Topics | R&D Center

Hinterkopf keeps growing

Only two years after opening the technology centre at the company premises, Hinterkopf has now given the go-ahead for another centre for research and development. While in the technology centre, opened in 2009, the focus has been on the N40.2 Hinterkopf necking machine, the new R&D centre will deal with the manufacture and further development of light-weight cans.

During the Metpack 2011 the Schuler ICON V-Drive was already presented at the stand that Hinterkopf and Schuler shared. The ICON V-Drive is a vertically working drawing and ironing press which unites the processes of cupping pressing and ironing in one space-saving machine. Contrary to the conventional extrusion process this press allows to make cans with thinner wall thicknesses, which results in materials savings of up to 50 %. At the same time the ICON V-Drive is able to process 100% recyclable aluminium alloys or white tin.
The new R&D Centre is spacious so that the machines for the following automatic processes , the brushing and trimming of cans with thin walls, can be presented as well. Brushing and trimming is done on the newly developed Hinterkopf B240 machine.
A main feature of this B240 is the rotating 4-unit trimming head, which ensures a continuous trimming process. The operations of loading, trimming, unloading and removal of the trimming waste are all effected in a 360° rotary movement of the trimming head.
This leaves sufficient processing time even at machine speeds of up to 240 cans/min.
After installation and start-up of the machines Hinterkopf will officially open the new R&D centre in the course of an open customer day.