Patent ID: 8627697

Claim:
A method of performing non-shape forming operations during vessel shaping, said method comprising: providing a plurality of optional pathways for shaping and non-shaping operations to be performed on a cylinder, the optional pathways including at least two operation wheels such that one optional pathway includes one of the at least two operation wheels and another optional pathway includes another of the at least two operation wheels, said at least two operation wheels each having a plurality of work zones; selecting a pathway from among the optional pathways for said cylinder to traverse; routing said cylinder along the selected pathway; performing at said plurality of work zones a plurality of operations along the selected pathway on said cylinder in a sequence of at least a first shaping operation, followed by a non-shaping operation, followed by a second shaping operation, said non-shaping operation including a decoration operation that includes applying a decoration to a surface of said cylinder; and effectuating transformation of said cylinder into a shaped vessel.