Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming cup-shaped metal members from a flat metal sheet in a press having a ram which moves a cut edge, draw horn and draw pad towards a base holding a blank and draw die. The draw pad is formed with an annular tapered relief area extending from its clamping surface to an annular wall of a central opening formed in the draw pad for reducing the clamping force which is exerted on a peripheral edge of the disk blank as the draw horn advances into the die opening of the blank and draw die to form the cup-shaped member. The angle of taper of the relief area is generally in the range of 4° and 10°. This tapered area reduces excess pinching of the peripheral edge of the disk blank as it moves around the die radius as the draw horn draws the disk blank into the cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A transfer pad for assisting in transferring a container body between work stations in a press has a flat planar guide surface extending between a pair of spaced guide rails for receiving the container body therebetween. A plurality of air holes are formed in the guide surface and extend along each of the guide rails. A vacuum is applied to peripheral edges of the container body through the air holes to maintain the container body in a secure position on the pad until being transferred to the succeeding work station. The ends of the guide rails are tapered to assist in guiding the container body between the rails.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming tapered metal container bodies from relatively hard material having a Rockwell hardness within the range of 73 and 79. A disc-shaped blank is formed into a cup having an integral bottom wall and cylindrical sidewall, wherein the sidewall has an axial height generally equal to one-half the axial height of the desired final container body without thinning the metal. The cup is then redrawn at a first redraw station to form a first stage container body having the desired axial height and bottom wall diameter with the sidewall being cylindrical or having a very slight taper. This first stage container body is then redrawn at a second redraw station to impart a taper of between 2.degree. and 4.degree. to the sidewall without affecting the axial height of the sidewall or the metal thickness thereof. The apparatus includes a draw station and at least two redrawn stations and may include a die for profiling the bottom wall of the final container body.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming cup-shaped metal members from a flat metal sheet in a press having a ram which moves a cut edge, draw horn and draw pad towards a base holding a blank and draw die. The draw pad is formed with an annular outer rib which engages an opposed clamping surface of the die upon the peripheral edge of a disc blank moving around an inner radius of the die and into a cup forming cavity to maintain a space between the clamping surfaces of the draw pad and die of between 50% and 95% the thickness of the metal sheet to reduce excess pinching of the peripheral edge of the disk blank as it moves around the die radius as the draw horn draws the disk blank into the cup-shaped member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming cup-shaped container bodies in a press by blanking a disk shaped metal blank from a flat metal sheet by a cutting die and forcing the disk blank through a blank and draw die by movement of a draw horn to form a generally cylindrical-shaped can body. Next, the cylindrical shaped body is moved by pressurized air through the bore of a cylindrical-shaped cup drop sleeve. The cup drop sleeve has an inner diameter just slightly larger than the outer diameter of the just formed cylindrical metal body thereby reducing the amount of spring back in the metal and setting the metal in the formed body to reduce distortion and maintain roundness thereof as the body is being ejected through the open bottom of the drop sleeve.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a non-cylindrical can body having a bottom wall and a side wall from an elongated flat strip of sheet metal having a known grain orientation. A non-circular blank is formed from the metal strip in a first forming press with the grain extending in a known direction. The blank is drawn by the press into a non-cylindrical can blank with the grain direction being known in the bottom wall of the can blank. The can blank is moved toward a second press and is oriented automatically as it passes through an orienting station so the direction of the grain is known when entering the second press. The can blank is redrawn to form a non-cylindrical can body with a known grain direction in the bottom wall of the can body by maintaining the orientation of the can blank as it is drawn and redrawn in the second press.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming cup-shaped metal container bodies or end shells from a metal blank in a double-acting press having inner and outer rams which operate in a timed relationship. A plurality of blank and draw dies are mounted on a fixed base in opposed relationship to a plurality of draw horns mounted on the inner ram and movable toward the base. A corresponding member of cutting dies and draw pads are mounted on the outer ram and are movable toward the base, whereby the cutting dies cut blank disks from the sheet and the draw pads clamp the disks against the blank and draw dies, followed by the drawing of the container bodies or end shells by the draw horns.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming cup-shaped metal container bodies or end shells from a metal blank in a double-acting press having inner and outer rams which operate in a timed relationship. Preferably, a plurality of blank and draw dies are mounted on a fixed base in opposed relationship to a plurality of draw horns mounted on the inner ram and movable toward the base. A corresponding member of cutting dies and draw pads are mounted on the outer ram and are movable toward the base, whereby the cutting dies cut blank disks from the sheet and the draw pads clamp the disks against the blank and draw dies, followed by the drawing of the container bodies or end shells by the draw horns. A plurality of stacked pressure-actuated pistons is carried by each of the outer rams and moves the draw pad into clamping engagement with the periphery of the blank disk.