There is provided a flexible manufacturing system that can reliably place a workpiece that isn't defective piece in a state where the workpiece will be machined again. After a pallet is conveyed to a standby position and before machining of the workpiece attached to the pallet is started, controllers determines whether machining of the workpiece with a corresponding machining device is possible. When it is determined that machining is possible, the controller starts machining with the machining device. When it is determined that machining is impossible, the controller make a conveyor convey the pallet from the standby position to a pallet storage room, and stores the machining status information on the conveyed pallet as the machining-waiting state.

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 technique appropriately controls transfer order of a pallet. A pallet transfer system includes a transfer device, a pallet storage, a work station, a machine tool, and a control device. The control device transfers a second pallet from the work station to the pallet storage when the machining of the workpiece attached to a first pallet is completed in a state where the first pallet is in the machine tool and the second pallet is in the work station, and the control device transfers the first pallet from the machine tool to the work station after completion of the transfer of the second pallet from the work station to the pallet storage, or in parallel with the transfer of the second pallet from the work station to the pallet storage.

An automatic machining system includes a loading station for loading pieces to be machined on one or more loading pallets, a base or platform on which the following are installed in predefined positions: the loading station (10), a loader, a robot configured to handle the pieces, and at least one unloading station where the machined pieces are unloaded. The automatic machining system also includes protection sides installed along the perimeter of the base or platform, with at least one movable partition for the insertion/extraction of the loading pallets.

A swapper assembly of a cluster tool includes a housing, at least two swappers, and a motor assembly. The at least two swappers are at least partially disposed within and rotatable relative to the housing. Each swapper includes a body, a first arm, and a second arm. The first arm and second arm are rotatable relative to the body. The motor assembly includes at least one motor, and the motor assembly is configured to operate the at least two swappers simultaneously to change the position of the first arm and second arm.

A workpiece change for use in a machine tool that comprises a tool spindle for clamping tools for machining workpieces, comprises two wheels arranged parallel to one another and rotatable about an axis of rotation into at least two prominent angular positions. Two swivel tables for clamping workpieces are arranged between the wheels and are each mounted on the wheels to swivel about a swivel axis which runs parallel to the axis of rotation. In each prominent angular position, one of the swivel tables is located in its working position in which clamped workpieces can be machined with the tools. Both wheels are supported at their rim.

A workpiece change for use in a machine tool that comprises a tool spindle for clamping tools for machining workpieces, comprises two wheels arranged parallel to one another and rotatable about an axis of rotation into at least two prominent angular positions. Two swivel tables for clamping workpieces are arranged between the wheels and are each mounted on the wheels to swivel about a swivel axis which runs parallel to the axis of rotation. In each prominent angular position, one of the swivel tables is located in its working position in which clamped workpieces can be machined with the tools. Both wheels are supported at their rim.

A machining device is provided with a machine tool, a pallet to which a workpiece is secured, a pallet changer configured to move and change the pallet, and a workpiece attaching unit configured to attach and detach the workpiece to and from the pallet. Further, the machining device is provided with a visual sensor configured to capture an image of the pallet, and contaminants that may possibly cause jamming as the workpiece is supplied to the pallet are detected from the image captured by the visual sensor. A workpiece supply operation for the pallet is suspended if the contaminants are detected.

A machine tool has a multiplicity of stationary tool spindles that are optionally displaceable from a retracted rest position into an extended working position are positioned at various positions in a frame-like stand which defines and comprises machining space, and has a workpiece manipulator by way of which a workpiece support is movable multi-axially in translation and preferably also in rotation. In order to create advantageous loading conditions, it proposed that a loading door is associated with at least one of the leg walls defining the machining space, and that a workpiece support holder, which is equipped with a coupling for the workpiece support, is arranged on at least one, preferably on both, loading door panel fronts.

An automatic loading and unloading processing system includes a material storage assembly to store workpieces; a positioning device on a worktable; and a transport mechanism to transport the workpiece from the material storage assembly to the positioning device and transport the processed workpiece into the material storage assembly. The material storage assembly includes a material tray; fixing bases; a motion mechanism; and holders on the fixing base for fixing the workpiece, and the motion mechanism controls the movement of the material tray. The transport mechanism includes an auxiliary loading and unloading system arranged at a worktable to grab the holders and move horizontally; and a main loading and unloading system arranged on a main spindle to grab the holders and move vertically.