A laser processing unit includes a workpiece loading station, and a laser workstation having a laser robot that performs a laser operation. A flexible endless loop extends from the loading station through the workstation for delivering a workpiece from the loading station to the workstation. A first stationary wall section separates the workstation from the loading station. A second stationary wall section is offset from the first stationary wall section. A first movable door is configured to form a laser light-tight seal with the first stationary wall section. A second movable door configured to form a laser light-tight seal with the second stationary wall section. A seal projection is attached to the flexible endless loop. The seal projection forms a laser light-tight seal with the first movable door when the workpiece is located in the loading station and forms a laser light-tight seal with the second movable door when the workpiece is located in the workstation.

The invention relates to a machining device for machining a narrow side of an, in particular plate-shaped workpiece. Such a machining device can particularly be used in the field of the furniture and component industry. Machining device has: a machining unit for machining a narrow side of a workpiece, a conveyor unit for moving the workpiece in a transport direction relative to the machining unit, a detection unit for detecting an optical and/or three-dimensional structure of the workpiece moved by means of the conveyor unit, and a holding unit for holding the workpiece at the conveyor unit at least between the position of the detection unit and the machining unit.

A workpiece replacing apparatus delivers a pre-machined workpiece into an intra-machine space inside a machine tool from an extra-machine space outside the machine tool, and delivers a workpiece machined by the machine tool to the extra-machine space from the intra-machine space. The workpiece replacing apparatus includes a secured cover, an arm device, and a movable cover. The secured cover is secured to a securing member of the machine tool. The secured cover defines a partition between the intra-machine space and the extra-machine space. The secured cover is provided with an opening. The arm device delivers the workpieces between the intra-machine space and the extra-machine space through the opening. The movable cover is integral with the arm device or in engagement with the arm device such that the movable cover is operable in conjunction with operation of the arm device. The movable cover closes the opening, with the arm device located in the extra-machine space.

A build platform and methods of fabricating an article with such a platform in an extrusion-type additive manufacturing machine are provided. A platform body 202 includes features 204 that extend outward from the body 202. The features 204 define protrusive areas 206 and recessive areas 208 that cooperate to mechanically engage the extruded material that forms the initial layers 220 of an article when the article is being fabricated by a nozzle 12 of the additive manufacturing machine 10.

A build platform and methods of fabricating an article with such a platform in an extrusion-type additive manufacturing machine are provided. A platform body 202 includes features 204 that extend outward from the body 202. The features 204 define protrusive areas 206 and recessive areas 208 that cooperate to mechanically engage the extruded material that forms the initial layers 220 of an article when the article is being fabricated by a nozzle 12 of the additive manufacturing machine 10.

A transfer apparatus (104) for transferring a workpiece (116) has a support surface (124) for supporting a workpiece (116). The transfer apparatus (104) has a carriage (128) movable with respect to the support surface (124) between a loading location and an unloading location. The transfer apparatus (104) further has a drive mechanism (146, 150) operatively connected to the carriage (128) for moving the carriage (128). The carriage (128) has a lift member (230) moveable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the support surface (124). The carriage (128) further has a push member (292) operatively connected with the lift member (230) to enable engagement of a workpiece (116) with the push member (292) and the lift member (230) to lift at least a portion of the workpiece (116) from the support surface (124) to decrease the factional engagement between the workpiece (116) and the support surface (124).

A transfer apparatus (104) for transferring a workpiece (116) has a support surface (124) for supporting a workpiece (116). The transfer apparatus (104) has a carriage (128) movable with respect to the support surface (124) between a loading location and an unloading location. The transfer apparatus (104) further has a drive mechanism (146, 150) operatively connected to the carriage (128) for moving the carriage (128). The carriage (128) has a lift member (230) moveable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the support surface (124). The carriage (128) further has a push member (292) operatively connected with the lift member (230) to enable engagement of a workpiece (116) with the push member (292) and the lift member (230) to lift at least a portion of the workpiece (116) from the support surface (124) to decrease the factional engagement between the workpiece (116) and the support surface (124).

A transfer apparatus (104) for transferring a workpiece (116) has a support surface (124) for supporting a workpiece (116). The transfer apparatus (104) has a carriage (128) movable with respect to the support surface (124) between a loading location and an unloading location. The transfer apparatus (104) further has a drive mechanism (146, 150) operatively connected to the carriage (128) for moving the carriage (128). The carriage (128) has a lift member (230) moveable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the support surface (124). The carriage (128) further has a push member (292) operatively connected with the lift member (230) to enable engagement of a workpiece (116) with the push member (292) and the lift member (230) to lift at least a portion of the workpiece (116) from the support surface (124) to decrease the factional engagement between the workpiece (116) and the support surface (124).

A transfer apparatus (104) for transferring a workpiece (116) has a support surface (124) for supporting a workpiece (116). The transfer apparatus (104) has a carriage (128) movable with respect to the support surface (124) between a loading location and an unloading location. The transfer apparatus (104) further has a drive mechanism (146, 150) operatively connected to the carriage (128) for moving the carriage (128). The carriage (128) has a lift member (230) moveable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the support surface (124). The carriage (128) further has a push member (292) operatively connected with the lift member (230) to enable engagement of a workpiece (116) with the push member (292) and the lift member (230) to lift at least a portion of the workpiece (116) from the support surface (124) to decrease the factional engagement between the workpiece (116) and the support surface (124).

A can body take-away assembly for a can bodymaker with a vertically oriented, reciprocating, elongated ram assembly and a domer is provided. The take-away assembly includes a drive assembly and a can body transport assembly. The drive assembly includes a motor and a support member. The take-away assembly motor is operatively coupled to said support member and structured to move said drive assembly support member in a generally horizontal direction. The can body transport assembly includes a number of gripping assemblies. Each gripping assembly is coupled to said drive assembly support member. Each gripping assembly includes a number of pairs of opposed gripping members sized to grip a can body. The gripping assemblies are structured to travel across the path of said ram assembly and to selectively grip a can body.