Back to results
US 12,544,824 B2Granted
Sensing arrangement and system for dynamic measurements of can on punch and can bodymaker including same
AssigneeStolle Machinery Company, LLC
InventorsJonathan Scott Saunders, Jr., Ian Kenneth Scholey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensing arrangement for use in a can bodymaker includes a plurality of sensors positioned around, and spaced a radial distance from, a sensing axis. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors is structured to determine a number of characteristics of a can body positioned on a punch of the can bodymaker as the punch passes along the sensing axis during normal operation of the bodymaker producing can bodies.
Claims14
A system for sensing characteristics of a can body in a can bodymaker, the system comprising:
- a sensing arrangement comprising:
- a plurality of inductive proximity sensors positioned around and spaced a radial distance from a sensing axis;
- and
- a controller in communication with the plurality of sensors,
- wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is structured to provide a signal to the controller,
- wherein the controller is structured to determine a number of characteristics of a can body positioned on a punch of the can bodymaker as the punch passes along the sensing axis during normal operation of the bodymaker producing can bodies from the signals provided by the plurality of sensors, and
- wherein the number of characteristics comprises a variation of a thickness of the can body on the punch along the can body on the punch parallel to the sensing axis.
4 more elements
A can bodymaker for forming a plurality of can bodies, the can bodymaker comprising:
- a tool pack having a forming passage defined therethrough about a central forming axis by a plurality of forming dies structured to form a can body from a cup;
- a ram body having a punch positioned on and end of the ram body and structured to move back and forth through the forming passage in a reciprocating manner, the ram body punch structured to receive the cup and pass the cup through the plurality of forming dies of the tool pack to form the can body;
- a stripper mechanism structured to remove the can body from the punch after passing through the tool pack;
- and
- a sensing arrangement positioned between the tool pack and the stripper mechanism, the sensing arrangement comprising:
- a plurality of sensors positioned around, and spaced a radial distance from, a sensing axis positioned generally along the forming axis;
- and
- a controller in communication with the plurality of sensors,
- wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is structured to provide a signal to the controller,
- wherein the controller is structured to determine a number of characteristics of the can body positioned on the ram from the signals provided by the plurality of sensors as the can body passes therethrough on the ram body prior to the stripper mechanism, and
- wherein the number of characteristics comprises a variation of a thickness of the can body on the punch along the can body on the punch parallel to the sensing axis.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.