Beverage can making process: Training videos (Part 1)

In the first upload of a 14 part series of videos, CanTech Online looks at how a beverage can is produced. Parts 1-3 can be found, with descriptions of each part of the process, embedded below. Keep checking back for new videos. Videos are courtesy of Ball Packaging Europe. The idea of these videos is to help those who are new to the industry to learn about can making.

Part 1: Blanking and deep drawing

The tinplate strip is unwound, its surface coated with a thin film of lubricant and the strip continuously conveyed to the deep-drawing press.

At first a blank is cut out at each individual tool of the press; the drawing ram then presses this blank through the draw ring to form a cup. The tool is made up of nine to 10 individual tools which are arranged next to each other and behind each other.

Part 2: Wall ironing and end forming

The cup is conveyed to the wall-ironing machine from the top. The ram first pushes it through the redraw ring to reduce its diameter to the punch diameter whilst retaining the sheet thickness. The cup is held by a blank holder to prevent puckers.

There is a gap between the punch and the wall-ironing rings 1 to 4 immediately after the redraw ring where the wall thickness of the can is reduced by “ironing” the tin plate and consequently lengthening the can.

At the end of this stroke, the punch with the can comes into contact with the base panelling tool and the can base is formed. When the ram is withdrawn, the can is removed from the punch by a stripper and conveyed out of the machine via an unloader belt.

Part 3: Trimming

In the trimming machine the can is held by a vacuum plate, set in rotation and then moved axially until it reaches the required trimming height. Then the movable cutter unit is guided to the can.

Whilst the can rotates precisely once, the can rim between the upper and lower cutter is cut off burr-free at the required height. The rings cut off are removed by vacuum, pressed into bales and returned to the tin plate production facility.

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9 responses to “Beverage can making process: Training videos (Part 1)”

  1. Dr.Doug Rasic says:

    The video’s on DWI are good for R&D chemists that might not have a chance to see it in real life.
    Also in real life its all happening so fast and some parts of the process are difficult to see.
    I think you should put it all together in one video clip so people can watch it all together from coil to decorator and necking and trimming.
    Just a thought.
    Cheers

  2. ekrem pasalar says:

    Good for training

  3. Anthony See says:

    Very good and informative and can be used for training with good graphic. Useful for a layman and it is free unlike Canmaker, you have to pay. Keep it up. Anthony See

  4. David Owen says:

    Very simple and easy for the layman to understand. Will go a long way to turning new employees into CAN MAKERS. Agree totally with Anthony See’s comments. Best regards, David Owen.

  5. Phil Pannell says:

    I agree with David. A great tool for introducing non can makers to the high speed business that we live in.
    Might also be handy for refreshing our present teams.
    Phil Pannell.

  6. dikucan says:

    Hi have good time dear
    can you help me ?
    Sorry
    I need to design 2 Piece Cans for printing.
    How do I format and Templet designed it?
    Dieline and templat how should be?
    Artwork first Should be design flat ?then should be warped?
    how is warped?
    I do not know how is designed?
    http://aydinnegar.com/bkup/cans.jpg
    http://aydinnegar.com/bkup/cants.jpg
    Sorry and Excuse me

  7. Chaitanya says:

    I was wondering by how much percentage of coil does the trimming of cans impact at the end of the process. I mean is it like 1% of the coil or something like that as you said the trimmings the collected and sent back to the producer so that they can be reused

  8. Graham Price says:

    excellent training tools i agree with Doug it should also be either linked together for a full line or an actual line comparison movie done similar to the three piece but excellent and thanks for doing this Guys.

    Regards Graham Price

  9. Frank says:

    let’s say I have a coil of metal, width & thickness already known, I need the right calculation to get the correct length. I know the diameter for the output.

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