Double Seams &

Critical Performance Parameters

Metal Packaging Solutions

Introduction Can Terminology End Terminology Double Seam Evaluation

This double seam reference chart Flange width
Evaluation Frequency
Chuck-wall angle
is intended for use by personnel - Visual external examination - A visual check should be carried out every hour
responsible for setting and checking Flange
- External measurements - A full 1st operation seam evaluation should be carried
thickness
double seams. In addition, the chart Freeboard Curl Shoulder - Seam sections out once a week
will provide a useful guide to good Flange radius Countersink radius
- Teardown examination - A full 2nd operation seam evaluation should be
carried out during every shift
double seaming practice, for engineers, Tab
production operators and quality
Countersink
assurance personnel. Outside can Empty
depth
diameter can height
Compound
Its prime objective is to assist End material Rivet
personnel whose decisions determine thickness to be
measured
the quality of double seams.

Seam Evaluation Typical External Internal 1st Operation

Critical Parameters:
- Tightness rating
Other Parameters:
- Seam length
Double Seam Seam Components Seam Components Seam Evaluation
- Actual overlap - Countersink depth
- Body hook butting - Body hook - Seam thickness
Seam
- Seam gap - End hook thickness - Seam length
- Seam thickness Seam gap - Countersink depth
Measured Flange thickness
Seam
thickness end
thickness Body hook Seam
Countersink Seam Actual thickness
Seam gap length overlap End
depth hook
Countersink Body Seam
depth hook Overlap length Seam
End
hook Countersink length
depth

Nominal seam thickness =

End Flange 3 x measured end thickness + 2 x can flange thickness +
thickness thickness stealing compound

2nd Operation Body Hook Butting Seaming Process Seam Formation Seaming Process
Seam Evaluation (BHB) - Height adjustment - seaming chuck to roll clearance Start of 1st operation seam
formation
Partially formed 1st operation
seam - forming the end curl
-
-
Pin gauge height
Distance between base-plate and chuck lip at the
under the can flange peak of 1st operation cam
- No sharpness in upper portion of countersink - Calculated A/B x 100 = percentage
- External dimensions within double seam - Needs to be adjusted after can height change
1st operation 2nd operation
specifications
Step 1 Step 2
Seam Max. Chuck height
thickness 0.05mm

“A” Seaming Seaming

“B” chuck chuck
Seam Finished 1st operation Finished 2nd operation
length
Seaming roll Seaming roll
Step 3 Step 4

Measure end Flange - Calculation: Finished can height - (chuck lip height + lifter
thickness thickness deflection)

Double Seam Sharp Seam/ Skidder False Seam 1st Operation

Faults Analysis Fractured Seam An incomplete 2nd operation seam occurs when the can
ceases to rotate during the seaming process.
Defect where a portion of the end and body hook are not
interlocked
too Loose
This condition is identified where the seam has a sharp edge Possible causes: Possible causes: Possible causes:
on the inner seam radius. - Damaged can flange
- Incorrect seaming chuck - 1st operation roll set
- Lifter (spring) pressure - Damaged or deformed too loose
Possible causes:
set too low ends - Worn 1st operation roll
! !
- 2nd operation too tight
- Incorrect pin gauge - Incorrect filler/ - Incorrect 1st operation
- Worn seaming chuck seamer setting
height setting roll profile
- Incorrect seaming roll
- Worn seamer tooling
profile Resulting in: Resulting in:
and equipment
- Incorrect roll to - Clam shell (seam - End hook too short
- Incorrect chuck
chuck setting opening)
surface finish - Large “finished” seam
- Product and gas gap
Resulting in: leakage
Resulting in: - Reduced actual overlap
- In extreme cases this may
100% 80% 70% 60% 50% cause the seams to split or - Product and gas leakage
100% 80% 70% 60% 50%
30%
30% slivers to occur

1st Operation Excessive Body Hook Body Hook End Hook

too Tight Seam Gap too Long too Short too Long
Possible causes: Possible causes: Possible causes: Possible causes: Possible causes:
- Incorrect 1st operation
roll set to tight profile
- Loose 2nd operation roll ! - Pin gauge height set
too low
- Pin gauge height set
too high
- 1st operation roll set
too tight
- Incorrect seaming
chuck to roll clearance - Lifter (spring) pressure
!
- Lifter (spring) pressure
! - Incorrect 1st operation

!
Resulting in: - Incorrect seaming chuck set too high set too low roll profile
- Wrinkles or veeing - Incorrect pin gauge height - 1st operation roll set
- Seam length too short Resulting in: too tight Resulting in:
- Lifter (spring) pressures
- Body hook too short set too low - Excessive BHB - Short BHB
- Fractured seam Resulting in: - Longer actual overlap
- Fractured can wall
- Compound squeeze - Actual overlap too short
Resulting in:
- Low BHB
- Possible metal pick-up
- Increased seam gap
- Product and gas leakage - Product and gas leakage

End Hook Excessive Tightness Rating Wrinkles on the Body Wall Fracture
too Short Seam Length (Wrinkle Assessment) inside Face of the Possible causes:
- Incorrect 1st operation
Possible causes:
- 1st operation roll set
Possible causes:
- 1st operation roll set
End hook check End Hook roll setting
- Worn 1st operation roll
too loose too loose profile
Possible causes: Resulting in:
- 2nd operation roll set - 2nd operation roll set - Incorrect (loose) 2nd - Product and gas Resulting in:
too tight too tight
!
operation roll setting leakage - Product and gas
- Incorrect 1st operation - Worn 1st and/or 2nd - Worn or damaged leakage
roll profile operation roll
!
tooling
Resulting in: Resulting in:
- Actual overlap too short - Overtight seam
- Percentage BHB too low - Actual overlap too short
- Product and gas - Possible metal pick-up
100% 80% 70% 60% 50%
leakage - Product and gas 100% 80% 70% 60% 50%
leakage 30%
30%
End hook check

For any additional information please contact your local Ardagh Group CTS department or CTSbeverage.cans@ardaghgroup.com

www.ardaghgroup.com