A toolpack for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly is provided. The toolpack includes a tool pack housing assembly, a number of die spacers, a number of dies, and a compression device. The tool pack housing assembly defines a passage and includes an inner surface, an upper sidewall, a lower sidewall, a first lateral sidewall, a second lateral sidewall, a rear sidewall, and a door. The tool pack housing assembly passage extends generally vertically. Each die spacer structured to support a die and defining a central passage. Each die including a body defining a central passage. The die spacers and dies are disposed in said tool pack housing assembly. The compression device is disposed at said tool pack housing assembly lower sidewall and is structured to axially bias said number of die spacers.

A formed material manufacturing method according to present invention includes the steps of forming a convex formed portion by performing at least one forming process on a surface treated metal plate, and performing ironing on the formed portion using an ironing mold after forming the formed portion. The ironing mold includes a punch that is inserted into the formed portion, and a die having a pushing hole into which the formed portion is pushed together with the punch. An inner peripheral surface of the pushing hole extends non-parallel to an outer peripheral surface of the punch, and the inner peripheral surface is provided with a clearance that corresponds to an uneven plate thickness distribution, in the pushing direction, of the formed portion prior to the ironing relative to the outer peripheral surface to ensure that an amount of ironing applied to the formed portion remains constant in the pushing direction.

A stripper assembly for a can bodymaker is configured to remove a can body from a punch mounted on a ram of the can bodymaker. The stripper assembly comprises a stripper housing defining an internal bore through which the punch passes and a radial offset monitor. The radial offset monitor comprises one or more eddy current sensors located within the stripper housing or attached thereto. The radial offset monitor is configured to detect misalignment of a ram and/or a punch, or a can body held on the punch, within the bore. A method of detecting axial misalignment of a ram and/or a punch of a can bodymaker, or of a can body held on the punch is also described. The method comprises providing a stripper housing defining an internal bore through which the punch passes; obtaining electrical output signals from one or more eddy current sensors within the housing or attached thereto, and processing the signal(s) to detect any axial misalignment.

A formed material manufacturing method according to present invention includes the steps of forming a convex formed portion by performing at least one forming process on a surface treated metal plate, and performing ironing on the formed portion using an ironing mold after forming the formed portion. The ironing mold includes a punch that is inserted into the formed portion, and a die having a pushing hole into which the formed portion is pushed together with the punch. An inner peripheral surface of the pushing hole extends non-parallel to an outer peripheral surface of the punch, and the inner peripheral surface is provided with a clearance that corresponds to an uneven plate thickness distribution, in the pushing direction, of the formed portion prior to the ironing relative to the outer peripheral surface to ensure that an amount of ironing applied to the formed portion remains constant in the pushing direction.

A ram support assembly for use in a can bodymaker includes a yolk body for coupling with an end of a ram body of a ram extending from a first side of the yolk body. The yolk body is configured to be coupled to, and be driven by, an operating mechanism of the can bodymaker that is coupled to a second side of the yolk body opposite the first side via a connection arrangement. The ram support assembly also includes a slide arrangement coupled to the yolk body and configured to be coupled to a frame of the can bodymaker such that the yolk body can move linearly with respect to the frame. The slide arrangement includes: a number of rails, and a number of carriage members, wherein each rail of the number of rails has at least one carriage member of the number of carriage members slidingly engaged therewith.

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 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 tool pack assembly having sensor plates to measure the temperature of a tool pack forming die and the forces exerted on the forming dies during can production. Each sensor plate tray include at least one temperature sensor and at least one strain sensor for reading and transmitting temperature and strain data relating to the dies of a tool pack assembly. The data read and transmitted may be used to determine the concentricity of the punch of a tool pack assembly during operation making can bodies.

In the present invention, a press-formed product is manufactured by heating a steel sheet for hot pressing use to a temperature of 900 C. or above and 1,100 C. or below, the steel sheet for hot pressing use having a predetermined chemical component composition, some of Ti-containing precipitates contained in the steel sheet, each of which having an equivalent circle diameter of 30 nm or less, having an average equivalent circle diameter of 6 nm or less, and the precipitated Ti amount and the total Ti amount in the steel fulfilling the relationship represented by formula (1) shown below, thereafter starting press-forming, and holding at the bottom dead point and cooling to a temperature lower than the martensite transformation starting temperature Ms while securing the average cooling rate of 20 C./s or more within a tool.
Precipitated Ti amount(mass %)3.4[N]<0.5[total Ti amount (mass %)3.4[N]](1)
(In the formula (1), [N] represents the content (mass %) of N in the steel.).

A cooling gas system for a can bodymaker tool pack is provided. The cooling gas system uses a compressed gas to cool a punch and/or a die pack. That is, a compressed gas is delivered to at least one location adjacent the punch and die pack. A nozzle assembly directs the compressed gas toward a selected location. As the compressed gas passes through the nozzle assembly, or immediately after passing through the nozzle assembly, the compressed gas expands. As is known, an expanding gas cools as it expands. Thus, a cool gas is directed to the surface of the punch and the die pack. The cool gas absorbs heat from the punch and die pack thereby cooling the heated components.