Toolpack for Manufacturing Containers

Abstract

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.

1 . A toolpack for manufacturing containers, the toolpack having a plurality of individual modules each comprising:
 a module ring;   a dampening and attenuating structure within the module ring;   a die carrier within the dampening structure; and   a coolant structure integrated within the die carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The toolpack of  claim 1  wherein each of the individual modules further comprises an integrated biasing and attenuation medium structure. 
     
     
         3 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure is a centering biasment structure with fully encompassing radial articulation and lateral force intensity attenuation intelligence. 
     
     
         4 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure is a responsively adjustable force intensity attenuation and dampening energy biasing structure. 
     
     
         5 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure is an axial and lateral dampening structure of geometric design flexibility and configuration 
     
     
         6 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure further comprises a plurality of various geometric structures of biasment chambered structures such that various polymeric compositions are combined with fibrous or metallic chords or various other elements of attenuation reinforcement in a geometric application of numerous combinations readily optimized force intensity, attenuation and focus resulting service longevity of the dampening structure. 
     
     
         7 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure further comprises an axially and laterally oriented force attenuation medium resulting in: significant improvement of attenuated interaction of tooling, improved speed of response to ironing forces, tool movements resulting directly in improving process performance, wall balance, and drawn metal thickness variance. 
     
     
         8 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure further comprises a plurality of biasing medium material options and geometric configurations with geometric chambers or regions located strategically to specific tooling geometries and configurations based on process needs. 
     
     
         9 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure is actively energized. 
     
     
         10 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure is passively energized. 
     
     
         11 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure includes sensors for pressure, locational, temperature and/or vibrational communication. 
     
     
         12 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure is externally or internally adjustable by air, fluid, gaseous, gels, or electrical/magnetic excitation, any of which is capable of directly communicating sensed force attenuation and specific control of the dampening structure. 
     
     
         13 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the dampening and attenuating structure produces responsive articulation in both a radial axis and a lateral axis, resulting in intelligently improved centering and balancing of ironing force attenuation intensity and metal forming requirements. 
     
     
         14 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , wherein the ironing coolant structure is radially integrated such that complete tool displacement tracking, coolant distribution arrangement directly correlated to exact die element locational variance resultant from various metal formation process obligations. 
     
     
         15 . The toolpack of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication and control system configured to receive feedback and adjust the dampening attenuation structure and coolant nozzle based on process and system feedback. 
     
     
         16 . The toolpack of  claim 15 , wherein the communication and control system is configured for close-coupling of metal forming operations with intelligent communication during an ironing process such that multiple tool(s) and/or positions or modules remain in direct communication of various formation operations. 
     
     
         17 . The toolpack of  claim 15 , wherein the communication and control system is configured for intelligently programming and optimizing of tooling and related performance metrics of various configurations or manufacturing specific to container size and quality to optimize for various products and conditions that interactively manage the operational and process requirements of ideal can forming operations. 
     
     
         18 . The toolpack of  claim 15 , wherein the communication and control system is configured for external communication intelligence, attenuation, adjustment and biasment sensoring of the die carrier with distinct monitoring of tool positional energy, intensity and speed of dampening response mechanics.