Cam-Driven Bodymaker Ram Assembly for High-Speed Can Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current can bodymakers with crank and swing arm drive assemblies face limitations in producing high volumes of cans per minute due to vibrations, overstroke issues, complex maintenance, and increased energy consumption, while also occupying significant floor space.
Innovation Solution
A ram drive assembly with a cam system that eliminates the need for a crank and swing arm, using a motor-driven cam to impart motion to the ram assembly, allowing for constant velocity and reduced stroke length, enabling efficient and high-speed can production with reduced energy consumption and simplified maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a crank and swing arm drive assembly is used, then the ram can be driven between retracted and extended positions, but vibrations and overstroke issues occur that limit production speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the crank and swing arm components from the drive assembly, replacing them with a cam mechanism. This extraction of problematic components eliminates the vibrations and overstroke issues that limited production speed, while the cam directly drives the ram between retracted and extended positions without the intermediate linkage that caused reliability problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism allows for precise control of the ram's motion parameters, including stroke length and velocity profile. By changing the cam profile parameters, the system achieves constant velocity during the forming stroke and eliminates overstroke, thereby resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
2Power
If a crank and swing arm drive assembly is used, then the ram can be driven, but the system consumes increased energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical linkage system (crank and swing arm) with a cam mechanism that provides more direct and efficient power transmission. This substitution reduces energy losses in the mechanical system and allows for higher productivity with reduced energy consumption, as the cam can maintain constant velocity during the forming stroke without the energy-wasting vibrations of the old system.
3Area of stationary object
If a crank and swing arm drive assembly is used, then the ram can be driven, but the system occupies significant floor space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the swing arm and connecting rods from the drive assembly, significantly reducing the spatial footprint of the mechanism. The cam mechanism requires minimal space compared to the extended linkage system, thereby reducing floor space occupation while also simplifying the overall device complexity by eliminating multiple moving joints and components.
4Ease of repair
If a crank and swing arm drive assembly is used, then the ram can be driven, but complex maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the swing arm, connecting rods, and multiple joints from the drive assembly, leaving only the cam and follower components. This drastic reduction in component count simplifies maintenance requirements, as there are fewer parts to lubricate, adjust, and replace. The cam mechanism itself has minimal moving parts, making it much easier to maintain compared to the complex linkage system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cam-driven ram assembly enhances can production efficiency by minimizing vibrations and overstroke, reducing energy use, and allowing for operation with fewer forming assemblies, while occupying less floor space, thus increasing output and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a cam having a body with a number of cooperative cam surfaces structured to operatively engage the cam follower assembly of each forming assembly; and a motor having a rotating output shaft operatively coupled to the cam body and structured to rotate the cam body
Data Source
AI summary
A ram drive assembly for a can bodymaker includes a mounting assembly and a number of forming assemblies supported thereon, each including: a stationary assembly, having a die pack and a domer, and a moving assembly having a ram assembly and a cam follower assembly. The die pack defines a passage having a proximal and a distal end, with the domer disposed adjacent the distal end. The ram assembly includes a ram body having a proximal and a distal end, with the cam follower assembly coupled to the proximal end. The ram body is structured to reciprocate through the passage between a retracted and an extended position. The ram drive assembly includes: a cam having a body with a number of surfaces for engaging each cam follower assembly; and a motor having a rotating output shaft operatively coupled to the cam body for rotating the cam body.