Mandrel carrier for high speed can decorators

摘要

A continuous motion can decorator includes a plurality of mandrel subassemblies mounted on a rotating carrier (18) with equal spacing between adjacent subassemblies (40). The assemblies reciprocate radially with respect to the carrier axis (80) as a center. Each subassembly includes a radially extending support arm (41) that mounts a radially extending mono rail (51) which extends through guide bearing units (90) on the carrier (18). An eccentric type mounting is provided for the mandrel axle on the reciprocating arm (41) so that there is an individually operated means to adjust spacing between the carrier rotational axis and the mandrel axis. Vacuum and pressurized air are fed selectively to each mandrel subassembly through a flexible hose (83) having a single loop that is formed by curving virtually the entire length of the hose (83).