Abstract: A drawing and ironing assembly consists of a redraw assembly, at least one ironing assembly and a stripper assembly that cooperate with a punch to redraw a cup and then iron the sidewall thereof. The redraw assembly includes a support and a redraw ring which are also biased to a centered position and a floating air bearing is defined between the support and the frame surface to reduce friction while a nesting ring is located adjacent the redraw ring. Lubricating means are provided for creating a generally circumferential flow into the opening in the nesting ring. The stripper assembly includes a support which carries the stripper elements and the support is biased to a centered position with respect to a predetermined axis or path for the punch and fluid is supplied to relatively movable surfaces to assist in reducing friction.

Abstract: An improved deep drawn and ironed metal shell for use as a pressure vessel having selectively controlled wall thicknesses to impart additional strength to predetermined portions of the improved metal shell. A stepped mandrel is utilized in conjunction with at least one ironing die to fabricate the improved metal shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a drawn container pan having planar side walls and smooth curved corner walls the upper edges of which are formed with an outwardly directed peripheral stacker ledge and an upstanding rim, and wherein the pan is formed by drawing the peripheral edge of a blank between clamping surfaces under selected pressure differential at the portions of the blank forming the side and corner walls of the pan. A method and apparatus are also disclosed for trimming the drawn pan and forming stacking protuberances adjacent the corners of the pan.

Abstract: An inverted press for producing multiple drawn metal containers combines in one press the functions of cupping and drawing presses. The press includes a blanking and cupping station and several drawing and redrawing stations, disposed one adjacent the other and rendered serially operative by a vertically reciprocable slide assembly. At each stage of operation the material, semifinished article or finished article is under complete control. A method for producing a drawn container by multiple forming and reforming of a drawn article, is also provided.

Abstract: A tool pack assembly includes three modular units that are aligned with the path for a punch to redraw and iron a cup into a container shell. The first modular unit has a redraw ring assembly, a lubricating ring and an ironing ring serially supported in a support member while the second modular unit has a lubricating ring and an ironing ring in a support member. The third modular unit has a unique lubricant removal ring, a lubricating ring, an ironing ring and a stripper assembly arranged in series in a support member.

Abstract: A method of forming a nestable and stackable drawn and ironed container is disclosed. The container is designed to permit a plurality of the containers to be stacked within one another to thereby permit transport of empty containers while occupying far less space than previously required for beverage containers.

Abstract: An inverted press for producing multiple drawn metal containers combines in one press the functions of cupping and drawing presses. The press includes a blanking and cupping station and several drawing and redrawing stations, disposed one adjacent the other and rendered serially operative by a vertically reciprocable slide assembly. At each stage of operation the material, semifinished article or finished article is under complete control. A method for producing a drawn container by multiple forming and reforming of a drawn article, is also provided.

Abstract: A drawing and ironing assembly consists of a redraw assembly, at least one ironing assembly and a stripper assembly that cooperate with a punch to redraw a cup and then iron the sidewall thereof. The redraw assembly includes a support and a redraw ring which are also biased to a centered position and a floating air bearing is defined between the support and the frame surface to reduce friction while a nesting ring is located adjacent the redraw ring. Lubricating means are provided for creating a generally circumferential flow into the opening in the nesting ring. The stripper assembly includes a support which carries the stripper elements and the support is biased to a centered position with respect to a predetermined axis or path for the punch and fluid is supplied to relatively movable surfaces to assist in reducing friction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming integral domed can bodies for aerosol cans. The apparatus is in the form of plural sets of tools, each set of tools including an inside tool and an outside tool so related as progressively to reduce the diameter of an end portion of the tubular body and in doing so gradually increasing the axial extent of an intermediate frustoconical portion. Each frustoconical intermediate portion is increased in extent axially by seating the previously formed portion on the inside tool and then shaping the blank on that same surface, whereby there is no interruption or stepping of the formed frustoconical intermediate portion of the blank.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for cold extruding 18% nickel maraging steel to form an article of manufacture, such as a sub projectile blank for the manufacture of cannon rounds which includes performing a series of cold extrusion operations on an extrusion blank with a tapered punch to produce a combination forward extrusion and backward extrusion. On the first cold extrusion operation a tapered hole is formed in the extrusion blank and the extrusion blank is elongated. Subsequent cold extrusion operations progressively elongate both the extrusion blank and the tapered hole. The punch and die geometry are such that the tapered hole is elongated by penetration of the punch into the blank and additionally backward extrusion of the material around the punch. Additionally, as the tapered hole becomes increasingly longer, a floating punch is employed wherein at least a portion of the punch is supported by the walls of the tapered hole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming cup-shaped metal containers from a metal blank by drawing and then redrawing the blank to its finished configuration is disclosed. The method and apparatus is intended for use in a double acting press having inner and outer rams which operate in relatively timed relationship. The means for performing the drawing operation are operatively associated with the outer ram and the means for performing the redrawing operation are carried by the inner ram. The drawing means are pneumatically activated and the redrawing means on the inner ram are telescopically received within the drawing means of the outer ram and carry peripheral radially extending shoulders thereon for engagement with the drawing means so that, for at least a portion of the travel of the inner ram, travel of the drawing means is retarded thereby controlling the timing of the actuation of the drawing means and reducing the stroke of the press required to accomplish the triple action drawing and redrawing function.

Abstract: A reciprocal ram at commencement of a forward strokes engages a cup-shaped article carrying it through metal working dies and against a doming die at reversal into a rearward stroke immediately followed by stripping of the article from the ram. The ram has an internal chamber constantly fed pressurized air through a rearward restricted orifice, the chamber opening freely of the ram forward end portion and internally of the article when thereon. By preselecting orifice size, chamber and article volumes matched with air pressure, a predetermined volume of air at predetermined pressure is confined in the ram forwardly against the article immediately prior to stripping and preferably engagement of the article by an external stripper results in an internal stripping assist by the confined pressurized air, the increasing exposed volume of the article increasing the air confinement volume reducing the air pressure progressively to substantially atmospheric at completion of article stripping.

Abstract: A reciprocal ram carries a metallic cup on an end thereof axially through a die pack opening and a die ring thereof in a working metal forming stroke, the cup is stripped therefrom and the ram moves reversely through the die ring in a return stroke. An annular lubricant nozzle surrounding the die pack opening forwardly adjacent the die ring directs an annular flow of lubricant continuously axially along and against an angled die ring entrance surface to a die ring forming surface during presence of the cup therein, and over the die ring forming surface and through natural adherence along a die ring angled exit surface during lack of presence of the cup regardless of the ram position in its strokes.

Abstract: Plural dies for stepwise drawing a hollow blank on a mandrel are spaced so that a downstream die is placed at a location where the drawing strain from the previous die has been reduced to zero because the tensile stress in the deforming zone is balanced by adhesion to the mandrel.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming cup-shaped metal containers from a metal blank by drawing and then redrawing the blank to its finished configuration is disclosed. The apparatus is intended for use in a double acting press having inner and outer rams which operate in relatively timed relationship. The means for performing the drawing operation are operatively associated with the outer ram and the means for performing the redrawing operation are carried by the inner ram. The drawing means are pneumatically activated and the redrawing means on the inner ram are telescopically received within the drawing means of the outer ram and carry peripheral radially extending shoulders thereon for engagement with the drawing means so that, for at least a portion of the travel of the inner ram, travel of the drawing means is retarded thereby controlling the timing of the actuation of the drawing means and reducing the stroke of the press required to accomplish the triple action drawing and redrawing function.

Abstract: A cup holder sleeve and its support assembly for use in a drawing and ironing machine that has a circular bore and is supported for radial as well as tilting movement of the axis of the elongated bore with respect to the support. The support includes a pair of members that cooperate to define a recess surrounding a circular opening and an enlarged portion of the cup holder sleeve is received into the recess and cooperates with a cupper support element. The cup holder support element and cup holder sleeve are normally radially centered with respect to the opening by centering springs and the cup holder sleeve is normally maintained in engagement with the support element by hold-down springs. The cup holder sleeve and support element can be moved radially while the cup holder sleeve can be tilted with respect to the support element and all of the elements are normally maintained in a predetermined position by the centering springs and the hold-down springs.

Abstract: A method of producing heat exchanger fins, comprising the steps of perforating an aperture of a small diameter in a predetermined portion of a sheet material, while simultaneously forming a projecting cylinder of a diameter smaller than that of the flanged aperture to be ultimately formed, and machining the projecting cylinder into a flange of a predetermined dimension by simultaneous burring an ironing operations using a punch of a predetermined size.

Abstract: A container for drawing or ironing dies is particularly useful but is not limited to can making. It includes an outer ring having an inwardly extending flange at one end and a disc secured to its other end so as to provide a peripheral space for receiving at least three segments which are resiliently urged against a die ring. The radial length of the slot is greater than the radial length of the segments so that the die ring can be displaced from the normal axis of the die pack. Means co-axial with the normal axis of the die limit inward movement of the segments.

Abstract: A double-acting press for precision deep-stamping requiring a plurality of passes comprises two tool assemblies arranged coaxially facing one another. The first tool assembly is constituted by a hollow stem double-acting hydraulic stamping jack, the head of which contains a cascade of annular dies, one for each pass required, of internal size decreasing from the first pass die situated at the free end of the head. The first pass die bears on its front leading surface the male blank-cutting punch and the spacing of the leading surfaces of two successive dies is at least equal to the height of the blank after its passage through the first of said two dies. A second hydraulic jack, called a central jack whose body is fast to and coaxial with that of the stamping jack has its stem passing coaxially through the hollow stem and the head of the latter.

Abstract: A domer assembly which cooperates with the punch of a drawing and ironing machine to reform an end wall of a container includes a support that has a flat supporting surface defined in the bottom of a recess and a carrier element having a cooperating surface engaging the flat bottom surface. A domer element is supported on the carrier element and both are movable as a unit radially of the path of movement of the punch and are normally centered with respect to the axis of the punch through biasing springs which will accommodate radial movement. The assembly also includes means for supplying air between the surfaces to act as a fluid bearing and reduce friction.

Abstract: An improved mounting for ironing dies used in forming drawn and ironed metal articles, such as can bodies, at high speeds is disclosed. The support is formed of a metal ring having a plurality of fingers extending outwardly and axially from the ring. These fingers act as springs to allow the ironing dies, which are deflectably mounted on these fingers, to shift slightly in a direction generally perpendicular to their axes to accommodate off-centered cups which pass through the ironing dies to be formed into can bodies. The improved support is unaffected by the lubricant present in great amounts in the die cavities and on the cups so that the ironing die support will not deteriorate over time.

Abstract: A horizontally reciprocal ram is movably supported on a can bodymaker for forward and rearward movement of a ram forward end through a die assembly by stationary, spaced, hydrostatic oil bearing sleeves located rearwardly of the die assembly thereby isolating at least a major portion of the ram for support and alignment for remainder of the bodymaker. Drive mechanism supplying horizontal ram drive to a ram rearward end may include a movable hydrostatic oil bearing slide connected to the ram through various optional forms of drive connection means supplying varying degrees of relative flexibility between the ram and slide to thereby determine the degree of ram isolation by the bearing sleeves with an optimum of substantially full ram isolation. Included in certain of the drive connection means providing greater flexibility for greater ram isolation are variously located hydrostatic oil bearing pad assemblies.

Abstract: A reciprocal ram at commencement of a forward stroke engages a cup-shaped article carrying it through metal working dies and against a doming die at reversal into a rearward stroke immediately followed by stripping of the article from the ram. The ram has an internal chamber constantly fed pressurized air through a rearward restricted orifice, the chamber opening freely of the ram forward end portion and internally of the article when thereon. By preselecting orifice size, chamber and article volumes matched with air pressure, a predetermined volume of air at predetermined pressure is confined in the ram forwardly against the article immediately prior to stripping and preferably engagement of the article by an external stripper results in an internal stripping assist by the confined pressurized air, the increasing exposed volume of the article increasing the air confinement volume reducing the air pressure progressively to substantially atmospheric at completion of article stripping.

Abstract: The method of drawing uniformly heavy walled parts in a multiple plunger machine without any intermediate anneals and a machine for carrying out the method. The method comprises a number of press operations which convert a flat blank to a final desired drawn configuration, the relatively uniform wall thickness being maintained throughout the operation by the mouth configuration of each die and by means of supplemental sleeves that assist the punches in extending the drawn shells into the dies with no stretch to the metal or thinning of walls. Work hardening due to stretch or tensile load is minimized allowing more deformation without anneals.

Abstract: A container for drawing or ironing dies is particularly useful but is not limited to can making. It includes an outer ring having an inwardly extending flange at one end and a disc secured to its other end so as to provide a peripheral space for receiving at least three segments which are resiliently urged against a die ring. The radial length of the slot is greater than the radial length of the segments so that the die ring can be displaced from the normal axis of the die pack. Means co-axial with the normal axis of the die limit inward movement of the segments.

Abstract: A split punch tool for cooperating with a die block to form the wall of a drawn and ironed container is disclosed herein. The split punch or cooperating die includes a female portion that has a peripheral lip that can be placed in overhanging relation to the periphery of the die block and the female portion has a peripheral ledge which extends perpendicular to the direction of movement of the die block and die with respect to each other and also an inclined surface extending from the inner edge of the ledge or inwardly directed surface. The surfaces are adapted to engage mating surfaces defined on the end of a cylindrical member that forms part of the cooperating die so that the ledge defines a perpendicular support for the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A cupping tool for use in a double acting press to perform the operations of blanking, drawing and redrawing of sheet stock in predetermined timing sequence to form a cup during each stroke of the press and wherein the successive punching operations of telescoping, draw and redraw punches are governed by means of an automatic punch interlock means wholly enclosed within the body of the tool and actuated by relative movement of the draw punch and the tool body.

Abstract: An ironing ring for use in the manufacture of drawn and ironed unitary sheet metal can bodies made from flat rolled steel blackplate. The interior working surface of the ironing ring is treated by diamond wheel grinding, or the like, to form fine-line indentations which decrease the surface contact of the ironing ring with the metal surface being ironed. The linearly extended indentations extend over the entry portion of the ring to, or into, the dwell portion of the ring and help draw ironing lubricant into the ring during the ironing operation.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus adaptable for use on a double acting press for producing high reduction metallic cups of high quality. The double acting press is provided with a crankshaft having a pair of offset cranks for attachment to the outer punch holder and the redraw horn assembly to produce a time lag between the operation of the outer punch holder and the redraw horn assembly.

Abstract: The slide of a multiple station metalworking press is provided with a plurality of punches mounted on the slide for movement therewith and including one punch which is extendable and retractable relative to the slide in the direction of slide movement. The extendable and retractable punch is hydraulically actuated during reciprocating movement of the slide and is so actuated by a fluid pumping arrangement responsive to slide movement. As the slide moves downwardly toward the press bed the one punch is extended relative to the slide. Similarly, during movement of the slide away from the bed the one punch is retracted relative to the slide. Accordingly, the extendable and retractable punch has a stroke longer than that of the slide by the amount of extension of the punch relative to the slide.

Abstract: A light-weight unitary can body for pressure packs, such as carbonated beverage containers, is produced from high tensile strength steel. Flat rolled container stock steel is double cold reduced without an intermediate anneal. This material is drawn and ironed, and a bottom profile is formed while the can body is mounted on the ironing mandrel. The bottom profile includes a rounded-bottom annular chime and recessed convex panel. Formation of the bottom profile breaks surface adhesion between the ironing mandrel and the interior of the can body facilitating removal of the can body. The open end of the can body is necked-in to accommodate a closure chime seam within the diameter of the main portion of the can body sidewall.

Abstract: An improved arrangement is provided for relatively reciprocating the ram and blank holder components of a horizontal can blank forming machine. The machine includes a reciprocable slide carrying the ram, and a reciprocable blank holder frame on which the blank holder is mounted. The slide and blank holder frame are driven by a common crankshaft through corresponding crank arms angularly related circumferentially of the crankshaft axis to impart the desired motion characteristics to the slide and blank holder frame upon rotation of the crankshaft. The blank holder frame includes a vertical plate member defining the driven end of the blank holder frame, and horizontal rods interconnect the vertical plate with a frame plate at the opposite end of the blank holder frame and on which the blank holder is mounted. The axes of the crankshaft, blank holder, blank holder frame rods and ram are coplanar with one another and with the axes between the crank arms and the blank holder frame and slide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deep drawing a cup-shaped article in which a blank is placed on a punch and the punch is passed through a series of deep drawing dies, so that the force required to strip the drawn cup-shaped article from the punch is substantially less than in a conventional method. After the deep drawing is completed, the cup-shaped article is slightly drawn to the final desired dimensions by a drawing step in which the wall thickness of the article is reduced no more than 10%. This is carried out by a slight drawing die spaced from the last of the series of deep drawing dies, preferably a distance at least half the height dimension of the finished deep drawn cup-shaped article.

Abstract: Elongated closed bottom shells (cans) are produced in the preferred manner by a double-acting punch body arranged on a horizontal axis and reciprocated between opposed die stations at a substantially constant velocity by a hydraulic force alternately applied to opposite sides of a ram on the punch body; blanks (of cup form) are fed to the die stations at times when the punch body dwells at the end of a stroke. Preferably the applied force is such that punch body attains peak (maximum) velocity before the punch encounters a cup centered at the die station; cup feed, cup positioning, punch body travel and formation of a shell of correct length are monitored (sensed) and in the event a programmed condition of machine function or production criterion is sensed as not satisfied, the machine is stopped.

Abstract: A wall-ironed container having annular reinforcing ribs projecting inwardly from the inside surface of the side walls, the ribs being spaced from the ends of the side walls and from each other, the outer surface of the side walls of the container being in the form of a cylinder.

Abstract: In preparing thin walled cylindrical containers, e.g., can bodies, by the drawing and ironing processing, the lubricating effect between the metal material and tool metal can be highly improved by irradiating ultrasonic waves at least to the part to be ironed of the side wall portion of a cup-like formed article simultaneously with application of a lubricant. With the improvement of the lubricating effect thus attained, the manufacturing rate of can bodies can be greatly increased without such troubles as breakages of the head portion, the ear edge portion and the bottom wall portion of the can body. This improvement of the lubricating effect can be further enhanced when ultrasonic waves are irradiated in the direction perpendicular to the tapered face of a tapered inlet portion of an ironing die.

Abstract: The tool pack is designed for mounting on a metal drawing machine or press, and includes a frame having a mounting slot for holding a cartridge that carrys a drawing die, the mounting slot having a right angle corner formed therein against which the cartridge is seated and removably secured by hydraulic clamping apparatus, whereby precise positioning of the cartridge is assured. The cartridge includes screw actuated fluid adjusters for precisely positioning the die in two directions, to secure accurate alignment. Mounted rearwardly of the cartridge is a stripper assembly including radially movable, pivoted jaws that are hydraulically extended and retracted to provide stripping action.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring articles (such as two-piece cans) between work stations, at succeeding ones of which a dimension (such as a diameter) of the articles is reduced. The articles pass along a channel, and at each station means are provided to stop the articles in position to be operated upon. After the completion of an operation which reduces the dimension of the article, the article may pass the stop means, and be transported to the next station, where other stop means are provided to position the article for the next operation. The articles are conveyed along the channel by aerodynamic or other means. Each of the stop means is shaped to fit the article which is stopped by it, and vacuum means are associated with the stop means to insure accurate positioning of the articles at each station for the operation to be performed on them at that station.

Abstract: A device for making hollow bodies open at one end, by punching, drawing and/or ironing, in which the annular shaping tools which form the hollow body are arranged on a holding plate which is pivotable about an axis transverse to the axis of movement of the drawing mandrel and in spaced relationship to the latter.

Abstract: In the manufacture of drawn and ironed, unitary, can bodies, structure and method which interrupt surface contact between an ironing mandrel and the interior sidewall of a can body being ironed to reduce friction for removal of the ironed can body from the mandrel.During passage through an ironing ring, sidewall metal is moved into a narrow-width, linearly-extended indentation in the mandrel sidewall. The metal of the protrusion thus formed on the interior surface of the can body is moved along the mandrel sidewall during passage through a subsequent ironing ring, with such movement breaking surface adhesion between the mandrel sidewall and the interior surface of the container body sidewall to facilitate removal.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring articles (such as two-piece cans) between work stations, at succeeding ones of which a dimension (such as a diameter) of the articles is reduced. The articles pass along a channel, and at each station means are provided to stop the articles in position to be operated upon. After the completion of an operation which reduces the dimension of the article, the article may pass the stop means, and be transported to the next station, where other stop means are provided to position the article for the next operation. The articles are conveyed along the channel by aerodynamic or other means. Each of the stop means is shaped to fit the article which is stopped by it, and vacuum means are associated with the stop means to insure accurate positioning of the articles at each station for the operation to be performed on them at that station.