Patent ID: 8713980

Claim:
A domer positioning system for dynamically positioning a domer relative to a punch in a can forming machine, a ram having a body with a longitudinal axis and a distal end, said punch being an elongated, cylindrical body disposed at the distal end of the ram, said ram body structured to reciprocate between a retracted position and an extended position, said punch extending and moving generally horizontally through a die assembly, said die assembly having at least one die with an opening therein, said domer having a body with a cavity defining a dome, said cavity having a center, said domer positioning system comprising: a punch position sensor assembly structured to determine the moving configuration of said punch, said punch position sensor assembly further structured to provide a punch moving configuration signal; said punch moving configuration signal including data representing said punch moving configuration; a control system structured to receive said punch moving configuration signal, calculate the position of said punch when said ram body is in said extended position, and to provide a domer target position signal; said domer target position signal including data representing a target position for said domer; and a domer positioning assembly structured to support said domer body, to receive said domer target position signal and to translate said domer body in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to said ram body longitudinal axis to be in said target position.