Own business: can production. Technology and equipment for the manufacture of tin products

Currently, the most popular packaging for products is a can. It can store canned food, vegetables and fruits, as well as much more.

Of course, the demand for tin packaging is growing. This cannot but attract beginner entrepreneurs.

Let us learn in more detail what can production is and how to organize such a thing. And since this business has a lot of pitfalls, you need to familiarize yourself with all its nuances so as not to incur large losses during the launch.

Tin production: introduction

So, first you need to understand where to start. Of course, we need special equipment, we also have to purchase material, and then cut it. Next is the process of varnishing and printing, and after that the release of finished products. But all this is brief and this is not enough.

Our main goal is to protect any food from air ingress. Therefore, the basic requirement is tightness. In principle, with the right technology, achieving positive results is fairly easy. Nevertheless, the whole process is quite time-consuming, requiring significant investment in the early stages of business development.

There are lithographed and non-lithographed banks. They can be with a double or single seam. As noted above, the manufacture of products from tin is a rather complicated process, which is due to the work simultaneously on two parallel lines. On one of them the can body is rolled, on the other there is a lid and a bottom. All this complicates the technology.

The main stages of production

The first, it’s the simplest and less time-consuming stage, is that you need to deliver rolls of tin or aluminum to the machine, in our case we are talking about tin products. After that, a thin oil film 0.1-0.5 mm thick is applied along the entire length of the roll. The next operation is to extract the sheet through a special press.

The main task of such a press is that at the exit we must get a shape with small contours for the future bowl. It is worth noting that the contours depend on the immediate purpose of the future product. That is, the press can change it, which is set in the settings. The same applies to the size of the future banks.

At the same time, the bottom and cover are made. Under the resulting bottom and lid, the workpiece with the contours is adjusted (jar wall). This production of cans allows to achieve high quality products. After that, the machine is used to trim the edges.

Necessary equipment

Of course, the process is fully automated, so the main cost is the purchase of a technological line. Its cost depends on performance. If you plan to open a large workshop for the production of tin products, then the equipment you need is appropriate.

So, the first thing we need to buy is a device for trimming the edges from our cans. Then bought machines for the manufacture of tin products. In simple words, this is a technological line with a high level of automation, which allows you to get a finished can at the exit, which is then filled with food also on a special machine.

The main device is an automatic depalletizer. In addition, a conveyor, filler, and also a capping device are installed. You can also install a shrink wrapper.The power of the equipment again depends on the required performance.

So, the most expensive assembly machines have a price of about $ 100,000. But with the purchase of such a technological line, you can wait a while and for a start limit yourself to small or medium capacity units at a price of $ 20,000.

Tin Packaging Production: Highlights

As noted above, production takes place simultaneously on several lines. The body is made on one line, the bottom and the cover on the second. Depending on the type of jar, several methods are used to create the “body” of the jar.

According to the first method, tin is cut into measured lengths, then each workpiece passes a notch. After that, the material enters the shaping machine, where it takes the form of a cylinder. Here, the flanging of the longitudinal seam takes place, as well as the final formation of the diameter.

If we are talking about the production of whole cans in the second way, then everything is much simpler and much faster. A sheet of tin is fed to a special press that draws the workpiece. After that, the neck is cut out mechanically, and then the neck is flanged.

Then follow the final steps, such as varnishing the inner surface, as well as the final hardening of the coating. The final stage, the passage of a special detector that monitors compliance with standards and norms.

Joint technology

In addition to the fact that there are several ways to make a case, there are 2 relevant and effective methods for producing a seam. This is welding and soldering. Let's take a closer look at each of them, where and when it is better to apply them.

Before starting work, the workpiece passes through a special calibrating crown, the main purpose of which is to create an overlap at the edges of the workpiece, as well as preparation directly for welding. After the seam has been obtained, the workpiece is fed through a processing line to a special installation where varnish is applied to the seams, and then it is dried.

Of course, further the packaging from tin goes to the flanging and connection to the bottom, and then rolls up with a double seam. After the jar has been formed, it must be checked for leaks. If air passes, then the product is rejected; if not, it goes directly to the sale. Soldering is used less often, since it is a more expensive method that has not been properly developed.

Bottom and cover production

If the tin product is made easily open, then the technology is one, if not, then it is completely different. In principle, the bottom and lid for a conventional can are made the same, so this method is preferable. The technology is as follows. The tin sheet is fed into a special stamp area. Felling and stamping takes place there. Depending on the performance of the stamping unit, the number of simultaneously processed workpieces is determined.

The next step is the application of sealing paste. After that, there is a process of drying the sealant in a special small furnace. Next, the cover goes to a direct connection to the housing. Then they are placed in an upright position and sent along the conveyor. That, in principle, is all that can be said about how the established production of tin containers should be.

What material will be needed

As you can see, the production of cans is a rather laborious and expensive process. This and the high cost of the production line, also complicates the technology and a large number of stages during manufacture. But this is far from all, because you still need high-quality material that will be used in the production process. The most optimal can be considered cold rolled white tin. It can be both rolled and sheet. Brand: EZHK, GZHK, EZHK-D.

You can also use white cold-rolled tinned or varnished tin. Recently, white lithographed sheet and chrome-plated lacquered tin sheets of the HLHK brand have been actively used.In production, you will need sealing pastes (sealants), paint and varnish material and solder. These materials are enough to establish the production of tin packaging.

Conclusion

I would like to say that modern equipment allows you to produce a large number of cans per hour, about 500 pieces. There is a culling of a few percent. As a rule, the fault is caused by marriage at a certain stage of production, which is eliminated during diagnosis. It should be understood that equipment such as conveyors, stamping presses, has many rubbing parts, so they need to be lubricated and consumables changed on time.

One way or another, the production of cans is a serious technological process that requires the participation of qualified personnel, high-quality equipment and materials. Most food enterprises, for example, the production of canned food put the production on stream. This not only saves time and money, but also allows you to completely control the quality of the product, which is extremely important.