A machine tool system is provided that includes at least one machine tool for machining workpieces. A workpiece holding device is provided that holds one or more workpieces during machining using an adapter. A positioning device positions workpiece blanks on the adapters. An adapter loading and transporting device, which has an adapter gripping device that acts on the adapters and moves adapters that are provided with workpiece blanks from the positioning device to the at least one machine tool, loads the at least one machine tool and unloads adapters that are provided with machined workpieces from the at least one machine tool. A workpiece transporting device is provided which has a workpiece gripping device that acts on workpieces. After machined workpieces have been unloaded by the adapter loading and transporting device, the workpiece transporting device takes the workpieces up from the adapter loading and transporting device and removes them.

A machine tool system is provided that includes at least one machine tool for machining workpieces. A workpiece holding device is provided that holds one or more workpieces during machining using an adapter. A positioning device positions workpiece blanks on the adapters. An adapter loading and transporting device, which has an adapter gripping device that acts on the adapters and moves adapters that are provided with workpiece blanks from the positioning device to the at least one machine tool, loads the at least one machine tool and unloads adapters that are provided with machined workpieces from the at least one machine tool. A workpiece transporting device is provided which has a workpiece gripping device that acts on workpieces. After machined workpieces have been unloaded by the adapter loading and transporting device, the workpiece transporting device takes the workpieces up from the adapter loading and transporting device and removes them.

Fixturing elements for positioning components on a work surface with a fixed or variable pitch are disclosed. The fixturing elements include a bottom portion adapted to be coupled directly or indirectly to the work surface and a top portion with a generally horizontally-extending slot or track. An insert is adapted to be positioned within the slot or track, which allows the insert to be slid or positioned at any number of positions along the slot or track. The insert may, for example, include a vertically-extending pin or a threaded hole that is adapted to receive other components. In some embodiments, the fixturing element may include an exterior side slot that opens into the slot or track, and a handle element may be inserted through the side slot and into the insert, allowing the inserted to be positioned using the handle element.

A device for heating a plurality of functional or receiving elements, such as a cam, balancing mass, gearwheel and/or a bearing, may include a plurality of holding balconies disposed above one another along an axis each associated with a respective receiving element, a plurality of workstations includes a loading station, a heating station and an unloading station, and an induction heating device including a plurality of accommodation elements. The plurality of holding balconies may be individually movable in an axial direction of an axis, and/or having a greater spacing in the axial direction with respect to one another in the loading station and/or the unloading station than in the heating station. The plurality of accommodation elements may be jointly adjustable in the axial direction.

A device for heating a plurality of functional or receiving elements, such as a cam, balancing mass, gearwheel and/or a bearing, may include a plurality of holding balconies disposed above one another along an axis each associated with a respective receiving element, a plurality of workstations includes a loading station, a heating station and an unloading station, and an induction heating device including a plurality of accommodation elements. The plurality of holding balconies may be individually movable in an axial direction of an axis, and/or having a greater spacing in the axial direction with respect to one another in the loading station and/or the unloading station than in the heating station. The plurality of accommodation elements may be jointly adjustable in the axial direction.

A lifting apparatus includes a lifting part that can be moved in linear direction between a rest position and a working position. At least one drive device is disposed for moving the lifting part. Each drive device includes a toggle lever mechanism, having a first toggle supported pivotally on the lifting part and a second toggle supported on a base part. A positioning device prespecifies the position of the lifting part in lifting direction and in a direction transverse to lifting direction in working position. To do so, said toggle preferably has a stop surface against which the lifting part is pushed into working position by the at least one drive device. In this working position, the toggle joint angle of the toggle lever mechanism is smaller than 180 so that the two toggles and are outside the extended position.

A multiple die container load port may include a housing with an opening, and an elevator to accommodate a plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a stage supported by the housing and moveable within the opening of the housing by the elevator. The stage may include one or more positioning mechanisms to facilitate positioning of the plurality of different sized die containers on the stage, and may include different portions movable by the elevator to accommodate the plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a position sensor to identify one of the plurality of different sized die containers positioned on the stage.

A multiple die container load port may include a housing with an opening, and an elevator to accommodate a plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a stage supported by the housing and moveable within the opening of the housing by the elevator. The stage may include one or more positioning mechanisms to facilitate positioning of the plurality of different sized die containers on the stage, and may include different portions movable by the elevator to accommodate the plurality of different sized die containers. The multiple die container load port may include a position sensor to identify one of the plurality of different sized die containers positioned on the stage.

A mounting system having a dual plunger arrangement wherein the side of each plunger has a pull down cam to provide a desired pull down action in relation to at least two studs, the cams moving relative to one another and axially aligning relative to one another relative to the two axially spaced pull down studs to allow the plungers to provide a maximum hold down force for the two pull down studs, balance the hold down forces thereby maximizing performance and reducing unlocking forces.

A machine tool including: a table disposed on a saddle movable along an X-axis; a pair of linear motors that moves the table along a Y-axis; position detectors that detect a first position and a second position of the table on the Y-axis; a pair of guide rails attached to the saddle; and four bearings engaged with the pair of guide rails, is provided. The machine tool includes a connecting unit connecting the table to the four bearings such that the table is rotatable relative to the four bearings, and a control unit that controls the pair of linear motors on the basis of the first and second positions.