SELECTIVELY DISENGAGEABLE DRIVE ARRANGEMENT

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/657,209, filed Jun. 7, 2024, entitled, Selectively Disengageable Drive Arrangement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed concept relates generally to drive arrangements and, more particularly, to drive arrangements for necker machines. The disclosed concept further relates to necker machines having such drive arrangements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Can bodies are, typically, formed in a bodymaker. That is, a bodymaker forms blanks such as, but not limited to, disks or cups into an elongated can body. A can body includes a base and a depending sidewall. The sidewall is open at the end opposite the base. The bodymaker, typically, includes a ram/punch that moves the blanks through a number of dies to form the can body. The can body is ejected from the ram/punch for further processing such as, but not limited to, trimming, washing, printing, flanging, and inspecting, before being placed on pallets which are then shipped to a filler. At the filler, the cans are taken off of the pallets, filled, have ends placed on them, and then are typically repackaged in various quantities (e.g., six packs, twelve pack or other multi-can cases, etc.) for sale to the consumer.

Some can bodies after being formed in a bodymaker are further formed in a die necking machine, commonly referred to as simply a necker machine. Necker machines are structured to reduce the cross-sectional area of a portion of a can body sidewall, i.e., at the open end of the sidewall. That is, prior to coupling a can end to the can body (and prior to filling), the diameter/radius of the can body sidewall open end is reduced relative to the diameter/radius of other portions of the can body sidewall. The necker machine includes a number of processing and/or forming modules disposed in series. That is, the processing and/or forming modules are disposed adjacent to each other and a transfer assembly moves a can body between adjacent processing and/or forming modules. As the can body moves through the processing and/or forming modules the can body is processed or formed.

Some die necking machine configurations require a large number of necking modules. The rotational position of each module must be kept in sync with adjacent modules, which is typically accomplished through the use of a gear train that effectively connects/drives all of the other modules. Such gear train is typically driven only at one end. The gear tooth load at the aforementioned driven end of the gear train is very high, whereas load on the opposite end of the gear train is low. This results in uneven gear wear along the gear train and requires the majority of gears in the train to be oversized which incurs additional and unnecessary expense.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These needs, and others, are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept which, in one aspect provides a drive arrangement for a necker machine having a frame assembly and a plurality of modules, each module having a number of drive shafts. The drive arrangement comprises: a plurality of control motors, each control motor of the plurality of control motors structured to be operatively engaged with a drive shaft of the number of drive shafts of a respective module of the plurality of modules, each control motor structured to be electrically connected to a power bus of a number of power buses; a control unit in communication with each control motor of the plurality of control motors, the control unit structured to control operation of each control motor of the plurality of control motors; and a number of voltage sensors in communication with the control unit, each voltage sensor structured to detect voltage in a corresponding power bus of the number of power buses, wherein the control unit is programmed to: monitor, via the number of voltage sensors, the voltage in each power bus of the number of power buses during operation of the necker machine.

The control unit may be further programmed to: determine that the voltage of at least one power bus of the number of power buses has dropped below a predetermined threshold; and begin a shutdown sequence of the plurality of control motors responsive to determining that the voltage has dropped below the predetermined threshold.

The control unit may be further programmed to bring the plurality of control motors to a stop in a timed positioning.

The control unit may be further programmed to: determine that the voltage of each power bus of the number of power buses has returned above the, or another, predetermined threshold;

and resume operation of the necker machine.

Each control motor may comprise a servo motor having an associated electrical drive electrically connected thereto, each electrical drive may be structured to drive the servo motor associated therewith; and the control unit may be in communication with the electrical drive of each servo motor.

The drive shaft to which each respective control motor is structured to be operatively engaged may be one of a primary drive shaft structured to drive a processing arrangement of a respective module of the plurality of modules or a secondary drive shaft structured to drive a transfer arrangement of the respective module.

The control unit may be structured to: electronically selectively couple the plurality of control motors such that a rotational timing position of each of the drive shafts to be operatively engaged therewith are locked in sync; and operate the plurality of control motors in a synchronized timed manner.

The control unit may be further structured to: electronically selectively uncouple a number of control motors of the plurality of control motors from other control motors of the plurality of control motors; and operate the number of control motors independently of the other control motors.

As another aspect of the disclosed concept, a necker machine is provided. The necker machine comprises: a frame assembly; a plurality of modules coupled to the frame assembly, each module having a number of drive shafts, and a drive arrangement comprising: a number of power buses; a plurality of control motors, each control motor of the plurality of control motors operatively engaged with a drive shaft of the number of drive shafts of a respective module of the plurality of modules, each control motor electrically connected to a power bus of the number of power buses; a control unit in communication with each control motor of the plurality of control motors, the control unit structured to control operation of each control motor of the plurality of control motors; and a number of voltage sensors in communication with the control unit, each voltage sensor structured to detect voltage in a corresponding power bus of the number of power buses, wherein the control unit is programmed to: monitor, via the number of voltage sensors, the voltage in each power bus of the number of power buses during operation of the necker machine.

The control unit may be further programmed to: determine that the voltage of at least one power bus of the number of power buses has dropped below a predetermined threshold; and begin a shutdown sequence of the plurality of control motors responsive to determining that the voltage has dropped below the predetermined threshold.

The control unit may be further programmed to bring the plurality of control motors to a stop in a timed positioning.

The control unit may be further programmed to: determine that the voltage of each power bus of the number of power buses has returned above the, or another, predetermined threshold; and resume operation of the necker machine.

Each control motor may comprise a servo motor having an associated electrical drive electrically connected thereto, each electrical drive structured to drive the servo motor associated therewith; and the control unit may be in communication with the electrical drive of each servo motor.

The drive shaft to which each respective control motor is operatively engaged may be one of a primary drive shaft structured to drive a processing arrangement of a respective module of the plurality of modules or a secondary drive shaft structured to drive a transfer arrangement of the respective module.

The control unit may be structured to: electronically selectively couple the plurality of control motors such that a rotational timing position of each of the drive shafts to be operatively engaged therewith are locked in sync; and operate the plurality of control motors in a synchronized timed manner.

The control unit may be further structured to: electronically selectively uncouple a number of control motors of the plurality of control motors from other control motors of the plurality of control motors; and operate the number of control motors independently of the other control motors.

The number of power buses may comprise a plurality of power buses.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the disclosed concept, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosed concept.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the processing side of a necker machine in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the processing side of the necker machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the processing side of the necker machine of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially schematic elevation view of the drive side of the necker machine of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a can body; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the general steps of a method in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be appreciated that the specific elements illustrated in the figures herein and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are provided as non-limiting examples solely for the purpose of illustration. Therefore, specific dimensions, orientations, assembly, quantity of components used, embodiment configurations and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting on the scope of the disclosed concept.

Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, clockwise, counterclockwise, left, right, top, bottom, upwards, downwards and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified element or assembly has a structure that is shaped, sized, disposed, coupled and/or configured to perform the identified verb. For example, a member that is “structured to move” is movably coupled to another element and includes elements that cause the member to move or the member is otherwise configured to move in response to other elements or assemblies. As such, as used herein, “structured to [verb]” recites structure and not function. Further, as used herein, “structured to [verb]” means that the identified element or assembly is intended to, and is designed to, perform the identified verb. Thus, an element that is merely capable of performing the identified verb but which is not intended to, and is not designed to, perform the identified verb is not “structured to [verb].”

As used herein, “associated” means that the elements are part of the same assembly and/or operate together, or, act upon/with each other in some manner. For example, an automobile has four tires and four hub caps. While all the elements are coupled as part of the automobile, it is understood that each hubcap is “associated” with a specific tire.

As used herein, a “coupling assembly” includes two or more couplings or coupling components. The components of a coupling or coupling assembly are generally not part of the same element or other component. As such, the components of a “coupling assembly” may not be described at the same time in the following description.

As used herein, a “coupling” or “coupling component(s)” is one or more component(s) of a coupling assembly. That is, a coupling assembly includes at least two components that are structured to be coupled together. It is understood that the components of a coupling assembly are compatible with each other. For example, in a coupling assembly, if one coupling component is a snap socket, the other coupling component is a snap plug, or, if one coupling component is a bolt, then the other coupling component is a nut or threaded bore. Further, a passage in an element is part of the “coupling” or “coupling component(s).” For example, in an assembly of two wooden boards coupled together by a nut and a bolt extending through passages in both boards, the nut, the bolt and the two passages are each a “coupling” or “coupling component.”

As used herein, a “fastener” is a separate component structured to couple two or more elements. Thus, for example, a bolt is a “fastener” but a tongue-and-groove coupling is not a “fastener.” That is, the tongue-and-groove elements are part of the elements being coupled and are not a separate component.

As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are coupled in direct contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. As used herein, “adjustably fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant general orientation or position relative to each other while being able to move in a limited range or about a single axis. For example, a doorknob is “adjustably fixed” to a door in that the doorknob is rotatable, but generally the doorknob remains in a single position relative to the door. Further, a cartridge (nib and ink reservoir) in a retractable pen is “adjustably fixed” relative to the housing in that the cartridge moves between a retracted and extended position, but generally maintains its orientation relative to the housing. Accordingly, when two elements are coupled, all portions of those elements are coupled. A description, however, of a specific portion of a first element being coupled to a second element, e.g., an axle first end being coupled to a first wheel, means that the specific portion of the first element is disposed closer to the second element than the other portions thereof. Further, an object resting on another object held in place only by gravity is not “coupled” to the lower object unless the upper object is otherwise maintained substantially in place. That is, for example, a book on a table is not coupled thereto, but a book glued to a table is coupled thereto.

As used herein, the phrase “removably coupled” or “temporarily coupled” means that one component is coupled with another component in an essentially temporary manner. That is, the two components are coupled in such a way that the joining or separation of the components is easy and would not damage the components. For example, two components secured to each other with a limited number of readily accessible fasteners, i.e., fasteners that are not difficult to access, are “removably coupled” whereas two components that are welded together or joined by difficult to access fasteners are not “removably coupled.” A “difficult to access fastener” is one that requires the removal of one or more other components prior to accessing the fastener wherein the “other component” is not an access device such as, but not limited to, a door.

As used herein, “operatively coupled” means that a number of elements or assemblies, each of which is movable between a first position and a second position, or a first configuration and a second configuration, are coupled so that as the first element moves from one position/configuration to the other, the second element moves between positions/configurations as well. It is noted that a first element may be “operatively coupled” to another without the opposite being true.

As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another means that the elements exert a force or bias against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate elements or components. Further, as used herein with regard to moving parts, a moving part may “engage” another element during the motion from one position to another and/or may “engage” another element once in the described position. Thus, it is understood that the statements, “when element A moves to element A first position, element A engages element B,” and “when element A is in element A first position, element A engages element B” are equivalent statements and mean that element A either engages element B while moving to element A first position and/or element A either engages element B while in element A first position.

As used herein, “operatively engage” means “engage and move.” That is, “operatively engage” when used in relation to a first component that is structured to move a movable or rotatable second component means that the first component applies a force sufficient to cause the second component to move. For example, a screwdriver may be placed into contact with a screw. When no force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver is merely “temporarily coupled” to the screw. If an axial force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver is pressed against the screw and “engages” the screw. However, when a rotational force is applied to the screwdriver, the screwdriver “operatively engages” the screw and causes the screw to rotate. Further, with electronic components, “operatively engage” means that one component controls another component by a control signal or current.

As used herein, “correspond” indicates that two structural components are sized and shaped to be similar to each other and may be coupled with a minimum amount of friction. Thus, an opening which “corresponds” to a member is sized slightly larger than the member so that the member may pass through the opening with a minimum amount of friction. This definition is modified if the two components are to fit “snugly” together. In that situation, the difference between the size of the components is even smaller whereby the amount of friction increases. If the element defining the opening and/or the component inserted into the opening are made from a deformable or compressible material, the opening may even be slightly smaller than the component being inserted into the opening. With regard to surfaces, shapes, and lines, two, or more, “corresponding” surfaces, shapes, or lines have generally the same size, shape, and contours.

As used herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality). That is, for example, the phrase “a number of elements” means one element or a plurality of elements. It is specifically noted that the term “a ‘number’ of [X]” includes a single [X].

As employed herein, the terms “can” and “container” are used substantially interchangeably to refer to any known or suitable container, which is structured to contain a substance (e.g., without limitation, liquid; food; any other suitable substance), and expressly includes, but is not limited to, beverage cans, such as beer and beverage cans, as well as food cans.

As used herein, “about” in a phrase such as “disposed about [an element, point or axis]” or “extend about [an element, point or axis]” or “[X] degrees about an [an element, point or axis],” means encircle, extend around, or measured around. When used in reference to a measurement or in a similar manner, “about” means “approximately,” i.e., in an approximate range relevant to the measurement as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, a “drive assembly” means elements that are operatively coupled to the rotating shafts extending back to front in a processing module. A “drive assembly” does not include the rotating shafts extending back to front in a processing module.

As used herein, an “elongated” element inherently includes a longitudinal axis and/or longitudinal line extending in the direction of the elongation.

As used herein, “generally” means “in a general manner” relevant to the term being modified as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, “substantially” means “for the most part” relevant to the term being modified as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein, “at” means on and/or near relevant to the term being modified as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

An example necker machine 10 for which a drive arrangement in accordance with the concepts disclosed herein may be employed is illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. While a brief description of the general elements and operation of necker machine 10 is provided herein, a detailed description of a similar necker machine and the operation thereof is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 11,370,015, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. Some other examples of necker machines for which drive arrangements in accordance with the concepts disclosed herein may be employed are described in, for example, without limitation, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,464,567, 8,601,843, 9,095,888, 9,308,570, the contents of each being incorporated by reference herein.

As previously discussed in the Background above, the necker machine 10 is structured to reduce the diameter of a portion of a can body 1, such as illustrated in FIG. 5. As used herein, to “neck” means to reduce the diameter/radius of a portion of a can body 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a can body 1 includes a base 2 with an upwardly depending sidewall 3. The can body base 2 and can body sidewall 3 define a generally enclosed space 4. In the embodiment discussed below, the can body 1 is a generally circular and/or an elongated cylinder. It is understood that this is only one exemplary shape and that the can body 1 can have other shapes. The can body has a longitudinal axis 5. The can body sidewall 3 has a first end 6 and a second end 7. The can body base 2 is at the second end 7. The can body first end 6 is open. The can body first end 6 initially has substantially the same radius/diameter as the can body sidewall 3. Following forming operations in the necker machine 10, the radius/diameter of the can body first end 6 is smaller than the other portions of the radius/diameter at the can body sidewall 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the necker machine 10 generally includes a plurality of modules (shown generally at 11) coupled together in a side-by-side arrangement. While the example necker machine 10 includes six of such modules 11, it is to be appreciated that the quantity of modules 11 included in a given necker machine is generally dependent on details of the can body being processed/formed and the final desired geometry thereof and as such the quantity of modules 11 may be varied without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. The plurality of modules 11 includes an infeed module 12 positioned at a first end of the necker machine 10. The infeed module 12 includes an infeed assembly 13 for receiving can bodies 1 (e.g., see FIG. 3). The plurality of modules 11 also includes a plurality of forming/processing modules 14 extending side by side in a series arrangement from the infeed module 12. The plurality of modules 11 concludes with a discharge module 15 positioned at the opposite end of the necker machine from the infeed module 12 such that the plurality of processing modules 14 are bounded by the infeed module 12 and the discharge module 15. The discharge module 15 includes an exit assembly 16 for discharging necked cans from the necker machine 10. Hereinafter, the processing/forming modules 14 are identified by the term “processing modules 14” and refer to generic processing modules 14. Each processing module 14 has an overall width W (FIGS. 3 and 4) that is generally the same as all the other processing modules 14. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the length/space occupied by the necker machine 10 is generally determined by the quantity of processing modules 14 utilized therein.

As is known, the processing modules 14 are disposed adjacent to each other and in series with the infeed module 12 and discharge module 15 disposed at opposite ends of the series of processing modules. That is, the can bodies 1 being processed by the necker machine 10 each move from an upstream location through a series of processing modules 14 in the same sequence. Movement of the can bodies 1 through the necker machine 10 is carried out by a transfer assembly 18 driven by a drive arrangement 20 (FIG. 4) that are both included as portions of the necker machine 10.

During processing, the can bodies 1 follow a path, hereinafter, the “work path 9” (FIG. 3). That is, the necker machine 10 defines the work path 9 wherein can bodies 1 move from an “upstream” US location to a “downstream” DS location, such as shown in FIG. 3. As used herein, “upstream” generally means closer to the infeed module 12/infeed assembly 13 and “downstream” means closer to the discharge module 15/exit assembly 16. With regard to elements that define the work path 9, each of those elements have an “upstream” end and a “downstream end” wherein the can bodies move from the “upstream” end to the “downstream end.” Thus, as used herein, the nature/identification of an element, assembly, sub-assembly, etc. as an “upstream” or “downstream” element or assembly, or, being in an “upstream” or “downstream” location, is inherent. Further, as used herein, the nature/identification of an element, assembly, sub-assembly, etc. as an “upstream” or “downstream” element or assembly, or, being in an “upstream” or “downstream” location, is a relative term.

As noted above, each processing module 14 has a similar width W (i.e., the distance between the upstream and downstream edges thereof), and the can body 1 is processed and/or formed (or partially formed) as the can body 1 moves generally across the width W. Generally, the processing/forming of the can body occurs in/at a rotatable turret 22 in each processing module 14. That is, the term “turret 22” identifies a generic turret. Each processing module 14 includes a rotatable starwheel 24 associated with the turret 22. Depending on the application, the starwheel 24 may be a “non-vacuum starwheel” (i.e., a starwheel that does not include, or is not associated with, a vacuum assembly, that is structured to apply a vacuum to the starwheel pockets) or alternatively a “vacuum starwheel” (i.e., a starwheel that does include, or is associated with, a vacuum assembly, that is structured to apply a vacuum to the starwheel pockets) without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept. Further, each processing module 14 typically includes one turret 22 and one starwheel 24.

The transfer assembly 18 is structured to move the can bodies 1 between adjacent processing modules 14 as well as from the infeed module 12 and to the discharge module 15. The transfer assembly 18 includes a plurality of rotatable starwheels 26, with each starwheel 26 being a part of a respective processing module 14, infeed module 12, or discharge module 15. Similar to starwheels 24, depending on the application, starwheels 26 may be of a “vacuum” or “non-vacuum” type without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept.

It is noted that the plurality of processing modules 14 may be structured to neck different types of can bodies 1 and/or to neck can bodies in different configurations. Thus, the plurality of processing modules 14 are structured to be added and removed from the necker machine 10 depending upon the need for the particular application. To accomplish this, the necker machine 10 includes a frame assembly 30 to which the plurality of processing modules 14 are removably coupled. Alternatively, the frame assembly 30 includes elements incorporated into each of the plurality of processing modules 14 so that the plurality of processing modules 14 are structured to be temporarily coupled to each other. The frame assembly 30 has an upstream end 32 and a downstream end 34. Further, the frame assembly 30 includes elongated members, panel members (neither numbered), or a combination of both. As is known, panel members coupled to each other, or coupled to elongated members, form a housing. Accordingly, as used herein, a housing is also identified as a “frame assembly 30.”

When the necker machine 10 is operated, the infeed assembly 13 feeds individual can bodies 1 into the transfer assembly 18 which moves each can body 1 sequentially through each of the processing modules 14 from the most upstream processing module 14 to the most downstream processing module 14. More particularly, each can body 1 moves from a starwheel 26, to a starwheel 24, to a turret 22 where a forming operation occurs, back to the aforementioned starwheel 24, and on to the next downstream starwheel 26. Generally, each processing module 14 is structured to partially form the can body 1 so as to gradually reduce the cross-sectional area of the can body first end 6 (FIG. 5) as the can body 1 moves through the processing modules 14. The processing modules 14 include some elements that are unique to a single particular processing module 14, such as, but not limited to, a specific die. Other elements, e.g., the turret 22 and starwheels 24, 26 of the processing modules 14 are common to all, or most, of the processing modules 14. Such process continues until the can body 1 has passed through all of the processing modules 14 along the work path 9 and then exits the necker machine 10 via the exit assembly 16.

Referring to FIG. 3, in order to move the can body 1 through the example necker machine 10, each of the turrets 22 and starwheels 24 are rotated in a clockwise direction at a first rotational speed by respective processing or primary drive shafts 40 while each of the starwheels 26 are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction at a second rotational speed by respective transfer or secondary drive shafts 42. Such rotation of each of the primary and secondary drive shafts 40, 42 of each processing module 14 is provided by the drive arrangement 20 schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 that addresses shortcomings of drive arrangements utilizing a gear train (such as previously discussed herein) and that may be readily retrofit to other necker machines that employ a gear train.

Referring to FIG. 4, drive arrangement 20 includes a plurality of control motors 44 (each shown schematically) electrically connected to, and powered by, a number of power buses 46 that receive power from a number of power sources 48. Each control motor 44 is fixedly coupled, directly or indirectly, to frame assembly 30 (e.g., by a housing or frame (not numbered) of each control motor 44), and operatively engages (e.g., via an output shaft (not numbered) of each control motor 44) a drive shaft of the number of drive shafts 40, 42 of a respective processing module 14 of the plurality of processing modules 14 of necker machine 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, drive arrangement 20 includes a plurality of control motors 44 (each shown schematically) electrically connected to, and powered by, a number of power buses 46 that receive power from a number of power sources 47. Each control motor 44 is fixedly coupled, directly or indirectly, to frame assembly 30 (e.g., by a housing or frame (not numbered) of each control motor 44), and operatively engages (e.g., via an output shaft (not numbered) of each control motor 44) a drive shaft of the number of drive shafts 40, 42 of a respective processing module 14 of the plurality of processing modules 14 of necker machine 10. Drive arrangement 20 further includes a control unit 48 in communication with each control motor 44. The control unit 48 is a processing system designed/configured to perform the data analysis and component control operations required to operate each of control motors 44. The control unit 48 may be, for example and without limitation, a local microcontroller, a remote server, or any other suitable device and/or devices for carrying out the functionality described herein.

In an example embodiment of the disclosed concept, the control unit 48 is structured to electronically selectively couple the plurality of control motors 44 together such that a rotational timing position of each of the drive shafts to which they are operatively coupled are locked in sync (e.g., similar to a mechanical gear train but without the physical interconnections) and to operate the plurality of control motors 44 in a synchronized timed manner so as to operate the necking machine 10 for normal can necking operations. In another example embodiment, the control unit 48 is further structured to electronically selectively couple/uncouple a number of control motors 44 from the other control motors 44 and operate the number of control motors 44 independently of the other control motors 44. In another example embodiment, such as discussed further below, the control unit is structured to monitor voltage in the number of power buses 46 via a number of voltage sensors 49 (two voltage sensors 49A and 49B are shown in the example of FIG. 4), provided as a components or components of drive arrangement 20, and carry out certain actions in view thereof.

In an example embodiment of the disclosed concept (such as shown in FIG. 4) each control motor 44 is a servo motor. In such example, each control motor 44 of processing modules 14 is either a primary servo motor 50 operatively engaged with a primary drive shaft 40 opposite the turret 22 that is coupled to the aforementioned primary drive shaft 40, or a secondary servo motor 52 operatively engaged with the secondary drive shaft 42 opposite the vacuum starwheel 26 that is coupled to the aforementioned secondary drive shaft 42. In such example, each primary servo motor 50 has an associated electrical drive 54 electrically connected thereto that is in communication with the control unit 48 and electrically connected with a first power bus 46A of the number of power buses 46, while each secondary servo motor 52 also as an associated electrical drive 56 electrically connected thereto that is in communication with the control unit 48 and electrically connected with a second power bus 46B of the number of power buses 46. In addition to operating the drive shafts 40 and 42 of the necker machine 10, the drive arrangement 20 may also include/employ control motors 44 to drive other driven components related to the necker machine 10, such as those of the infeed and discharge modules 12 and 15. In the example shown in FIG. 4, such components are driven by servo motors 62, each having an associated electrical drive 64 that is in communication with the control unit 48 and electrically connected with the first power bus 46A. It is to be appreciated that the quantity of power buses 46 employed, and/or the particular control motors 44 electrically connected to and thus powered thereby, may be varied without varying from the scope of the disclosed concept.

Having thus described the general elements of a necker machine 10 and drive arrangement 20 in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosed concept, an example method 100 of operating such arrangement in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept will now be described in conjunction with FIG. 6. As shown at 102, method 100 begins with the control unit 48 monitoring the voltage of the number of power buses 46 providing power to the plurality of control motors 44 of the drive arrangement 20 of the necker machine 10 during operation of the necker machine 10 necking can bodies using the number of voltage sensors 49. In the example arrangement of FIG. 4, such monitoring is carried out by the control unit 48 monitoring the signals from the voltage sensors 49A and 49B associated with each of the first and second power buses 46A and 46B. As shown at 104, if during such operation of the necker machine 10 the controller determines that the voltage in one or both of the first and/or second power buses 46A and/or 46B drops below a predetermined threshold, thus indicating a loss of at least sufficient power to at least some of the control motors 44, the control unit 48 begins a shutdown sequence of the plurality of control motors 44 responsive to the determination made in 104, such as shown at 106. The control unit 48 then carries out the shutdown sequence until the plurality of control motors 44 are brought to a controlled stop in a timed positioning, such as shown at 108. As used herein, the term “timed positioning” means an arrangement of the moveable elements of the necker machine 10 (e.g., turrets 22, starwheels 24, and starwheels 26) are positioned so as to be ready to restart without requiring and alignment of components. During such controlled stop, kinetic energy of the rotating elements being brought to a stop may be harvested by a number of the control motors 44 to ensure sufficient power is available to bring all of the control motors 44 to a stop in the aforementioned timed positioning. By bringing the components to a stop in such timed positioning, the operation of the necker machine 10 may be resumed without further delay once sufficient voltage (i.e., above the aforementioned or another predetermined threshold) is detected from the number of voltage sensors 49, such as shown at 110 and 112.

From the foregoing example embodiments it is thus to be appreciated that embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein provide arrangements for driving necker machines that improve upon conventional arrangements by eliminating the need for a mechanical drivetrain, thus saving the initial and maintenance costs, as well as noise and physical contaminants associated with such mechanical gearing. The electrical coupling/uncoupling of one or more shafts to the others provides for quick maintenance operations not provided by conventional mechanical arrangements. For example, if a jam occurs at the discharge end of the machine, the discharge module shafts can be electronically decoupled from the adjacent module (vision) so that their shafts can be rotated independently to assist with clearing the jam. As another example, if a problem were to be suspected with a particular pocket on a given necking stage, that necking stage can readily be electronically de-coupled to allow the operator to position the turret in a way that allows easy inspection of the suspected issue. As yet a further example, if a defect were to be found on a can at the discharge of the machine associated with only one pocket, all of the turrets could be positioned such that the pocket producing the defect is able to be easily inspected.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination.