The development expands quick-change tooling options for can makers using oscillating lines and maintains the wear resistance of the existing premium offering.
Hyperion Materials & Technologies, a global hard materials company and a leader in can tooling products, today announced the launch of the DZ23 tungsten carbide grade, its latest development in lightweight carbide for can punch bushings, during a technical presentation at the Asia CanTech 2025 event in Bangkok, Thailand.
“Hyperion is constantly working to develop better materials for the most demanding applications, and in the can making industry, we have focused on lower density carbide grades for can punches that are lighter than standard grades and with improved wear resistance,” said Lluís Miñarro, Global Product Director of Can Tooling and Services at Hyperion. “Punches made with lighter weight carbide allow can makers to reduce downtime when changing the tooling of the bodymaker on lines that produce multiple can sizes, while maintaining the same plunger.”
The DZ23 carbide grade is approximately 25% lighter than standard carbide grades, allowing Hyperion to manufacture larger can punches that weigh the same as punches for smaller sizes. Can makers benefit because they can mount different sized punches on the plunger and maintain the same total weight, saving time in the setup process when changing a line to produce a different can size.
Developed specifically for can punch bushings, the DZ23 grade builds on the advancement Hyperion achieved a decade ago with the DZ18 grade. The DZ18 grade is approximately 10% lighter than standard carbide grades and exhibits improved wear resistance. The DZ23 grade maintains the wear resistance of the DZ18 grade and expands Hyperion’s ability to offer quick-change bodymaker tooling products.
“Can makers are focused on efficiency and productivity, and the DZ23 carbide grade provides us with another high-performance solution to save them time and increase their productivity,” said Miñarro. “We are very proud of the work our research and development team does to keep us at the forefront of hard materials development.”
