# US 2014/0196513 A1 · Automatic domer positioning in a bodymaker > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196513 A1 - Document ID: US20140196513A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/219,266 - Filed: 2014-03-19 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-31 - Assignees: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC - Applicants: Stolle Machinery Company, LLC - Inventors: Karl Scott Fleischer; Tracy Jay Fowler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196513A1 ## CPC - B21D 22/283: {with ram and dies aligning means} - B21D 22/30: to finish articles formed by deep-drawing - B21D 43/003: {Positioning devices (B21D28/04 and B21D28/265 take precedence; stops B21D43/26; centering moving strips B21D43/023)} - B21D 51/26: cans or tins; Closing same in a permanent manner (making outlet arrangements B21D51/38; welding or soldering B23K) - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) ## Abstract In a can forming machine a system that determines the position of a reciprocating ram and allows for the domer to be repositioned automatically is provided. The system includes a punch position sensor assembly, a control system, and a domer positioning assembly. The punch position sensor assembly is positioned about the ram, preferably at the domer side of the last die. At this location, the punch position sensor assembly can determine the position of the ram as it enters the die pack during the return stroke. The control system receives data from the punch position sensor assembly and, if the ram is not substantially, concentrically aligned with the die pack on the return stroke, sends a signal to the domer positioning assembly to reposition the domer. This process may be repeated until the ram travels along a path substantially aligned with the die pack on the return stroke. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A domer positioning system for positioning a domer relative to a punch in a can forming machine, said punch disposed at the distal end of a ram, said ram having a body with a longitudinal axis, said domer positioning system comprising: a control system structured 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, to receive said domer target position signal and to translate said domer in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to said ram body longitudinal axis to be in said target position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The domer positioning system of claim 1 wherein: said domer positioning assembly includes a movable mounting assembly and a drive assembly; said movable mounting assembly structured to support said domer; and said drive assembly structured to move said movable mounting assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The domer positioning system of claim 2 wherein: said movable mounting assembly includes a mount assembly having a first surface and a second surface, said first and second surfaces being engagement surfaces; said control system includes a position tracking assembly, said position tracking assembly structured to track the position of said domer as said movable mounting assembly moves and to provide a domer position signal, said domer position signal including data representing the position of said domer; and said drive assembly structured to receive said domer position signal and to arrest said drive assembly when said domer is disposed in said target position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The domer positioning system of claim 3 wherein: said mount assembly includes a planar member having at least two surfaces, said planar member at least two surfaces being said first and second surfaces; said drive assembly including a first motor, a second motor, a first engagement device, and a second engagement device, each said motor having a rotating output shaft, each said engagement device coupled to an associated motor output shaft and structured to engage an associated engagement surface; said first motor drive shaft having a threaded distal end; said second motor drive shaft having a threaded distal end; each of said first and second engagement devices being a jack screw having a threaded bore structured to engage one of said first or second drive shafts and a distal end structured to be coupled to one of said first or second surfaces; said first jack screw being threadably coupled to said first motor drive shaft by said threaded bore; said second jack screw being threadably coupled to said second motor drive shaft by said threaded bore; said first jack screw distal end coupled to said planar member first surface; and said second jack screw distal end coupled to said planar member second surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The domer positioning system of claim 3 wherein: said mount assembly includes a first planar member and a second planar member; said first surface being on said first planar member; said second surface being on said second planar member; said first and second surface being substantially straight and perpendicular to each other; said first planar member movably coupled to said fixed mounting and structured to translate over a first axis; and said second planar member movably coupled to said first planar member and structured to translate over a second axis, said second planar member second axis being substantially perpendicular to said first planar member first axis and substantially parallel to the plane defined by said first planar member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The domer positioning system of claim 2 wherein: said domer positioning assembly includes a fixed mounting; said fixed mounting includes a housing defining a rotational space having an axis of rotation; said movable mounting assembly includes a mount assembly having a first substantially circular member and a second substantially circular member; said first circular member rotatably disposed in said rotational space with the first circular member center disposed substantially on said rotational space axis, said first circular member structured to rotate about said rotational space axis of rotation; said second circular member rotatably coupled to said first circular member, said second circular member center being radially offset from said first circular member center; and said drive assembly having a first motor and a second motor, each said motor having a rotating output shaft, each said motor output shaft and structured to engage, and rotate, one of said first or second circular members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The domer positioning system of claim 6 wherein: said a control system includes a position tracking assembly, said position tracking assembly structured to track the position of said domer as said mount assembly moves and to provide a domer position signal, said domer position signal including data representing the position of said domer; and said control system structured to receive said domer position signal and to arrest said drive assembly when said domer is disposed in said target position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The domer positioning system of claim 6 wherein: said first circular member having a first engagement surface; said second circular member having a second engagement surface; said drive assembly including a first engagement device, and a second engagement device, each said engagement device disposed on an associated motor output shaft and structured to engage an associated engagement surface; whereby motion from said first motor is transferred to said first circular member via the engagement of said first engagement device with said first engagement surface; and whereby motion from said second motor is transferred to said second circular member via the engagement of said second engagement device with said second engagement surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The domer positioning system of claim 8 wherein: said first engagement surface is a radial surface on said first circular member, said first engagement surface being a toothed rack; said second engagement surface is a radial surface on said second circular member, said second engagement surface being a toothed rack; said first engagement device being a worm gear; and said second engagement device being a worm gear. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The domer positioning system of claim 6 wherein: said first circular member includes a substantially circular opening, the center of said first circular member opening being offset from the center of said first circular member; said second circular member being sized to fit rotatably within said first circular member opening; wherein said second circular member is disposed rotatably within said first circular member opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The domer positioning system of claim 10 wherein: the offset between said first circular member center and said first circular member opening center is between about 0.005 inch and 0.020 inch; and the offset between said second circular member center and said domer center is between about 0.005 inch and 0.020 inch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The domer positioning system of claim 11 wherein: the offset between said first circular member center and said first circular member opening center is about 0.015 inch; and the offset between said second circular member center and said domer center is about 0.015 inch. ### Claim 13 A can forming machine comprising: an operating mechanism structured to reciprocally move a ram body between a first retracted position and a second extended position; a ram body, said ram body being an elongated body with a longitudinal axis and a distal end; a punch disposed at said ram body distal end; a domer, said domer defining a dome; a domer positioning system for positioning said domer relative to said punch, said domer positioning system including a control system and a domer positioning assembly; said control system structured to provide a domer target position signal; said domer target position signal including data representing a target position for said domer; and said domer positioning assembly structured to support said domer, to receive said domer target position signal and to translate said domer in a plane extending substantially perpendicular to said ram body longitudinal axis to be in said target position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The can forming machine of claim 13 wherein: said domer positioning assembly includes a movable mounting assembly and a drive assembly; said movable mounting assembly structured to support said domer; and said drive assembly structured to move said movable mounting assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The can forming machine of claim 14 wherein: said movable mounting assembly includes a mount assembly having a first surface and a second surface, said first and second surfaces being engagement surfaces; said control system includes a position tracking assembly, said position tracking assembly structured to track the position of said domer as said movable mounting assembly moves and to provide a domer position signal, said domer position signal including data representing the position of said domer; and said drive assembly structured to receive said domer position signal and to arrest said drive assembly when said domer is disposed in said target position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The can forming machine of claim 15 wherein: said mount assembly includes a planar member having at least two surfaces, said planar member at least two surfaces being said first and second surfaces; said drive assembly including a first motor, a second motor, a first engagement device, and a second engagement device, each said motor having a rotating output shaft, each said engagement device coupled to an associated motor output shaft and structured to engage an associated engagement surface; said first motor drive shaft having a threaded distal end; said second motor drive shaft having a threaded distal end; each of said first and second engagement devices being a jack screw having a threaded bore structured to engage one of said first or second drive shafts and a distal end structured to be coupled to one of said first or second surfaces; said first jack screw being threadably coupled to said first motor drive shaft by said threaded bore; said second jack screw being threadably coupled to said second motor drive shaft by said threaded bore; said first jack screw distal end coupled to said planar member first surface; and said second jack screw distal end coupled to said planar member second surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The can forming machine of claim 15 wherein: said mount assembly includes a first planar member and a second planar member; said first surface being on said first planar member; said second surface being on said second planar member; said first and second surface being substantially straight and perpendicular to each other; said first planar member movably coupled to said fixed mounting and structured to translate over a first axis; and said second planar member movably coupled to said first planar member and structured to translate over a second axis, said second planar member second axis being substantially perpendicular to said first planar member first axis and substantially parallel to the plane defined by said first planar member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The can forming machine of claim 14 wherein: said domer positioning assembly includes a fixed mounting; said fixed mounting includes a housing defining a rotational space having an axis of rotation; said movable mounting assembly includes a mount assembly having a first substantially circular member and a second substantially circular member; said first circular member rotatably disposed in said rotational space with the first circular member center disposed substantially on said rotational space axis, said first circular member structured to rotate about said rotational space axis of rotation; said second circular member rotatably coupled to said first circular member, said second circular member center being radially offset from said first circular member center; and said drive assembly having a first motor and a second motor, each said motor having a rotating output shaft, each said motor output shaft and structured to engage, and rotate, one of said first or second circular members. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The can forming machine of claim 18 wherein: said control system includes a position tracking assembly, said position tracking assembly structured to track the position of said domer as said mount assembly moves and to provide a domer position signal, said domer position signal including data representing the position of said domer; and said control system structured to receive said domer position signal and to arrest said drive assembly when said domer is disposed in said target position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The can forming machine of claim 18 wherein: said first circular member having a first engagement surface; said second circular member having a second engagement surface; said drive assembly including a first engagement device, and a second engagement device, each said engagement device disposed on an associated motor output shaft and structured to engage an associated engagement surface; whereby motion from said first motor is transferred to said first circular member via the engagement of said first engagement device with said first engagement surface; and whereby motion from said second motor is transferred to said second circular member via the engagement of said second engagement device with said second engagement surface. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The can forming machine of claim 20 wherein: said first engagement surface is a radial surface on said first circular member, said first engagement surface being a toothed rack; said second engagement surface is a radial surface on said second circular member, said second engagement surface being a toothed rack; said first engagement device being a worm gear; and said second engagement device being a worm gear. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The can forming machine of claim 18 wherein: said first circular member includes a substantially circular opening, the center of said first circular member opening being offset from the center of said first circular member; said second circular member being sized to fit rotatably within said first circular member opening; and wherein said second circular member is disposed rotatably within said first circular member opening. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The can forming machine of claim 22 wherein: the offset between said first circular member center and said first circular member opening center is between about 0.005 inch and 0.020 inch; and the offset between said second circular member center and said domer center is between about 0.005 inch and 0.020 inch. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The can forming machine of claim 23 wherein: the offset between said first circular member center and said first circular member opening center is about 0.015 inch; and the offset between said second circular member center and said domer center is about 0.015 inch.