Conversion press for can ends

A method for exchanging a cartridge assembly in a conversion press that comprises a frame and a ram movably coupled to the frame, the method comprising:

• removing a first cartridge assembly from the conversion press, the first cartridge assembly comprising:
• a first upper mounting plate;
• a first lower mounting plate;
• one or more first forming stations;
• a first tab stake station;
• and
• a first transfer belt that receives can shells, the first transfer belt defining at least one first active forming lane for conveying the can shells to the one or more first forming stations and the first tab stake station, where the can shells are formed into can ends with tabs as they are conveyed along the at least one first active forming lane;
• wherein removing the first cartridge assembly from the conversion press comprises:
• removing the first upper mounting plate from the ram;
• and
• removing the first lower mounting plate from a bolster of the frame;
• and
• installing a second cartridge assembly into the conversion press in place of the first cartridge assembly, the second cartridge assembly comprising:
• a second upper mounting plate;
• a second lower mounting plate;
• one or more second forming stations;
• a second tab stake station;
• and
• a second transfer belt that receives can shells, the second transfer belt defining at least one second active forming lane for conveying the can shells to the one or more second forming stations and the second tab stake station, where the can shells are formed into can ends with tabs as they are conveyed along the at least one second active forming lane;
• and
• wherein installing the second cartridge assembly into the conversion press comprises:
• releasably coupling the second upper mounting plate to the ram;
• and
• releasably coupling the second lower mounting plate to the bolster of the frame.

A quick-change cartridge assembly for a conversion press comprising:

• one or more forming stations;
• a tab stake station;
• and
• a transfer belt defining at least one active forming lane for conveying can shells to the one or more forming stations and the tab stake station during use of the conversion press incorporating the quick-change cartridge assembly.

A conversion press for forming can ends with tabs comprising:

• a frame;
• a ram movably coupled to the frame;
• a cartridge assembly releasably coupled to a bolster of the frame and the ram;
• and
• a locational guide device coupled to the frame and the ram, wherein the cartridge assembly is located within the frame via alignment with the locational guide device.

A method for centralizing and balancing forces in a conversion press that comprises a frame and a ram movably coupled to the frame, the conversion press being configured to releasably receive a single cartridge assembly or first and second cartridge assemblies, the method comprising:

• when the conversion press is to releasably receive a single cartridge assembly, positioning the single cartridge assembly in a central position within a cartridge assembly receiving opening of the frame;
• and
• when the conversion press is to releasably receive first and second cartridge assemblies;
• positioning the first cartridge assembly offset from the central position toward a left side of the cartridge assembly receiving opening;
• and
• positioning the second cartridge assembly offset from the central position toward a right side of the cartridge assembly receiving opening.