Vertical Toolpack Layout for Can Bodymaker Ram Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional can bodymakers with horizontally oriented rams face issues such as ram droop, mis-alignment, and reduced production capacity, leading to quality problems and increased footprint, necessitating a more efficient toolpack design for can body formation.

Innovation Solution

A vertically oriented toolpack for can bodymakers with a reciprocating ram assembly, featuring a tool pack housing assembly, die spacers, and a compression device, which supports multiple dies and allows for axial biasing, enabling improved alignment and increased production capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a horizontally oriented reciprocating ram is used in a can bodymaker, then the can body formation process can be completed, but ram droop and mis-alignment occur leading to quality problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecan body wall thickness uniformityVSAvoidram alignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal ram orientation to a vertical orientation. This fundamental directional change eliminates gravitational effects causing ram droop and mis-alignment, thereby improving both manufacturing precision of can body wall thickness and reliability of ram alignment stability throughout the formation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If a conventional horizontal toolpack design is used, then can body formation is achieved, but production capacity is reduced and footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction capacityVSAvoidmachine footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a horizontal toolpack layout to a vertical toolpack arrangement. This dimensional change allows multiple dies to be stacked vertically within a compact footprint, increasing production capacity by enabling multiple can bodies to be formed simultaneously or in rapid sequence while reducing the horizontal space required by the machine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 vertical toolpack design mitigates ram droop, maintains even wall thickness, and allows for the production of multiple can bodies per cycle, reducing operational complexity and increasing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a compression device disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and structured to axially bias said number of die spacers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11278952B2Toolpack for vertical bodymaker

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 STOLLE MACHINERY CO LLC

AI summary

A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.