Abstract: A bodymaker that transforms shallow metal cups into elongated can bodies includes a reciprocated ram which, during its forward stroke, drives the cups through a set of graduated circular dies. Ring shaped wipers engage the outer cylindrical surface of the ram and are arranged so that a first of the wipers scrapes tool coolant from the ram as the latter moves rearward and a second of the wipers scrapes hydraulic bearing fluid from the ram as the latter moves forward. The wipers are provided with flexible flaps that are in relatively low pressure frictional engagement with the ram resulting in only a very low temperature rise for the wipers to increase operating life thereof at production rates of approximately 400 per minute for cans of 21/2 inch diameter.

Abstract: A ram that is utilized in high speed apparatus for forming elongated one piece metal can bodies from shallow cups is constructed by metallurgically bonding either a nose piece to a body or a tail piece to a body, the body constructed from a single integral piece having an elongated thin walled tube section with either a tail piece section or a nose piece section for connection to a drive means.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming elongated metal cans from relatively short cups by utilizing a reciprocating ram to drive the cups one at a time through a die pack, is provided with a continuously rotating feeder that transfers the cups from the exit of a gravity feed chute to a receiving station where each cup is indexed for engagement by the ram as it moves forward in its working stroke. The feeder rotates through one complete revolution for each forward-return cycle of the ram and during each revolution thereof a pocket in the feeder receives a cup from the chute, which cup then moves downstream through a guideway to a receiving station. Prior to being seated in a registry formation at the receiving station, the cup is engaged by a stripper that removes the cup from the feeder pocket. The feeder continues to drive the cup toward the registry formation while the cup is being stripped from the feeder pocket.

Abstract: A ram that is utilized in high speed apparatus for forming elongated one piece metal can bodies from shallow cups is constructed as a weldment in which there is an elongated relatively thin-walled tube, a tail piece metallurgically bonded to one end of the tube and a nose piece metallurgically bonded to the other end of the tube.