Abstract: A drive for use in the manufacture of cans comprises a hydraulically powered guide pod to which a hold down assembly is attached. The guide pod slides along a guide rod which is fixed in the bodymaker. Forward and rear hydraulic chambers are defined between the pod and the guide rod by means of bushings and a seal. Passage of fluid through ports to and from the chambers causes the pod and hold down assembly to move forwards and backwards. The length of the stroke can be set by the distance between the ports. A rotary valve is used to control the timing of the drive and control flow of hydraulic fluid, which is typically obtained from the bodymaker coolant supply.

Abstract: A process for the production of a can comprising a base and a tubular body from sheet metal which is coated on at least one side with a layer of plastic, in which process, firstly, a round disc is produced from the sheet metal, which disc is then deep-drawn into a cup which is coated at least on the outside with the layer of plastic, after which this cup is formed into a can by wall ironing, the wall ironing taking place in a single stroke by moving the cup successively through a plurality of wall-ironing rings, in which process an optionally metal-coated steel sheet is used as the sheet metal, and in which process the entry angle from each of the successive at lest three wall-ironing rings is smaller than that of the preceding ring.

Abstract: An internally cooled punch disposed on the end of a ram in a can forming machine. Internal fluid cooling means in the ram avoids the need for externally applied cooling fluids. A plurality of parallel fluid transfer tubes is arranged annularly within the ram. Cooling medium flows through inlet tubes to radial inlet ports which supply the cooling medium to the inner surface of the punch where the medium flows rearwardly through a channel at the inner surface of the punch to radial outlet ports leading to outlet tubes through the ram. Discharged cooling media flows back along the ram and out through a manifold. The transfer tubes are arranged symmetrically in an alternating array circumferentially around the ram to reduce radial temperature gradients within the ram. A central port allows air flow through the ram to aid in stripping the formed container from the punch.

Abstract: A can forming tool pack includes internally cooled die modules. Each die module includes at least one die nib held in a case. Fluid cooling medium is supplied to multiple inlets provided circumferentially in each case, spaced symmetrically around the case. The cooling fluid is channeled from the inlets through clearances between an outer surface of the die nib and the case to cool the die nib. Outlets are spaced circumferentially around the case to return the cooling fluid to the medium supply.

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 can forming tool pack includes internally cooled die modules. Each die module includes at least one die nib held in a case. Fluid cooling medium is supplied to multiple inlets provided circumferentially in each case, spaced symmetrically around the case. The cooling fluid is channeled from the inlets through clearances between an outer surface of the die nib and the case to cool the die nib. Outlets are spaced circumferentially around the case to return the cooling fluid to the medium supply.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a can body making apparatus include a frame, a contact member and a reciprocation assembly. The reciprocation assembly comprises a ram and a guide assembly. The contact member is for dynamically interfacing with at least a surface of the reciprocation assembly and comprises a material capable of withstanding a minimum PV value of 50,000 psi*ft/min without lubrication. Exemplary embodiments of a reciprocation apparatus are further provided that include a frame, a contact member and a reciprocation assembly. The reciprocation assembly includes an elongated member and a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a main body portion and a removable cartridge. The cartridge houses the contact member and is adapted to secure the contact member relative to the guide assembly. The contact member is for dynamically interfacing with at least a surface of the reciprocation assembly.

Abstract: A casing for cylindrical electrochemical cells, for example, alkaline cells or lithium cells. The casing is characterized by having a non-uniform wall thickness. The casing comprises a cylindrical body surface, an open end and an integrally formed closed bottom. A portion of the casing body forms the peripheral edge of the casing at the open end thereof. The casing body surface has a wall thickness which is less than the wall thickness of the casing bottom. The casing has a peripheral edge which has a wall thickness which is greater than the wall thickness of the body surface. The peripheral edge wall thickness is desirably about the same or greater than the wall thickness of the casing bottom. The casing is formed by subjecting a sheet of metal to a series of discrete punching steps. A partially formed cup is punched through a die cavity in each step thereby progressively drawing the cup to a progressively reduced diameter and increased length.

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: In press forming including ironing, an elastically deformable material is used for a part of ironing die contacting to the work material under a higher pressure than designed, for taking the formed product out from the die easily in a case that the ironing die and the formed product are very close in size to each other, and thereby improving the efficiency of production.

Abstract: For providing a simultaneous both-sided ironing-deep drawing process, producing vessels like metallic cans which strong enough in their use and, after having been used, can easily be squashed by hand or foot, the height difference between the inner die and outer die and the profile radii of the inner die and outer die have been changed to changed the longitudinal wall strength of tubular structures in the simultaneous both-sided ironing-deep drawing process, holding a work material between the inner die and outer die, and simultaneously ironing both-sides of the work wall, and thereby obtaining tubular structures.

Abstract: A method is provided for ironing a cup to a selected wall thickness, using a mandrel that pushes the cup through several ironing rings that are axially aligned with the central axis of the mandrel. The method includes selecting a wall thickness, providing a resistive heater associated with at least one of the punch, the ram and the ironing rings, and controlling a gap between the punch and the ironing rings, and thus the wall thickness of the ironed can body, by setting a temperature of at least one of the punch, the ram and the ironing rings. The temperature is set by controlling electrical current in the resistive heater to provide a controlled gap between the mandrel and ironing rings, to produce a wall thickness of the ironed can body equal to the selected wall thickness when the can body is pushed through the ironing rings by the mandrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously forming cases from blanks using a rotary turret. Blanks are deposited near dies located on the turret. Each blank is centered on the rotary turret using an associated centering mechanism so that the blank is centered over the die. A punch aligned with the die is drives toward an extended position to push the blank through the die, thereby forming a case. The punch and centering mechanism retract as an ejector extends to remove the case from the die. A redraw sleeve coaxial with the punch strips the case from the punch to deposit the punch on the extended ejector. Subsequent turrets may be connected through transfer wheels to the first turret for performing redrawing operations until a case with the desired dimensions is obtained.

Abstract: The invention concerns components of food cans (1), can bodies (6), and ends fabricated starting from a stratified construction constituted by a foil of plastic material on each of the faces of which adheres a metal foil and their fabrication process. The components are characterized by the nature of the material, metal-polymer-metal construction and by the fact that ratio of the plastic thickness to the sum of the metal thicknesses is greater than 0.5. The fabrication process is drawing in one or several passes characterized preferably by the particular shape of the punch and of the die plates. The invention applies equally to the fabrication of food cans as to ends for food cans or for beverage cans.

Abstract: An apparatus for a cooled toolpack cradle for the extrusion of aluminum cans. The apparatus comprises a toolpack having more than one tool. The apparatus further comprises a means for delivering aluminum cans into the toolpack. The apparatus further comprises a hardened steel block that is attached to the toolpack and to the base of the toolpack cradle to absorb extrusion forces on the toolpack during the extrusion of aluminum cans. The apparatus further comprises two independently adjustable wedges which by reciprocating means raise or lower the toolpack either uniformly or one end independent of the other. The apparatus further comprises means to preload the adjustment wedges to eliminate backlash. The apparatus further comprises a pad in the toolpack cover to provide the required downward clamping force with coolant passages that connect directly with coolant distribution rings with no intermediate hose connection.

Abstract: In one broad aspect the present invention comprises the steps of providing a titanium-based material preform and superplastically forming the preform to a final helmet shape. In another broad aspect, a first piece of fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composite material is hot isostatically pressed (HIP'ed) to form a side wall section. A second piece of fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composite material is hot pressed to form an upper dome section. The side wall section is then HIP/diffusion bonded to the upper dome section.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming cup-shaped metal members from a flat metal sheet in a press having a ram which moves a cut edge, draw horn and draw pad towards a base holding a blank and draw die. The draw pad is formed with an annular outer rib which engages an opposed clamping surface of the die upon the peripheral edge of a disc blank moving around an inner radius of the die and into a cup forming cavity to maintain a space between the clamping surfaces of the draw pad and die of between 50% and 95% the thickness of the metal sheet to reduce excess pinching of the peripheral edge of the disk blank as it moves around the die radius as the draw horn draws the disk blank into the cup-shaped member.

Abstract: A method for impressing holographic images or holograms in the surface of metal objects such as aluminum cans. The surfaces of metal shims and print rolls bearing holograms are hardened as by coating them with thin amorphous diamond coatings or diamond like coatings so the holograms can be embossed into many thousands of metal objects with clarity and consistency.

Abstract: New technology for fabricating a one-piece cup-shaped can body which is formed free of side wall ironing from can stock comprising flat-rolled sheet metal substrate precoated with protective organic coating and forming lubricant. A plurality of successive diameter-reduction operations are carried out on a planar blank and cup-shaped work product during which side wall height is increased and side wall substrate is decreased in thickness to provide controlled uniformity in side wall substrate thickness over about 85% to about 95% of side wall height for such can body. The fabricating tooling provides for a preselected clearance between a punch peripheral wall and a die cavity internal wall in each of such plurality of diameter-reduction operations to achieve a desired decrease in side wall thickness as the precoated substrate is moved into a die cavity by relative movement of its respective punch.

Abstract: A redraw die for a can body maker incorporates an undercut sidewall, a grooved face and a reduced radius at the intersection between the grooved face and the sidewall. The undercut side wall is positioned proximate to the grooved face so as to permit a cup positioned over the redraw die to flex into an ovoid shape without pinching or binding against the side of the redraw sleeve. These features help prevent the formation of wrinkles when the cup is drawn and ironed in the body maker.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for TWB forming with adaptive control of movable punch and/or die segments in a manner to maintain a holding force at the weld line by the punch and die segments during at least initial forming of the blank in a manner to control and limit movement of the weld line. A tailor welded metal blank having a weld line is positioned between a punch and a die with the weld line spanning a cavity defined between the punch and the die. One or more individual segments of the punch and of the die are moved in a manner to engage opposite side regions of the weld line to apply a holding force to the weld line. Relative movement of the punch and/or die segments is adaptively controlled during at least initial deformation of the blank by the punch in a manner to maintain the holding force applied to weld line at a selected holding force value to retain the weld line in a plane defined by the punch and die segments, thereby reducing weld line movement.

Abstract: A method for impressing holographic images or holograms in the surface of metal objects such as aluminum cans. The surfaces of metal shims and print rolls bearing holograms are hardened as by coating them with thin amorphous diamond coatings or diamond like coatings so the holograms can be embossed into many thousands of metal cans with clarity and consistency.

Abstract: A method for making hollow workpieces such as beverage containers with a circular die in which an aluminum alloy is strip cast whereby the alloy is solidified rapidly without substantial precipitation. Thereafter, the aluminum alloy is formed into a cup which is drawn and passed through one or more dies to iron the walls of the cup and thereby lengthen the side walls thereof using at least one circular die having a die angle of less than about 6.degree.. It has been found that the use of such small die angles prevents or minimizes galling and tearoffs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a non-cylindrical can body having a bottom wall and a side wall from an elongated flat strip of sheet metal having a known grain orientation. A non-circular blank is formed from the metal strip in a first forming press with the grain extending in a known direction. The blank is drawn by the press into a non-cylindrical can blank with the grain direction being known in the bottom wall of the can blank. The can blank is moved toward a second press and is oriented automatically as it passes through an orienting station so the direction of the grain is known when entering the second press. The can blank is redrawn to form a non-cylindrical can body with a known grain direction in the bottom wall of the can body by maintaining the orientation of the can blank as it is drawn and redrawn in the second press.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to manufacture cell-cans by DI can method, by manufacturing a bottomed cylindrical cup-shaped intermediate product from a sheet material of which both surfaces are nickel plated and annealed in an atmosphere of inert gas making the metal nickel layer thickness and the hardness at predetermined values, then ironing the intermediate product at a predetermined ironing rate, securing a thickness of the metal nickel layer of more than 1.0 .mu.m and a Vickers hardness of more than HV 200 on the side wall of finished cell-cans. By this, conventional defect problems due to the cracks generated on the intermediate product can be solved completely and the problem of hair-lines formed on the surface of finished cell-can can be eliminated.

Abstract: An improved can body maker apparatus has a redraw system of reduced mass. An air actuator is incorporated into the redraw motion assembly to maintain a cam actuated arm in contact with a cam surface during the reform cycle. A improved mechanical linkage eliminates the conventional redraw carriage. The redraw sleeve is supported within a fluid bearing mounted in a stationary housing.

Abstract: Compact rolling block comprising at least one rolling mill stand having a horizontal axis and at least one rolling mill stand having a vertical axis, two end rolling mill stands having the same axis and being separated by a central rolling mill stand having an axis substantially at 90.degree.

Abstract: A method for making hollow workpieces such as beverage containers with a circular die in which an aluminum alloy is strip cast whereby the alloy is solidified rapidly without substantial precipitation. Thereafter, the aluminum alloy is formed into a cup which is drawn and passed through one or more dies to iron the walls of the cup and thereby lengthen the side walls thereof using at least one circular die having a die angle of less than about 6 degrees and a chamfer angle of less than 35 degrees. It has been found that the use of such die angles prevents or minimizes galling and tearoffs.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cup-shaped article includes making the thickness of a cylinder portion of a cup-shaped configuration uniform, between a step of drawing a flat plate material portion into a cup-shaped configuration and a step of ironing the cup-shaped configuration into a final cup-shaped article. Increasing the thickness may be performed by coining or axial compression. The thickness increasing step may be replaced by a step, provided prior to the drawing step, of providing a plate material portion having a greater thickness at a radially inner portion than at a radially outer portion.

Abstract: A die for the toolpack of a wall-ironing apparatus for forming metal cans is laterally displaceable for accommodating misalignment of the wall-ironing punch from its central axis. Restoring force to return the die to its own central position is provided by pneumatically operated biassing elements. For increasing the restoring force available, those biassing elements which are on the upstream side of lateral die movement are rendered ineffective on the die by engagement with stops located at the central die position. Usually, as described, the die is one of a pair of dies coupled for lateral movement together.

Abstract: A method of sequentially manufacturing a hollow knock pin avoids distortion due to the large forces of shearing. A rounded corner of a deep-drawn cup shape is supported closely both on the inside radius and on the outside radius by curved walls matched to the cup's surface. The bottom of the cup is punched out close to the rounded corner. Due to the close support, no distortion occurs during the shearing operation. The close support also permits the pin bore to be smoothed by plastic deformation of the metal, without elastic deformation of the lip adjacent to the rounded corner.

Abstract: An annular device (10) particularly for use as a spacer between dies (200) in a drawing and wall ironing process, the device including an outer delivery channel (30) which is linked to an inner delivery channel (40) by angled slots (50), so that liquid passing from the outer to the inner channel merges in the inner channel to form a vortex of fluid. The device also includes a lip (42) on the wall of the inner channel adjacent to the bore of the device, which serves as directing means to force the merged vortex of liquid out of the spacer in a longitudinal manner for cooling, lubricating and washing adjacent members.

Abstract: A metal mould for making a frozen confectionery product is made of a titanium-containing materials, the mould being produced by cold-working a sheet-formed blank, either by deep-drawing or by pressing two half shells which are subsequently welded together. By using titanium for the ice lolly moulds, it is possible to avoid the use of poisonous inhibitors, without any risk of corrosion on the moulds. There is a considerable risk of corrosion on the moulds as the moulds used in the production of frozen confectionery products are subjected to freezing baths with strong saline solutions. When using titanium material for making the metal moulds, it is further possible to perform stress-relieving annealing at a lower temperature than was formerly possible when the moulds were made of stainless steel.

Abstract: New technology for fabricating a one-piece cup-shaped can body is formed free of side wall ironing from can stock comprising flat-rolled sheet metal substrate precoated with protective organic coating and forming lubricant. A plurality of successive diameter-reduction operations are carried out a planar blank and cup-shaped work product during which side wall height is increased and side wall substrate is decreased in thickness to provide controlled uniformity in side wall substrate thickness over about 85% to about 95% of side wall height for such can body. The fabricating tooling provides for a preselected clearance between a punch peripheral wall and a die cavity internal wall in each of such plurality of diameter-reduction operations to achieve a desired decrease in side wall thickness as the precoated substrate is moved into a die cavity by relative movement of its respective punch.

Abstract: A container body is produced from a blank, by first forming the blank from sheet stock in hexagonal shape, thereby eliminating scrap from the blanking process. A die ring is configured to laterally redistribute material from the point areas of the hexagon into intermediate areas during the draw-and-iron can forming process, usefully incorporating this material instead of trimming it.

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: Draw processing flat-rolled sheet metal substrate preselectively precoated on each surface with organic coating and draw lubricant into one-piece can bodies ready for assembly into sanitary packs free of any requirement for washing, organic coating or repair of organic coating after fabrication and before such direct usage. Selective organic precoating includes embodying a blooming compound which is made available as draw lubricant responsive to heat and/or pressure of draw forming; also, surface application of a draw lubricant after curing of the organic coating. Combined lubricant on each surface is verified before start of fabricating. Draw-forming of tensile strength sheet metal is controlled over side wall height by clamping solely between planar clamping surfaces and by interruption of draw to establish a flange at the open end of cup-shaped work product.

Abstract: A press having a frame, a tool support 41 mounted on the frame, a ram 8 movable toward and away from the tool support, and a blank holder 20 surrounding the ram for movement towards and away from the tool support by a crosshead 21 has a crosshead plate 45 guided during motion towards and away from the tool support by pillars 42, 43 operably engaged with the tool support. The blank holder is adjustable to align with the tool support 20 and ram 8.

Abstract: A metal drawn and ironed container body having a sidewall, an annular neck integrally formed with the sidewall and extending upwardly and inwardly from an upper end of the sidewall, and a bottom integrally formed with and diposed adjacent a lower end of the sidewall. The bottom includes an annular convex support, an annular transition wall interconnecting the lower end of the sidewall to the convex support, and a generally concave center panel extending upwardly and inwardly relative to the convex support. The transition wall includes a first convex annular portion extending generally downwardly and inwardly from the lower end of the sidewall, a first concave annular portion extending generally downwardly and inwardly from the first convex annular portion, a second convex annular portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the first concave annular portion, and a second concave annular portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the second convex annular portion.

Abstract: Draw processing flat-rolled sheet metal substrate preselectively precoated on each surface with organic coating and draw lubricant into one-piece can bodies ready for assembly into sanitary can packs free of any requirement for applying organic coating or adding organic coating for repair purposes after fabrication and before such direct usage. Cupping of precoated flat-rolled sheet metal can stock using preselected tooling configurations and clearance avoids any increase in side wall metal thickness gage. Tension elongation during redraw is controlled over side wall height by clamping solely between planar clamping surfaces, tooling configurations and preselected clearances to decrease thickness gage uniformly over side wall height between flange metal open end of can body and curved transition zone at closed end. Surface area of the cavity entrance zone for each die is fabricated about multiple radii forming sharp edge about which coated can stock is drawn into each die cavity.

Abstract: An improved can body maker apparatus has a ram system that incorporates a ram guidance mechanical linkage that supports the linear motion of the ram and translates non linear circular motion of the crank into the linear motion of the ram.

Abstract: A bodymaker tool pack including a plurality interleaved ironing and spacer rings through which a ram or punch forces a workpiece to redraw a metal can body. Hydrostatic pads are created between the punch and spacer rings to effectively guide the punch through the tool pack. Additionally, the ironing and spacer rings are themselves supported by hydrostatic pressure pads formed within the tool pack housing.

Abstract: A predrawn can made of a metal sheet coated with an organic film is subjected to a process which reduces its diameter and thins its walls by a high thinning ratio. The thinning is achieved by a blank holder (1), a redrawing die (3) and an ironing die (4), the reduction ratio for the ironing die being defined by ##EQU1## wherein T.sub.2 equals the thickness of the can before ironing and T.sub.3 equals the thickness after ironing, wherein the reduction ratio for the ironing die is in the range of 10 to 50%. The wall at the top end portion of the can is maintained thicker than the rest of the can wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for stripping a cylindrical workpiece, such as a can body, from a cylindrical supporting device, such as a punch in a can body making machine, using a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart fingers which are mounted for radial and linear sliding movement between a non-stripping location and a stripping location.

Abstract: Method and device for drawing and ironing a metallic or metalloplastic can by utilizing a chamber arranged for flow of lubricant therethrough, including an input opening and an output opening, and which is placed upstream of at least one drawing die. The chamber includes an annular, long and narrow, cylindro-conical antechamber located upstream of the die, adjacent to the external surface of the can which is being drawn, the antechamber having a length lo between 3 and 50 mm, and a thickness jo between 25 and 200 .mu.m.

Abstract: A lubrication system for an body maker of the type which is used in a container fabrication facility to shape a metallic can body includes a filter, a first conduit for conveying coolant from the body maker to an inlet side of the filter, a second conduit for conveying coolant from an outlet side of the filter to the body maker, a pump in one of the conduits for pumping coolant in a circuit which includes the filter, the conduits and the body maker, and a coolant makeup system for adding coolant to the circuit. The coolant makeup system is constructed and arranged to continuously supply coolant to the circuit to make up for continuous losses of coolant at the body maker.

Abstract: An improved can body maker apparatus has a redraw system of reduced mass. An air actuator is incorporated into the redraw motion assembly to maintain a cam actuated arm in contact with a cam surface during the reform cycle. A improved mechanical linkage eliminates the conventional redraw carriage. The redraw sleeve is supported within a fluid bearing mounted in a stationary housing.

Abstract: In a can body maker for the forming of a shallow metal cup blank into a relatively deep shaped cup body, a redraw sleeve for use in a redraw mechanism has a generally cylindrical body portion with a first end adapted to engage the redraw mechanism and an opposite, second end for contact with the shallow cup blank during the forming of the deep shaped cup body. The second end has a radially inwardly directed, circumferentially disposed, deformable face that facilitates uniform contact with the metal cup while compensating for minor misalignment of the cup and ram.

Abstract: An air bag actuator is incorporated into the redraw motion assembly of a can body maker apparatus to maintain a cam actuated arm in compression during the reform cycle. Additionally, a housing is provided to enclose an air bag actuator, preventing axial displacement of the air bag and inadvertent damage to it during operations. The air bag actuator also functions as a pivotal link in the redraw system and eliminates the need for a complex pneumatic systems that include surge tanks, air supply tanks, and housing.

Abstract: A can forming apparatus interposes a plurality of feed guides projecting part way into a path of feed of a can blank. The feed guides hold a leading can blank and embrace it in cooperating outer peripheral recesses to move the can blank into alignment with a die. Radially extended portions, continuous from the recesses, press the can blank downward after the can blank is released from the recesses. A pair of leaf springs or a pair of rollers temporarily hold the can blank before it is pressed downward by the radially extended portions of feed guides. An elongated punch is advanced into the die bore effect deep drawing and ironing of the can blank in the die bore thereby forming a can body. The punch is driven in reciprocating linear motion, supported on fluid bearings. Pressurized gas is admitted through the punch into the can body at a time in the can-forming cycle appropriate to remove the can from the punch. The pressurized gas separates the can body from the punch.