Patent ID: 8601843
Filing Date: 2013-12-10
Classification: B21D

Abstract:
1. A horizontal can necking machine assembly comprising: plural main turrets, each main turret including a main turret shaft, a main gear mounted proximate to an end of the main turret shaft, a pusher assembly, and a die capable of necking a can body upon actuation of the turret shaft, the main turret shaft is configured to rotate about an axis that is substantially parallel to a surface on which the assembly is supported, plural transfer starwheels located in an alternating relationship with the main turrets, each transfer starwheel including a transfer shaft and a transfer gear mounted proximate to an end of the transfer shaft; the main gears and transfer gears are in meshed communication and positioned relative to each other such that lines that intersect centers of the main gears and centers of opposing transfer gears form an included angle of less than 170 degrees, thereby increasing the angular range available for necking a can body, wherein (i) the main turrets and transfer starwheels are operative to neck and move at least 3000 can bodies per minute, and (ii) each pusher assembly is configured to move a can body into the die and has a stroke length relative to the die that is at least 1.625 inches.