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.

The present invention relates to a modular frame for CNC machining, comprising: a first side panel and a second side panel, each side panel for with an elongated base with a notch at either end and a vertical extension from the base with a notch at the distal end of the vertical extension; a first crossbeam and a second crossbeam, each crossbeam having a notch at either end, the notches on the crossbeam oriented in an opposing direction to the notches on the side panels; and a gantry beam, the gantry beam having a notch at either end, the notches on the gantry beam oriented in an opposing direction to the notches on the side panels, wherein the side panels, crossbeams and gantry beam are user-assembled into the modular frame via alignment and engagement of the respective notches on the crossbeams and gantry beam with the notches on the side panels, and wherein user assembly of the modular frame is performed without the use of tools.

A precision-locating dowel pin includes a threaded portion configured for adjustable attachment to a fixed object, a head integrally formed at the top of the threaded portion, and a top surface at the top of the head. The head is selectively machined and treated to provide a radially exterior precision-locating surface.

In one embodiment, a manufacturing system includes multiple manipulation modules each including means for mechanically and electrically connecting the module to another component in the system and an end effector including means for mechanically and electrically connecting the end effector to another component in the system, wherein the modules and end effector can be mechanically and electrically connected in multiple ways to alter the configuration of the system and the manufacturing tasks that the system can perform.

A modular vise system for holding working objects having a bottom surface, the modular vise system includes a fixture plate and an adjustable vise member configured to secure the working object to the fixture plate. The adjustable vise member includes an elongated body forming a cavity; a flange extending from a side of the elongated body, the flange having an elongated hole extending through a thickness of the flange; a fastener configured to engage with and extend through the elongated hole, the fastener and elongated hole allowing the body to selectively translate relative to the fixture plate; a moveable assembly housed at least partially disposed within the cavity of the body and configured to selectively translate relative to the body; and a gripper coupled to the moveable assembly and configured to secure to the working object.

A machining center including a machine main body, an upper section of which supports a head moving device and a head raising and lowering device, configured such that a tool magazine is stored inside the machine main body, and with a magazine moving device configured to move the tool magazine such that, during tool exchange, the tool magazine is advanced to protrude from a side of the machine main body, so that, from the multiple tool holders, the tool holder used for exchange is positioned inside the movement range of the main shaft by the head moving device, and wherein the entire tool magazine is able to be moved beyond the movement range of the tool magazine by the magazine moving device to a position outside of the machine main body and detached from the machine main body.

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.

A machining system with a configuration in which working machines, including a machine tool, are configured to be disposed in a line, and in which multiple working machines perform operations on one work in order, is provided. The machining system includes: a base; and multiple working machine modules which are mounted on the base and are arranged in an arrangement direction, and has a configuration in which each of the multiple working machine modules is capable of being drawn out from the base along a track extending in an intersecting direction intersecting with the arrangement direction.

A holder system for mounting and aligning a machining device to a rotary transfer machine. The holder system includes a holder with a first part being mountable on a machine or being part of a machine as well as a second part which is releasably coupled to the first part in a defined first position. The second part is coupled to a third part, the third part coupled with the machining device. Positioning features are located between the second part and the third part to allow moving the third part relative to the second part in at least one spatial direction. Further, the holder system includes at least one alignment station that can releasably couple the second part of the holder to the alignment station in the first defined position and a measuring device configured to measure the position of the third part or of the machining device.

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.