Seaming Assembly Spring Force Control for Can Wrinkling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current double seaming processes for metal packaging, especially for lightweight beverage cans and low carbonated beverages, face reduced speeds to prevent can damage such as body wrinkling, limiting throughput to around 1150 cans per minute.
Innovation Solution
A seaming assembly comprising a lifter chuck assembly with a compression spring and a movable knockout pad that applies controlled axial forces to the can body and end, allowing for increased seaming speeds while minimizing wrinkling by adjusting forces from 30 lbf to 150 lbf during the seaming process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If double seaming speed is increased to improve productivity, then throughput increases, but can body wrinkling and damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The lifter chuck assembly uses a compression spring to provide dynamic, progressive axial force during the seaming process. The spring force increases as compression increases, allowing the system to adapt to different stages of can engagement and seaming operations, thereby preventing wrinkling while maintaining high seaming speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the axial force parameter from a static fixed value to a dynamic progressive value through spring compression. The axial force on the can body increases from an initial value to a final higher value during the seaming process, optimizing both can protection and seaming effectiveness at high speeds.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If axial force on can body is increased to prevent wrinkling, then can damage is reduced, but seaming speed must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-based lifter chuck assembly provides dynamic axial force that progresses during the seaming cycle. This dynamic force application protects the can body from damage while enabling high-speed operation, as the force increases naturally with spring compression rather than requiring speed reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression spring is preloaded to provide an initial axial force before seaming begins. This preliminary force ensures the can body is properly supported and positioned from the start of the engagement, preventing wrinkling before it can occur during high-speed seaming operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed axial force is applied to can body during seaming, then can body stability is maintained, but control over wrinkling prevention is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the axial force parameter from fixed to progressive through spring compression. As the spring compresses during the seaming process, the axial force increases, providing both stability and enhanced control over wrinkling prevention. The progressive force application allows better adaptation to the changing mechanical conditions during high-speed seaming.
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 solution enables seaming speeds of at least 1250 cans per minute while reducing wrinkling, maintaining or increasing throughput without damaging the cans, and can be applied to various products in metal packaging.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring disposed below the lifter plate... The compression spring is preloaded to provide an axial force between about 30 lbf and about 90 lbf to the can body... The axial force provided to the can body may then increase to between about 90 lbf and about 150 lbf after the compression spring has been compressed a specified distance
Data Source
AI summary
A seaming assembly configured to seam a can end onto a can body to form a seamed container is disclosed. The seaming assembly includes a lifter assembly, a seaming chuck, and a knockout pad. The lifter assembly may be configured to lift a can body, and may include a spring. The seaming chuck may include a surface that is configured to contact a portion of the can end during seaming. The knockout pad may be movable relative to the seaming chuck, and may be configured to locate the can end prior to seaming. The spring may be preloaded to provide a force between 30 lbf and 90 lbf to the can body when the lifter assembly has lifted the can body and the can end has contacted the seaming chuck. The force provided to the can body may increase to between 90 lbf and 150 lbf after the spring has been compressed.