Method and apparatus for forming a beaded can end

A method for forming a can end in a forming press, the method comprising:

• positioning a sheet of material between an upper punch assembly and a fixed base assembly in the forming press;
• cutting a can end blank from the sheet of material;
• clamping a peripheral portion of the can end blank between a crown ring and a knockout ring;
• wherein the upper punch assembly has a plurality annular bead punches and an upper panel punch supported for movement relative to the bead punches;
• wherein the fixed base assembly has a plurality of annular bead dies for cooperating with the bead punches and a lower panel punch;
• moving the upper punch assembly from a retracted position toward an extended position, wherein movement of the upper punch assembly comprises:
• engaging a central portion of the can end blank with the upper panel punch prior to engagement of the can end blank with the bead punches or the bead dies;
• and
• subsequently moving the upper punch assembly to clamp the central portion of the can end blank between the upper panel punch and the lower panel punch with the can end blank engaged with a single one of the bead punches and a single one of the bead dies.

Apparatus for forming a can end from a sheet of material in a single acting press having a fixed base assembly and a movable upper punch assembly, the apparatus comprising:

• a crown ring rigidly supported on the fixed base assembly and having an upper surface defining a contour for a crown of the can end;
• a knockout ring carried by the upper punch assembly, the knockout ring being aligned with the crown ring for engaging a workpiece upon movement of the upper punch assembly toward the fixed base assembly to form a crown in a peripheral portion of the workpiece;
• a plurality annular bead punches supported on the upper punch assembly and an upper panel punch fluidly supported on the upper punch assembly for movement relative to the bead punches;
• a plurality of annular bead dies and a lower panel punch supported on the fixed base assembly for cooperating with the bead punches and the upper panel punch, respectively;
• wherein movement of the upper punch assembly from a retracted position toward an extended position engages the workpiece between the crown ring and the knockout ring, and positions the upper panel punch in engagement with the workpiece prior to engagement of the workpiece with the bead punches or the bead dies, and subsequent movement of the upper punch assembly clamps the workpiece between the upper panel punch and the lower panel punch with the workpiece engaged with a single one of the bead punches and a single one of the bead dies.