A device for moving at least one cutting and welding arrangement able to cut, then weld a tail of a first metal strip to a head of a second metal strip, includes at least one first carriage holding at least one welding head. The first carriage is movable over a guide path following a first course across a transverse strip region. At least one second carriage is movable separately from the first carriage and holds a cutting head. The second carriage is movable on a guide path following a second course. The welding head is used exclusively for a welding mode, the second carriage is used exclusively for a cutting mode and the two carriages have parked positions on either side of the tail and head widths of the strips. A welding method which is associated with the device is also provided.

A coupling element for a positioning device, which includes a first and second linear guides for guiding first and second carriages respectively along first and second linear directions, is configured to create a coupling between the first carriage and the second linear guide. The coupling element includes a central part and a surrounding part spaced at a distance therefrom. The surrounding part has a central portion surrounding the central part, and has two end portions adjoining the central portion in the first linear direction. Connecting flat springs are disposed to create the distance and connect together the central part and the central portion of the surrounding part. The connecting flat springs lie in planes which intersect at a center of the central part. A vertical flat spring is disposed parallel to the first linear direction at each of the two end portions of the surrounding part.

A manufacturing cell comprises a machine tool that has a tool carrier carrying a tool unit and has two adjacent workpiece paths oriented in a longitudinal direction. The tool unit can be displaced relative to a machine bed of the machine tool in a transverse direction and in a vertical direction. At least one workpiece carriage per workpiece path can be displaced in the longitudinal direction along the machine tool. The tool unit can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the machine bed and/or relative to the workpiece carriages. The tool carrier overhangs or projects beyond the workpiece paths. The individual workpiece carriage can also be displaced in the longitudinal direction along the workpiece supply. Furthermore, the workpiece supply has at least one lowerable or tiltable stop device per workpiece path.

The present invention discloses an machining device based on a portable 5-DOF parallel module. The machining device based on a portable 5-DOF parallel module comprises: a table for moving a parallel module to increase the stroke of the machine tool such that the machine tool can machine large components and can also simultaneously conduct the mounting and the machining of workpieces at different stations; a CNC rotary table; and a portable 5-DOF parallel module. The portable parallel module has a large swing angle range, can conduct the conversion between vertical and horizontal machining modes and can achieve five-face machining in one setup in cooperation with the CNC rotary table. The parallel module can move flexibly, and can machine large and complex components after mounted on the sliding table. After the machining of the workpiece is completed, the parallel module can move to the position of a mounted component through the table to conduct the machining of the next component. Thus, the mounting and the machining of the workpiece are simultaneously conducted at different stations, and the utilization rate and the production efficiency of the portable parallel module are improved.

A system for supporting workpieces during machining. The system comprises one or more adjustable workpiece support assemblies and a robotic unit. Each workpiece support assembly comprises a pedestal and a rotatable fixture element. The robotic assembly comprises means of mobilizing and immobilizing each support assembly, so that the fixture element may be secured in a particular orientation. The robotic unit moves along a frame, and manipulates and fixes the position of the fixture elements to match the contour of a workpiece. Vacuum forces may be applied through the workpiece support assemblies to secure the workpiece against the fixture elements.

A system (40) is provided for processing a workpiece (44). The system (40) includes a support surface (48) for supporting the workpiece (44) and defining a processing path (P) along which the workpiece (44) may travel relative to the system (40). The system (40) includes at least one tool (64a, 64b, 64c) for performing a process on the workpiece (44) that is movable in a work zone (WZ) along a predetermined length (L) of the workpiece (44) in a direction along the processing path (P). The system (40) includes a movable clamp assembly (80) having opposing clamping pads (84, 88) movable into and out of the work zone (WZ) along the processing path (P) to clamp a portion of the workpiece (44) located in the work zone (WZ) prior to the at least one tool (64a, 64b, 64c) performing a process on the workpiece (44).

An apparatus and method are provided for three dimensional cutting of a multi-axis feature into a workpiece that are at least partially characterized by a lack of rotationally symmetrical tools and an ability to produce high aspect ratio (depth to diameter) features using mechanical machining. The apparatus includes a base, a displaceable machine table supported on that base, a displaceable spindle supported on the base adjacent the machine table, a cutting tool held in a chuck carried on the spindle and a control module. The control module includes a controller and a plurality of actuators to provide precise displacement of the machine table, spindle, cutting tool and the workpiece for cutting multi-axis surface features into the workpiece.

The present invention aims at eliminating a need for a moving mechanism that moves a machining table and eliminating a need for a protective cover such as a bellows cover, and includes a machining table that holds a workpiece, a machining mechanism that machines the workpiece with a rotary tool while using a machining liquid, and a moving mechanism that linearly moves the machining mechanism at least in each of X and Y directions on a horizontal plane, in which the machining mechanism moved by the moving mechanism machines the workpiece with respect to the machining table, the machining table being fixed at least in the X and Y directions.

Disclosed embodiments include a gantry assembly that has (i) a moveable carriage with a laser head affixed thereto and (ii) two sides (moveable subassemblies) that are connected by a joining subassembly. One side of the gantry has two motors: (i) a first motor (x-axis motor) that moves the carriage along a first axis (x-axis) between the two sides of the gantry, and (ii) a second motor (y-axis motor) that moves the gantry along a second axis (y-axis) perpendicular to the first axis. In some embodiments, the gantry assembly also includes a drive shaft (or alternative drive mechanism) operated by the second motor (y-axis motor) to facilitate movement of the two sides of the gantry together along the second axis (y-axis).

The disclosure relates to a processing station for aircraft structural components, having a gantry processing machine, a clamping frame for fastening at least one component, and a holding device assembly for receiving the clamping frame, wherein the gantry processing machine has a gantry and the gantry supports a processing tool which defines a processing point, wherein the processing tool is configured so as to be pivotable in relation to the gantry, and wherein the processing tool for displacing the processing point is height adjustable in the z direction in relation to the gantry, wherein the holding device assembly has at least two holding devices, and wherein at least one holding device has a drive for the height adjustment, and the clamping frame is height-adjustable in the z direction by means of the holding device.