and extends in a cantilever manner from a first side of the yoke body, the yoke body being coupled to and driven by the operating mechanism via a connecting device (110), the connecting device being coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side; and A sliding device (104), the sliding device being coupled to the yoke body and the frame such that the yoke body can only move linearly relative to the frame, the sliding device comprising: A certain number of guide rails (106), and A certain number of load-bearing members (108), Wherein, each of the certain number of guide rails is slidably engaged with at least one of the certain number of load-bearing members.
12. The can body manufacturing machine according to claim 11, wherein, Each of the certain number of guide rails comprises a hardened steel material.
13. The tank body manufacturing machine according to claim 11, wherein: Each load-bearing member comprises a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding guide rail; and The plurality of balls and / or rollers comprises a ceramic material.
14. The tank body manufacturing machine according to claim 11, wherein: The certain number of guide rails comprises two guide rails; and Wherein, the certain number of load-bearing members comprises at least two load-bearing members.
15. The tank body manufacturing machine according to claim 11, wherein: The certain number of guide rails comprises two guide rails; The certain number of load-bearing members comprises four load-bearing members; Each of the certain number of guide rails comprises a hardened steel material; Each carrier member includes a plurality of balls and / or rollers that engage a corresponding rail; and The plurality of balls and / or rollers include a ceramic material.
16. A can body making machine according to claim 15, wherein: The number of carrier members are fixedly coupled to the yoke body; and The number of rails are fixedly coupled to the frame.
17. The can body making machine of claim 16, further comprising a cooling system (112) configured to supply a coolant to or in the vicinity of the slide, wherein the coolant is a gas.