Swaged Cam Follower Shaft Retention for Maintenance-Free Neckers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The beverage can fabrication industry faces challenges in maintaining cam followers used in necking machines, which require continuous lubrication and frequent maintenance due to high operational demands, leading to reduced service life and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An axial retainment system for cam followers is developed, featuring a swaged ridge on the shaft to compress and retain ball bearings, optimizing internal clearance and reducing maintenance needs by using a swaged ridge formed through a swage die process, ensuring axial retention and compression of the inner ring between the swaged ridge and a circumferential flange.
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 designed with sealed ball bearings that are pre-filled with lubricant and designed to be maintenance-free. The bearing assembly includes seals that retain lubricant internally, allowing the cam follower to service itself without external greasing systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining extended service life.
2Productivity
If cam followers are designed for high-speed operation up to 3350 cans per minute, then productivity increases, but maintenance frequency and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam follower is designed as a maintenance-free, replaceable unit with pre-lubricated sealed bearings. When wear occurs after high-volume production, the entire cam follower assembly can be quickly replaced without complex re-lubrication procedures, minimizing downtime while maintaining high productivity during operational periods.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional ball bearing retainment methods are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but axial retention and compression are insufficient leading to reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is modified by adding an axial swaged ridge that changes the geometric parameters of the shaft-bearing interface. This swaged ridge provides enhanced axial retention and compression of the ball bearings without requiring complex assembly processes or additional components, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving service life through better bearing retention.
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 results in a maintenance-free cam follower with extended service life and improved load distribution, capable of handling high production volumes of up to 3350 cans per minute without the need for frequent lubrication or maintenance, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a swaged ridge proximate an outboard end of the shaft for retaining and compressing ball bearings on the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An axial retainment system for a shaft is provided. The axial retainment system includes a cylindrical body extending from an outboard end to an inboard end thereof, and a swaged ridge extending radially outward from the cylindrical body proximate the outboard end. The swaged ridge has an outboard axial surface facing toward the outboard end and extending radially outward and terminating at a radially outward facing circumferential surface. The swaged ridge has an inboard axial surface facing toward the inboard end and extending radially outward from the cylindrical body and terminating at the radially outward facing circumferential surface. The outboard axial surface of the swaged ridge is recessed axially inward from the outboard end of the shaft. The inboard axial surface of the swaged ridge is swaged against, conforms in shape to, and is compressed against a component to be axially retained on the shaft.