An apparatus and method for transferring a discrete substrate. A transfer apparatus may include a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate and the bottom plate may include a first inboard supply port and a first outboard supply port and may define a passageway. The discrete substrate may enter the passageway at a first velocity and exit the passageway at a final velocity. The final velocity may be greater than the first velocity. A first inboard control valve and a first outboard control valve may be activated, and each valve may operate on a valve frequency that defines an on-period and an off-period for each cycle. Each cycle may be controlled by a controller. A visual detection device may track the discrete substrate and communicate with the controller. The discrete substrate may be adjusted as it advances in a machine direction.

A system of can blank conveyor assemblies for transporting a plurality of can blanks along the corresponding tray via the at least one set of air directors. The system includes a plurality of trays where each tray of the plurality of trays. The system also includes a plurality of air supply units removably engaged with the plurality of trays at first ends of the plurality of trays and being in fluid communication with the tray passageways. Each air supply unit of the plurality of air supply units comprises at least a housing operably engaged with the tray, and a fan unit that is disposed inside of the housing and that is adapted to supply air at a predetermined rate from the housing and into a corresponding tray to convey a plurality of can blanks along the corresponding tray via the at least one set of air directors.

A system of can blank conveyor assemblies for transporting a plurality of can blanks along the corresponding tray via the at least one set of air directors. The system includes a plurality of trays where each tray of the plurality of trays. The system also includes a plurality of air supply units removably engaged with the plurality of trays at first ends of the plurality of trays and being in fluid communication with the tray passageways. Each air supply unit of the plurality of air supply units comprises at least a housing operably engaged with the tray, and a fan unit that is disposed inside of the housing and that is adapted to supply air at a predetermined rate from the housing and into a corresponding tray to convey a plurality of can blanks along the corresponding tray via the at least one set of air directors.

A conveyor includes a platform that has an upper surface with a plurality of holes in fluid communication with at least one air passage inside the platform. The conveyor includes a belt having an upper run supported by the upper surface of the platform and a lower run extending beneath the first platform, and the belt has a plurality of through openings overlying the holes such that pressurized air exiting the at least one air passage through the holes passes through the through openings in the belt. The conveyor includes a belt driven by a drive and a blower in fluid communication with the at least one air passage that is configured to blow air into the at least one air passage to maintain a pressure in the at least one air passage at a level above an ambient atmospheric pressure.