A unitary forward mounting assembly for a bodymaker includes a unitary forward mounting body with a cradle portion, a first support arm portion and a second support arm portion. The cradle portion has a forward side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side. The first support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion right side. The second support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion left side. Because the cradle portion, the first support arm portion and the second support arm portion are part of a unitary body, the unitary forward mounting assembly solves the problems stated above. That is, because the support arms are not mated to the cradle, there is no need for machined coupling surfaces; nor is there a need for aligning the support arms on the cradle.

A die pack mounting for a bodymaker includes a die pack mounting bed and a die pack mounting door assembly. The die pack mounting door assembly is movably coupled to the die pack mounting bed. The die pack mounting door assembly is movable between an open, first position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly is structured to support a die pack in a maintenance configuration, and, a closed, second position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly fixes the die pack in a selected position. Further, the die pack mounting door assembly does not include any coolant fluid fittings. That is, the die pack mounting door assembly defines internal passages for coolant and the coolant is supplied via similar passages in the die pack mounting bed.

A unitary forward mounting assembly for a bodymaker includes a unitary forward mounting body with a cradle portion, a first support arm portion and a second support arm portion. The cradle portion has a forward side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side. The first support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion right side. The second support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion left side.

A die pack mounting for a bodymaker includes a die pack mounting bed and a die pack mounting door assembly. The die pack mounting door assembly is movably coupled to the die pack mounting bed. The die pack mounting door assembly is movable between an open, first position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly is structured to support a die pack in a maintenance configuration, and, a closed, second position, wherein the die pack mounting door assembly fixes the die pack in a selected position. Further, the die pack mounting door assembly does not include any coolant fluid fittings. That is, the die pack mounting door assembly defines internal passages for coolant and the coolant is supplied via similar passages in the die pack mounting bed.

A unitary forward mounting assembly for a bodymaker includes a unitary forward mounting body with a cradle portion, a first support arm portion and a second support arm portion. The cradle portion has a forward side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side. The first support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion right side. The second support arm portion is disposed at the cradle portion left side.

A precision high cyclic rate metal forming toolpack is disclosed for ironing processes used to produce can or other bodies and preforms of ultra-high precision. An example of the toolpack provides improved centering, dampening and force attenuation response. In an example, the toolpack may be implemented with integrated feedback communication and sensoring. An example of the toolpack also provides unified coolant distribution, including enhanced locational intelligence of infinitely variable tooling positions. An example of the toolpack also provides improved axial and longitudinal articulation for improved tool tracking and floatation. The toolpack may enable improved product quality, throughput, manufacturing efficiency, reduced costs, and reduced labor.

A method of reducing a thickness and increasing a height of a cylindrical wall of a metal cup to form a can body comprises positioning a wall-ironing punch inside the cup, moving an annular wall-ironing die axially over the closed end of the cup towards the open end of the cup, but not beyond the open end of the cup, in order to iron the cylindrical wall from the closed end up to a position axially spaced from the open end and moving the wall-ironing die back in an opposite direction to remove the can body from the die. Methods of altering a diameter of one or more regions of a can body are also disclosed.

An apparatus and method for adjusting the dome setting force of a can bottom former. The apparatus generally includes an outer end plate, an inner end plate movably mounted near the outer end plate. The apparatus also includes a dome-setting spring positioned between the inner end plate and a movable housing, and an adjustment screw threaded into the outer end plate such that the turning the adjustment screw exerts a displacing force on the inner end plate toward the movable housing, which in turn increases the force exerted by the dome-setting spring during can forming.

A swing lever assembly includes a unitary body. By providing a unitary body for the swing lever assembly the number of elements is substantially reduced which solves the problems stated above. In an exemplary embodiment, the swing lever assembly includes a limited number of components. Further, the swing lever assembly includes a limited number of installation components.

A method of reducing a thickness and increasing a height of a cylindrical wall of a metal cup to form a can body comprises positioning a wall-ironing punch inside the cup, moving an annular wall-ironing die axially over the closed end of the cup towards the open end of the cup, but not beyond the open end of the cup, in order to iron the cylindrical wall from the closed end up to a position axially spaced from the open end and moving the wall-ironing die back in an opposite direction to remove the can body from the die. Methods of altering a diameter of one or more regions of a can body are also disclosed.