Dynamically adjustable redraw system

Abstract

A redraw assembly for a can bodymaker includes a hold down body for slidably coupling to a frame of the bodymaker, a redraw sleeve assembly having a redraw sleeve adjustably coupled to the hold down body and configured to apply a force to a cup engaged with a toolpack of the bodymaker, and a controller programmed to dynamically adjust an aspect of the redraw sleeve with respect to the hold down body during operation of the can bodymaker.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A redraw assembly for use with a can bodymaker, the redraw assembly comprising:
 a hold down body structured to be slidably coupled to a frame of the bodymaker;   a redraw sleeve assembly having a redraw sleeve adjustably coupled to the hold down body and structured to apply a force to a cup engaged with a toolpack of the bodymaker; and   a controller structured to dynamically adjust an aspect of the redraw sleeve with respect to the hold down body while the bodymaker is in operation forming a can body.   
     
     
         2 . The redraw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the aspect comprises one or more of the vertical and/or lateral positioning of the redraw sleeve relative to the hold down body. 
     
     
         3 . The redraw assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a number of cam bolts, each cam bolt positioned among the redraw sleeve assembly and the hold down body in a manner such that rotation of the cam bolt selectively adjusts the relative positioning of the redraw sleeve with respect to the hold down body in a predetermined manner; and   a corresponding number of actuators, each actuator coupled with a corresponding cam bolt,   wherein each actuator is selectively actuatable via the controller and structured to selectively rotate the corresponding cam bolt as directed by the controller.   
     
     
         4 . The redraw assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each actuator of the corresponding number of actuators is an electrical actuator or a pneumatic actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The redraw assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the number of cam bolts comprises a plurality of cam bolts, and wherein the corresponding number of actuators comprises a plurality of actuators, each actuator of the plurality being coupled to a corresponding cam bolt of the plurality of cam bolts. 
     
     
         6 . The redraw assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a position sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the position sensor is structured to provide a number of signals indicative of the position of one or more components of the can bodymaker, and wherein the controller is structured to dynamically adjust the position of the redraw sleeve with respect to the hold down body in response to the number of signals. 
     
     
         7 . The redraw assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the aspect comprises the force that the redraw sleeve is structured to apply. 
     
     
         8 . The redraw assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising a number of load cells positioned between the redraw sleeve and the hold down body and in communication with the controller, wherein each load cell is structured to provide a number of signals indicative of the force applied by the redraw sleeve to the controller, and wherein the controller is structured to adjust the force. 
     
     
         9 . The redraw assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an airbag positioned between the redraw sleeve and the hold down body, the airbag structured to contain a quantity of a gas within the airbag; and   a pressure regulator in communication with the controller, the pressure regulator structured to regulate a pressure of the gas within the airbag,   wherein the controller is structured to control operation of the pressure regulator to selectively vary the force that the redraw sleeve is structured to apply.   
     
     
         10 . The redraw assembly of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a number of hydraulic actuators positioned between the redraw sleeve and the hold down body; and   a source of hydraulic pressure in fluid communication with each hydraulic actuator and in electrical communication with the controller,   wherein the controller is structured to control the source of hydraulic pressure to selectively vary the force that the redraw sleeve is structured to apply.   
     
     
         11 . A bodymaker comprising:
 a frame;   a ram slidably coupled to the frame;   a toolpack coupled to the frame;   a drive mechanism coupled to the ram and structured to impart a reciprocating motion to the ram to reciprocate between a first retracted position, wherein the ram is spaced from the toolpack, and a second extended position, wherein the ram extends through the toolpack; and   a redraw assembly comprising:
 a hold down body slidably coupled to the frame; 
 a redraw sleeve assembly having a redraw sleeve adjustably coupled to the hold down body and structured to apply a force to a cup engaged with the toolpack; and 
 a controller structured to dynamically adjust an aspect of the redraw sleeve with respect to the hold down body during operation of the bodymaker. 
   
     
     
         12 . The bodymaker of  claim 11 , wherein the aspect comprises one or more of the vertical and/or lateral positioning of the redraw sleeve relative to the hold down body. 
     
     
         13 . The bodymaker of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a number of cam bolts, each cam bolt positioned among the redraw sleeve assembly and the hold down body in a manner such that rotation of the cam bolt selectively adjusts the relative positioning of the redraw sleeve with respect to the hold down body in a predetermined manner; and   a corresponding number of actuators, each actuator coupled with a corresponding cam bolt,   wherein each actuator is selectively actuatable via the controller and structured to selectively rotate the corresponding cam bolt as directed by the controller.   
     
     
         14 . The bodymaker of  claim 13 , wherein each actuator of the corresponding number of actuators is an electrical actuator or a pneumatic actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The bodymaker of  claim 13 , wherein the number of cam bolts comprises a plurality of cam bolts, and wherein the corresponding number of actuators comprises a plurality of actuators, each actuator of the plurality being coupled to a corresponding cam bolt of the plurality of cam bolts. 
     
     
         16 . The bodymaker of  claim 11 , wherein the redraw assembly further comprises a position sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the position sensor is structured to provide a number of signals indicative of the position of one or more of the ram, a punch disposed on the ram, and/or a portion of the toolpack wherein the controller is structured to dynamically adjust the position of the redraw sleeve with respect to the hold down body in response to the number of signals. 
     
     
         17 . The bodymaker of  claim 11 , wherein the aspect comprises the force that the redraw sleeve is structured to apply. 
     
     
         18 . The bodymaker of  claim 17 , wherein the redraw assembly further comprises a number of load cells positioned between the redraw sleeve and the hold down body and in communication with the controller, wherein each load cell is structured to provide a number of signals indicative of the force applied by the redraw sleeve to the controller, and wherein the controller is structured to adjust the force. 
     
     
         19 . The bodymaker of  claim 17 , wherein the redraw assembly further comprises:
 an airbag positioned between the redraw sleeve and the hold down body, the airbag structured to contain a quantity of a gas within the airbag; and   a pressure regulator in communication with the controller, the pressure regulator structured to regulate a pressure of the gas within the airbag, and   wherein the controller is structured to control operation of the pressure regulator to selectively vary the force that the redraw sleeve is structured to apply.   
     
     
         20 . The bodymaker of  claim 17 , wherein the redraw assembly further comprises:
 a number of hydraulic actuators positioned between the redraw sleeve and the hold down body; and   a source of hydraulic pressure in fluid communication with each hydraulic actuator and in electrical communication with the controller, and   wherein the controller is structured to control the source of hydraulic pressure to selectively vary the force that the redraw sleeve is structured to apply.