Can manufacturing method and manufacturing system
A flexible can manufacturing system using general-purpose press machines for blanking, coining, drawing, and ironing processes addresses the limitations of dedicated machines, enabling cost-effective and timely production of cans with adjustable specifications.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing can manufacturing processes require dedicated press machines, leading to over-specification, high costs, and long delivery times due to the need for custom design and manufacturing, limiting flexibility in producing different types and sizes of cans.
A manufacturing system comprising a front-end press for blanking and coining, a back-end press for drawing and/or ironing, and conveying means, using general-purpose press machines with specific configurations for optimal performance and flexibility, allowing for efficient production of cans with adjustable specifications.
Enables low-cost, rapid production of cans with adaptable specifications, reducing the time and cost associated with dedicated machines, and facilitating easy transitions between different product types and sizes.
Smart Images
Figure 0007861780000001 
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing cans by deep drawing and a manufacturing system for deep drawing cans.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, in the deep drawing of cans, it is common to perform a plurality of processes such as blanking for punching a blank from sheet metal and drawing for forming a bottomed cylindrical cup using a single press machine (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). And generally, a dedicated single press machine corresponding to the type and size of the product is used for that single press machine.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] As press machines, a plurality of types of models corresponding to the type and size of cans are lined up, and based on these models, a dedicated press machine is designed and manufactured according to the manufacturing method of can manufacturers, etc. However, it is not always possible to finely set the specifications according to the manufacturing method of can manufacturers, etc., so there have been cases of over-specification. Furthermore, since it is a dedicated press machine, it is difficult to divert it to the manufacture of other products, which has been a factor in increasing costs in can manufacturing. In addition, designing and manufacturing a dedicated press machine requires a considerable period of time, so there is also the drawback that the delivery time becomes long.
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a can manufacturing method and a manufacturing system that can be supplied at a low cost and with a short delivery time. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing cans by deep drawing using a press machine. The system comprises a front-end press, a back-end press, and a conveying means for conveying a blank from the front-end press to the back-end press, and includes a first pressing step in which the front-end press performs blanking and coining to reduce the thickness of the blank on a metal sheet; a conveying step in which the blank is conveyed from the front-end press to the back-end press; and a second pressing step in which the back-end press performs drawing and / or drawing and ironing to form a rectangular can.
[0007] Furthermore, the present invention, a can manufacturing system by deep drawing using a press machine, The system comprises a front-end press, a back-end press, and a conveying means for transporting blanks from the front-end press to the back-end press, wherein the front-end press is configured to perform blanking and coining on a metal sheet to reduce the thickness of the blank, and the back-end press is configured to perform drawing and / or ironing to form a rectangular can. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] With the configuration described above, the present invention makes it possible to construct a manufacturing system that is optimal for the product to be processed, its size, and its processing steps, and furthermore, it can be provided at a low cost and designed and manufactured in a short period of time. Furthermore, by using a general-purpose press machine, it is relatively easy to accommodate changes in the type or size of the products being processed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the molding process for the cell case of this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment. [Figure 3]This is a top view diagram of the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals in different figures indicate parts with the same function, and redundant explanations in each figure will be omitted as appropriate. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0011] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention for manufacturing a rectangular can, such as a cell case for a lithium-ion battery, by deep drawing using a press machine, and a manufacturing system used in said manufacturing method will be described with reference to the drawings. An embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") is a manufacturing method and manufacturing system for manufacturing a lithium-ion battery cell case with a rectangular opening.
[0012] [Manufacturing process] Figure 1 shows the molding process of the cell case according to this embodiment. The manufacturing process for the cell case in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. (1) The uncoiler is a device that unwinds the coiled aluminum sheet S and supplies the unwinded aluminum sheet S to the front-end press machine 2. (2) The first pressing process is performed in the preceding pressing machine 2. The first pressing process is a process in which blanking is performed in the order of blanking process and coining process. (3) The blanking process involves punching out flattened blanks B, such as elliptical or composite R shapes, from the aluminum sheet S unwound from the uncoiler by deep drawing, for the purpose of manufacturing cans. After the blanking process, the blanks B are transported by fingers to the next coining process. (4) The coining process is a process in which a portion of the blank B is crushed with a punch to reduce the thickness of the sheet metal. In this embodiment, the coining process is performed on the portion that will become the bottom of the can in the final shape of the can and / or its vicinity to reduce the thickness of the sheet metal. After the coining process, the blank B is finger-transported to the blank transport device 4. (5) The blank B is transported by the blank transport device 4 to the subsequent press machine 3 for processing after the blank processing and coining processing are performed in the preceding press machine 2. (6) The second pressing process is performed in the post-processing press machine 3. The second pressing process is a process in which the blank B is processed into the final cup shape through multiple forming processes. (7) The multi-step molding process includes a first molding process in which the cup C is drawn into a flattened shape such as an elliptical or composite R shape, and a final molding process in which the cup C is drawn to the long and short side dimensions of the final product. After each processing step, there is a step of finger-transporting the cup C to the next processing step or cup transport device 5. Furthermore, additional molding processes may be added between the first molding process and the final molding process as needed. Also, drawing or ironing processes can be appropriately selected for each molding process. (8) The process includes a process in which other molding processes are carried out using a post-processing press machine 3, and then a transport process in which the cups C (square cans) are transported to the post-pressing process using a cup transport device 5. (9) Post-pressing processes include, if necessary, a cleaning process to remove lubricating oil and foreign matter adhering to the square cans, and an inspection and packaging process in which the finished square cans are visually inspected using a camera or the like, and good products that pass the inspection are packaged.
[0013] Of the processes described above, the blanking process, coining process, and each forming process are performed using a press machine. Among the processes performed by the press machine, the press machines used in the blanking process and the coining process may have a short stroke, but require a high pressing capacity. In contrast, the press machines used in each forming process for drawing or ironing require a long stroke, but may have a low pressing capacity.
[0014] Therefore, the blanking process and the coining process are to be performed by the same press machine. A general-purpose press machine with a short stroke and high pressing capacity is selected as the pre-process press machine 2. And for each forming process to be performed by the same press machine, a general-purpose press machine with a long stroke and low pressing capacity is selected as the post-process press machine 3. These pre-process press machine 2 and post-process press machine 3 are connected via a blank transfer device 4. Further, a cup transfer device 5 for carrying out the cup C from the post-process press machine 3 is combined, and arranged as a series of manufacturing system 1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0015] [Manufacturing System] FIG. 2 is a side explanatory view of the manufacturing system 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a top explanatory view. The manufacturing system 1 having the pre-process press machine 2, post-process press machine 3, blank transfer device 4 and cup transfer device 5 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0016] The pre-process press machine 2 and the post-process press machine 3 are so-called general-purpose press machines. The pre-process press machine is selected from general-purpose press machines having two processing stages, and the post-process press machine is selected from general-purpose press machines having a plurality of processing stages.
[0017] The pre-process press machine 2 includes, as a pre-process processing stage 21, a blanking processing stage 21a and a coining processing stage 21b arranged in a row. The pre-processing stage 21 has a punch 221 and a die 231, and the blanking stage 21a and coining stage 21b each have a punch 221 and a die 231 facing each other. The two punches 221 are held in a punch holder provided with a slide 22 and are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval, and the two dies 231 are held in a die holder provided on a bolster 23 and are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval.
[0018] Furthermore, the pre-process press machine 2 has a transfer device 24 for transporting the blank B. The transfer device 24 is positioned to transport the blank B from the blanking stage 21a and the coining stage 21b to the next coining stage 21b and the blank transport device 4, respectively, and moves the blank B to the next coining stage 21b and the blank transport device 4 each time the punch 221 moves up and down.
[0019] The post-processing press machine 3 is equipped with a receiving stage 31a, a first forming stage 31b, and a final forming stage 31c arranged in a row as post-processing stages 31. Additional forming stages may be added between the first forming stage 31b and the final forming stage 31c as needed. Of the post-processing stages 31, the 1st forming stage 31b and the final forming stage 31c are each equipped with opposing punches 321 and dies 331. The three punches 321 are held in a punch holder provided with a slide 32 and arranged in a line at predetermined intervals, and the three dies are held in a die holder provided on a bolster 33 and arranged in a line at predetermined intervals. The receiving stage 31a has the configuration of the initial processing stage that a general-purpose press machine would normally have removed, and the end section of the blank conveying device 4 is positioned there.
[0020] Furthermore, the post-processing press machine 3 has a transfer device 34 for transporting the blank B and cup C. The transfer device 34 is positioned to transport the blank B and cup C from the receiving stage 31a, the first forming stage 31b, and the final forming stage 31c to the next first forming stage 31b, the final forming stage 31c, and the cup transport device 5, respectively. Each time the punch 321 moves up and down, the blank B and cup C are moved to the next first forming stage 31b, the final forming stage 31c, and the cup transport device 5.
[0021] [Transfer device] As shown in Figure 3, a transfer device 24 is provided on the front-end press machine 2, with a pair of fingers 241 facing each other on the blanking stage 21a and the coining stage 21b, respectively. These two pairs of fingers 241 are integrally connected and driven in sync with the raising and lowering of the punch 221. This pair of fingers 241 grips the blank B and moves it to the next coining stage 21b and blank transfer device 4.
[0022] Furthermore, as a transfer device 34 provided in the post-processing press machine 3, a pair of fingers 341 are positioned opposite each other at the receiving stage 31a, the first forming stage 31b, and the final forming stage 31c, respectively. These multiple pairs of fingers 341 are integrally connected and driven in sync with the raising and lowering of the punch 321. These pairs of fingers 341 grip the blank B and cup C and move them to the next stage: the first forming stage 31b, the final forming stage 31c, and the cup transport device 5.
[0023] Fingers 241 and 341 grip the flattened blank B and cup C from both sides along their long axis. This shortens the transport pitch and prevents deformation of cup C due to the gripping force. Of the fingers 241 and 341, the contact portions 2411 and 3411 that come into contact with the blank B and cup C are made of a material that is less likely to scratch the aluminum blank B and cup C, such as resin or rubber. Since the blank B and cup C become hot during the press working process, the contact portions 2411 and 3411 require a certain level of heat resistance, and also require durability such as abrasion resistance because the blank B and cup C are repeatedly gripped and released. Taking this into consideration, a suitable material is selected from polyamide-imide, polyacetal, monomer-cast nylon, fluororesin, polyetheretherketone, fluororubber, silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, acrylic rubber, etc. Furthermore, a heat resistance temperature of 100°C or higher, more preferably 150°C or higher, is preferred.
[0024] [Differentiation] Although the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment has been described above, various modifications are possible, not limited to this example. (1) The manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment consists of two general-purpose presses, a front-end press 2 and a back-end press 3, but is not limited to this, and may consist of three or more general-purpose presses. In this case, the most suitable general-purpose press is selected from among those with different pressing capacity, stroke, number of processing stages, etc. Furthermore, even if the pressing capacity and stroke required for each processing step are similar, if there are many processing stages, instead of using one dedicated press, it is possible to configure a manufacturing system by connecting multiple general-purpose presses.
[0025] (2) In the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment, a front-end press machine 2 with high pressing capacity and a short stroke is combined with a back-end press machine 3 with low pressing capacity and a long stroke, but any other combination may be used.
[0026] (3) In the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment, blanking and coining were performed in the front-end press machine 2, and multiple forming processes were performed in the back-end press machine 3. However, the specific processes performed and in what order by each press machine can be appropriately designed according to the type, shape, size, and other specific forming processes of the product to be manufactured. For example, the pre-processing press machine 2 does not need to have a coining stage 21b, and the blanking stage 21a may only punch out blanks, or it may punch out blanks and perform deep drawing by punching. Furthermore, in addition to the first forming stage 31b and the final forming stage 31c that perform deep drawing, the post-processing press machine 3 may have any necessary number of forming stages placed in between. It is also possible to add other necessary processing stages, such as a refurbishment process, a step processing process, or a lubricant application process, at any desired position.
[0027] (4) Although the manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment processed aluminum lithium-ion battery cell cases, it is not limited to cell cases and may process any other type of aluminum can. It may also process any type of case or can made of other metals such as stainless steel, or any type of case or can with a laminated structure in which a resin or the like is coated onto a metal.
[0028] (5) The manufacturing system 1 of this embodiment manufactured cans with a rectangular opening. In addition, it may also manufacture cans with a square opening, and even cans of other shapes, not limited to squares, such as circular or oval shapes.
[0029] [Other embodiments of the invention] (1) In a method for manufacturing cans by deep drawing using a press machine, The system comprises a front-end press, a back-end press, and a conveying means for transporting blanks from the front-end press to the back-end press. A first pressing step in which a metal sheet is blanked and coined to reduce the thickness of the blank using the aforementioned pre-processing press machine, A conveying process for transporting the blank from the aforementioned front-end press machine to the aforementioned back-end press machine, A method for manufacturing a can, characterized by including a second pressing step in which a square can is formed by performing deep drawing and / or ironing in the aforementioned post-processing press. (2) The method for manufacturing a can according to (1), characterized in that the stroke of the front-end press is shorter than the stroke of the back-end press. (3) The method for manufacturing cans according to (1) or (2), characterized in that the pressing capacity of the front-end press is higher than the pressing capacity of the back-end press. (4) The preceding press machine is equipped with fingers for transporting the blank formed by the blanking process, The method for manufacturing a can according to any one of (1) to (3), characterized in that the first pressing step includes a step of performing the blanking process before the coining process, and finger-transporting the blank formed by the blanking process within the pre-processing press. (5) The post-processing press machine is equipped with fingers for transporting the molded product obtained by drawing and / or drawing the blank, The method for manufacturing a can according to any one of (1) to (4) above, characterized in that the finger has a contact portion made of resin or rubber material, and the molded product is gripped and transported by the contact portion. (6) The method for manufacturing a can according to any one of (1) to (5) above, characterized in that the can is an aluminum can.
[0030] (7) In a can manufacturing system using deep drawing with a press machine, The system comprises a front-end press, a back-end press, and a conveying means for transporting blanks from the front-end press to the back-end press. The aforementioned pre-process press machine is configured to perform blanking and coining processes on a metal sheet to reduce the thickness of the blank. A can manufacturing system characterized in that the aforementioned post-processing press machine is configured to perform drawing and / or drawing and ironing to form a rectangular can. (8) The can manufacturing system according to (7), characterized in that the stroke of the front-end press is shorter than the stroke of the back-end press. (9) The can manufacturing system according to (7) or (8), characterized in that the pressing capacity of the front-end press is higher than the pressing capacity of the back-end press. (10) The can manufacturing system according to any one of (7) to (9), characterized in that the pre-processing press machine is configured to perform the blanking process before the coining process and has fingers for transporting the blank formed by the blanking process within the pre-processing press machine. (11) The post-processing press machine is equipped with fingers for transporting the molded product obtained by drawing and / or drawing the blank, The can manufacturing system according to any one of (7) to (10), characterized in that the contact portion of the finger with the molded product is made of resin or rubber. (12) The can manufacturing system according to any one of (7) to (11) above, characterized in that the can is an aluminum can.
[0031] While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes or other modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. Furthermore, the aforementioned embodiments can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purpose, configuration, etc. [Explanation of symbols]
[0032] 1. Manufacturing System 2. Front-end press machine 21. Pre-processing stage 21a Blanking Stage 21b Coining Stage 22 slides 221 Punch 23 Bolster 231 Die 24 Transfer device 241 Finger 2411 Contact area 3. Post-processing press machine 31 Post-processing stage 31a Receipt Stage 31b 1st molding stage 31c Final molding stage 32 slides 321 Punch 33 Bolster 331 Die 34 Transfer device 341 Finger 3411 Contact area 4. Blank Transfer Device 5 Cup conveying device B Blank C cup S Aluminum Sheet
Claims
1. In a method for manufacturing cans by deep drawing using a press machine, The system comprises a front-end press, a back-end press, and a conveying means for transporting blanks from the front-end press to the back-end press. A first pressing step in which a metal sheet is blanked and coined to reduce the thickness of the blank using the aforementioned pre-processing press machine, A conveying process for transporting the blank from the aforementioned front-end press machine to the aforementioned back-end press machine, A method for manufacturing a can, characterized by including a second pressing step in which a square can is formed by performing deep drawing and / or ironing in the aforementioned post-processing press.
2. The method for manufacturing a can according to claim 1, characterized in that the stroke of the preceding press machine is shorter than the stroke of the subsequent press machine.
3. The method for manufacturing a can according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressing capacity of the preceding process press is higher than that of the following process press.
4. The method for manufacturing a can according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the can is an aluminum can.
5. In a can manufacturing system using deep drawing with a press machine, The system comprises a front-end press, a back-end press, and a conveying means for transporting blanks from the front-end press to the back-end press. The aforementioned pre-process press machine is configured to perform blanking and coining processes on a metal sheet to reduce the thickness of the blank. A can manufacturing system characterized in that the aforementioned post-processing press machine is configured to perform drawing and / or drawing and ironing to form a rectangular can.
6. The can manufacturing system according to claim 5, characterized in that the stroke of the preceding press machine is shorter than the stroke of the subsequent press machine.
7. The can manufacturing system according to claim 5, characterized in that the pressing capacity of the front-end press is higher than the pressing capacity of the back-end press.
8. The can manufacturing system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the can is an aluminum can.