Integrated Cutting Device for Can Body Rim Trimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for producing can bodies often result in a rim of the can wall opposite the can base that is not sufficiently flat, requiring additional processing to achieve a smooth edge, which increases production time and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that incorporate a cutting device with a force generating unit and cutting edges on a drawing punch to cut off the rim of the can body immediately after the wall ironing process, allowing for a smooth edge to be created without the need for repeated clamping, using a force generating unit, such as an electromagnet, to press the rim against a cutting edge and separate it from the can body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the can body is produced using a wall ironing process, then the can body can be formed from a blank, but the rim of the can wall opposite the can base is not sufficiently flat, requiring additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device is integrated into the drawing punch so that the rim is cut off immediately after the wall ironing process while the can body is still on the drawing punch. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate handling and re-clamping operations, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing efficiency while improving rim flatness through integrated processing
2Manufacturing precision
If additional processing is performed to flatten the rim of the can wall, then the rim flatness is improved, but the total production time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device is merged with the drawing punch, combining the shaping function and the rim cutting function into a single integrated tool. This allows both the wall ironing process and the rim cutting to occur in sequence without removing the can body from the drawing punch, thereby maintaining high productivity while achieving the required rim flatness
Solution Approach 2:
The rim is cut off immediately after wall ironing while the can body is still positioned on the drawing punch. This preliminary action eliminates subsequent handling steps and re-clamping operations, directly addressing the contradiction by improving rim quality without sacrificing production speed
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
This approach reduces the total time required for producing a reworked can body, increases productivity, and allows for a simpler design with minimal installation space, as the cutting device is integrated with the drawing punch, enabling efficient processing of the can rim without the need for repeated clamping.
Implementation Method 1
The force generating unit encompasses an electromagnet. The electromagnet generates a magnetic force, which is oriented substantially radially to the longitudinal axis of the drawing punch and which presses the rim, which is to be cut off, against a cutting edge.
Implementation Method 2
A drawing punch, which, using a wall ironing process, moves the blank through a wall ironing container from an opening to an exit, serves the purpose of shaping the preferably bowl-shaped blank
Data Source
AI summary
A can body (II) having a can base (13) and a can wall (14) is shaped by a wall ironing process starting with a blank (12). A drawing punch (15) moves the blank (12) through a wall ironing container (34) from an opening (35) to an exit (36). The edge (R) of the can body (II) opposite the can base (13) is separated using a cutting device (45), which has a force generating unit (46) arranged adjacent to the exit (36) and at least one cutting edge (26, 27) which can be arranged on the drawing punch (15). The force generating unit (46) generates a force (F) onto the can wall (14) edge (R) to be separated, whereby the edge is sheared off on the at least one cutting edge (26, 27). The can body (II) is located on the drawing punch (15) while the edge (R) is being separated.