Can Bodymaker Forming Assembly With Cam-Driven Ram Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing can bodymaker drive assemblies, particularly those using a crank and swing arm configuration, face limitations such as vibration, overstroke, complex maintenance, and reduced efficiency due to constant motion and rapid direction changes, leading to suboptimal production rates and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A unified forming assembly with a stationary and moving assembly, where the moving assembly is coupled to a ram drive assembly, eliminating the need for a crank and swing arm, and utilizing a cam system for smooth ironing action with constant velocity, reducing vibrations and maintenance complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a crank and swing arm configuration is used in the drive assembly, then the bodymaker can convert rotational motion to reciprocal motion, but vibrations and overstroke occur due to rapid direction changes and constant motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the crank and swing arm components from the drive assembly, extracting the source of vibrations and overstroke. The cam mechanism directly drives the ram assembly without intermediate linkage, eliminating the harmful vibrations caused by rapid direction changes in the traditional crank-swing arm configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the crank-swing arm mechanical linkage system with a cam-based mechanism. The cam profile is specifically designed to provide smooth acceleration and deceleration of the ram assembly, substituting the problematic mechanical linkage with a cam-driven system that reduces vibrations and eliminates overstroke.
2Ease of operation
If a crank and swing arm configuration is used, then motion conversion is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the swing arm and connecting rod components from the drive assembly, simplifying the overall structure. By eliminating these intermediate linkage components, the drive assembly becomes less complex and requires fewer maintenance operations while still achieving the necessary motion conversion through the cam mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a crank to convert rotational motion to reciprocal motion through multiple linkage stages, the patent inverts the approach by using a cam mechanism that directly imposes the desired reciprocal motion profile on the ram assembly. This inversion simplifies the mechanism by reducing the number of moving parts and linkage stages.
3Productivity
If crank rotates at high speed (320-400 rpm), then production output increases, but energy consumption and maintenance costs increase due to constant motion and rapid direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed with specific dwell periods where the ram assembly remains stationary or moves at reduced speed between forming cycles. This periodic action allows the system to operate at high rotational speeds (320-400 rpm) while reducing energy consumption by eliminating the need for continuous high-speed reciprocal motion and rapid direction changes that characterize the crank-swing arm system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam profile incorporates gradual acceleration and deceleration phases that cushion the transitions between motion stages. This beforehand cushioning reduces shock loads and energy losses during direction changes, allowing the system to maintain high production rates with lower energy consumption and reduced maintenance requirements compared to the abrupt direction changes in crank-driven systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A forming assembly for use in a can bodymaker includes a stationary assembly and a moving assembly movably coupled to the stationary assembly. The stationary assembly and the moving assembly are a unified assembly that is structured to be selectively coupled to a mounting assembly body of the can bodymaker. The moving assembly is structured to be selectively coupled to a ram drive assembly of the can bodymaker and moved with respect to the stationary assembly thereby.