Importance

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Abstract

A machine (2) for handling partially formed containers (6) comprising an indexing conveying device (8), a feeder (4) arranged to supply to the conveying device (8), per index, a plurality of partially formed containers (6), one or more stations (18, 20) comprising a plurality of devices arranged to perform substantially identical operations on a group of containers constituted by the plurality of partially formed containers (6), the indexing conveying device (8) being arranged to advance the group through the stations (18, 20), and a controlling device arranged to cause the feeder (4) to reduce to an integer the number of partially formed containers (6) supplied, per index, to the conveying device (8). The machine (2) is operated by the controlling device via a number of servomechanisms associated with each of the operations carried out by the machine. One of the servomechanisms is used for homing a moving mechanical part (72) of the machine (2), a servo motor (84) driving the moving mechanical part (72), the controlling device controlling the servo motor (84), and a mechanical stop (76) for stopping the moving mechanical part (72) at a home position, wherein the controlling device is arranged to monitor servo motor power draw and to recognize the home position as corresponding to a position of the servo motor (84) when the servo motor power draw reaches a predetermined value.

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First Claim