Method and apparatus for inside can base reforming

摘要

An apparatus and method is shown for reforming the bottom of a container. The container is supported during processing by a container holder. A number of tooling rams each have a reforming roller supported by a pivot roller shaft that is in turn connectedly pinned to one end of a pivot arm. The opposite end of the pivot arm is connectedly pinned to an eccentric lug on a pivot base that is connected to a tooling drive shaft. The reforming roller is restrained axially by roller guide disks mounted to the tooling rams and is driven by the pivot arm such that the reforming roller travels along a circular orbital path of varying diameter in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the pivot roller shaft and having a center of curvature position coextensive with the container axis. The tooling drive shaft is supported rotatably in and moved axially with a tooling ram that moves axially toward or away from the container. Axial and rotational movement of the pivot arm is converted to radial and rotational movement of the reforming roller as a result of the pinned connections between the pivot arm and the pivot base and the pivot arm and the pivot roller shaft, and as a result of the restraint on axial movement of the reforming roller. The container holder supports the container during reforming on portions of the outer periphery of the container that are axially offset from a plane defined by the circular orbital path traveled by the reforming roller.