Described herein is a method for setting up and/or reconfiguring an industrial plant, in particular for the manufacture of motor vehicles or sub-assemblies thereof. The method includes providing a plurality of mobile processing stations, each mobile processing station comprising a palletisable platform and at least one interface unit provided on the palletisable platform and configured for the coupling of the mobile processing station with one or more further adjacent mobile processing stations; arranging mobile processing stations according to a pre-set layout; and coupling at least one interface unit of each mobile processing station with the at least one interface unit of one or more further mobile processing adjacent stations thereto. Each interface unit includes at least one of the following: an electrical and/or electronic coupling device; a fluidic coupling device; and a mechanical coupling device.

A method of assembling a modular machine on-site. The modular machine includes a first container frame including a first machine module attachable to the first container frame, and a second container frame including a second machine module releasably attachable to the second container frame. Further, the first machine module and the second machine module are connectable to each other. The method includes arranging the first container frame on top of a support. Further, the second container frame is arranged to be in contact with the first container frame, wherein alignment means of the first container frame and alignment means of the second container frame are arranged in connection with each other. Moreover, the second machine module is released from the second container frame and moved from a transportation position to a working position. Additionally, the second machine module is connected to the first machine module.

A combined transfer and storage device for machining comprises a storage level, a transfer device, at least one machining interface, and a feeding interface. The storage level comprises two or more storages that are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction and having storage spaces for workpiece carriers, which are arranged one above the other for holding blanks or machined workpieces. The transfer device extends in the longitudinal direction. The machining interface is used for directly or mediately coupling with a machine tool. The feeding interface is accessible for a driverless transport vehicle. The transfer device accomplishes a workpiece transfer between the feeding interface, the storage level and the at least one machining interface. A manufacturing line is provided with a combined transfer and storage device and with at least one manufacturing system having at least one machine tool and a handling cell that is arranged between a machining interface of the combined transfer and storage device and the machine tool.

A manufacturing system for machining comprises a machine tool and a handling cell. The machine tool is arranged for multi-axis machining and includes a tool holder and a workpiece holder, which are movable relative to each other in at least three axes. The handling cell comprises a first interface to the machine tool, which is laterally coupled to the working space, a second interface for transfer purposes, a handling unit, and at least one buffer storage, wherein the handling unit is arranged for an automated workpiece change. A manufacturing line for machining comprises at least one manufacturing system and a combined transfer and storage device.

A modular fixture plate system includes fixture plates and docking stations for securing the fixture plates to a worksurface. Fixture plates include recessed corners for receiving keystones. A keystone may be used as a docking station in addition to or instead of a corresponding rail system. Fixture plates include magnets for providing a secure attachment to keystones, rails and other fixture plates to allow for rapid loading of parts and plates on any CMM or manufacturing system. Fixture plates are designed to be stacked multiple wide to fill the table and maximize coverage of a work surface. The keystone design allows a user to create L configurations or T configurations of plates from a single docking location.

A processing device of the invention includes a partition member partitioning a processing space and an external space, a frame body on which the partition member is mounted, a positioning unit for holding a workpiece at a predetermined position in the processing space, a processing unit for applying a predetermined process using a processing tool on the workpiece, an opening/closing member capable of opening/closing a first opening formed in the partition member, and an instrument attachment member to which a control instrument is attached, wherein the partition member has a plurality of uniform mounting sections on which the opening/closing member and the instrument attachment member are mutually selectively mounted.

The system includes a cell framework for defining a manufacturing area. The system includes at least one workplace within the manufacturing area. The system includes at least one manufacturing component within the manufacturing area and configured to be movable along three axes in relation to the at least one workplace. The system includes a conveying mechanism configured to move a part into the at least one workplace to be worked on by the at least one manufacturing component.

The system includes a cell framework for defining a manufacturing area. The system includes at least one workplace within the manufacturing area. The system includes at least one manufacturing component within the manufacturing area and configured to be movable along three axes in relation to the at least one workplace. The system includes a conveying mechanism configured to move a part into the at least one workplace to be worked on by the at least one manufacturing component.

A modular fixture plate system comprising:

at least one interlocking fixture plate comprising at least one of a male end and a female end, wherein the male end comprises at least one male projection and the female end comprises at least one female recess; and

a docking plate comprising at least one of at least one male projection and at least one female recess;

wherein at least one male projection or female recess of the at least one interlocking fixture plate is interlocked with a mating one of the at least one male projection or the at least one female recess of the docking plate.

Provided is a base configuration of a processing machine line (1) with good usability, including a machine tool (5) loaded on a base (2) provided with a processing module (3) that performs specified processing on a work, and an auto loader (4) that transfers the work between processing modules (3), the base being configured such that a rail member (15) of the auto loader (4) that has a length to match the width of the base is assembled on a front section of the base, and, when multiple bases (2A, 2B) are arranged next to each other in an adjacent position at which rail members (15, 17) can be connected, an additional rail member (17) is able to be attached to and removed from an additional base (2B).