Cam driven multi-output bodymaker

Abstract

A can bodymaker includes a mounting assembly and a forming system. The forming system includes a plurality of forming assemblies, each forming assembly coupled to the mounting assembly, each forming assembly including a ram assembly with an elongated ram body, and a ram drive assembly operatively coupled to each forming assembly. The ram drive assembly is a direct ram drive assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A can bodymaker comprising:
 a mounting assembly;   a forming system including:
 a plurality of forming assemblies, each forming assembly structured to form a can body independent of the other forming assemblies of the plurality of forming assemblies, each forming assembly coupled to the mounting assembly, each forming assembly including a ram assembly with an elongated ram body, and 
 a ram drive assembly operatively coupled to each forming assembly, wherein the ram drive assembly is a direct ram drive assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each ram body has a longitudinal axis;   the ram drive assembly includes a prime axis of rotation; and   the longitudinal axis of each ram body extends generally radially outward from the prime axis of rotation of the ram drive assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The can bodymaker of  claim 2 , wherein the longitudinal axis of each ram body extends generally perpendicular to the prime axis of rotation of the ram drive assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ram drive assembly includes one of a disk cam or a barrel cam; and   the disk cam or the barrel cam is operatively coupled to each forming assembly.   
     
     
         5 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of forming assemblies comprises two forming assemblies with the ram body of each forming assembly positioned in opposition to the other forming assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ram drive assembly includes a prime axis of rotation, and   the plurality of forming assemblies comprises two forming assemblies positioned relative to each other about the prime axis of rotation of the ram drive assembly at an angle other than 180°.   
     
     
         7 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ram drive assembly includes a prime axis of rotation, and   the plurality of forming assemblies comprises two forming assemblies positioned relative to each other about the prime axis of rotation of the ram drive assembly at an angle of 180°.   
     
     
         8 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ram drive assembly includes a disk cam structured to rotate about a prime axis of rotation; and   the plurality of forming assemblies includes four forming assemblies, each disposed about ninety degrees apart about said ram drive assembly prime axis of rotation.   
     
     
         9 . The can bodymaker of  claim 8 , wherein the forming assemblies are asymmetrical forming assemblies. 
     
     
         10 . The can bodymaker of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the ram drive assembly is structured to move each ram body between a retracted, first position and an extended, second position as well as a number of medial positions between the first positon and the second position; and   no two ram bodies are in the same medial position at one time.   
     
     
         11 . The can bodymaker of  claim 8 , wherein the forming system is structured to produce one of: a large number of can bodies per minute, a very large number of can bodies per minute, or an exceedingly large number of can bodies per minute. 
     
     
         12 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ram drive assembly is structured to move each ram body between a retracted, first position and an extended, second position as well as a number of medial positions between the first positon and the second position; and   no two ram bodies are in the same medial position at one time.   
     
     
         13 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein the forming assemblies are asymmetrical forming assemblies. 
     
     
         14 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each forming assembly includes a full set of forming assemblies; and   the ram drive assembly is structured to operate with less than the full set of forming assemblies.   
     
     
         15 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein the ram drive assembly is a limited load drive assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each forming assembly includes a stationary assembly and a moving assembly; and   the stationary assembly of each forming assembly is a unified assembly.   
     
     
         17 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein the forming system is structured to produce one of: a large number of can bodies per minute, a very large number of can bodies per minute, or an exceedingly large number of can bodies per minute. 
     
     
         18 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein the ram drive assembly is one of: a single source/3-output ram drive assembly, a single source/4-output ram drive assembly, a single source/5-output ram drive assembly, a single source/6-output ram drive assembly, a single source/7-output ram drive assembly, a single source/8-output ram drive assembly, a single source/9-output ram drive assembly, or a single source/10-output ram drive assembly. 
     
     
         19 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ram drive assembly includes a barrel cam structured to rotate about a prime axis of rotation; and   each ram body has a longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to the prime axis of rotation of the ram drive assembly.   
     
     
         20 . The can bodymaker of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the ram drive assembly includes a prime axis of rotation,   the plurality of forming assemblies comprises at least three forming assemblies, and   the angular spacing about the prime axis of rotation between an adjacent two of the at least three forming assemblies is different than the angular spacing between another adjacent two of the at least three forming assemblies.