Reciprocating Cup and Can Bodymaker for Lower Inertial Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing can bodymakers face high linear inertial loads due to single-action forming arrangements, limiting speed and requiring substantial support structures, necessitating improved designs.
Innovation Solution
A bodymaker system with a reciprocating operating arrangement that performs both cup and can body forming strokes in opposite directions along a common drive axis, incorporating a cup forming assembly, transfer arrangement, and body forming assembly, reducing inertial loads and allowing for higher operating speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-action forming arrangement is used in the bodymaker, then the structure is simpler, but high linear inertial loads are generated that limit operating speed and require substantial support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The forming arrangement is segmented into two independent actions: a first stroke for cup forming and a second stroke for can body forming. Each stroke is responsible for a specific forming operation, allowing the system to distribute inertial loads across separate functional phases rather than concentrating them in a single action.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating arrangement employs periodic reciprocating strokes that alternate between cup forming and can body forming. By structuring the forming process as periodic alternating actions in opposite directions along the drive axis, the system balances inertial forces over time, reducing peak loads on support structures and enabling higher operating speeds.
2Device complexity
If a single-action forming arrangement is used, then fewer forming operations are needed, but substantial support bearings and machine foundation are required to handle high inertial loads
Solution Approach 1:
The forming operations are segmented into distinct first and second strokes, each handling specific forming tasks. This segmentation allows the support structures to bear loads more efficiently by distributing forces across separate operational phases, reducing the overall mass of required support bearings and machine foundation.
Solution Approach 2:
By implementing periodic reciprocating strokes in opposite directions, the system creates a balanced load pattern where inertial forces alternate and partially cancel each other over complete cycles. This reduces the peak loads that support structures must withstand, allowing for lighter machine foundations and support bearings.
3Device complexity
If high linear inertial loads are present, then the machine frame and foundation can be simpler, but the speed of the bodymaker is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The operating arrangement uses periodic reciprocating strokes that alternate direction between cup forming and can body forming. This periodic action in opposite directions balances inertial forces over complete cycles, reducing peak loads on the machine frame while maintaining structural simplicity and enabling higher operating speeds.
4Ease of manufacture
If cup and can body forming are performed in separate machines, then each machine can be optimized for its specific function, but the manufacturing footprint and process integration are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges cup forming and can body forming into a single integrated bodymaker machine. The operating arrangement coordinates both forming operations within one machine, allowing process integration while maintaining the ability to optimize each forming stroke for its specific function through dedicated tooling and control sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The bodymaker machine is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both cup forming and can body forming operations. The operating arrangement provides universal control over multiple forming strokes, allowing a single machine to replace what would traditionally require separate specialized machines, reducing manufacturing footprint while maintaining functional optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A bodymaker includes a cup forming assembly for producing a plurality of cups from a material strip and a transfer arrangement for transferring the cups from the cup forming assembly. A body forming assembly receives the cups from the transfer arrangement and forms each cup into an elongated can body. An operating arrangement operably coupled to both of the cup forming assembly and the body forming assembly provides a reciprocating first stroke in a first direction along a drive axis and a second stroke in a second direction, opposite the first direction, along the drive axis. The first stroke of the operating arrangement causes the cup forming assembly to produce a cup of the plurality of cups and the second stroke of the operating arrangement causes the body forming assembly to form a cup received from the cup forming assembly via the transfer arrangement into an elongated can body.