Sealed Cam Follower Assembly for Longer-Life Necker Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cam followers in metal can production neckers require frequent maintenance due to lubrication needs and have limitations in service life, especially under high-demanding conditions of beverage can fabrication plants that produce up to 3000 cans per minute.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance-free cam follower design featuring greased and sealed-for-life ball bearings pressed into wheels, with optimized internal clearance reduction and a configuration that includes two cam follower segments axially retained on a shaft by a clip, spacer, and shoulder, ensuring reduced creep and extended service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If automated greasing systems are used to keep cam followers lubricated, then service life is extended, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam follower is pre-filled with lubricant during manufacturing, and the lubricant is sealed within the bearing assembly. This preliminary action eliminates the need for automated greasing systems during operation, reducing device complexity while maintaining extended service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam follower incorporates an internal lubricant reservoir that self-containedly provides lubrication to the bearing surfaces throughout its operational life. The sealed design allows the component to service itself without external intervention or complex greasing systems.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If standard ball bearings are used in cam followers, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but service life under high-demanding conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ball bearing assembly incorporates optimized internal clearance parameters and is pre-filled with appropriate lubricant quantity and type. These parameter changes enhance load distribution and reduce friction under high-speed conditions, extending service life while maintaining standard manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam follower assembly combines ball bearings with sealed lubricant reservoirs and protective cages in a integrated unit. This composite structure maintains ease of manufacture through modular assembly while achieving extended service life through the synergistic combination of lubricated bearing surfaces and protective elements.
3Ease of operation
If cam followers are designed for maintenance-free operation, then maintenance needs are reduced, but reliability under high production outputs may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cam follower is pre-filled with sufficient lubricant during manufacturing to last the entire intended service life. This preliminary action ensures reliable operation under high production outputs without requiring maintenance intervention, achieving both maintenance-free operation and high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam follower is designed as a sealed, maintenance-free unit that operates reliably until lubricant depletion or wear, then is replaced as a complete assembly. This approach ensures reliability throughout its service life without maintenance, and the entire component can be economically replaced rather than repaired.
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 design significantly extends the service life of cam followers, accommodating higher production outputs like up to 3350 cans per minute with improved load distribution and reduced maintenance needs, demonstrating a substantial improvement in bearing life expectancy from 8640 hours to 21787 hours.
Implementation Method 1
maintenance free long service life configurations including greased and sealed for life ball bearings pressed into wheels
Implementation Method 2
greased and sealed for life ball bearings
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1D
Figure 1C
AI summary
A cam follower for a ram of a metal can necker machine is provided. The cam follower has an outer ring and an inner ring coaxially disposed in the outer ring. A plurality of rolling elements is disposed in an annular cavity between the outer ring and the inner ring. The plurality of rolling elements is disposed between a first seal and a second seal. A shaft is received in a bore in the inner ring and is fixed relative thereto about the shaft axis. The outer ring is received in a tire. The tire has a thickness and a crown radius. The composition of the tire includes a metallic material, a plastic material, a non-metallic material, and combinations thereof.