Controlled transfer of sheet metal can bodies in can body line
US4974439A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1988 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB21D51/2692
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus which eliminates mechanically-moving parts for clasping or releasing a sheet metal can body for moving a can body from a forming station and, which reduces the number of moving parts as well as the type of movements required by such transfer apparatus to enable sheet metal can bodies to be transferred rapidly, in synchronism with movements of tooling in a forming press without damage to sheet metal or coating while controlling orientation and stability of the can body. A shuttle-arm oscillates in the longitudinal direction of the can line, into and out of the area of the press tooling to transfer a can body for continued movement in the line; such shuttle arm moves at a rate which does not obstruct any movement of the forming tooling or the operating rate of the press. A formed can body is attracted to and physically held at the leading end of the shuttle arm in desired orientation without mechanical movement clamping of any type by a stacked array of permanent magnets and flux path bars. Movement of the shuttle arm longitudinally in relation to a wiper-arm separates the can body at a desired location without requiring separate mechanical moving parts. Such flux path bars…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.