Abstract: A quick-change vacuum starwheel assembly including at least one of a quick-change height adjustment assembly or a quick-change vacuum starwheel mounting assembly.

Abstract: A forming assembly for use in a can bodymaker includes a stationary assembly and a moving assembly movably coupled to the stationary assembly. The stationary assembly and the moving assembly are a unified assembly that is structured to be selectively coupled to a mounting assembly body of the can bodymaker. The moving assembly is structured to be selectively coupled to a ram drive assembly of the can bodymaker and moved with respect to the stationary assembly thereby.

Abstract: A connection rod coupling assembly includes a settable shape mounting second component having a lateral, primary axis and a bearing assembly including a bearing assembly body. The bearing assembly body includes a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a center axis. The bearing assembly body is coupled to the settable shape mounting second component in a non-aligned configuration. That is, the bearing assembly body center axis is offset from the settable shape mounting second component primary axis. Thus, the position of the bearing assembly body center axis is adjustable by repositioning the settable shape mounting second component relative to a settable shape mounting first component on a swing lever. The adjustment of the bearing assembly body, in turn, adjusts the range of the ram assembly and the ram assembly body.

Abstract: A ram drive assembly for a can bodymaker includes a mounting assembly and a number of forming assemblies supported thereon, each including: a stationary assembly, having a die pack and a domer, and a moving assembly having a ram assembly and a cam follower assembly. The die pack defines a passage having a proximal and a distal end, with the domer disposed adjacent the distal end. The ram assembly includes a ram body having a proximal and a distal end, with the cam follower assembly coupled to the proximal end. The ram body is structured to reciprocate through the passage between a retracted and an extended position. The ram drive assembly includes: a cam having a body with a number of surfaces for engaging each cam follower assembly; and a motor having a rotating output shaft operatively coupled to the cam body for rotating the cam body.

Abstract: A rotary manifold includes a manifold assembly outer body assembly with a generally toroid outer body, a number of manifold assembly outer body assembly bearing assemblies, a number of seals, and a number of fluid couplings. The manifold assembly outer body assembly body defines a number of radial passages. A generally toroid manifold assembly inner body defines a number of right angle passages. The manifold assembly inner body is rotatably disposed within the manifold assembly outer body assembly body. Each manifold assembly inner body passage inlet is discontinuously in fluid communication with the manifold assembly outer body assembly body passage outlets. Each manifold assembly inner body passage outlet is discontinuously in fluid communication with the process shaft assembly body passages inlets.

Abstract: An infeed assembly for a necker machine includes a full inspection assembly wherein the full inspection assembly is structured to be coupled to a necker machine frame assembly.

Abstract: A forming assembly for use in a can bodymaker includes a stationary assembly and a moving assembly movably coupled to the stationary assembly. The stationary assembly and the moving assembly are a unified assembly that is structured to be selectively coupled to a mounting assembly body of the can bodymaker. The moving assembly is structured to be selectively coupled to a ram drive assembly of the can bodymaker and moved with respect to the stationary assembly thereby.

Abstract: A ram drive assembly for a can bodymaker includes a mounting assembly and a number of forming assemblies supported thereon, each including: a stationary assembly, having a die pack and a domer, and a moving assembly having a ram assembly and a cam follower assembly. The die pack defines a passage having a proximal and a distal end, with the domer disposed adjacent the distal end. The ram assembly includes a ram body having a proximal and a distal end, with the cam follower assembly coupled to the proximal end. The ram body is structured to reciprocate through the passage between a retracted and an extended position. The ram drive assembly includes: a cam having a body with a number of surfaces for engaging each cam follower assembly; and a motor having a rotating output shaft operatively coupled to the cam body for rotating the cam body.

Abstract: A system for performing necking operations on a can body includes a necker machine and a positioning system. The necker machine includes a frame; a processing arrangement having a plurality of components movable relative to the frame for performing the necking operations on the can body, and a drive motor having a shaft operatively coupled to the processing arrangement for moving the processing arrangement relative to the frame. The positioning system includes: an encoder associated with the drive motor for monitoring a rotational displacement of the shaft and a controller in communication with the encoder and the drive motor. The controller is structured and programmed to: receive an input from a user, the input being indicative of a desired movement of the processing arrangement relative to the frame, and to operate the drive motor using feedback from the encoder such that the desired movement of the processing arrangement is achieved.

Abstract: A distributed drive assembly for a necker machine having a frame assembly and a plurality of modules, each module having a number of drive shafts, the number of drive shafts of each module interconnected via a gear train with the number of drive shafts of the other modules of the plurality of processing modules. The distributed drive assembly includes: a plurality of drive sub-modules, each drive sub-module having: an input shaft; a first output shaft operatively coupled to the input shaft; and a second output shaft operatively coupled to the input shaft. For a first drive sub-module: the input shaft is structured to be operatively coupled to, and driven by, a main drive assembly motor, and the first output shaft is structured to be operatively coupled to, and drive, an associated first drive shaft of the number of drive shafts of a first module of the plurality of modules.

Abstract: A unitary forward mounting assembly for a bodymaker includes a unitary forward mounting body with a cradle portion, a first support arm portion and a second support arm portion. The cradle portion has a forward side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side. The first support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion right side. The second support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion left side.

Abstract: A base reformer assembly, and/or a base reformer roller die unit, includes a generally toroid chuck, a roller die, and a roller die unit actuating assembly. The roller die is movably disposed within the chuck. The roller die unit actuating assembly is structured to actuate the roller die. The roller die unit actuating assembly is operatively coupled to the roller die. Further, all elements of the roller die unit actuating assembly have a robust cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a necker machine having a frame assembly and a plurality of processing stations includes: a plurality of drive sub-modules. Each drive sub-module includes: a primary input shaft, a first primary output shaft operatively coupled to the primary input shaft, and a second primary output shaft operatively coupled to the primary input shaft. For a first drive sub-module: the primary input shaft is operatively coupled to, and driven by, a main drive assembly motor, and the first primary output shaft is operatively coupled to, and drives, an associated first drive shaft of a first processing station. For a second drive sub-module: the primary input shaft is operatively coupled to, and driven by, the second primary output shaft of the first drive sub-module, and the first primary output shaft is operatively coupled to, and drives, an associated first drive shaft of a second processing station.

Abstract: A die pack mounting for a bodymaker includes a die pack mounting bed and a die pack mounting door assembly. The die pack mounting door assembly is movably coupled to the die pack mounting bed. The die pack mounting door assembly is movable between an open, first position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly is structured to support a die pack in a maintenance configuration, and, a closed, second position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly fixes the die pack in a selected position. Further, the die pack mounting door assembly does not include any coolant fluid fittings. That is, the die pack mounting door assembly defines internal passages for coolant and the coolant is supplied via similar passages in the die pack mounting bed.

Abstract: A swing lever assembly includes an elongated swing lever body including a first end, a medial portion, and a second end. The swing lever body first end defines a pivotal coupling. The swing lever body medial portion defines a rotational coupling. The swing lever body second end defines a rotational coupling. Further, the swing lever body second end rotational coupling includes a settable shape mounting first component.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a necker machine includes a plurality of motors, each motor including an output shaft, a plurality of drive wheel assemblies, each drive wheel assembly operatively coupled to an associated necker machine drive shaft, and a number of timing/drive belts operatively coupled to each drive wheel assembly.

Abstract: A unitary forward mounting assembly for a bodymaker includes a unitary forward mounting body with a cradle portion, a first support arm portion and a second support arm portion. The cradle portion has a forward side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side. The first support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion right side. The second support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion left side.

Abstract: A base reformer assembly, and/or a base reformer roller die unit, includes a generally torpid chuck, a roller die, and a roller die unit actuating assembly. The roller die is movably disposed within the chuck. The roller die unit actuating assembly is structured to actuate the roller die. The roller die unit actuating assembly is operatively coupled to the roller die. Further, all elements of the roller die unit actuating assembly have a robust cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A factory management and monitoring system includes a processing unit structured to receive data from a plurality of sensors structured to monitor one or more factories or machines included in the factories, to analyze the received data, and to generate a user interface including the received data or information resulting from analysis of the received data, and a display structured to display the user interface.

Abstract: A can bodymaker includes a mounting assembly and a forming system. The forming system includes a plurality of forming assemblies, each forming assembly coupled to the mounting assembly, each forming assembly including a ram assembly with an elongated ram body, and a ram drive assembly operatively coupled to each forming assembly. The ram drive assembly is a direct ram drive assembly.