Abstract: There is described a feed mechanism for a feed table for translating sheet metal blanks from as automatic notching curling and beading machine to a bodymaker in the process of tin box manufacture. The mechanism comprises a pair of reciprocally drives longitudinal feed bars provided with spring loaded pawls in their upper surfaces which engage behind the edges of the blanks during a forward motion and slide beneath the blanks during a reverse motion. The difficulty of altering the lateral displacement of the respective feed bars to allow the table to transfer blanks of different sizes is overcome by using a telescopic fixing member which can be extended to an infinitesimal degree and then secured. In practice, both the longitudinal feed bars are secured to a reciprocally driven transfer table within the stationary feed table, and it is the connection of the feed bars to this table that is achieved with telescopic fixing members.

Abstract: An axial displacement mechanism for precisely adjusting the axial displacement of a turret plate relative to a turret table is disclosed. Turret tables are commonly used to support a workpiece such as the hollow tubular section of a tin box immediately prior to the seaming of a lid thereto and are commonly angularly indexed between a plurality, usually four, separate work stations disposed above the turret plate. The turret table is rigidly secured to a frame while the turret plate must be capable of being axially displaced relative thereto to suit a variety of different components. The turret plate is rigidly secured to an annular bush through a central aperture of which passes a cylindrical screw, the threads of which engage in corresponding threads in the inner annular surface of the bush. The screw abuts an axially fixed portion secured to or being a drive spindle which imparts motion to said fixed portion, said annular bush and said screw to cause the turret plate to rotate.

Abstract: The invention provides that a strip of flat steel is formed at its edges with channels which face in opposite directions and the strip is perforated between the channels. The strip is spirally coiled into tube form and a flange of one of the channels engages in the other channel and the adjacent flanges are crimped to form a helical seam in the finished tube. The tube is cut to lengths and the lengths are used in filter elements. The channel flanges are deformed prior to spiralling to facilitate the crimping and the spiralling is enhanced by the use of forming plates having edges which helically follow the curvature of the mandrel leaving a gap for the material so that the edges fit in one of the channels holding the edge of the strip captive until the strip is coiled and the captive edge is properly presented into the other channel. The machine provides a novel form of cutting head for cutting the tube to lengths, embodying a cutting tool which orbits the tube in performing the cutting.