Can head forming system and can head forming method
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- VN · VN
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NOVELIS INC(US)
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing can end forming processes require significant material for forming can end shells, leading to increased weight and cost, and often use harder alloys due to material thickness requirements.
The described system and method involve ironing the outer flange portion of a can end blank during the can end forming process, using a die core ring with an ironing land and a blanking die with an ironing feature, to reduce material thickness and weight while maintaining nominal dimensions.
This approach achieves a material reduction of at least 5% in the can end shell, allowing for the use of softer materials and higher recycled content alloys, while providing weight savings and cost reductions.
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Abstract
Description
CAN END SHELL IRONING SYSTEMS AND METHODSREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 593,811, filed on October 27, 2023, and entitled CAN END SHELL IRONING SYSTEMS AND METHODS, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This application relates to metal containers and, more particularly, to systems and methods for forming a metal can end shell that can be joined with container bodies to form the metal containers.BACKGROUND
[0003] Metal containers, such as those intended to hold food or beverages (e.g., aluminum beverage cans), generally include a container body having an opening defined in one end, and a closure (referred to as a “container end” or a “can end”) designed to close the opening of the container body. The container body and the can end are typically joined at their peripheries (e.g., by being crimped or rolled together, also referred to as seaming) to form a liquid-tight and gastight joint. While some container ends are flat circular discs, container end shells are more commonly provided with raised and contoured or curled peripheral edges that facilitate the joining process.
[0004] A can end forming process typically includes positioning a sheet metal blank between a pair of dies which are moved to shear an edge of the blank, after which a punch descends to draw the now circular blank into a can end shell having a peripheral flange, a frustoconical wall, and an end panel. The peripheral flange of the can end shell may be curled into a downward peripheral flange suitable for double seaming operations. Subsequent processing may form a dome on the end panel. Such processes may be performed by a single tooling assembly or a plurality of tooling assemblies.SUMMARY
[0005] Embodiments covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.
[0006] According to certain embodiments, a method of forming a can end shell includes blanking a sheet material to form a can end blank and shaping the can end blank into the can end shell. In various embodiments, shaping the can end blank includes ironing an outer flange portion of the can end blank.
[0007] According to certain embodiments, a can end forming system includes a die core ring with an ironing land and a blanking die with an ironing feature. The ironing feature may cooperate with the ironing land during a can end shell forming process to iron an outer flange portion of a can end blank.
[0008] According to certain embodiments, a can end forming system includes a die core ring and a blanking die. The blanking die includes an ironing feature for ironing an outer flange portion of a can end blank during a can end shell forming process. The blanking die may also include a tucking feature for re-bending the outer flange portion of the can end blank after ironing during the can end shell forming process.
[0009] Various implementations described herein can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a can end shell formed by a can end forming system according to embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of a can end forming system for forming the can end shell of FIG. 1 according to embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 2 taken from circle 3 in FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 3 during a can end forming process.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates the portion of the can end forming system of FIG. 4 during the can end forming process.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Described herein are systems and methods for forming can end shells formetai containers such as but not limited to beverage cans, food cans, aerosol cans, and / or any other container as desired. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein may iron (e.g., thin out or reduce thickness) of the outer flange portion of a can end shell blank during the can end forming process. In certain embodiments, ironing of the outer flange portion may thin out and elongate the outer flange portion, thereby reducing the amount of material required for the same nominal dimensions as can end shells formed from traditional can end forming processes. In one non-limiting example, the system and methods described herein may utilize an ironing reduction in the outer flange portion of at least about 30%, which may allow for the total amount of material in the can end shell to be reduced by at least about 5%, thereby providing weight savings and cost savings. In other embodiments, other reductions in thickness may be realized with the systems and methods described herein, including ironing reductions less than about 30% and / or greater than about 30%. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods may allow for formation of a can end shell with the same nominal dimensions as can end shells formed from traditional can end forming processes while utilizing smaller can end shell blanks. As one non-limiting example, a metal blank used by the can end forming systems and methods described herein may have about a 2.5% reduction in diameter compared to traditional blanks. In other embodiments, blanks with other reduced diameters compared to traditional blanks may be utilized with the systems and methods described herein. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods described herein enabling material reduction without down-gauging may allow for the use of softer materials in can end shell manufacturing. As one non-limiting example, whereas traditional can end shell manufacturing utilizes a 5xxx series aluminum alloy such as but not limited to AA5182, the systems and methods described herein may allow for the use of a 3xxx series aluminum alloy, such as but not limited to AA3104, with a higher recycled content. Various other benefits andadvantages may be realized with the systems and methods described herein, and the aforementioned benefits and advantages should not be considered limiting.
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a can end shell 101 formed from a metal sheet by a can end forming system 200 according to embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the can end shell 101 generally includes a center panel region 103, a peripheral wall 104, and an outer flange portion 107 that includes an edge 109 of the can end shell 101. In various embodiments, the outer flange portion 107 may be curled. In some embodiments, the can end shell 101 includes a countersink portion 111, although it need not in other embodiments. The particular can end shell 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 should not be considered limiting, and in other embodiments, a can end shell 101 (and sub-portions thereof) may having various shapes, profiles, and / or portions as desired. As discussed in greater detail below, in certain embodiments, the outer flange portion 107 has a reduced thickness due to ironing during the can end shell forming process.
[0027] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate components of a can end forming system 200 for performing a can end shell forming process (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-14) that receives and / or cuts a blank 202 from a sheet of metal and forms the blank 202 into the can end shell 101.
[0028] The can end forming system 200 generally includes an upper tool assembly 204 with one or more upper forming surfaces and a lower tool assembly 206 with one or more lower forming surfaces. During the can end shell forming process, the upper tool assembly 204 cooperates with the lower tool assembly 206 to form the blank 202 into the can end shell 101.
[0029] The upper tool assembly 204 may include various components such as but not limited to a blanking die 208, an upper sleeve 210, and a die center 212, among other components. In the embodiment illustrated, the can end forming system 200 is a dual action system and the die center 212 includes an inner component 214 and an outer component 216 that is movable relative to the inner component 214. In other embodiments, the dual action system may have other components forming the die center 212, and in yet other embodiments, the can end forming system 200 may be a single action system. The lower tool assembly 206 may include various components such as but not limited to a lower sleeve 218, a die core ring 220, and a panel punch 222, among other components. In various embodiments, the components of the upper tool assembly 204 and the components of the lower tool assembly 206 may be arranged along an axis, and various components may be concentric with each other.
[0030] In certain embodiments, and as best illustrated in FIG. 3, the can end forming system 200 includes an outer portion shaping system 224 as part of the upper tool assembly 204 and / or the lower tool assembly 206 for ironing the portion 203 of the blank 202 that becomes into the outer flange portion 107 of the can end shell 101 during the can end shell forming process.
[0031] In certain embodiments, the outer portion shaping system 224 includes an ironing feature 226 on the blanking die 208 and an ironing land 228 on the die core ring 220 that cooperate during ironing to reduce the thickness of the blank 202. In various embodiments, the ironing feature 226 may be monolithic or integral with the blanking die 208. In other embodiments, the ironing feature 226 may be an insert coupled or attached to the blanking die 208 using various devices or mechanisms as desired. In such embodiments, the ironing feature 226 may be selectively installed or removed from the blanking die 208 as desired (e.g., to retrofit an existing blanking die 208 with the ironing feature 226 and / or to install, repair, and / or replace the ironing feature 226). Similar to the ironing feature 226, the ironing land 228 may be monolithic or integral with the die core ring 220 in some embodiments while in other embodiments the ironing land 228 may be an insert coupled or attached to the die core ring 220.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the ironing feature 226 includes a portion or surface 230 that cooperates with the ironing land 228 and reduces a gap 232 that forms between the blanking die 208 and the die core ring 220 during a portion of the can end shell forming process from a first thickness 234 to a second thickness 236. In such embodiments, as the portion 203 of the blank 202 that becomes the outer flange portion 107 of the can end shell 101 is pulled through the gap 232, the ironing feature 226 and ironing land 228 iron the blank 202 and reduce the thickness of the portion 203.
[0033] In certain embodiments, the ironing land 228 optionally includes a transition surface 238 extending between a side surface 240 and a top 242. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the transition surface 238 may extend at an oblique angle between the side surface 240 and the top 242 and may have a thickness 244. In certain embodiments, the transition surface 238 may provide extra clearance for the blanking die 208 during an up-stroke movement of the blanking die 208. Additionally, or alternatively, the transition surface 238 may provide clearance facilitating movement of the blank 202.
[0034] In various embodiments, the ironing feature 226 and the ironing land 228 are provided on the blanking die 208 and the die core ring 220, respectively, such that the ironing feature 226 and the ironing land 228 are generally aligned during a certain stage of the can end shell forming process and / or such that ironing of the portion 203 of the blank 202 that becomes the outer flange portion 107 of the can end shell 101 is complete before another forming action on the blank 202 has started and / or is complete. In some embodiments, the outer portion shaping system 224 is positioned such that the portion 203 is ironed during an initial down-stroke movement of the blanking die 208 relative to the die core ring 220. In one non-limiting example, the ironing feature 226 and the ironing land 228 are provided on the blanking die 208 and the die core ring 220 such that the ironing feature 226 and the ironing land 228 are aligned before the die center 212 engages the blank 202. In some embodiments, the ironing feature 226 and the ironing land 228 are positioned such that they cooperate and complete ironing before and / or concurrent with initial contact between the die center 212 and the blank 202. In such embodiments, such positioning to finish ironing before contact between the die center 212 and the blank 202 may minimize thinning of the blank 202.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, in some embodiments, the outer portion shaping system 224 additionally or alternatively may include a tucking feature 246 for further shaping of the portion 203. In various embodiments, the tucking feature 246 may be provided for shaping the portion 203 after ironing of the portion 203 of the blank 202 from the outer portion shaping system 224. In certain embodiments, the tucking feature 246 extends outwards from the blanking die 208 at a location relatively above the ironing feature 226. The tucking feature 246 may have various shapes or profiles as desired, and the particular tucking feature 246 illustrated should not be considered limiting. In some embodiments, the tucking feature 246 may be integral or monolithically formed with the blanking die 208, although in other embodiments, the tucking feature 246 may be an insert attached or otherwise supported on the blanking die 208 using various techniques or mechanisms as desired.
[0036] As illustrated by comparing FIGS. 12 and 13, during can end shell forming, the portion 203 with the edge 109 may be flared outwards (FIG. 13). In certain embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 14, the tucking feature 246 engages the portion 203 proximate to the edge 109 to bend or curl the portion 203 proximate to the edge 109. In some embodiments, the tucking feature 246optionally may cooperate with the transition surface 238 to bend or curl the portion 203 proximate to the edge 109, and in such embodiments, the transition surface 238 may further facilitate shaping of the portion 203 proximate to the edge 109 with the tucking feature 246. In certain embodiments, bending or curling the portion 203 with the tucking feature 246 may provide the can end shell 101 with an improved end shape or profile. Tucking of the portion 203 with the tucking feature 246 may facilitate subsequent processing of the can end shell 101 such as but not limited to assembly of the can end shell 101 with a can body.
[0037] FIGS. 4-14 illustrate stages of a portion of a can end shell forming process using the can end forming system 200. In particular, FIGS. 4-14 illustrate the can end forming system 200 during a down-stroke of the upper tool assembly 204 and as the portion 203 is shaped into the outer flange portion 107. The method is for illustrative purposes, and other methods and controls may be implemented using the systems described herein.
[0038] During the can end shell forming process, the components of the upper tool assembly 204 and the lower tool assembly 206 cooperate to form the can end shell 101 from a metal sheet. The metal sheet may be various metals as desired, including but not limited to aluminum, aluminum alloys, steel, or other metals as desired. In some examples, metal sheet may be aluminum or an aluminum alloy in the Ixxx series, 2xxx series, 3xxx series, 4xxx series, 5xxx series, 6xxx series, 7xxx series, 8xxx series and / or any other aluminum or aluminum alloy. In some non-limiting examples, the metal sheet may be a 3xxx series aluminum alloy and / or a 5xxx series aluminum alloy.
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates the can end forming system 200 after the blank 202 has been blanked or cut from a metal sheet. In certain embodiments, blanking the metal blank 202 may include having forming surfaces of a cutting die and forming surfaces of the blanking die 208 cooperate to cut the blank 202 from the sheet.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 5-7, down-stroke movement of the upper tool assembly 204 shapes the portion 203 from a generally planar configuration (FIG. 4) while also ironing the portion 203 with the ironing feature 226 and the ironing land 228. Ironing of the portion 203 may both reduce the thickness of the portion 203 while elongating the portion 203. In certain embodiments, ironing of the portion 203 may be finished before and / or as the die center 212 engages the blank 202 (FIG. 8) as part of the down-stroke movement. Engagement of the die center 212 with the blank 202 mayform the center panel region 103 and / or countersink portion 111 while also drawing the portion 203 through the forming surfaces (FIGS. 9-13). In various embodiments, the down-stroke movement further causes the tucking feature 246 to engage the blank 202 such that the blank 202 is shaped or bent from a flared orientation (FIG. 13) to a curled or bent orientation (FIG. 14). In various embodiments, can end shell 101 with center panel region 103 the outer flange portion 107 may be formed by the step illustrated in FIG. 13 and optionally as illustrated in FIG. 14.
[0041] A collection of exemplary embodiments is provided below, including at least some explicitly enumerated as an “Illustration” providing additional description of a variety of example embodiments in accordance with the concepts described herein. These illustrations are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the disclosure not limited to these example illustrations but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents.
[0042] Illustration 1. A method of forming a can end shell, the method comprising: blanking a sheet material to form a can end blank; and shaping the can end blank into the can end shell, wherein shaping the can end blank comprises ironing an outer flange portion of the can end blank.
[0043] Illustration 2. The method of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein ironing the outer flange portion of the can end shell comprises an ironing reduction of at least 30%.
[0044] Illustration 3. The method of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the can end shell comprises an aluminum or aluminum alloy.
[0045] Illustration 4. The method of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the aluminum or aluminum alloy comprises a 3xxx series aluminum alloy or a 5xxx series aluminum alloy.
[0046] Illustration 5. The method of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein shaping the can end blank comprises forming a flange and a center panel region.
[0047] Illustration 6. The method of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein shaping the can end blank comprises finishing ironing of the outer flange portion before forming the flange and center panel region.
[0048] Illustration 7. The method of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, further comprising re-bending the outer flange portion of the can end blank after ironing with a tucking feature on a blanking die.
[0049] Illustration 8. The method of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein ironing the outer flange portion of the can end blank comprises ironing between a blanking die and a die core ring of a can end forming system.
[0050] Illustration 9. The method of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein ironing the outer flange portion of the can end blank comprises ironing during an initial down-stroke of tooling of a can end forming system.
[0051] Illustration 10. A can end forming system comprising: a die core ring comprising an ironing land; and a blanking die comprising an ironing feature, wherein the ironing feature is configured to cooperate with the ironing land during a can end shell forming process to iron an outer flange portion of a can end blank.
[0052] Illustration 11. The can end forming system of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the ironing land is an insert supported on the die core ring.
[0053] Illustration 12. The can end forming system of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the ironing feature is an insert supported on the blanking die.
[0054] Illustration 13. The can end forming system of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the blanking die further comprises a tucking feature for rebending the outer flange portion of the can end blank after ironing.
[0055] Illustration 14. The can end forming system of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the blanking die and the die core ring are configured to iron the outer flange portion of the can end blank during an initial down-stroke movement of the blanking die relative to the die core ring.
[0056] Illustration 15. The can end forming system of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the ironing land comprises a top surface, a side surface, and a transition surface between the top surface and the side surface, wherein the transition surface extends at an angle relative to the side surface.
[0057] Illustration 16. A can end forming system comprising: a die core ring; and a blanking die, wherein the blanking die comprises: an ironing feature for ironing an outer flange portion of a can end blank during a can end shell forming process; and a tucking feature for re-bending the outer flange portion of the can end blank after ironing during the can end shell forming process.
[0058] Illustration 17. The can end forming system of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the ironing feature and the tucking feature are monolithically formed with the blanking die.
[0059] Illustration 18. The can end forming system of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein at least one of the ironing feature or the tucking feature is an insert attached to the blanking die.
[0060] Illustration 19. The can end forming system of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the ironing feature is configured to produce an ironing reduction of at least 30% in the can end blank.
[0061] Illustration 20. The can end forming system of any preceding or subsequent illustration or combination of illustrations, wherein the die core ring comprises an ironing land configured to cooperate with the ironing feature.
[0062] As used herein, the terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention,” and “the present invention” are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent application and the claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below.
[0063] In this description, reference is made to alloys identified by AA numbers and other related designations, such as “series” or “5xxx.” For an understanding of the number designation system most commonly used in naming and identifying aluminum and its alloys, see “International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits for Wrought Aluminum and Wrought Aluminum Alloys” or “Registration Record of Aluminum Association Alloy Designations and Chemical Compositions Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Castings and Ingot,” both published by The Aluminum Association.
[0064] As used herein, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes singular and plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0065] The subject matter of embodiments of the present disclosure is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “lateral,” “longitudinal,” “front,” and “back,” among others, are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing.
[0066] The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention, and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
[0067] The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described embodiments, nor the claims that follow.
Claims
CLAIMSThat which is claimed:
1. A method of forming a can end shell, the method comprising: blanking a sheet material to form a can end blank; and shaping the can end blank into the can end shell, wherein shaping the can end blank comprises ironing an outer flange portion of the can end blank.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein ironing the outer flange portion of the can end shell comprises an ironing reduction of at least 30%.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the can end shell comprises an aluminum or aluminum alloy.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the aluminum or aluminum alloy comprises a 3xxx series aluminum alloy or a 5xxx series aluminum alloy.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein shaping the can end blank comprises forming a flange and a center panel region.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein shaping the can end blank comprises finishing ironing of the outer flange portion before forming the flange and the center panel region.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising re-bending the outer flange portion of the can end blank after ironing with a tucking feature on a blanking die.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein ironing the outer flange portion of the can end blank comprises ironing between a blanking die and a die core ring of a can end forming system.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein ironing the outer flange portion of the can end blank comprises ironing during an initial down-stroke of tooling of a can end forming system.
10. A can end forming system comprising: a die core ring comprising an ironing land; and a blanking die comprising an ironing feature, wherein the ironing feature is configured to cooperate with the ironing land during a can end shell forming process to iron an outer flange portion of a can end blank.
11. The can end forming system of claim 10, wherein the ironing land is an insert supported on the die core ring.
12. The can end forming system of claim 10, wherein the ironing feature is an insert supported on the blanking die.
13. The can end forming system of claim 10, wherein the blanking die further comprises a tucking feature for re-bending the outer flange portion of the can end blank after ironing.
14. The can end forming system of claim 10, wherein the blanking die and the die core ring are configured to iron the outer flange portion of the can end blank during an initial downstroke movement of the blanking die relative to the die core ring.
15. The can end forming system of claim 10, wherein the ironing land comprises a top surface, a side surface, and a transition surface between the top surface and the side surface, wherein the transition surface extends at an angle relative to the side surface.
16. A can end forming system comprising: a die core ring; and a blanking die, wherein the blanking die comprises: an ironing feature for ironing an outer flange portion of a can end blank during a can end shell forming process; and a tucking feature for re-bending the outer flange portion of the can end blank after ironing during the can end shell forming process.
17. The can end forming system of claim 16, wherein the ironing feature and the tucking feature are monolithically formed with the blanking die.
18. The can end forming system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the ironing feature or the tucking feature is an insert attached to the blanking die.
19. The can end forming system of claim 16, wherein the ironing feature is configured to produce an ironing reduction of at least 30% in the can end blank.
20. The can end forming system of claim 16, wherein the die core ring comprises an ironing land configured to cooperate with the ironing feature.