Ram support assembly for can body maker and can body maker including same

Abstract

A ram support assembly 100 for use in a can bodymaker 10 includes a yoke body 102 for coupling with an end of the ram body 26 of the ram 14 extending from a first side of the yoke body. The yoke body is configured to be coupled to and driven by an actuation mechanism 12 of the can bodymaker, which is coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side via a connection mechanism. The ram support assembly also includes a slide mechanism 104 coupled to the yoke body and configured to be coupled to the frame 24 of the can bodymaker so that the yoke body can move linearly relative to the frame. The slide mechanism includes a number of rails 106 and a number of carriage members 108, each rail of which is slidably engaged with at least one of the carriage members.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed concepts generally relate to machines for manufacturing can bodies used in the food and beverage packaging industry, and more particularly to can body makers. More particularly, the disclosed concepts relate to ram support assemblies for use in can body makers and can body makers including such ram support assemblies. [Background technology]

[0002] Typically, an aluminum can begins as a sheet of aluminum from which a circular blank is cut. The blank is formed into a "cup" with a bottom and associated sidewalls. The cup is delivered to a can bodymaker, who passes the cup through a tool pack, which thins and lengthens the cup into a can body. The cup is placed into a punch attached to an extended ram. The ram is configured to reciprocate and pass the cup through the tool pack, which (re)draws and irons the cup. With each forward stroke of the ram, the cup passes through the tool pack, which forms the cup into a can body. Near the beginning of the return stroke, the stretched can body is removed from the ram before the punch moves back through the tool pack. A new cup is placed in the punch, which moves forward through the tool pack. After further finishing operations, such as trimming, washing, and printing, each can body is sent to a filling machine, which fills the can body with the contents. The top is then bonded and sealed to the can body to complete the can.

[0003] The can bodymaker's tool pack includes spaced dies, each with a substantially circular opening. Each die opening is slightly smaller than the adjacent upstream die. Thus, as the punch draws the cup through the first die and the redraw die, the aluminum cup deforms on the substantially cylindrical punch. The openings of subsequent downstream dies in the tool pack have smaller inner diameters, i.e., smaller openings, causing the aluminum cup to thin as the ram moves the punch and the aluminum cup thereon through the remainder of the tool pack.

[0004] After the cup (now roughly the shape of the can body) moves through the last die, the bottom and sidewalls of the cup have the desired thickness, and the only further deformation required is to form the bottom of the cup into an inwardly flaring (i.e., concave) dome. To accomplish this, the distal end of the punch is concave, and at the maximum extension of the ram, there is a generally convex dome-shaped element (with a shaped outer edge), commonly called a "domer." When the ram reaches its maximum extension, the bottom of the can body engages the domer and deforms into a dome, shaping the bottom of the can body as desired (typically bending inward to increase the strength of the can body and allow the resulting cans to be stacked). As 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 the end of the punch, releasing the can body from the punch. Typically, there is a mechanical stripper that prevents the can body from becoming lodged on the punch as it retracts through the tool pack. As the ram is withdrawn through the tool pack, a new cup is placed in the punch and the cycle repeats.

[0005] In a conventional bodymaker configuration, the ram is supported by several oil-fed hydrostatic slides and driven by a mechanical crank-flywheel drive system. This hydraulic setup requires high levels of oil filtration and a large amount of electrical energy to power the motors that drive the large pumps that operate the slides. Furthermore, alignment with the slides depends on oil temperature, pressure, and the proper Lee jet orifice location. Fluctuations in the oil pressure supplied to the slides can occur randomly and frequently during normal bodymaker operation to produce can bodies, causing uncertainty in ram alignment and potentially dramatically affecting can body production. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, the disclosed and claimed concept provides a ram support assembly for use in a can body maker, the ram support assembly including: a yoke body coupled to an end of a ram body of a ram extending from a first side of the yoke body and coupled to an actuation mechanism of the can body maker coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side via a connection mechanism and configured to be driven by the actuation mechanism; and a slide mechanism coupled to the yoke body and configured to be coupled to a frame of the can body maker so that the yoke body can move linearly relative to the frame, the slide mechanism including a number of rails and a number of carriage members, at least one of the number of carriage members slidably engaged with each rail of the number of rails.

[0007] Each rail of the number of rails may comprise a hardened steel material. Each carriage member may comprise a plurality of balls and / or rollers that engage with a corresponding rail, and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may comprise a ceramic material.

[0008] Some rails may include two rails and some carriage members may include at least two carriage members.

[0009] Some of the rails may include two rails, some of the carriage members may include four carriage members, each rail of some of the rails may include a hardened steel material, and each carriage member may include a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding rail, and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may include a ceramic material.

[0010] In another aspect, the disclosed and claimed concept provides a ram assembly for a can body maker. The ram assembly includes: a ram having an elongated, substantially cylindrical ram body disposed about a longitudinal axis, the ram body having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end; and a ram support assembly, the ram support assembly including a yoke body coupled to the proximal end of the ram body, the ram body being supported by the yoke body and extending cantilevered from a first side of the yoke body, the yoke body being coupled to an actuation mechanism of the can body maker via a connection mechanism coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side, and configured to be driven by the actuation mechanism; and a slide mechanism coupled to the yoke body and configured to be coupled to the frame of the can body maker such that the yoke body can move only linearly relative to the frame, the slide mechanism including a number of rails and a number of carriage members, at least one of the number of carriage members being slidably engaged with each rail of the number of rails.

[0011] Each rail of the number of rails may comprise a hardened steel material. Each carriage member may comprise a plurality of balls and / or rollers that engage with a corresponding rail, and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may comprise a ceramic material.

[0012] Some rails may include two rails and some carriage members may include at least two carriage members.

[0013] Some of the rails may include two rails, some of the carriage members may include two carriage members, each rail of some of the rails may include a hardened steel material, each carriage member may include a plurality of balls and / or rollers that engage with a corresponding rail, and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may include a ceramic material.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the disclosed and claimed concept provides a can body maker. The can bodymaker includes a frame, an actuation mechanism coupled to the frame, and a ram assembly, the ram assembly including a ram having an elongated, substantially cylindrical ram body arranged about a longitudinal axis, the ram body having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a ram support assembly, the ram support assembly including a yoke body coupled to the proximal end of the ram body, the ram body being supported by the yoke body and extending cantilevered from a first side of the yoke body, the yoke body being coupled to and driven by the actuation mechanism via a connection mechanism coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side, and a slide mechanism coupled to the yoke body and the frame such that the yoke body can move only linearly relative to the frame, the slide mechanism including a number of rails and a number of carriage members, at least one of a number of carriage members being slidably engaged with each rail of a number of rails.

[0015] Each rail of the number of rails may comprise a hardened steel material. Each carriage member may comprise a plurality of balls and / or rollers that engage with a corresponding rail, and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may comprise a ceramic material.

[0016] Some rails may include two rails and some carriage members may include at least two carriage members.

[0017] Some of the rails may comprise two rails, some of the carriage members may comprise four carriage members, each rail of some of the rails may comprise a hardened steel material, each carriage member may comprise a plurality of balls and / or rollers that engage with a corresponding rail, and the plurality of balls and / or rollers may comprise a ceramic material. Some of the carriage members may be fixedly coupled to the yoke body, and some of the rails may be fixedly coupled to the frame. The can bodymaker may further include a cooling system configured to supply a coolant to or near the slide mechanism. The coolant may be a gas.

[0018] These and other objects, features, and attributes of the disclosed concepts, methods of operation and function of the associated elements of structure, and combinations thereof with economies of part and manufacture will become more apparent from a consideration of the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, and in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the various views, with the express understanding, however, that the drawings are provided for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the concepts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] The disclosed concepts can be best understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a can body maker according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concepts.

[0021] [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a can bodymaker having a ram assembly and a ram support assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concepts, with parts removed to show details of certain components.

[0022] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a portion shown in FIG.

[0023] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the can body maker of FIG.

[0024] [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the can body maker of FIGS. 1 and 4 broken away as shown in FIG.

[0025] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the portion shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The specific elements illustrated in the drawings and described herein are merely exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concepts, and therefore, specific dimensions, orientations, assembly, number of components used, configurations of embodiments, and other physical characteristics of the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limitations on the scope of the disclosed concepts.

[0027] As used herein, the term "can" means any known or suitable container configured to contain contents (e.g., without limitation, liquid, food, or any other suitable substance), and specifically includes, but is not limited to, beverage cans such as beer cans and soda cans, as well as cans used for food.

[0028] As used herein, "coupled" means a connection between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a connection occurs. An object that rests in place on another object solely by gravity is not "coupled" to the object below unless the upper object is otherwise 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 direct contact with each other.

[0030] As used herein, "fixedly coupled" or "fixed" means that two components are coupled in a manner that allows them to move while maintaining a constant orientation relative to one another. Fixed components may or may not be directly coupled.

[0031] As used herein, the term "unitary" means that a component is made as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes multiple pieces that are made separately and then joined together as a unit is not a "unitary" component or structure.

[0032] As used herein, "associated" means that the identified components are related to, in contact with, and / or interact with each other. For example, an automobile may have four tires and four hubs, and each hub is "associated" with a particular tire.

[0033] As used herein, "engage," when used in connection with gears or other parts having teeth, means that the teeth of the gears interface so that rotation of one gear causes the other gear to rotate.

[0034] As used herein, the term "several" means one or an integer greater than one (ie, a plurality).

[0035] 1, a can bodymaker or can manufacturing apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an actuation mechanism 12 configured to provide cyclical and / or reciprocating motion (as indicated by double-headed arrow 13), a ram 14, a loading station 16, a die assembly or tool pack 18, a can stripper 20, and a domer assembly 22. In such an exemplary embodiment, each of the foregoing components is coupled directly or indirectly to a frame or housing (schematically indicated at 24) that maintains those components and / or selected portions thereof in a known relationship relative to one or more of the others.

[0036] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1 , the ram 14 has an elongated, substantially cylindrical ram body 26 disposed about a longitudinal axis 28 along which the ram 14 moves back and forth. The ram body 26 includes a proximal end 30 located nearest to and coupled to the actuation mechanism 12 and a distal end 32 located opposite the proximal end 30. A punch 34 is disposed at or across the distal end 32 of the ram 14. The punch 34 is a generally cylindrical body having a concave distal end 36 that may be shaped to correspond to a cavity 38 in a domer die 40 of the domer assembly 22. The actuation mechanism 12 imparts a reciprocating motion to the ram body 26, moving the ram body 26, and thus the punch 34, back and forth along its longitudinal axis 28. That is, punch 34 is configured to reciprocate between a retracted position, in which punch 34 is disposed between loading station 16 and actuation mechanism 12, and an extended position. In the extended position, the ram body extends generally horizontally through tool pack 18, and a distal end 36 of punch 34 is positioned adjacent to the bottom of a can body disposed within punch 34 and indirectly engages, via the bottom of the body, a convex dome forming portion 42 provided as part of domer die 40 of domer assembly 22 and extending into a cavity 38 thereof.

[0037] The tool pack 18 includes a plurality of dies 50 (e.g., but not limited to, three shown in this example) each having an opening 52. The opening 52A of the first die 50A (the die 50 closest to the actuation mechanism 12) is slightly larger than the opening 52B of the second (center shown) die 50B, which is slightly larger than the opening 52C of the third (furthest from the actuation mechanism 12) die 50C. The openings 52 of the dies 50 are aligned along a common axis 54 that is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis 28 of the ram body 26.

[0038] In the configuration shown in FIG. 1 , the can body maker 10 is configured to transform a cup into a can body, to which a top is later added to form the can. The cup is placed on / over the punch 34 by the loading station 16, which then passes forward through the tool pack 18, moving from a retracted position to an extended position, as described above. As the punch 34 pushes the cup through the tool pack 18, ideally the cup is thinned and stretched to the desired length and wall thickness, provided that the opening 52 in the die 50 of the die pack 18 is properly aligned with the path of the punch 34. The stretched cup is the can body.

[0039] The domer assembly 22 is positioned at the end of the stroke of the ram body 26. The domer assembly 22 includes a domer die 40, which is coupled to the frame 24 of the can bodymaker 10 by a mount assembly 56. The mount assembly 56 may be of any suitable configuration. The domer die 40 is a body 44 having a cavity 38 that defines a convex dome forming portion 42. The cavity 38 may include other features configured to form a cup bottom. Ideally, the center of the dome forming portion 42 is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis 28 of the ram body 26. In this configuration, when the ram body 26 is in its maximum extended position, i.e., the aforementioned extended position, the cup bottom, i.e., the portion of the cup that occupies the concave distal end 36 of the punch 34, is formed by the punch 34 entering the cavity 38 of the domer die 40. In other words, the cup bottom becomes a dome that extends into the can body. After the dome is formed on the newly formed can body, still disposed in the punch 34, the ram body 26 begins the retraction portion of its stroke from the extended position back toward the retracted position.

[0040] The can stripper 20 is positioned on the exterior surface of the stripper septum 60 opposite the tool pack 18. The can stripper 20 removes the can body from the punch 34 after a dome forms at the bottom of the can and the ram 14 begins to move rearward. Thus, the punch 34 moves rearward without a cup or other material between the punch 34 and the die 50 of the tool pack 18.

[0041] Having provided a basic overview of the general parts of the can body maker 10, a detailed exemplary embodiment of a ram support assembly 100 (in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concepts) for use in such a can body maker 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 2-6. The ram support assembly 100 comprises a yoke body 102 formed from a suitable rigid material (such as, but not limited to, aluminum or steel) coupled to the proximal end 30 of the ram body 26, with the ram 14 supported by the yoke body 102 and cantilevered outwardly from a first side 102A of the yoke body.

[0042] The ram support assembly 100 further includes a slide mechanism 104 coupled to the yoke body 102 and the frame 24 of the can body maker 10 such that the yoke body 102 can only move linearly relative to the frame 24 (i.e., slide along a linear path, such as, for example, along common axis 54 shown in FIG. 1 ). The slide mechanism 104 includes several rails 106 and a corresponding number of carriage members 108, with each rail 106 slidably engaged with at least one carriage member 108. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-6 , the slide mechanism 104 includes two rails 106 and a total of four carriage members 108, with each rail 106 having two carriage members 108 slidably engaged therewith. Further, each rail 106 is rigidly coupled to the frame 24 of the bodymaker 10, each carriage member 108 is rigidly coupled to the yoke body 102, each carriage member 108 is slidably coupled to the frame 24 via a rail 106, and each rail 106 is slidably coupled to the yoke body 102 via two carriage members 108. It is understood that the number of rails 106 and / or carriage members 108 (and / or the number of carriage members 108 slidably engaged with each rail 106) may be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosed concepts.

[0043] To minimize friction and wear between components of the slide mechanism 104, each rail 106 is formed, in whole or in part (e.g., contact surfaces), from and therefore includes hardened steel or other suitable material. Meanwhile, each carriage member 108 includes a plurality of balls and / or rollers formed from a ceramic material, such that the ceramic material engages with a hardened portion of the corresponding rail. It should also be understood that other suitable materials enabling high-speed functionality, such as, but not limited to, hardened steel rollers, hardened steel balls, etc., may be used for the carriage members 108 and / or rails 106 without departing from the scope of the disclosed concepts. It should also be understood that by employing such a mechanism for the rails 106, carriage members 108, and their particular materials, very tight / precise tolerances, such as those required for can body manufacturing, can be easily maintained without the need for lubricating fluids and associated supply mechanisms.

[0044] The yoke body 102 is driven in a reciprocating linear motion back and forth along several rails 106 of the slide mechanism 104 by an actuating mechanism 12 (shown diagrammatically) of the bodymaker 10 via a suitable connection mechanism 110 (shown diagrammatically) that couples the yoke body 102 to the actuating mechanism 12 (e.g., generally at or near a second side 102B opposite the first side 102A).

[0045] 2, a cooling system 112 may be provided to supply a coolant 114 directly to or near the slide mechanism 104 to provide cooling for the slide mechanism 104 and its components. Such coolant 114 may be a suitable gas or liquid. In an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept, several grease packs provided onboard adjacent the yoke body 102 and one or more carriage members 108 provide a smear of high-temperature grease on the corresponding rails 106 to reduce friction between the rails 106 and the carriage members slidably engaged therewith.

[0046] From the above, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosed concepts provide advantages over conventional configurations, including reduced setup time, reduced oil consumption, reduced energy costs, reduced oil cooling costs, reduced points of failure, and reduced downtime / increased production efficiency.

[0047] While specific embodiments of the disclosed concepts have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and substitutions to those details may be made in light of the overall teachings of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the particular configurations disclosed herein are illustrative only and do not limit the scope of the disclosed concepts, which are to be given the full scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0048] In the claims, reference signs shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The word "comprises" or "including" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of several such elements. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.

Claims

1. A ram support assembly 100 for use in a can bodymaker 10, comprising: The ram support assembly a yoke body 102 coupled to an end of the ram body 26 of the ram 14 extending from a first side of the yoke body and coupled to an actuating mechanism 12 of the can body maker coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side via a connection mechanism 110, the yoke body being configured to be driven by the actuating mechanism 12; a slide mechanism 104 coupled to the yoke body and configured to be coupled to the frame 24 of the can body maker so that the yoke body can move linearly relative to the frame; It is equipped with The slide mechanism is Several rails 106; a number of carriage members 108; It is equipped with At least one carriage member of the number of carriage members is slidably engaged with each rail of the number of rails.

2. The ram support assembly of claim 1 , wherein each rail of the number of rails comprises a hardened steel material.

3. Each carriage member includes a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding rail; The ram support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of balls and / or rollers comprises a ceramic material.

4. the number of rails includes two rails; The ram support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the number of carriage members includes at least two carriage members.

5. the number of rails includes two rails; the number of carriage members includes four carriage members; each rail of said number of rails comprises a hardened steel material; Each carriage member includes a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding rail; The ram support assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of balls and / or rollers comprises a ceramic material.

6. A ram assembly for a can body maker 10, The ram assembly a ram 14 having an elongated, substantially cylindrical ram body 26 disposed about a longitudinal axis 28, the ram body having a proximal end 30 and a distal end 32 opposite the proximal end; a ram support assembly 100; It is equipped with The ram support assembly a yoke body 102 coupled to the proximal end of the ram body, the ram body being supported by the yoke body and extending cantilevered from a first side of the yoke body, the yoke body being configured to be coupled to and driven by an actuating mechanism 12 of the can bodymaker via a connection mechanism 110 coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side; a slide mechanism 104 coupled to the yoke body and configured to be coupled to the frame 24 of the can body maker so that the yoke body can move only linearly relative to the frame; It is equipped with The slide mechanism is Several rails 106; a number of carriage members 108; It is equipped with At least one carriage member of the number of carriage members is slidably engaged with each rail of the number of rails.

7. 7. The ram assembly of claim 6, wherein each rail of the number of rails comprises a hardened steel material.

8. Each carriage member includes a plurality of balls and / or rollers that engage with a corresponding rail; The ram assembly of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of balls and / or rollers comprise a ceramic material.

9. the number of rails includes two rails; The ram assembly of claim 6 , wherein the number of carriage members includes at least two carriage members.

10. the number of rails includes two rails; the number of carriage members includes two carriage members; each rail of said number of rails comprises a hardened steel material; Each carriage member includes a plurality of balls and / or rollers that engage with a corresponding rail; The ram assembly of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of balls and / or rollers comprise a ceramic material.

11. In the can body maker 10, Frame 24; an actuation mechanism 12 coupled to the frame; a ram assembly; It is equipped with The ram assembly a ram 14 having an elongated, substantially cylindrical ram body 26 disposed about a longitudinal axis 28, the ram body having a proximal end 30 and a distal end 32 opposite the proximal end; a ram support assembly 100; It is equipped with The ram support assembly a yoke body 102 coupled to the proximal end of the ram body, the ram body being supported by the yoke body and extending cantilevered from a first side of the yoke body, the yoke body being coupled to and driven by the actuation mechanism via a connection mechanism 110 coupled to a second side of the yoke body opposite the first side; a slide mechanism 104 coupled to the yoke body and the frame so that the yoke body can move only linearly relative to the frame; It is equipped with The slide mechanism is Several rails 106; a number of carriage members 108; It is equipped with At least one carriage member of the number of carriage members is slidably engaged with each rail of the number of rails.

12. 12. The can body maker of claim 11, wherein each rail of the number of rails comprises a hardened steel material.

13. Each carriage member includes a plurality of balls and / or rollers that engage with a corresponding rail; The can body maker of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of balls and / or rollers comprises a ceramic material.

14. the number of rails includes two rails; The can bodymaker of claim 11 , wherein the number of carriage members includes at least two carriage members.

15. the number of rails includes two rails; the number of carriage members includes four carriage members; each rail of said number of rails comprises a hardened steel material; Each carriage member includes a plurality of balls and / or rollers engaged with a corresponding rail; The can body maker of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of balls and / or rollers comprises a ceramic material.

16. The carriage members are fixedly coupled to the yoke body; 16. The can body maker of claim 15, wherein the number of rails are fixedly coupled to the frame.

17. 17. The can bodymaker of claim 16, further comprising a cooling system 112 configured to provide a coolant to or near the slide mechanism, the coolant being a gas.

Images