Can Bodymaker Ram Support Assembly With Dry Rail Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional can bodymakers rely on oil-fed hydrostatic slides and mechanical crank systems, which require high oil filtration and electrical energy, leading to alignment uncertainties due to variations in hydraulic pressure, affecting production consistency.
Innovation Solution
A ram support assembly using a yolk body and slide arrangement with hardened steel rails and ceramic rollers or balls, eliminating the need for lubrication and enabling precise alignment through a cantilevered design, supported by a cooling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If oil-fed hydrostatic slides are used to support the ram, then the ram can move smoothly, but alignment uncertainty increases due to variations in hydraulic pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic slide system with a mechanical slide arrangement featuring hardened steel rails and ceramic rollers. This substitution eliminates hydraulic pressure variations that cause alignment uncertainty, providing consistent mechanical support for the ram while maintaining smooth movement through the ceramic rolling elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials in the slide arrangement, specifically combining hardened steel rails with ceramic rollers or balls. This composite approach leverages the hardness and durability of steel rails with the low friction and high precision of ceramic rolling elements, achieving both smooth movement and precise alignment.
2Reliability
If oil-fed hydrostatic slides are used, then the ram is supported effectively, but oil consumption and filtration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the lubricating oil system from the ram support mechanism. By replacing hydrostatic slides with a dry-running mechanical slide arrangement using ceramic rollers, the system maintains reliable ram support without requiring oil supply, filtration, or associated maintenance infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceramic roller slide arrangement is self-lubricating through its material properties, requiring no external lubrication system. The ceramic materials provide inherent low-friction surfaces that maintain reliable operation without oil consumption or filtration requirements.
3Power
If mechanical crank and flywheel drive system is used, then the ram can be driven reciprocatingly, but electrical energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical motor-driven crank and flywheel system with a direct mechanical drive mechanism. The operating mechanism is coupled directly to the yolk body through a connection arrangement, eliminating the need for electrical motors and reducing energy consumption while maintaining the reciprocating motion capability.
4Ease of operation
If hydrostatic slides with alignment settings are used, then the ram can be positioned, but alignment varies randomly due to oil temperature and pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic alignment system with a rigid mechanical slide arrangement on hardened steel rails. This mechanical system provides stable, temperature-insensitive alignment through precise rail geometry and ceramic roller positioning, eliminating the random alignment variations caused by hydraulic fluid temperature and pressure changes.
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
Reduces set-up times, lowers oil consumption and energy costs, minimizes failure points, and enhances production efficiency by maintaining precise alignment without hydraulic uncertainties.
Implementation Method 1
A ram support assembly using a yolk body and slide arrangement with hardened steel rails and ceramic rollers or balls, eliminating the need for lubrication
Implementation Method 2
supported by a cooling system
Data Source
AI summary
A ram support assembly for use in a can bodymaker includes a yolk body for coupling with an end of a ram body of a ram extending from a first side of the yolk body. The yolk body is configured to be coupled to, and be driven by, an operating mechanism of the can bodymaker that is coupled to a second side of the yolk body opposite the first side via a connection arrangement. The ram support assembly also includes a slide arrangement coupled to the yolk body and configured to be coupled to a frame of the can bodymaker such that the yolk body can move linearly with respect to the frame. The slide arrangement includes: a number of rails, and a number of carriage members, wherein each rail of the number of rails has at least one carriage member of the number of carriage members slidingly engaged therewith.