Abstract: Battery cans are produced in a continuous in-line operation from a group of drawing press tools. The streams of parts from each tool are merged into an ordered stream of parts without losing their identity as to the tool that produced them. The parts are automatically inspected and if parts from a particular tool are defective, the other parts from that tool are ejected from the line without ceasing operation of the stream of parts from the remaining tools. The operation continues through packing the parts in containers identified with the tool source of the respective parts.

Abstract: A process for producing a battery can in a transfer press comprises drawing a metal cup in a first station to form an elongated cylinder, ironing the elongated cylinder in a second station, and redrawing the elongated cylinder in a third station. In either or both the drawing and ironing steps, the cup or the elongated cylinder may be processed in more than one station. The process includes a final redraw station for redrawing the cylinder so as to roughen the inner surface of the battery can to improve its electrical properties.

Abstract: Process for using coating guns to apply a conductive layer to the inside of battery cans moving on a conveyor with intermittent move and dwell times. Pats are automatically inspected. If a layer is defective due to a disabled coating gun, the process includes firing another coating gun at twice its normal firing rate and/or shifting its position so that it does the job of two coating guns.

Abstract: A battery can comprises a casing and a vent formed on a interior surface of the casing, the vent being rupturable by a condition internal to a battery cell in which the battery can is employed. The vent is a roll-formed groove disposed on the interior surface such that a weakness is defined in the casing. Upon encountering a buildup of excessive pressure in the battery cell, the vent ruptures, thereby compromising the structural integrity of the casing and relieving the pressure. A method of forming a rupturable vent in a casing of a battery cell comprises positioning the casing adjacent to a tool such that a first surface of the casing faces the tool and biasing the casing against the tool to form a groove in the first surface. A method of forming a battery can comprises forming a casing and roll-forming a rupturable vent in an interior surface of the casing.

Abstract: Battery cans are produced by a group of drawing press tools and merged into a single line of sequential intermediate operations, including a washer/dryer operation and a coating operation. The merge and washer/dryer speeds are established by the fastest drawing press speed. A variable capacity buffer between the washer/dryer and coating line adjusts for temporary overproduction or underproduction of the washer/dryer and sets the speed of the coating line downstream.

Abstract: Battery cans are produced in a continuous in-line operation from a group of drawing press tools. The streams of parts from each tool are merged into an ordered stream of parts without losing their identity as to the tool that produced them. The parts are automatically inspected and if parts from a particular tool are defective, the other parts from that tool are ejected from the line without ceasing operation of the stream of parts from the remaining tools. The operation continues through packing the parts in containers identified with the tool source of the respective parts.

Abstract: Process for using coating guns to apply a conductive layer to the inside of battery cans moving on a conveyor with intermittent move and dwell times. Pats are automatically inspected. If a layer is defective due to a disabled coating gun, the process includes firing another coating gun at twice its normal firing rate and/or shifting its position so that it does the job of two coating guns.