US3704618A

US3704618A - Method and apparatus for making a drawn article

Info

Publication number: US3704618A
Application number: US84650A
Authority: US
Inventors: Daniel S Cvacho; Harry W Lee Jr
Original assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
Current assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
Priority date: 1970-10-28
Filing date: 1970-10-28
Publication date: 1972-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-05

Abstract

A die block, a shearing die, means for causing relative movement between the die block and the shearing die to shear an article from a blank of material when the blank is disposed therebetween, a ram, and means for causing relative movement between the ram and the die block to draw the sheared article into a drawn shape, the die block and shearing die having cooperating drawing surfaces for respectively engaging against opposed sides of the sheared article and from between which the sheared article is adapted to be drawn by the drawing operation of the ram and the die block. The apparatus has means for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the drawing surfaces of the die block and the shearing die during the entire drawing operation of the sheared article therefrom so as to tend to prevent adverse ears at the outer peripheral edge of such drawn article.

Description

United States Patent Cvacho et al. 1 Dec. 5, 1972 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson MAKING A DRAWN ARTICLE Assistant Examiner-R. M. Rogers [72] Inventors: Daniel s. Cvacho; Harry w. Lee, Attorney-Glenn, Palmer, Lyne, Gibbs & Thompson Jr., both of Richmond, Va. [57] ABSTRACT [73] Assignee: kgynolds 'Metals Company A die block, a shearing die, means for causing relative Rlchmond movement between the die block and the shearing die [22] Filed; On, 28, 1970 to shear an article from a blank of material when the blank is disposed therebetween, a ram, and means for [2!] App! 84650 causing relative movement between the ram and the i die block to draw the sheared article into a drawn 52 us. Cl ..72/336, 72/350 shape, the die block and shearing die having cooperat- 51] int. Cl ..B21d 38/00, 821d 22/00 s drawing surfaces for respectively engaging against h 336', 350 opposed sides of the sheared article and from between [58] Flam of Sean l which the sheared article is adapted to be drawn by the drawing operation of the ram and the die block. [56] I References Clted The apparatus has means for maintaining a predeter- UNITED STATES PATENTS mined spacing between the drawing surfaces of the dieblock and the shearing die during the entire drawing Candee operation of he s eared article therefrom so as to 3,435,653 Scaletta.... tend to prevent adverse ears at the outer peripheral 3,395,562 8/1968 Bushi ..72/350 edge of Such drawn article.

913,841 3/1909 Opsal .72/336 28 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED HEB 5 I912 SHEET 1 0F 6 FIG.

INVENTORS DANIEL S. C CHO HARRY W. 8Y5

E, JR.

THEIR ATTORNEYS PATENTEU DEC 5 I972 SHEET-2 0F 6 LEE, JR.

mkfm IN VENTORS DANIEL S.CVACHO HAgRY W.

91%, LITE/"1M Q1443 Q /L THEIR ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHE 5 I912 3.704.618

r 1' 5 E? THEIR ATTORNEYS INVENTORS DANIEL S. CVACHO HARRY W. LEE JR. 98 BYg L [%?N,

PATENTED 5 3,704,618

sum [1F 6 FIG.7

INVENTORS DANIEL S. CVACHO HARRY W. LEE JR.

THEIR ATTORNEYS PATENTEDuEc 5 I972 SHEET 6 [1F 6 INVENTO RS CVACHO E, JR.

DAN

THEIR ATTORNEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A DRAWN ARTICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufacture of drawn and ironed container bodies each having a cylindrical side wall means and an integral bottom wall means, each such drawn and ironed can body is normally made from a cup-shaped member subsequently drawn and ironed in a drawing and ironing apparatus.

The cup-shaped article has been formed by having a circular article cut from a flat blank of material and drawing such circular article into a cup shape by suitable press structure.

However, it has been found that many of the previously proposed apparatus and methods for making such cup shape articles for subsequent drawing and ironing into container bodies produced relatively sharp ears of material at the upper open ends of the cup-shaped articles which would tear off in the drawing and ironing apparatus to foul the tooling thereof sothat the apparatus would subsequently produce defective drawn. and ironed container bodies.

SUMMARY This invention provides an improved method and apparatus for making drawn cup-shaped articles wherein the aforementioned sharp cars at the upper open ends thereof are substantially eliminated.

One embodiment of the invention comprises a die block and a cooperating shearing die together with means causing relative movement between the die block and the shearing die to shear an article from a flat blank of material when the same is disposed therebetween. The apparatus includes a ram and means for causing relative movement between the ram and the die block to subsequently draw the sheared article into a drawn shape. The die block and the shearing die have cooperating drawing surfaces for respectively engaging against opposed sides of the sheared article and from between which the sheared article is adapted to be drawn by the drawing operation of the ram and die block. The apparatus has means for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the drawing surfaces of the die block and the shearing die during the entire drawing operation of the sheared article therefrom whereby the aforementioned adverse sharp ears on the open end of the drawn article is substantially eliminated by this invention.

Other details, uses and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description of the explemary embodiment thereof is presented in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings show the present exemplary embodiment of this invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the improved apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the cup-shaped article that is made by the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with parts thereof taken in cross section.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the structure for raising and lowering the bolster of the apparatus of FIG. 3, FIG. '4 being taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of one of the corners of the bolster structure of FIG. 4.

FIG.- 6 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrates the apparatus in another operating position thereof.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the shearing die, ram and die block of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in one of the operating positions thereof.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the apparatus in an initial drawing operation thereof.

FIG. .10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the apparatus in the final drawing operation thereof.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrates the apparatus in a drawn article stripping operation thereof. I

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the crankshaft structure of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the improved method and apparatus of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 and comprises an apparatus base 21 carrying suitable support posts 22 that pass through a stationary but adjustable bolster 23 disposed above the base 21 and support an upper stationary frame structure 24 above the bolster 23. In addition, suitable crankshaft supporting frame means 25 is supported by the posts 22 above the frame means 24 with such crankshaft supporting means 25 supporting suitable main drive motor means 26 for driving the apparatus 20 in a manner hereinafter described.

The apparatus 20 is adapted to form a plurality of cup-shaped articles 27, FIG. 2, each having a cylindrical side wall means 28, a closed bottom wall means 29 and an open upper end wall means 30, each article 27 being formed from a strip of flat blank material 31 fed through the apparatus 20 and not having the adverse sharp ears at the open end 30 thereof as previously described.

In particular, the strip of blank material 31, formed from suitable blank material, such as aluminum and the like, is fed from a suitable supply roll thereof (not shown) over a guide roller 32, FIG. 3, and under a guide roller 33 rotatably disposed in a suitable reservoir 34 of lubricating material for continuously lubricating the sheet 31 as the same passes through the lubricating tank 34 for a subsequent drawing operation thereon, the sheet 31 passing out through the nip of suitable guide rolls 35 and 36 and looped around a guide roll 37 and through the nip formed by the roller 37 and another guide roller 38 so as to be looped back toward the apparatus 20 and passed through the nip of a

pair'of guide rollers

39 and 40 thereof, the strip 31 thus passing through the apparatus 20 and being suitably sheared into circular articles in a manner hereinafter described with the skeleton of the blank strip 31 passing out to the left of the apparatus 20 through suitable guide rollers and 41.

The bolster 23 has suitable openings 42 passing therethrough and telescopically receiving the support posts 22 therethrough whereby the bolster 23 is adapted to be moved vertically upwardly and downwardly on the posts 22 from the full line operating position of FIG. 3 to the lower dotted line position of FIG. 3 for die change and other maintenanceoperations. For example, the bolster 23 is supported on the base 21 by a plurality of jack screws 43 each being adapted to be driven in unison by suitable hydraulically operated jack motors 44 to either raise or lower the bolster 23 relative to the base 21, FIG. 4 schematically illustrating a suitable hydraulic system 45 for operating the jack motors 44 whereby hydraulic fluid from a main supply line 46 is adapted to be directed by a solenoid operate valve means 47 in one of two flow directions to the motor means 44 to cause raising or lowering of the jack screws 43 and, thus, raising and lowering of the bolster 23.

The bolster 23 has an upper surface 48 suitably recessed at 49 to receive die blocks 50 therein, the bolster 23 for the apparatus being adapted to receive four die blocks 50 of which only two

such blocks

50 and 50A are illustrated in front and back relation when viewing the side of the apparatus 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 while FIGS. 6-10 illustrate the operation of only the front die block 50. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the following description relating to the illustrated front die block 50 applies also to the other three die blocks as well as to the other structure that cooperates with the other die blocks.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the die block 50 has an upper surface 51 that is substantially annular and flat for engaging against the under side 152 of theblank 31 for a purpose hereinafter described, the holding or engaging surface 51 of the die block 50 terminating at a sharp right angle shearing edge 52 that is interconnected with a lower flat annular drawing surface 53 of the die block 50. A die opening 54 passes through the die block 50 and interrupts the upper drawing surface 53 thereof as well as the lower surface 55 of the die block 50 to be in aligned relation with an opening 56 passing through the bolster 23 that interconnects the die block recess 49 thereof with a lower surface 57 of the bolster 23. The opening 54 through the die block 50 defines a drawing surface 58 adjacent the flat drawing surface 53 with the surface 58 having an arcuate cross section as illustrated in FIG. 8. Another annular drawing surface 59 is defined by the opening 54 at the lower surface 55 of the die block 50 with the lower drawing surface 59 defining a right angle 60 with the lower surface 55 thereof whereby the edge 60 of the drawing surface 59 projects slightly inwardly around the opening 56 in the bolster 23 for stripping the cup-shaped article 27 from the apparatus 20 in a manner hereinafter described so that the completed article 27 can pass out of the opening 56 of the bolster 23 and be deposited on the upper run 61 of a continuous conveyor belt 62 looped around a pair of rollers 63 and 64, FIG. 3. In this manner the stripped article 27 can be conveyed from right to left in FIG. 3 on the conveyor belt 62 through the apparatus 20 and through suitable slot means 65 formed in bolster 23 to a discharge chute 66 out of the lower end 67 of which the cup-shaped articles 27 are discharged from the apparatus 20 into the desired supporting structure. Such discharged cup-shaped articles 27 are then useable in the aforementioned drawing and ironing apparatus for forming the closed end container bodies.

The stationary frame means 24 of the apparatus 20 which is supported in the support posts 22 of the apparatus 20 above the bolster 23 has four downwardly projecting cylindrical guides 68 provided with internal slide bearing means 69 and outside slide bearing means 70 against which a shearing die carrier 71 is adapted to reciprocate in a vertical manner.

The shearing die carrier 71 is interconnected to a plurality of rods 72, FIG. 3, which pass through suitable openings 73 in the stationary frame means 24 and are respectively interconnected by suitable pivot pins 74 to crank arms 75 with each crank arm 75 being interconnected to a throw or cam 76 of a crankshaft.

For example, reference is made to FIG. 12 wherein a crankshaft 77 is provided and is interconnected at its left hand end 78 to a suitable gear 79 that is disposed in meshing relation with another gear 79A that is interconnected to a crankshaft 77A formed in the same manner as the crankshaft 77. The crankshaft 77 has a pair of throws or cams 76 thereon for respectively interconnecting to two of the cranks 75 whereby the other crankshaft 77A has like eccentrics or cams for interconnecting to the other two cranks 75 for raising or lowering the shearing die carrier 71 relative to the bolster 23. The cam shaft 77 also has a pair of larger throws or cams 80 respectively separated from the smaller throws or cams 76 by bearing portions 81 of the cam shaft 77 whereby the

cam shafts

77 and 77A can be mounted in suitable bearing means in the frame means 25 to be rotated by the motor means 26 and through the

gearing

79 and 79A to rotate in unison to operate the apparatus 20 in a manner hereinafter described.

A stationary frame means 24 hasupwardly directed parts 82 provided with suitable slide bearing means 83 and on which a suitable ram carrier 84 is mounted for sliding movement relative to the frame means 24, the ram carrier 84 being interconnected by a plurality of suitable pivot pins 85 to cranks 86 respectively interconnected to the, large cams or throws 80 of the

crankshafts

77 and 77A whereby rotational movement of the

crankshafts

77 and 77A will cause reciprocating movement of the ram carrier 84 relative to the stationary frame 24. V

The ram carrier 84 carries a plurality of rams 87 each being received respectively in a cylindrical portion 68 of the stationary frame means 24 to slide relative to the bearing means 69 thereof depending upon the movement of the ram carrier 84 relative to the bolster 23 by the

crankshafts

77 and 77A for a purpose hereinafter described.

The shearing die carrier 71 has a plurality of openings 88 interrupting the lower surface 89 thereof with each opening 88 being positioned for cooperating with a respective ram 87 and a die block 50 as illustrated in FIG; 6. A shearing die structure 90 is disposed in each opening 88 and has an outwardly directed piston flange 91 adapted to seal against an internal peripheral surface 92 of the shearing die carrier 71 and abut against an internal shoulder 93 thereof, the piston flange 91 being maintained against such shoulder 93 by air pressure acting against the upper side 194 of the shearing die assembly 90 so that the shearing die or assembly 90 will follow the movement of the shearing die carrier 71. Each shearing die assembly 90 has an opening 94 passing therethrough and receiving its cooperating ram 87 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, each shearing die 90 has a lower annular surface 95 at the opening 94 thereof which is adapted to cooperate with the surface 53 of the die block 50 in a manner hereinafter set forth, the annular surface 95 terminating at a right angle annular shearing surface 96 of the shearing die 90 that is adapted to cooperate with the shearing surface 52 of the die block 50. The shearing surface 96 is surrounded by an annular flat holding surface 97 of the shearing die 90 that is adapted to cooperate with the holding surface 51 of the cooperating die holder 50.

The drawing surfaces 95 and 53 of each set of shearing dies 90 and die block 50 are so constructed and arranged that when the

surfaces

95 and 53 are disposed together, the holding surfaces 97 and 51 thereof are spaced from each other a predetermined amount for a purpose that will be apparent hereinafter.

The shearing die carrier 71 has a movable blank stripper 98 for each ram 87 and comprising an annular member surrounding each shearing die 90 and being carried on a plurality of posts 99 threaded to the shearing die carrier 71 and having enlarged heads 100 whereby each stripper 98 is urged outwardly relative to the shearing die carrier 71 by compression springs 101 each being carried about the posts means 99 as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The operation of the apparatus as well as the method of this invention will now be described.

With the

crankshafts

77 and 77A being in a rotational position thereof that maintains the shearing die carrier 71 and rams 87 in an up position as illustrated in FIG. 6, the blank sheet 31 is indexed from right to left through the apparatus 20 in FIG. 3 so that unblanked portions thereof are disposed over the guide blocks 50. Thereafter, the

crankshafts

77 and 77A cause the shearing die carrier 71 to move vertically downwardly because of the throws or earns 76 acting on the crank arms 75 whereby the strippers 98 first engage against the sheet 31 so as to prevent further downward movement thereof as illustrated in FIG. 8 while the die assembly 90 and shearing guide carrier 71 move further vertically downwardly relative to the strippers 98 and have the surface 95 thereof engage against the blank 31. At this time, the shearing surfaces 96 and 52 of the shearing die 90 and die block 50 cooperate together and shear a circular article 103 from the blank 31 which is moved downwardly against the annular drawing surface 53 of the block 50 and against which the drawing surface 95 of the shearing die 90 will engage in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9. However, it can be seen that such downward movement of the shearing die 90 is limited by the annular holding surface 97 thereof clamping against the upper surface 102 of the blank 31 as illustrated in FIG. 9 whereby the shearing die 90 homes in on the blank 31 so as to limit the movement thereof downwardly and thereby predetermine the resulting spacing that results between the drawing surfaces 95 and 53 of the shearing die 90 and die block 50 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

For example, it has been found that when the gap being maintained between the

surfaces

97 and 51 of the shearing guide 90 and die block 50 by the blank 31 being inserted therein in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9 is approximately 0.018 of an inch, the same creates a spacing between the drawing surfaces 95 and 53 of approximately 0.0l6 of an inch to eliminate the adverse sharp ears at the open end 30 of the subsequently drawn article 27 I The

crankshafts

77 and 77A of the apparatus 20 are so constructed and arranged that the larger throws thereof cause the rams 87 to move downwardly with the shearing dies so that when the respective circular article 103 has been cut and sheared from the blank 31 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 8, the cooperating ram means 87 continues to move further downwardly to draw the sheared article 103 through the die block 50 to form the cup-shaped article 27 by drawing the cut article 103 from between the drawing surfaces and 53 of the shearing die 90 and die block 50 as well as through the drawing surfaces 58 and 59 of the die block 50 to create the cup-shaped article 27 which is moved below the die block 50 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 10 when the ram 87 completes its downward stroke. Because the natural resiliency of the drawn article 27 resulting in the cup configuration of FIG. 10 tends to spring slightly outwardly at the open end 30 thereof as the same travels beyond the drawing surface 59 of the die block 50, the outer peripheral edge 104 of the drawn article 27 springs outwardly beneath the edge 60 of the bottom surface 55 of the die block 50 so that subsequent upward movement of the ram 87 by the crankshaft in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11 causes the drawn article 27 to be stripped from the ram 87 and permit the same to pass out of the apparatus 20 to the left on the conveyor means 62 previously described.

As previously stated, it has been found according to the teachings of this invention that by providing a controlled spacing between the drawing surfaces 95 and 53 of the shearing die 90 and die block 50 during the drawing of the drawn article 103 therefrom by the ram 87, no resulting sharp ears are provided on the outer peripheral edge 30 of the drawn article 27 which will cause fouling of the tooling in the drawing and ironing apparatus that utilizes the drawn article 27 to form the drawn and ironed container body previously described.

Further, by having the shearing die 90 home in on the blank material 31, the spacing between the drawing surfaces 95 and 53 of the shearing die 90 and die block 50 is fully related to the thickness of the die blank material 31 in a controlled and predetermined manner.

While each shearing die assembly 90 is held against the flange 93 of the shearing die carrier 71 to tend to substantially follow uniform movement therewith, the air pressure acting against the upper side 194 of each shearing die assembly 90 fully permits the shearing die 90 to move relative to the shearing guide 71 should the downward movement of the shearing guide 71 not be completed when the downward movement of the shearing die 90 has been completed by abutting against the blank 31'or by an inadvertent construction being provided between the shearing die assembly 90 and the die block 50.

In this manner, the

crankshafts

77 and 77A can be utilized to provide a double action for the apparatus 20 in a direct acting manner for both the shearing die means 90 and the ram means 87 thereof. Thus, while only four die means 90 and rams 87 have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that one set or any number of dies 90 and rams 87 can be utilized.

Accordingly, it can be seen that this invention not only provides an improved apparatus for drawing an article from a blank of material, but also this invention provides an improved method for drawing such an article.

While present exemplary embodiments of this invention, and methods for practicing the same, have been illustrated and described, it will be recognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: r

1. Apparatus for making a drawn article from a blank of material having a particular thickness comprising a die block, a shearing die, means for causing relative movement between said die block and said shearing die to shear said article from said blank when said blank is disposed therebetween, a ram, and means for causing relative movement between said ram and said die block to draw said sheared article into a drawn shape, said die block and said shearing die having cooperating drawing surfaces for respectively engaging against opposed sides of said sheared article and from between which said sheared article is adapted to be drawn by said drawing operation of said ram and said die block, said apparatus having means maintaining a predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and saidshearing die during said entire drawing operation of said sheared article therefrom.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining a predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die comprises stop means to terminate the movement between said shearing die and said die block, with said fixed spacing being less than said particular thickness and always fully related thereto to provide a controlled drawing of said article.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said stop means comprises cooperating stop surfaces on said shearing die and said die block.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 whereinsaid stop surfaces are adapted to engage and hold said blank therebetween during said entire drawing operation whereby the thickness of said blank controls said fixed spacing.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said stop surfaces are so constructed and arranged that when holding said blank therebetween said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die are closer together than said stop surfaces.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said die block and said shearing die having cooperating shearing surfaces for shearing said article from said blank, said shearing surfaces respectively being disposed intermediate said stop surfaces and said drawing surfaces of said die block and shearing die.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said surfaces of said die block and said shearing die are annular with said drawing surfaces being disposed inboard of the other surfaces whereby said die block and said shearing die are adapted to shear a circular article from said blank and whereby said ram and said die block are adapted to draw said circular article into a cup shape.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining a predetermined spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die is adapted to maintain said spacing narrower than the thickness of said blank.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for maintaining a predetermined spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die comprises means on said die. block and said shearing die homing on said blank during the shearing thereof.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said die block is stationary and said shearing die and said ram move relative thereto.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for causing relative movement between said shearing die and said die block comprises a crankshaft rotatably carried by said apparatus and operatively interconnected to said shearing die to cause reciprocating movement of said shearing die relative to said die block during rotational movement of said crankshaft.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for causing relative movement between said ram and said die block comprises said crankshaft also being operatively interconnected to said ram to cause reciprocating movement of said ram relative to said die block during rotational movement of said crankshaft.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said apparatus has another die block and cooperating shearing die and ram operatively interconnected to said crankshaft to operate in the same manner as the first named shearing die and ram during rotationof said crankshaft. p

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said apparatus has another rotatable crankshaft and another pair of die blocks and cooperating shearing dies and rams operatively interconnected to said other crankshaft to be reciprocated thereby relative to said other pair of die blocks as said other crankshaft rotates.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said die block has a top and'a bottom surface and an opening passing through said top and bottom surfaces and through which said ram draws said article, said top surface defining the drawing surface of said die block and said bottom surface being adapted to strip said drawn article from said ram after said drawing operation.

16. Apparatus for making a drawn article from a blank of material comprising a die block, a shearing die, a ram arranged concentrically within said shearing die in telescoped relation, and a crankshaft rotatably carried by said apparatus and being operatively interconnected to said shearing die and to said ram to cause reciprocating movement thereof relative to said die block while said crankshaft rotates, said crankshaft being adapted to cause said shearing die to cooperate with said die block to shear said article from said blank and then being adaptedto cause said ram to telescope through said shearing die and cooperate with said die block to draw said sheared article in a drawn shape.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said apparatushas another die block and cooperating shearing die and ram operatively interconnected to said crankshaft to operate in the same manner as the first named shearing die and ram during rotation of said crankshaft.

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said apparatus has another rotatable crankshaft and another pair of die blocks and'cooperating shearing dies and rams operatively interconnected to said other crankshaft to be reciprocated thereby relative to said other pair of die blocks as said other crankshaft rotates.

article into a drawn shape, said die block and said shearing die having cooperating drawing surfaces respectively engaging against opposed sides of said sheared article and from between which said sheared article is drawn by said drawing operation of said ram and said die block, and maintaining a predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die during said entire drawing operation of said sheared article therefrom.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of maintaining a predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die comprises the step of terminating the movement between saidshearing die and said die block with stop means, with said fixed spacing being less than said particular thickness and always fully related hereto to provide controlled drawing of said article.

22. A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein said stop means comprises cooperating stop surfaces on said shearing die and said die block.

23. A method as set forth in claim 22 wherein said stop surfaces engage and hold said blank therebetween during said entire drawing operation whereby the thickness of said blank controls said fixed spacing.

24. A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die are spaced closer together than said stop surfaces during said drawing operation.

25. A method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said die block and said shearing die having cooperating shearing surfaces shearing said article from said blank, said shearing surfaces respectively being disposed intermediate said stop surface and said drawing surfaces of said die block and shearing die.

26. A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein said step of shearing said article from said blank comprises the step of shearing a circular article from said blank whereby said ram and said die block draw said circular article into a cup shape.

27. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of maintaining a predetermined spacing between said shearing die on said blank during the shearing thereof.

Claims

1. Apparatus for making a drawn article from a blank of material having a particular thickness comprising a die block, a shearing die, means for causing relative movement between said die block and said shearing die to shear said article from said blank when said blank is disposed therebetween, a ram, and means for causing relative movement between said ram and said die block to draw said sheared article into a drawn shape, said die block and said shearing die having cooperating drawing surfaces for respectively engaging against opposed sides of said sheared article and from between which said sheared article is adapted to be drawn by said drawing operation of said ram and said die block, said apparatus having means maintaining a predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die during said entire drawing operation of said sheared article therefrom.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said stop surfaces are adapted to engage and hold said blank therebetween during said entire drawing operation whereby the thickness of said blank controls said fixed spacing.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means for maintaining a predetermined spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die comprises means on said die block and said shearing die homing on said blank during the shearing thereof.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said apparatus has another die block and cooperating shearing die and ram operatively interconnected to said crankshaft to operate in the same manner as the first named shearing die and ram during rotation of said crankshaft.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said die block has a top and a bottom surface and an opening passing through said top and bottom surfaces and through which said ram draws said article, said top surface defining the drawing surface of said die block and said bottom surface being adapted to strip said drawn article from said ram after said drawing operation.

16. Apparatus for making a drawn article from a blank of material comprising a die block, a shearing die, a ram arranged concentrically within said shearing die in telescoped relation, and a crankshaft rotatably carried by said apparatus and being operatively interconnected to said shearing die and to said ram to cause reciprocating movement thereof relative to said die block while said crankshaft rotates, said crankshaft being adapted to cause said shearing die to cooperate with said die block to shear said article from said blank and then being adapted to cause said ram to telescope through said shearing die and cooperate with said die block to draw said sheared article in a drawn shape.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said apparatus has another die block and cooperating shearing die and ram operatively interconnected to said crankshaft to operate in the same manner as the first named shearing die and ram during rotation of said crankshaft.

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said apparatus has another rotatable crankshaft and another pair of die blocks and cooperating shearing dies and rams operatively interconnected to said other crankshaft to be reciprocated thereby relative to said other pair of die blocks as said other crankshaft rotates.

19. Apparatus aS set forth in claim 18 wherein said two crankshafts are operatively interconnected together to rotate in unison.

20. A method for making a drawn article from a blank of material having a particular thickness comprising the steps of, disposing said blank between a die block and a shearing die, causing relative movement between said die block and said shearing die to shear said article from said blank, causing relative movement between a ram and said die block to draw said sheared article into a drawn shape, said die block and said shearing die having cooperating drawing surfaces respectively engaging against opposed sides of said sheared article and from between which said sheared article is drawn by said drawing operation of said ram and said die block, and maintaining a predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die during said entire drawing operation of said sheared article therefrom.

21. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of maintaining a predetermined fixed spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die comprises the step of terminating the movement between said shearing die and said die block with stop means, with said fixed spacing being less than said particular thickness and always fully related hereto to provide controlled drawing of said article.

27. A method as set forth in claim 20 wherein said step of maintaining a predetermined spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die comprises the step of maintaining said spacing narrower than the thickness of said blank.

28. A method as set forth in claim 27 wherein said step of maintaining a predetermined spacing between said drawing surfaces of said die block and said shearing die comprises the step of homing said die block and said shearing die on said blank during the shearing thereof.