Patent ID: 8464567
Filing Date: 2013-06-18
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
1. A multi-stage can necking machine assembly having distributed drives, comprising: plural operation stages, at least some of the operation stages configured for can necking operations, each operation stage comprising a main turret shaft, a transfer starwheel shaft, and a support for mounting the main turret shaft and transfer starwheel shaft; each main turret shaft and transfer starwheel shaft having a gear, the gears of the operation stages being in meshed communication to form a continuous gear train; and at least a first motor, a second motor, and a third motor that are distributed among the operation stages and mechanically coupled to the gear train such that the second and third motors are downstream from the first motor, wherein the second and third motors apply greater torque to the gear train than the first motor so as to minimize variation in backlash in the gears.