Abstract: A printing machine wherein printing onto a substrate is effected by a first movement of a print head (1) downwardly into contact with the substrate and then by a second movement over the surface of the substrate while thermal printing elements within the print head (1) are selectively energized. The first movement is controlled by downward movement of a pair of rollers (6,7) operated by synchronized angular movement of a pair of eccentric shafts (8,9) one of which is freely mounted within each roller (6,7). The first and second movements are driven by a first and second stepper motor respectively. The rollers may be coupled by drive belts (4,5).

Abstract: In a method of forming at an open end of a can body an out-turned end flange and an adjoining inward bead, the free end of the can body is carried frictionally in an annular groove formed in a transverse end face of a rotating driving head. In a first stage, an inner support roll is placed inside the can body in contact with its inner surface at a position spaced axially from the driving head, and an outer work roll is progressively advanced against the outer surface of the can body adjacent the driving head so as to form the inward bead, and thereby gradually retract the open end of the can body within the groove. In a second stage, the inner roll is advanced to a can body stabilizing position, and the work roll is then advanced further so as to withdraw the open end of the can body from the groove and then to turn it radially outwards as the can body end advances eccentrically across the rotating end face of the driving head.