3M high-flow filtration for can manufacturing improves every production process

Can manufacturers benefit from 3M filter systems.

John Brooks Company Limited carries high-flow filter systems by 3M, which are an ideal solution for the manufacture of aluminum cans. 3M efficient coolant filtration enhances can production by filtering out variability, reducing aluminum loadings and tearoff, and improving the process by decreasing downtime and labour.

Designed for high performance and ease of use, 3M high-flow filtration systems each deliver a high-flow filter within a compact housing design.

Minimal defects and contamination

With can manufacturers producing millions of identical components daily, even small improvements affect overall process yield substantially. This filtration system from John Brooks Company is a crucial part of the can-manufacturing process, ensuring minimal defects, contaminant buildup, and dimensional variations. The filtration process has five steps:

1. Uncoiler. This machine unwinds the aluminum coil into the lubricator.
2. Lubrication. A thin film of lubricant is applied to the aluminum sheet before the metal is fed into the stamper, which cuts out circular aluminum blanks.
3. Cupper. The system feeds circular aluminum blanks to a cupper, which forms aluminum cups.
4. Bodymakers. These devices deep-draw aluminum cups into aluminum cans quickly and with tight tolerances.
5. Coolant flow. The collector trough sends process cans here.

With 3M high-flow filters, businesses maximize efficiency by reducing aluminum loadings. These filtration systems not only reduce defects: they also reduce production downtime by lowering the tearoff rate and extending tool life; they reduce labour by reducing the amount of filters and changeout frequency; and they boost plant capacity by increasing production.

Aluminum loadings, corrosion by-products, and environmental contaminants are generated during the drawing process and carried away by coolant. Proper filtration prevents these particles from affecting quality, increasing tearoff, and limiting production yield. The 3M high-flow filter system optimizes can manufacturing with the advantages of reduced footprint, ergonomic design, and fewer filters. Each filter has a “twist-to-lock” cartridge-sealing mechanism that ensures a positive seal while simplifying cartridge installation and removal. 3M makes these filters out of polypropylene, which is compatible with canning-industry coolants. The compound radial pleat design maximizes the usable surface area of the filter.

For more information, contact John Brooks Company.

• Tweet