A continuous motion position controlled in-line linear seamer allows a manufacturer or brewery such as a microbrewery to have high speed can seaming (attachment of lids to full cans of beverage) with a single compact, inexpensive, independent and repositionable seaming machine. The seaming is carried out in-line with production, and is done using a linear can path with no need for a large carousel. The motion is continuous because a variable pitch worm drive is constantly operating, driving cans at different speeds for different portions of the can path, including one portion of the path at which the can may remain motionless while being seamed.