It is possible to improve workpiece machining efficiency by efficiently receiving and delivering a workpiece from/to each workpiece holder and shortening a time required for workpiece conveyance. A workpiece conveyance system is a workpiece conveyance system that receives and delivers workpieces W to be machined to n spindles (workpiece holders, where n is an integer satisfying n2) that hold and rotate the workpieces W, and includes a main loader including n+m main loader chucks (where m is an integer satisfying m1) that receive and deliver workpieces from/to the n spindles or n relay loaders disposed corresponding to the n respective spindles to receive and deliver the workpieces W from/to the main shafts.

A pallet changing apparatus which adopts a table 4 that is able to move back and forth in relation to a turning shaft 1 and has a oscillating portion 41 for placing workpieces W, W by way of pallets P, P so as to oscillate freely by a rising portion 42 at the leading end of the table, and a bridging extending portion 31 which bridges a supporting portion of pallet P or P in a pallet changing arm 3 with both sides of the turning shaft 1 forming a shape of covering across the upper side of the rising portion 42 at a stage of the table 4 transferring pallet P.

A method and apparatus for changing pallets delivered to a machining center. Different workpieces are connected or attached to different pallets. A first workpiece corresponding to a first pallet is delivered to or near an indexer or indexer assembly and the indexer is moved into an engaged position and performs a work operation on the first workpiece. The indexer is then moved to a disengaged position and the first pallet and the first workpiece are exchanged or switched out with a second pallet having a second workpiece. The indexer is then moved to an engaged position and works the second workpiece and when completed, the indexer moves to the disengaged position and the second workpiece is exchanged or switched out with a third pallet having a third workpiece. The indexer system of this invention can quickly and cost-effectively cycle through different pallets and thus different workpieces.

A milling device having a first milling station with a first workpiece spindle capable of rotating about a first spindle axis A1 intended to receive a first lens blank and with a first milling tool with first cutters capable of rotating about a first milling axis FA1 intended for machining a received first lens blank. At least one second milling station with a second workpiece spindle capable of rotating about a second spindle axis A2 receives a second lens blank, and with a second milling tool with second cutters capable of rotating about a second milling axis FA2 machining the received second lens blank, the spindle axes A1, A2 being aligned parallel to one another, the milling axes FA1, FA2 being aligned parallel to one another, and obliquely aligned to the spindle axes A1, A2. The invention also includes a method for the operation of the milling device.

A pallet changing apparatus adopting a table 4 capable of moving back from and forth for a side of a turning shaft 1 and having a oscillating portion 41 for placing workpieces W, W by means of pallets P, P so as to oscillate freely by an upright portion 42 at the leading end of the table 4, wherein the turning shaft 1 covers a turning supporting portion 11 at its lower end side and turns together with a pallet changing arm 3 and moves freely in a vertical direction, and an insertion and removal hollow space 20 is provided, at the covering region, and allows the upright portion 42 to be inserted into the insertion and removal hollow space 20 and removed from the insertion and removal hollow space 20.

A workpiece processing system is provided that includes a first carousel rotary conveyor associated with a first plurality of stations through which workpieces are successively rotationally conveyed, a second carousel rotary conveyor associated with a second plurality of stations through which the workpieces are successively rotationally conveyed, and an inter-carousel transport configured to selectively operate in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the inter-carousel transport is operable to successively transfer the workpieces from the first carousel rotary conveyor to the second carousel rotary conveyor. In the second mode, the inter-carousel transport is operable to successively reorient the workpieces of a selected one of the first carousel rotary conveyor or the second carousel rotary conveyor by approximately 180 degrees of rotation for further successive rotational conveyance of the workpieces through the stations associated with the selected first or second carousel rotary conveyor.

A workpiece processing system is provided that includes a first carousel rotary conveyor associated with a first plurality of stations through which workpieces are successively rotationally conveyed, a second carousel rotary conveyor associated with a second plurality of stations through which the workpieces are successively rotationally conveyed, and an inter-carousel transport configured to selectively operate in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the inter-carousel transport is operable to successively transfer the workpieces from the first carousel rotary conveyor to the second carousel rotary conveyor. In the second mode, the inter-carousel transport is operable to successively reorient the workpieces of a selected one of the first carousel rotary conveyor or the second carousel rotary conveyor by approximately 180 degrees of rotation for further successive rotational conveyance of the workpieces through the stations associated with the selected first or second carousel rotary conveyor.

A system 10 for processing work products 12 includes a housing 14 to contain the components of the system, which include a conveyor 16 for carrying the work products through the housing and past a work tool 18 being supported and moved relative to the conveyor by an X-Y actuator apparatus 20. A scanning system 21 is positioned in the housing 14 upstream of the X-Y actuator for ascertaining selected physical parameters of the work products so as to determine the manner in which the work tool 18 operates on the work products. The housing includes a compartment 22 in which is mounted a high-pressure pump system 23 to provide high pressure working fluid for the work tool 18. Also, a compact guard system 24 is positioned at the outlet 26 of the housing to prevent individuals from reaching into the housing from the exterior.

A substrate production system includes a component mounter having a component supply area in which a component supply unit is disposed, and configured to pick up a component from the component supply unit and mount the picked up component on a substrate, a kitting station provided in a substrate production line in which multiple substrate production machines including the component mounter are arranged, and configured to set a component container containing multiple components in the component supply unit, and a conveyance device configured to convey the component supply unit in which the component container is set by the kitting station to the component mounter.

An installation and a method for processing optical lenses, whereby transport carriers and block pieces are conveyed backward after use in each case to a commissioning device or blocking device, and the lens carriers are fitted by machine with unblocked or blocked lenses in order to make possible an automated and optimized process sequence.