Abstract: A method for manufacturing a clutch housing comprises: a first step of forming a work into a pre-product having a shaft portion and an outer drum portion enclosing the shaft portion integrally with the shaft portion; a second step of subjecting the pre-product to predetermined processing; and a third step of providing a spline on an inner periphery of the outer drum portion by flow forming, and forming the clutch housing into an almost completed product, wherein in the first step, an outer peripheral cylindrical portion of the outer drum portion is formed while being offset in an axial direction with respect to the shaft portion so that it is not opposite to at least part of the shaft portion in a radial direction.

Abstract: A can end member has a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, a transition wall, and a curl. The center panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The center panel has a peripheral edge. At least a portion of the peripheral edge includes coined segment. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuck wall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the peripheral edge of the center panel. The transition wall has a folded portion extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for producing a deep drawn part and a shallow drawn part from sheet metal blanks in a single action draw press. A floating draw punch and a fixed draw punch are provided. The first draw die forms a part that is drawn over the fixed draw punch while the second blank does not begin forming the second part until the floating draw punch bottoms out on the bed of the press. The floating draw punch moves with the binder ring until the additional draw depth required to form the deep drawn part is essentially equal to the draw depth of a shallow drawn part. A process for producing multiple unattached sheet metal parts in a single action draw press is also disclosed wherein a first sheet metal part has a draw depth D1 and a second sheet metal part has a draw depth D2.

Abstract: A single action press for forming a shell used to make a can end includes a first tool and an opposed second tool. The first tool includes a die center insert that performs a forming operation on disc cut from a sheet of end material. The first tool is configured and arranged wherein force is supplied to the die center insert during the downstroke and force is removed from the die center insert at the bottom of the downstroke and at the start of the upstroke, to thereby enable the die center insert to disengage from the shell. One specific embodiment uses a die center piston and compressed air to apply force to the die center insert. Another embodiment uses a cam and cam follower arrangement to remove axial forces at the bottom of the downstroke and either springs or gas pressure to apply force to the die center insert during the downstroke.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a shell with a central panel and a chuck wall is provided. The apparatus and method employ the use of a biasing member to selectively bias and control movement of the inner pressure sleeve and a die core having an outer diameter equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the punch core. The apparatus and method can also be employed in a single action press or a double action press.

Abstract: A can bottom forming assembly for use in forming the bottom of metal cans, such as steel and aluminum two piece cans. The bottom forming assembly is lightweight and comprises outer and cylinder housing assemblies which house a clamp ring retainer assembly, a transfer piston assembly and a spring member. The clamp ring retainer assembly includes biasing members to float a clamp ring thereby centering the clamp ring and domer die plug with respect to the ram of a bodymaker.

Abstract: In a press working apparatus 10, while a servo motor 24 is acting, an upper die 38 is made to come close to a lower die 52 and press working of the first time is conducted on a steel plate 12. A slider 32 is raised to a movable punch preparation position. A movable punch 90 is protruded from a die face 38a of the upper die 38 by width H and locked by a mechanical lock 94. The upper die 38 is made to come close to the lower die 52 again and the steel plate 12 is pushed with the upper die 38 and at the same time an additional worked portion 12a is pushed and deformed with the movable punch 90 so as to conduct press working of the second time. After the movable punch 90 has been retracted, the slider 32 is raised.

Abstract: A press for forming a container with a bottom profile is provided. The press may have a profile pad that is secured within a base of the press or is secured to a die core riser that is axially movable up and down. The press may have one or more biasing members that accommodate expansion in certain tooling components during operation of the press. The press may have a tool pack of tool components located within a part of the fixed base wherein the tool pack is removable from a top surface of the base. The press may have a punch and a profile pad with an annular projection or an annular shoulder wherein the projection and the shoulder clamp material between the projection and the shoulder and allow the material to roll up a preselected height into the container to form the bottom profile of the container.

Abstract: According to a method for producing head elements for heaters, a piece of sheet metal (1) is deep drawn and cut along the edge (9) of an open side (6) to obtain a hollow body (8) with larger and narrower sides (4,5,14,15). An aperture (12) is made on each opposite larger side (4,5) of the hollow body, and threaded rings (26) are then applied around the lateral through apertures (12). Notches (16) are made on the opposite large sides (4,5), along the edge (9) of the open side (6), and then three cores (18) are introduced through the edge (9), so that a flange (17) around the notches (16) can be made by pressing, so as to close the sheet metal (1) around the cores (18) widening the notches (16). After the cores (18) have been removed, the edge (9) is welded along the flange (17) of the widened notches (16), thus obtaining holes (21) separated from each other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a member having a toothed portion, comprises a first step of cutting a work piece into predetermined dimensions and then deburring the same, and a second step, in succession with the first step, of pressing an axially end face of a portion to be toothed with a predetermined load, and simultaneously drawing the work piece so as to form the toothed portion.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an end closure for a surrounding sidewall of a container, such as an aluminum can. The method includes forming a central body panel oriented transversely to the central axis of the can and forming an outer surrounding margin portion joined to the sidewall such that the margin portion has a support section oriented longitudinally relative to the sidewall. A portion of the margin is corrugated to provide a rib structure having longitudinally extending first rib components located on the support section. This method can be accomplished during the ironing and doming of a can.

Abstract: A can end member has a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, and a transition wall. The center panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The center panel also has a step portion located radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis. The step portion has an annular convex portion joined to an annular concave portion and displaces at least a portion of the center panel vertically in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuck wall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the peripheral edge of the center panel. The transition wall has a folded portion extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a thin walled tubular product with thickened flange. A first stage metalworking (drawing) of a circular plate material A is done by using a first die set 22 having a conical die 24 and a drawing punch 26 is done in a manner that the end of the blank plate is remained on the conical surface 24-1 of the die, so that a semi-finished tubular product A1 with a inclined flange A1-1 is obtained. Then, a second stage metalworking (drawing) of the semi-finished tubular product A1 is done by a second die set 32 having a shaping punch 34 and a restraint die 36. The semi-finished tubular product A1 is held by the restraint die 36 and the shaping punch 34 is introduced into the semi-finished tubular product A1 for effecting a wall thickness reduction under ironing principle while forming a stepped portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a shell with a central panel connected to a chuckwall with a z-fold located between the central panel and the chuckwall is provided. The apparatus and method of the invention is characterized by forming the z-fold in a downstroke of the press and supporting the z-fold in an upstroke of the press. The apparatus and method take place in a triple action die contained within a shell press. The apparatus and method can also be employed in a single action press or a double action press.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a can end having an annular ridge and a central panel and a can body with a can bottom is provided that exhibits reduced wrinkling in the material used to form the can end and can body. The method of the invention uses a two step doming process wherein material is first drawn or stretched and then held by a punch core ring and then further drawn, stretched or domed and then held by a punch core. The apparatus and method of the invention also include a lower piston located above an upper pressure sleeve and radially outward from a punch core ring wherein the lower piston has a bore and the lower piston, punch core ring and upper pressure sleeve define a gap to which pressurized gas may be supplied through the bore to selectively axially actuate the punch core ring.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an elliptic deep-drawn product including a first step of providing an intermediate product and a second step of providing an end product. In the first step, a rotary forming die is used to form in a blank a substantially round formed portion of a U-shaped cross-section. In the second step, the formed portion is deformed at its semicircular portion by press working to form an elliptic portion, being formed into a final shape.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a seamless wheel rim includes the steps of deeply drawing a pre-cut circular aluminum alloy plate into a cup-shaped embryo body, punching out the bottom surface thereof to form a hollow cylinder, then putting it into an expanding-pressing female die with an expanding die cavity at both ends thereof respectively, and finally pressing and expanding both ends of the embryo body by two sets of expanding-pressing male dies to form a seamless aluminum wheel rim in sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a rolled reinforcing rib in an end shell of a container body in a single stroke and at a single station of a single or double action press prior to removal of the shell from the press. A blank disc is cut from sheet material by a punch core advanced by an outer ram. A chuckwall is then formed between a central panel and an outer flange. The central panel is clamped against a die core and a portion of the chuckwall is clamped against a die core ring. An unclamped portion of the chuckwall is located in a void formed between the punch core and die core ring and is rolled into the reinforcing rib upon continued advancement of inner and outer pressure sleeve while maintaining a tight clamping engagement of the central panel and outer flange of the blank disc. Simultaneous removal of the clamping force applied by the punch core and inner and outer pressure sleeves retain the rib in its rolled condition.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a cylindrical part with a thin-walled portion at a lower cost, and according to the manufacturing method of the present invention, a base metal formed with thin-walled portion adjacent to its closed end can be easily detached from working jigs. According to the method, a thin-walled portion is at first formed by the ironing process on a cylindrical wall adjacent to the closed end, so that an outer-side step portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical wall. Then the closed end is punched out and the thin-walled portion is enlarged in a radial and outward direction to form an inner-side step portion on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part.

Abstract: A dome of a domed aerosol can end is initially formed and then a crown of the can end is formed so that material flow within a workpiece from which the can end is formed is controlled to substantially eliminate wrinkling problems associated with the use of sheet material which is thinner than conventionally used, for example double reduced steel. The peripheral portion of the workpiece is initially clamped between a blank punch and a draw pad, and also between a knockout and a crown ring. An outer first portion of the dome is then formed by an outer redraw sleeve and a dome form die. An inner second portion of the dome is next formed by a dome punch and the dome form die. There may be limited contact of the dome punch with the workpiece during formation of the first portion of the dome and the workpiece may also be clamped between the outer redraw sleeve and the dome form die during formation of the second dome portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a rolled reinforcing rib in an end shell of a container body in a single stroke and at a single station of a double action press prior to removal of the shell from the press. A blank disc is cut from sheet material by a punch core advanced by an outer ram. A chuckwall is then formed between a central panel and an outer flange. The central panel is clamped against a die core and a portion of the chuckwall is clamped against a die core ring. An unclamped portion of the chuckwall is located in a void formed between the punch core and die core ring and is rolled into the reinforcing rib upon continued advancement of inner and outer pressure sleeve while maintaining a tight clamping engagement of the central panel and outer flange of the blank disc. Simultaneous removal of the clamping force applied by the punch core and inner and outer pressure sleeves retain the rib in its rolled condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning opposed telescopically engageable cut ring and blank and draw die when mounted in a can body forming press to form non-round disc-shaped blanks which are subsequently formed into container bodies. A pair of opposed precision formed notches are formed in the peripheries of the spaced press components and a precision formed key is inserted into the notches. The key is then slidably removed from the notches. The notches are precisely located with respect to each other and to major and minor axes of the press components so that said major and minor axes align with each other when the key is seated in the notches.

Abstract: To make a peripheral lip region to be formed with chamfered portions by the use of a plastic working technique, to enable the use of a cup forming punch of a simplified shape so that a mold used therewith can be easily assembled and the punch when worn down can easily be repaired, a method of making an outer race of a constant velocity universal joint of a tripod type includes an upsetting step during which not only are outer peripheral shapes of a small diameter portion (W3a) and a large diameter portion (W3b) defined, but a recess (Wb) having a tapered peripheral wall face (Wba), which eventually defines general shapes of the chamfered portions (10) of the outer race (1), is formed in an end face of the large diameter portion (W3b). During a cup forming step, the tapered peripheral wall face (Wba) defined during the upsetting step is rearwardly pushed while its shape is maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making can lid shells in die presses, with the addition of a forming ring within the die set. The forming ring is placed between the draw pad and die center, and is used to apply a force on the material during the shell lid forming process. Use of this apparatus reduces the amount of force that must be applied on the draw pad to hold the material between the die core ring and the draw pad during the forming process. By lessening the force needed to hold the material during the forming process, the probability of wrinkling or cracking of the material during the forming process is greatly reduced.

Abstract: In a forming press, a blank is pressed formed into a press-formed workpiece by means of an upper die and a lower die, while a peripheral edge portion of the blank is clamped by means of a die and a blank holder insert of the forming press. Subsequently, a central portion of the press-formed workpiece is partially held by means of the upper die and the lower die so as to draw a peripheral portion of the press-formed workpiece away from the central portion thereof, thereby removing strain from the press-formed workpiece.

Abstract: A bottle-shaped can manufacturing method for forming a shoulder portion having a slope and a diametrically small cylindrical neck portion integrally by further working a bottom side of a bottomed cylindrical can which is formed thinner at its trunk wall than at its bottom wall by drawing a metallic sheet having a thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm and by executing at least one thinning working of a bending/extending working and an ironing working.

Abstract: A method and a device for shaping sheet metal to form a main structure is described, minor structures being created in the planar sheet metal before shaping to form the main structure, which is rotationally symmetrical, for example. This method and device are particularly advantageous because they make it possible to inexpensively and precisely design shell-shaped parts for torque converters, such as a pump shell, a turbine shell or the inner ring of a pump or the inner ring of a turbine.

Abstract: A dome of a domed aerosol can end is initially formed and then a crown of the can end is formed so that material flow within a workpiece from which the can end is formed is controlled to substantially eliminate wrinkling problems associated with the use of sheet material which is thinner than conventionally used, for example double reduced steel. The peripheral portion of the workpiece is initially clamped between a blank punch and a draw pad, and also between a knockout and a crown ring. An outer first portion of the dome is then formed by an outer redraw sleeve and a dome form die. An inner second portion of the dome is next formed by a dome punch and the dome form die. There may be limited contact of the dome punch with the workpiece during formation of the first portion of the dome and the workpiece may also be clamped between the outer redraw sleeve and the dome form die during formation of the second dome portion.

Abstract: A fabrication method of a metal shell to be installed on a park plug is provided which is made up of a small-diameter portion, a large-diameter portion, and a wrapping portion. The wrapping portion is to be wrapped by staking about the spark plug to achieve installation of the metal shell on the spark plug. The method comprises pressing a workpiece with a punch to shape the wrapping portion of the metal shell in a first cold forging process and processing the workpiece to shape the small-diameter portion of the metal shell in a second cold forging process different from the first cold forging process. This produces the metal shell which is less susceptible to cracks when installed on the spark plug and has an increased service life.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming container shells from material fed into a press, including, at a single station, tooling for curling the shell and tooling for forming or reforming the shell including a punch assembly and a die assembly carried by the press adapted to curl and form or reform the shell in a single stroke.

Abstract: An improved stamping die assembly is provided for controlling the flow of sheet metal during the draw forming process. The die assembly includes a textured die surface on the one or both sides of the binder mating surfaces that replaces conventional draw and lock beads. The textured die surface can be formed using direct metal deposition of a hard material, harder than the existing die surfaces, on the existing die base material to achieve an engineered textured surface. The textured die surface optimizes the performance of the die by enabling longer die life, higher coefficients of friction between the mating binder surfaces and reduction of wrinkles and stringers typically caused by draw and lock beads in the draw forming process.

Abstract: A cup shaped yoke made of sheet material has an opening portion provided in a side wall on an axial end side, a shoulder portion provided in the sidewall on another axial end side, a magnet installation portion for installing a magnet, which is provided in the side wall between the opening and shoulder portions and whose wall thickness is substantially equal to thickness of the sheet material, and a bottom portion, which is provided in a bottom wall, having a boss shaped bearing accommodating portion in a center thereof. Each wall thickness of the opening, shoulder and bottom portions including the boss shaped bearing accommodating portion is equal to or smaller than a half of wall thickness of the magnet installation portion.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cam die. The cam die comprises at least one cam ring. The cam ring comprises a plurality of moveable cam teeth. The cam teeth are moveable on a normal toward an axis of the cam die by a cam actuator. The cam actuator has an inside diameter that is less than an outside diameter of the cam ring. As the cam actuator moves parallel to the cam die axis along an outside circumference of the cam ring, the cam teeth are progressively engaged and pressed inwardly toward a work piece. The work piece is moved simultaneously with the cam actuator by action of a punch that is concentric with the cam actuator and within the diameter of the cam ring. Each cam tooth is simultaneously engaged with the work piece as the work piece passes. A resilient member returns each cam tooth to a starting position after the cam actuator is withdrawn, allowing ejection of a finished part.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming end shells for containers with a peripheral curl and an annular reinforcing rib in a single stroke cycle of a press which includes a punch core, a punch shell, and a pressure sleeve carried by an inner ram of the press. A cut edge is carried by an outer ram for forming a flat disc-shaped blank at a first level from a strip of sheet material. A die core is mounted on the base at a second level and is surrounded by concentric inner and outer die core rings. A cup-shaped blank is formed from the flat blank by movement of the punch core, pressure sleeve, and punch shell through a blank and draw die. The cup is clamped at the second level between the die core and punch core and formed into an end shell by movement of the punch core, pressure sleeve, and punch shell into clamping engagement with the die core, and inner and outer die core rings.

Abstract: A frustoconical matrix and a punch of a complementary shape and coaxial to the former can be brought together to shape an inserted sheet of thin paper. The matrix has a cylindrical peripheral surface along which a beading member comprising a cylindrical foil is slidable in a close running fit. A shoulder extends coaxially to the punch to define a pit having a cylindrical internal wall having a diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the beading member. Heating means are controllable to heat the shoulder to a temperature such that the pit is expanded to a diameter of close running fit between its internal wall and the beading member.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a modified stamped sheet metal connector comprising an enhanced cylindrical housing having an entry end aperture and an exit end aperture. The entry end aperture can accept the snap-in spring steel adapter of U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,933 as well as the exit end peripheral spring steel locking ring described in this patent to provide a connector that allows rapid and simplified installation of armored cable into a junction or circuit box. The improved cylindrical housing also includes about the periphery of the exit end a serrated finish to inhibit turning of the spring steel adapter, an additional aperture in the cylindrical housing in the area of the entry end for facilitating removal of the entry end snap-in spring steel retainer and an alternative internal flange system for retention of the spring steel adapter.

Abstract: In a forming press, a blank is pressed formed into a press-formed workpiece by means of an upper die and a lower die, while a peripheral edge portion of the blank is clamped by means of a die and a blank holder insert of the forming press. Subsequently, a central portion of the press-formed workpiece is partially held by means of the upper die and the lower die so as to draw a peripheral portion of the press-formed workpiece away from the central portion thereof, thereby removing strain from the press-formed workpiece.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a partly flat yoke having curved circumferential walls to which magnets are to be attached and having parallel flat circumferential walls which constitute main magnetic paths and whose each radial thickness is larger than that of the curved circumferential walls, by drawing a sheet of metal plate, the metal plate is held down between a die and projections of a wrinkle preventing plate provided at given angular positions around an outer circumference of a cavity of the die so as to correspond to the curved circumferential walls. Then, a punch presses down the metal plate into the cavity so that material of the metal plate extends axially into the cavity, while the material of the metal plate flows circumferentially from each side of the curved circumferential walls to sides of the parallel flat circumferential walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a container component has a fixed stock plate and cut edge mounted on a base at a first level for forming a disk-shaped blank from a strip of sheet material. A blank and draw die is mounted at a second level which forms the disk-shaped blank into a shallow cup upon advancement of a punch assembly through the die. A profile pad is mounted at a third level on the base and imparts a profile on the bottom wall of the shallow cup as the punch assembly continues a downward stroke. An air stream ejects the profiled container component from the press at the third level.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming end shells for containers with a peripheral curl and an annular reinforcing rib in a single stroke cycle of a press which includes a punch core, a punch shell, and a pressure sleeve carried by an inner ram of the press. A cut edge is carried by an outer ram for forming a flat disc-shaped blank at a first level from a strip of sheet material. A die core is mounted on the base at a second level and is surrounded by concentric inner and outer die core rings. A cup-shaped blank is formed from the flat blank by movement of the punch core, pressure sleeve, and punch shell through a blank and draw die. The cup is clamped at the second level between the die core and punch core and formed into an end shell by movement of the punch core, pressure sleeve, and punch shell into clamping engagement with the die core, and inner and outer die core rings.

Abstract: A device for forming components from billets having a thickness profile which is essentially symmetric to the central plane of the billet, i.e., the billet contains a thickness transition on both sides, and wherein the thickness transitions on both sided of the billet are transferred to one side of the formed such that the side of the formed component is planar. The forming surface of the forming device which faces the side of the billet that has a thickness transition in the formed state of the billet has a shape is adapted to the thickness transition to be realized, and the forming surface of the forming device which faces the side of the billet that becomes planar in the formed state is planar. Due to these measures, it is possible to transfer the thickness transition that originally existed on both sides of the billet to one side of the billet in only one step.

Abstract: A bottle-shaped can manufacturing method for forming a shoulder portion having a slope and a diametrically small cylindrical neck portion integrally by further working a bottom side of a bottomed cylindrical can which is formed thinner at its trunk wall than at its bottom wall by drawing a metallic sheet having a thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm and by executing at least one thinning working of a bending/extending working and an ironing working.

Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and a method of using the apparatus to deep draw a blank into a manufactured article. The apparatus includes a die having a cavity to receive the blank being drawn into the product, a clamp adapted to apply an adjustable force against the blank during the drawing operation, and a mandrel comprising a plurality of nested tool segments, the tool segments independently extendable to engage and draw different portions of the blank into the desired product within the cavity.

Abstract: A bottle-shaped can manufacturing method for forming a shoulder portion having a slope and a diametrically small cylindrical neck portion integrally by further working a bottom side of a bottomed cylindrical can which is formed thinner at its trunk wall than at its bottom wall by drawing a metallic sheet having a thickness of 0.1 to 0.4 mm and by executing at least one thinning working of a bending/extending working and an ironing working.

Abstract: An improved double action bottom former for forming and shaping a metal can blank includes an integral cylinder housing having sidewalls forming first and second axial chambers, wherein the second axial chamber houses a piston suspension assembly for resilient positioning of a clamp ring and the first axial chamber houses a dome plug, which is resiliently positioned through use of a donut spring. In addition to serving means to bias the dome plug, the donut spring includes an interior cylindrical space defining a third axial chamber to increase the volumetric capacity of the second axial chamber for added capability in controlling the resilient positioning of the clamp ring to permit high cyclic operation of the bottom former for a sustained period of time without deleterious impact on other operating components comprising bodymaking equipment.

Abstract: An improved double action bottom former for forming and shaping a metal can blank includes an integral cylinder housing having sidewalls forming first and second axial chambers, wherein the second axial chamber houses a piston suspension assembly for resilient positioning of a clamp ring and the first axial chamber houses a dome plug, which is resiliently positioned through use of a donut spring. In addition to serving means to bias the dome plug, the donut spring includes an interior cylindrical space defining a third axial chamber to increase the volumetric capacity of the second axial chamber for added capability in controlling the resilient positioning of the clamp ring to permit high cyclic operation of the bottom former for a sustained period of time without deleterious impact on other operating components comprising bodymaking equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for deep drawing a heavy gage workpiece into a drawn part. A lower die section includes a die cavity therein and a base mounting surface thereon, and further includes a die radius defined between the base mounting surface and the die cavity. Riser blocks mount to the base mounting surface of the die for supporting the workpiece at a predetermined elevation above the base mounting surface of the die. A punch having an end face is capable of reciprocating past the riser blocks and into and out of the die cavity. The workpiece is located on the riser blocks over the die cavity. The punch is advanced from a retracted position into the die cavity, wherein the end face of the punch contacts the workpiece such that the punch and the riser blocks cooperate to pre-form the workpiece therebetween as the punch moves toward the die, but before the workpiece enters the die cavity.

Abstract: A bottom forming station for forming a metal can having a sidewall and base portion is provided. The bottom forming station comprises a punch sleeve. The punch sleeve comprises a body having a sidewall that defines a bore for securely receiving a punch nose. The punch sleeve sidewall has a first section that corresponds to the shape of at least a portion of a beverage can base. The punch sleeve sidewall has a second section that corresponds to at least a portion of a beverage can sidewall profile. The second surface is integrally coupled with the first surface. The punch sleeve sidewall has a third section that is adapted to communicate with a punch nose and form a slip line that has a junction area in a non-active area. The third section is integrally coupled with the first and second sections. A bottom forming station also comprises a punch nose. The punch nose includes a body having a sidewall. The sidewall has a first section that corresponds to the shape of at least a portion of a beverage can base.

Abstract: A containment structure for housing an inflatable air bag cushion and inflator. Extrusion processes are used to form the portion of the containment structure which houses the inflatable air bag cushion while non-extrusion processes are used to form the portion of the containment structure which houses the inflator in fluid communication with the inflatable cushion. The portion of the containment structure which houses the inflatable air bag cushion is preferably formed from a lightweight, readily deformable material and will preferably be formed from extruded aluminum or plastic. The portion of the containment structure housing the inflator is preferably formed by a deep drawing or molding process so as to include an integral chamber sized for the acceptance and storage of the inflator therein.

Abstract: A container end is provided with a suitable stock thickness for necessary strength and pressure resistance over its selected areas of its central portion while employing a substantially thinner peripheral wall. A method of forming thins the peripheral wall by drawing and ironing in a single workstation using compound die that also shears the blank from sheet stock. Optionally, multi-layers or laminates form the central portion of a lid, with a reduced number of layers forming the peripheral wall. Alternatively, the peripheral wall is thinned by ironing, spinning, or roll forming after the blank is formed into a shell. A forming apparatus clamps a planar peripheral wall of a blank with a clamping element that includes a thining tool. The apparatus oppositely offsets the center of the blank from the peripheral wall to draw the peripheral wall over the thinning tool on the clamping element.