An invertible part loading system includes a pallet adapted for holding articles for machining, a frame adapted for receiving the pallet, and latching mechanisms adapted for holding the pallet within the frame. A support structure is adapted to support the frame above a machining tool. An axle rotatably couples the frame with the support structure for allowing the pallet to be inverted, enabling the articles to face the machining tool from above, which allows chips of material to fall away from the articles. The axle rotates about a pivot axis aligned centrally through the frame. The pallet is adapted for rapid transfer on and off the part loading system via a compatible loading and storage assembly to reduce machining down time between swapping pallets. A two-sided pallet may be adapted to enable switching between parts, or between two sides of the same part, by inverting the pallet via the axle.

A processing machine for the production of a dental workpiece from a blank, includes a housing in which a first chamber and a second chamber are arranged, in which the second chamber is separate from the first chamber. A first holding device for holding a blank is provided, and the first holding device is arranged in the first chamber and is movable relative to the housing. A second holding device for holding a blank is provided, and the second holding device is arranged in the second chamber and is movable relative to the housing. A processing device is movable relative to the housing, and a blank held in the first holding device and a blank held in the second holding device can be processed by the processing device.

A machine tool is provided with a vertically aligned tool spindle, which is equipped for accommodating tools and which is movable in a vertical direction and in a first horizontal direction. The machine tool further comprises at least one jig for clamping workpieces to be machined. The at least one jig is movable in a second horizontal direction. The tool spindle and the at least one jig are arranged on a common machine frame. There is also provided a workpiece transport device, which is arranged on the machine frame, and which is adapted to perform at least one of introducing unmachined workpieces into the at least one jig and removing machined workpieces from the at least one jig. There is also provided a corresponding method of machining workpieces.

Machine tool, comprising at least two workpiece carrier assemblies (11), each including a workpiece carrier (12), said workpiece carrier assemblies (11) being supported on respective workpiece carrier support (1) for horizontal movement in a first direction in parallel with a horizontal Z axis; at least a first tool carrier (21), supported on a tool carrier support (2) for horizontal movement in a second direction, said first tool carrier (21) being displaceable in said second direction between at least one operative position (A) in which said first tool carrier (21) is facing one of said workpiece carrier assemblies (11), and at least one inoperative position in which said first tool carrier (21) is not facing any workpiece carrier assembly (11). The invention also relates to a method of machining a connecting rod using the machine tool.

A machining centre includes a base supporting several superposed stages. At least one stage is movable and can be position indexed relative to the base. Each stage includes distinct stations at a constant angular pitch including machining units or grippers. The combination of stations from adjacent stages defines a plurality of machining locations each combining a unit and a gripper. Each relative movement between two indexing positions of two stages changes the composition of the locations. Each gripper has at least one rotational degree of freedom relative to the stage that carries it. At least one station includes both at least one machining unit and at least one gripper.

A flay assembly for separating a workpiece from a manufacturing fixture has a horizontal beam assembly and a pair of vertical beam assemblies. The horizontal beam assembly includes a horizontal beam having a horizontal drive motor. Each vertical beam assembly includes a vertical beam operably engaged to the horizontal drive motor and has a workpiece attachment assembly operably engaged to a vertical drive motor. The workpiece attachment assembly has an attachment mechanism attachable to the workpiece. The horizontal drive motor and the vertical drive motors are operable in a manner to move the vertical beams away from each other along a horizontal drive axis while simultaneously moving each workpiece attachment assembly along a vertical drive axis to cause the attachment mechanisms to pull the workpiece side portions away from the manufacturing fixture while a center support of the horizontal beam maintains a workpiece crown in contact with the manufacturing fixture.

An invertible part loading system includes a pallet adapted for holding articles for machining, a frame adapted for receiving the pallet, and latching mechanisms adapted for holding the pallet within the frame. A support structure is adapted to support the frame above a machining tool. An axle rotatably couples the frame with the support structure for allowing the pallet to be inverted, enabling the articles to face the machining tool from above, which allows chips of material to fall away from the articles. The axle rotates about a pivot axis aligned centrally through the frame. The pallet is adapted for rapid transfer on and off the part loading system via a compatible loading and storage assembly to reduce machining down time between swapping pallets. A two-sided pallet may be adapted to enable switching between parts, or between two sides of the same part, by inverting the pallet via the axle.

A rail processing device (1) comprising at least a first (3A) and a second work station (3B) provided on a common frame (30), and configured to alternately lock a rail (2) when the latter is being processed, each work station (3A, 3B) comprising at least a first magnetic anchorage plane (4) configured to cooperate with a web (2A) of the rail (2) when the latter is being processed in the respective station, and a transport system (50A, 50B) to move the rail (2) from the first work station (3A) to the second work station (3B) and vice versa.

A flay assembly for separating a workpiece from a manufacturing fixture has a horizontal beam assembly and a pair of vertical beam assemblies. The horizontal beam assembly includes a horizontal beam having a horizontal drive motor. Each vertical beam assembly includes a vertical beam operably engaged to the horizontal drive motor and has a workpiece attachment assembly operably engaged to a vertical drive motor. The workpiece attachment assembly has an attachment mechanism attachable to the workpiece. The horizontal drive motor and the vertical drive motors are operable in a manner to move the vertical beams away from each other along a horizontal drive axis while simultaneously moving each workpiece attachment assembly along a vertical drive axis to cause the attachment mechanisms to pull the workpiece side portions away from the manufacturing fixture while a center support of the horizontal beam maintains a workpiece crown in contact with the manufacturing fixture.

A finishing device for finish machining of a workpiece, in particular of a crankshaft or a camshaft, comprising a workpiece holder and a rotary drive for rotating the workpiece about the workpiece axis thereof, comprising at least one first finishing tool for machining a main bearing concentric to the workpiece axis and at least one second finishing tool for machining an additional bearing, wherein the finishing tools can be moved along a transport axis which extends via a working area defined by the workpiece holder so that the finishing tools can be moved into an additional area arranged outside the working area.