EP3380260B1

EP3380260B1 - Apparatus for processing metallic bodies

Info

Publication number: EP3380260B1
Application number: EP16826159.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Carlo Pisoni; Carlo LARGHI
Original assignee: SPL Soluzioni Srl
Current assignee: SPL Soluzioni Srl
Priority date: 2015-11-23
Filing date: 2016-11-22
Publication date: 2023-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-22
Also published as: ITUB20155832A1; WO2017089959A1; EP3380260A1; EP3380260C0

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing metallic bodies such as, for example, cylindrical metallic containers for spray or aerosol canisters.
Apparatuses are known for processing containers, which are typically made of aluminum or steel and are constituted by preformed bodies with a cylindrical cross-section which are obtained by way of extrusion or drawing and which have, at one longitudinal end, a rear wall and, at the other end, a free edge on which to carry out a coning operation in order to obtain, generally, a mouth on which is then provided, for example, a threading adapted to be associated with a cap for closing the container or an edging.
Usually, such apparatuses are constituted by a supporting framework for a carousel that can rotate intermittently about a main rotation axis and defines, at its peripheral region, a plurality of supporting seats for the respective metallic bodies to be processed, which are fed to the carousel by way of a feeder device. WO2015110470 discloses such an apparatus.
The apparatus comprises, furthermore, a front table, arranged parallel to and facing toward the carousel, which can move with an alternating translational motion along a direction that is substantially parallel to the main rotation axis of the carousel.
In particular, the front table supports a plurality of processing stations, which are designed to engage sequentially with the metallic bodies supported by the carousel.
The apparatus is provided with a motor that is connected, by way of kinematic connection means which comprise, among other things, a rod-and-crank assembly, both to an elongated element, which supports the front table for moving such front table in an alternating motion, and to the carousel in order to enable the intermittent rotation thereof about the main rotation axis.
Arranged between the motor and the actuation shaft of the eccentric link rod is a flywheel, connected to the output shaft of the motor by way of a belt, while the flywheel is connected by way of gearwheels to the shaft of the eccentric link rod.
The brake is constituted by a clutch-brake unit acting on the flywheel which "breaks" the connection between flywheel and motor.
The conventional solutions, although widely used, are not devoid of drawbacks.
In particular, the transmission of motion to the rod-and-crank assembly by way of the flywheel and the brake-clutch presents, in some applications, limitations if it is necessary to operate at high speeds, and these limitations determine the need to intervene mechanically in order to vary the travel of the pressing plate.
The aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems and overcome the drawbacks, by providing an apparatus for processing metallic bodies by plastic deformation which is extremely reliable in use.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to make available an apparatus that is extremely flexible and in which it is not necessary to intervene on the mechanical parts (in particular on the rod-and-crank assembly) when the speed of use varies.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for processing metallic bodies by plastic deformation which has a competitive production cost so as to make its use advantageous from an economic viewpoint as well.
This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are all achieved by an apparatus for processing metallic bodies by plastic deformation according to claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of an apparatus for processing metallic bodies by plastic deformation according to the invention, which are illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus, taken along a substantially vertical longitudinal plane;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus, taken along a substantially horizontal longitudinal plane;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus, taken along the line III-III of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to that in Figure 1 of a variation of embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

In the embodiments illustrated below, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.
The present invention relates to an apparatus, generally indicated with the reference numeral 1, for processing metallic bodies by plastic deformation.
The apparatus 1 comprises a supporting framework 2 for a carousel 3 that can rotate intermittently about a main rotation axis 100.
The carousel 3 defines a plurality of supporting seats for respective metallic bodies to be processed, which are fed to the carousel 3 by way of a feeder device.
Conveniently, the processed pieces are unloaded by the carousel 3 by way of an unloading device.
Preferably, the supporting seats are arranged substantially at the peripheral region of the carousel 3 and are mutually angularly spaced apart in a regular manner about the main rotation axis 100.
The apparatus 1 comprises, furthermore, a front table 5, which can move with an alternating translational motion along a direction that is substantially parallel to the main rotation axis 100 of the carousel 3, as shown by the arrow 101.
The front table 5 supports a plurality of processing stations 5a, which are designed to engage sequentially with the metallic bodies supported by the carousel 3.
The front table 5 is moved with an alternating translational motion and the carousel 3 is moved intermittently about the main rotation axis 100.
A single motor can be provided for moving the front table 5 and the carousel 3, or two motors can be provided, one motor for moving the front table 5 and one for moving the carousel 3.
If a single motor is used to move both the front table 5 and the carousel 3, means are provided for the kinematic connection of the mechanical type.
If different motors are used, for example a first actuation motor 10 for moving the front table 5 and a second actuation motor 40 for moving the carousel 3, it will be advisable to provide a control unit for managing the two different motors, which is adapted to synchronize the alternating back and forth motion of the front table 5 and the intermittent rotation about the main rotation axis 100 of the carousel 3.
The front table 5, and the carousel 3, lie on a respective plane of arrangement that is substantially vertical.
The main rotation axis 100 of the carousel 5 as a consequence extends along a direction that is substantially horizontal.
With particular reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the front table 5 is supported by a longitudinal element 6 that extends substantially parallel to the main rotation axis 100.
According to the present invention, the apparatus 1 has an actuation motor 10 for moving the front table 5 and connecting means 20 between an actuation shaft 11, supported so that it can rotate by the supporting framework 2, and the front table 5.
The connecting means 20 are adapted to convert the rotation of the actuation shaft 11 into alternating translational motion of the front table 5.
The actuation motor 11 is constantly engaged with the actuation shaft 10.
With the term "constantly engaged", what is meant is that the actuation motor 10 can be in a direct drive arrangement with the actuation shaft 11, as shown in the figures, but also that between the actuation motor 10 and the actuation shaft 11 there can be a kinematic transmission (pinion-gearwheel or the like) that constantly kinematically connects the two movements so that between the speed of the actuation motor 10 and the speed of the actuation shaft 11 there is always the same transmission ratio, even in transients.
The actuation shaft 11 extends along a direction of extension 102, transverse with respect to the main rotation axis 100 of the carousel 3.
The direction of extension 102 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the actuation shaft 11.
According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the present invention, the apparatus 1 has braking means 30 that act directly on the actuation shaft 11.
In particular, such braking means 30 can comprise a base body 31 that rotates integrally with the actuation shaft 11 and a braking body 32 supported by the supporting framework 2.
Conveniently, the base body has a plurality of discs 31a which are arranged so as to face each other along the direction of extension 102 of the actuation shaft 11.
The braking body 32 in turn supports a plurality of braking bodies that act on command on respective discs 31a.
Such embodiment makes it possible to ensure, with relatively reduced encumbrances, a high braking torque.
There is no reason obviously why one cannot use braking means 30 of different type, for example constituted substantially by a disk keyed to the actuation shaft 11 and by a clamp-like device supported by the supporting framework 2.
Advantageously, the actuation motor 10 is connected to a first longitudinal end of the actuation shaft 11.
If, as shown in the figures, the actuation motor 10 is directly engaged with the actuation shaft 11, it is possible for such actuation motor 10 to comprise a stator which is supported by the supporting framework 2 and a rotor which is connected directly, for example by way of flanging, to the actuation shaft 11.
Preferably, the braking means 30 are arranged at the second longitudinal end of the actuation shaft 11, opposite the end to which the actuation motor 10 is connected.
Conveniently, the connecting means 20 between the actuation shaft 11 and the front table 5 comprise a rod-and-crank assembly.
Specifically, the rod-and-crank assembly comprises the actuation shaft 11, which substantially performs the linkage function, and a crank 21 associated with the actuation shaft 11.
The crank can rotate with respect to the actuation shaft 11 about a connecting portion 11a that is arranged eccentrically with respect to the rotation axis 102 of the actuation shaft 11
The crank 21 is furthermore connected, at its end opposite the end connected with the actuation shaft 11, to the longitudinal element 6 for supporting the front table 5.
According to a particularly important aspect of the present invention, the actuation shaft 11 rotates integrally with at least one counterweight 12.
Such counterweight 12 has preferably a hatchet configuration.
The counterweight 12 is associated with the actuation shaft 11 at a portion arranged opposite, with respect to the rotation axis 102, from the connecting portion 11a.
According to a possible variation of embodiment, the apparatus 1 has at least one countershaft 13.
The (or each) countershaft 13 is supported so that it can rotate by the supporting framework 2 and rotates, about a respective axis 103 that is substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the actuation shaft 11, in the opposite direction with respect to the actuation shaft 11.
Conveniently, the apparatus 1 has two countershafts 13, which are arranged in a diametrically opposite position with respect to the actuation shaft 11.
The movement of the countershafts 13 can be ensured by motors that are dedicated thereto.
It has however been found to be particularly advantageous to kinematically connect the countershaft or countershafts 13 with the actuation motor 10, for example by way of the actuation shaft 11.
In this regard, as shown in Figures from 1 to 3, there can be a first gearwheel 14 that rotates integrally with the actuation shaft 11 and meshes with a second gearwheel 15 that rotates integrally with a respective countershaft 13.
There is no reason why there cannot be different types of transmission between the actuation shaft 11 and the countershaft or countershafts 13, for example a belt.
In this latter case, slip tripping devices can be provided in order to prevent excessive stresses on the belt.
Conveniently the actuation motor 11 is associated with a control device (not shown in the figures).
Conveniently, such control device is adapted to bring, in the event of machine shutdown, the actuation shaft 11 to an angular position such that the counterweight or counterweights 12 are at greatest height so that such counterweight or such counterweights 12 can, when the apparatus 1 is restarted, facilitate the action of the actuation motor 11 on the actuation shaft 10.
Since the actuation motor 10 is constantly engaged with the actuation shaft 11, it is possible to control extremely rapidly and effectively the movement of the actuation shaft 11 (and therefore of the front table 5).
It is likewise possible to control the actuation motor 10 so as to make the front table 5 perform cycles with speed profiles worked out as a function of the operations to be carried out.
The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.
In practice it has been found that in all the embodiments the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.
In practice the materials employed may be any, according to requirements.
Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and/or signs, those reference numerals and/or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and/or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and/or signs.

Claims

An apparatus (1) for processing metallic bodies by plastic deformation, which comprises a supporting framework (2) for a carousel (3) that can rotate intermittently about a main rotation axis (100) and defines a plurality of supporting seats (3a) for respective metallic bodies to be processed fed to said carousel (3) by way of a feeder device, a front table (5) being provided which can move with an alternating translational motion along a direction that is substantially parallel to said main rotation axis (100) of said carousel (3), said front table (5) supporting a plurality of processing stations (5a) that are designed to engage sequentially the metallic bodies supported by said carousel (3), an actuation motor (10) being provided for moving said front table (5) and connecting means (20) being provided between an actuation shaft (11), supported so that it can rotate by said supporting framework (2), and said front table (5), said connecting means (20) being adapted to convert the rotation of said actuation shaft (11) into alternating translational motion of said front table (5), wherein said actuation motor (10) is constantly engaged with said actuation shaft (11) characterized in that said actuation shaft (11) rotates integrally with at least one counterweight (12).
The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises braking means (30) that act directly on said actuation shaft (11).
The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuation motor (10) is directly engaged with said actuation shaft (11).
The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said connecting means (20) comprise a rod-and-crank assembly.
The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rod-and-crank assembly comprises said actuation shaft (11) that defines a rod and a crank (21) associated with said actuation shaft (11).
The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one countershaft (13), which is supported so that it can rotate by said supporting framework (2) and rotates in the opposite direction with respect to said actuation shaft (11).
The apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least two countershafts (13) arranged in a diametrically opposite position with respect to said actuation shaft (11).
The apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one countershaft (13) can be connected kinematically to said actuation shaft (11).
The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second actuation motor (40) of said carousel, a control unit being provided for managing said first actuation motor (10) and said second actuation motor (40) and being adapted to synchronize the alternating back and forth motion of said front table (5) and the intermittent rotation about said main rotation axis (100) of said carousel (3).