
World of Cans
What Happens Inside a Tool Room?
This video provides an overview of the Tool Room in a can manufacturing plant, highlighting its essential role in maintaining, reworking, and inspecting tooling used throughout the production process.
1. Tooling Inventory Management
Tool Rooms are responsible for maintaining an accurate inventory of tooling used in the Bodymaker, Necker, and Trimmer. This accurate tracking is crucial for plant operations, as the production line depends on having the right tools available. Without a precise inventory, the plant could face downtime, impacting production efficiency.
2. Tool Rework and Regrinding
Reworking (or regrinding) tooling is another critical function of the Tool Room. The most commonly reworked tools are Bodymaker dies, which are reground multiple times over their lifespan to maintain functionality. Some plants also regrind Bodymaker punches on-site, though this practice is less common.
3. Tool Inspection and Measurement
Accurate inspection and measurement of tooling are fundamental tasks within the Tool Room. Various critical tooling profiles are inspected regularly, including Bodymaker punch diameters, punch step heights, ironing and redraw die diameters, and die profiles. These precise measurements ensure the can forming process meets exact specifications, allowing for the correct match gaps essential for high-quality production and smooth runability.