advances in tin cans; lasers help in welding smooth seam

By JONATHAN P. HICKSJAN.
1987 This is a digital version of an article from The Times Print Archive, before it starts online in 1996.
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Some manufacturers believe that the seams on tin cans are not beautiful, making it more difficult to label and decorate.
They say technological advances in the welding process will make these seams less visible, creating more attractive tanks.
In recent years, some companies have begun to weld cans with laser beams instead of traditional thin copper electrode belts.
Although many in the can industry believe that it may take several years for laser welding to be widely used in consumer goods, they say the technology will become a common method for can manufacturing.
Officials from the can company that uses laser welding say it reduces production costs and reduces energy consumption by about 45% compared to the traditional method-resistance welding.
\"Laser welding is a technology that has just started in the United States,\" says Fred L . \"
Church, editor of modern metal, was published in Chicago.
\"The use here is primarily for the aerosol tank business, as manufacturers believe this is the best place to use this technology.
\"Advertising most beverage cans, sir.
Now it\'s made of two pieces of metal, says Church.
In these jars, there is no side seam because the cylinder and the base are formed by a piece of aluminum.
But aluminum is thought to be too weak for some food and pressurized products, so this tank is usually made of three pieces of metal: tin sheet on top, bottom and rectangle
Plated Steel that must be welded into a cylinder.
In Resistance welding, the thin overlap area on the curved plate is melted by strong heat transmitted through the copper electrode. A 1,325-watt carbon-
In contrast, carbon dioxide lasers melt steel at the edge of the plate, melt the edge and form an almost seamless cylinder.
After welding, the tank is prepared for subsequent labeling or paint spraying through a set of rollers that smooth the welding area.
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The process is controlled by the computer and the computer turns off the laser if the beam deviates from the thin welding area.
\"The biggest driver of the development of laser welding is that it makes cans more aesthetic,\" said Gerald . \".
Vaughan, senior vice president of manufacturing and technology, USA Can.
Its recently acquired Penn Can subsidiary is one of the main concerns in experimenting with new technologies.
\"In the traditional method of welding cans with copper electrodes, there is an eighth seam of about inches,\" Mr. Vaughan said.
With laser welding, there is almost nothing in the weld.
Do many people think customers can find lasers?
It is best to label the welded jar.
The manufacturer acknowledged that there was a problem with the laser welding system.
One of the big problems is how to guide the can body accurately to ensure that the laser is focused correctly.
The production speed is also slow.
\"The problem is that you are slowing down the production rate of the usual 300 cans per minute,\" said William J . \"
Avery, president of Crown Cork and Seal, whose Carolina Can Company is also testing laser welding.
In laser welding, the speed is much smaller.
He declined to give more details.
For this reason, many industry insiders believe that accepting laser
Welding technology will be slow at first.
But they believe the process will be more effective after a year of experimental use.
They predict using the technology in the next five years.
Developed by SoudronicG.
A Swiss company
It will be more obvious in various consumer goods such as air fog cans.
\"It certainly shows the potential to have the speed the manufacturer requires,\" he said . \"Church said.
Laser technology is already available.
However, it will take a while to get the can to the laser at a faster speed.
\"A version of this article was printed on page 8 of the National edition DTMF on January 28, 1987, with the title: Progress in tin cans;
The laser helps to weld smooth seams.