Abstract: An apparatus for forming a base profile on a metal container carried on a punch moving along an axis. The apparatus comprises a die for forming the base profile on the container and a resilient support for holding the die in a resting position substantially along said axis whilst allowing the die to be deflectable perpendicular to said axis and providing a restoring force to return the die to the resting position.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a base profile on a metal container carried on a punch moving along an axis. The apparatus comprises a die for forming the base profile on the container and a resilient support for holding the die in a resting position substantially along said axis whilst allowing the die to be deflectable perpendicular to said axis and providing a restoring force to return the die to the resting position.

Abstract: A can bodymaker comprising a ram and a redraw sleeve assembly for holding a cup or other preform article against a redraw die. The redraw sleeve assembly comprises: a redraw sleeve; a redraw carriage to which the redraw sleeve is removably coupled, the redraw carriage being driven in a reciprocating motion along an axis; and a redraw sleeve alignment mechanism. The redraw sleeve alignment mechanism comprises: a redraw sleeve module having one or more bearings defining a passage through which the redraw sleeve moves and a bearing adjustment mechanism to facilitate radial alignment of the redraw sleeve module with the redraw die. The coupling between the redraw carriage and the redraw sleeve permits variable radial offset, relative to said axis, between the two components.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a base profile on a metal container carried on a punch moving along an axis. The apparatus comprises a die for forming the base profile on the container and a resilient support for holding the die in a resting position substantially along said axis whilst allowing the die to be deflectable perpendicular to said axis and providing a restoring force to return the die to the resting position.

Abstract: A can bodymaker comprising: a ram; a drive mechanism; a yoke coupling the ram to the drive mechanism in order to drive the ram with a linear, reciprocating motion; a yoke slide fixed relative to the can bodymaker, the yoke being confined by the yoke slide to move in a linear direction; and an alignment mechanism for aligning a yoke-coupled end of the ram with respect to the yoke within a plane perpendicular to said linear direction.

Abstract: A can bodymaker comprising a ram and a redraw sleeve assembly for holding a cup or other preform article against a redraw die. The redraw sleeve assembly comprises: a redraw sleeve; a redraw carriage to which the redraw sleeve is removably coupled, the redraw carriage being driven in a reciprocating motion along an axis; and a redraw sleeve alignment mechanism. The redraw sleeve alignment mechanism comprises: a redraw sleeve module having one or more bearings defining a passage through which the redraw sleeve moves and a bearing adjustment mechanism to facilitate radial alignment of the redraw sleeve module with the redraw die. The coupling between the redraw carriage and the redraw sleeve permits variable radial offset, relative to said axis, between the two components.

Abstract: A stripper assembly for a can bodymaker is configured to remove a can body from a punch mounted on a ram of the can bodymaker. The stripper assembly comprises a stripper housing defining an internal bore through which the punch passes and a radial offset monitor. The radial offset monitor comprises one or more eddy current sensors located within the stripper housing or attached thereto. The radial offset monitor is configured to detect misalignment of a ram and/or a punch, or a can body held on the punch, within the bore. A method of detecting axial misalignment of a ram and/or a punch of a can bodymaker, or of a can body held on the punch is also described. The method comprises providing a stripper housing defining an internal bore through which the punch passes; obtaining electrical output signals from one or more eddy current sensors within the housing or attached thereto, and processing the signal(s) to detect any axial misalignment.

Abstract: A can bodymaker comprising a plurality of components that require relative alignment to one another. The can bodymaker comprises a toolpack module which includes a toolpack frame and components including one or more dies supported by the toolpack frame. The die(s) are alignable with respect to the toolpack frame when the toolpack module is not attached to the bodymaker. The can bodymaker further comprises a fixing that allows removable fixing of the toolpack module to the can bodymaker.