Abstract: A ram (40,50) of a press comprises metal sleeve (41,51), a hollow core (42, 58), a first end piece 42A, 52 attached to one end of the rod and a second end piece 46, 54 attached to the other end 47 of the ram to support a tool, the hollowcore being made of a material lighter than that of the sleeve. The benefit is a ram of reduced weight to minimize inertia forces arising during use.

Abstract: In a high speed electro-coating apparatus having a plurality of electro-coating cells arranged around the periphery of a rotable turntable, each can is placed upright on a cell lid below a hollow cell body and is introduced into that body by upward movement of the cell lid. Separate simultaneous flows of electro-coating fluid fill and immerse the can, and each cell receives electro-coating current via slip-ring segments carried on the turntable past respective sets of brushes which are disposed at the respective electro-coating stations. Control apparatus is arranged to feed current to the brush sets only during the periods of turntable rotation during which each brush has full contact with an adjacent slip-ring segment. An infeed device has a rotable turret from which radiate a plurality of can holders which act to transfer cans from a screw-type infeed conveyor along an encircling guide rail to an infeed station of the apparatus.

Abstract: An outfeed transfer device has a rotatable turret from which radiate a plurality of can grippers each of which is arranged to grip a can delivered to it at an outfeed station of an electro-coating apparatus, and then to rotate the can, so as to empty fluid still remaining in it, before releasing it in the inverted draining position on to an outfeed conveyor. Each can gripper comprises a jaw assembly carried on a radial shaft which is mounted for rotation in a turret side wall. A pinion fixed on that shaft is rotated by a vertical rack which is slidably carried in transverse walls of the turret. Each jaw assembly is operated by a slidable shaft carried co-axially in the associated radial shaft. The respective racks and co-axial shafts are driven by cam followers biased against stationary cams disposed within the turret.

Abstract: In a high speed apparatus having a rotating turntable, an infeed device has a rotatable turret from which radiate a plurality of can holders which act to transfer cans from an infeed conveyor along an encircling guide rail to the rotating table. A cam element enclosed in the turret may cyclically retract each holder to cause the can to follow the periphery of the rotating turntable.

Abstract: In an high speed electro-coating apparatus having a plurality of electro-coating cells (96) arranged around the periphery of a rotatable turnable (14), each can (128) is placed upright on a cell lid (100) below a hollow cell body (94) and is introduced into that body (94) by upward movement of the cell lid (100). Separate simultaneous flows of electro-coating fluid fill and immerse the can (128), and each cell (96) receives electro-coating current pulses via slip-ring segments (272-278) carried on the turnable (14) past respective sets of brushes (286) which are disposed at the respective electro-coating stations. Control apparatus (300,302) is arranged to feed current to the brush sets only during the periods of turntable rotation during which each brush (286) has full contact with an adjacent slip-ring segment (278) and for as long as such full contact is maintained.

Abstract: A method of electrocoating the surface of an article such as the internal surface of a can body using as electrode a mandrel having an external surface of substantially the same shape as the surface to be coated. The can body is positively located in a cell containing the mandrel by way of a seal in the cell wall and a limiting surface such that the internal surface to be electrocoated is substantially equidistantly spaced from the mandrel. Electrocoating fluid is flowed by way of a central bore in the mandrel between the mandrel and the internal surface and one or more electrocoating pulses are applied between the mandrel and the can body to electrocoat the internal surface thereof.