Abstract: The present invention teaches a process of measuring and grinding tools in can/cylindrical body production, allowing reduced production downtime, reduced cost and a predictive tool wear capability, which process allows more accurate stocking of tool inventory by means of tracking individual tools in use and providing advanced diagnostics to the tool room. This includes not just out-of-spec alarms from QA but also predictive alarms regarding cans produced by each tool, in-spec can weights and wall thicknesses, information on tool sizes being used in production, tools in inventory, pulled from inventory and other stock balancing information. The invention further teaches a system of equations for prioritizing grinding to maintain optimum tool inventory levels.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a punch and die measurement device which includes a linear array LED micrometer arranged so that the light beams and shadows pass vertically from transmitters to receivers, and further teaches a 1:1 ratio pantograph for transferring measurements from inside of a necker die to outside the die where it may then be measured by the linear array LED micrometers. The invention may include a precision alignment block, captive adjustment screws to adjust tilt plates angle of the linear array measurement carriage and lever arms to reduce motion of the adjustment screws as applied to the tilt plates.

Abstract: Disclosed is an impact extrusion can making system that uses induction heating to preheat an extruder punch and an extruder forming die, to increase yield during a cold start. In addition, a highly precise laser measuring device is used to measure dome thickness, so that stroke length and/or position of an extruder and/or extrusion die can be automatically adjusted in a predictive control system. High quality products with high yield are produced using these techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tool measuring device for measuring the size of tools used for making aluminum can bodies. The tool measuring device utilizes an LED measurement carriage having a central opening so that the LED measurement carriage passes over and around the tools. An LED linear beam is generated by LED linear arrays so that the tools cast a shadow on optical photodetector linear arrays. The distance between the transition points from light to dark on the optical photodetector linear arrays is measured to provide a highly accurate measurement of the size of various portions of the tools.