A conveyor and process for transporting products, wherein a carrier with an associated product holder can be moved along a conveying path by means of a conveyor element. In a processing position, the carrier can be aligned by means of first alignment elements, and second alignment elements are provided for aligning the product holder for disengagement from the carrier.

A machine tool comprises a machine frame, a first spindle having a first workholder rotatable about a first axis, a second spindle having a second workholder rotatable about a second axis, a first tool carrier for machining one side of a workpiece in the first spindle, and a second tool carrier for machining a different side of a workpiece in the second spindle. The second spindle is arranged on a spindle carrier movable relative to the machine frame, using a carriage system, in parallel with and transversely to the first axis. The second workpiece spindle is pivotal on the spindle carrier, using a pivoting device, about a pivot axis that extends perpendicularly to a movement plane. The second tool carrier is positioned on a guide carriage movable relative to the machine frame in parallel with the pivot axis. A drag frame conveyor is provided to feed or transport workpieces.

A method for transferring a workpiece carrier in a manufacturing facility from a first conveying portion, which is controlled by a first controller, to a second conveying portion, which is controlled by a second controller is provided. The conveying portions each have a toothed belt. On the basis of an internal timer in the two controllers, a desired position of a virtual tooth space in the transfer region of the conveying portions is calculated, taking the predefined movement speed of the workpiece carrier into consideration and taking the tooth pitch of the toothed belts into consideration. The toothed belts are controlled and synchronized by the respective controller via the drive units such that a first tooth space of the first toothed belt and a second tooth space of the second toothed belt are synchronized with the desired position of the virtual tooth space.

The invention relates to a method for transferring a workpiece carrier (5) in a manufacturing facility (1) from a first conveying portion (2), which is controlled by a first controller (26), to a second conveying portion (3), which is controlled by a second controller (27), the conveying portions (2, 3) each comprising a toothed belt (9, 10). On the basis of an internal timer (28, 29) in the two controllers (26, 27), a desired position of a virtual tooth space (37) in the transfer region (16) of the conveying portions (2, 3) is calculated, taking the predefined movement speed of the workpiece carrier (5) into consideration and taking the tooth pitch (15) of the toothed belts (9, 10) into consideration, the toothed belts (9; 10) being controlled and synchronized by the respective controller (26, 27) via the drive units (11, 12) such that a first tooth space (17) of the first toothed belt (9) and a second tooth space (18) of the second toothed belt (10) are synchronized with the desired position of the virtual tooth space (37).

The system includes a cell framework for defining a manufacturing area. The system includes at least one workplace within the manufacturing area. The system includes at least one manufacturing component within the manufacturing area and configured to be movable along three axes in relation to the at least one workplace. The system includes a conveying mechanism configured to move a part into the at least one workplace to be worked on by the at least one manufacturing component.

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 system and method for collaborative manufacturing system operation for a linear motor conveyor system including one or more moving elements. The system includes: at least two safety gates arranged on the linear motor conveyor system creating a collaborative area between the safety gates. Each safety gate includes: a body; two doors, one on each side of the body; an interlock connecting the two doors such that only one door can remain open at a time; and a control system to control the safety gates in coordination with the linear motor conveyor system. The method includes: configuring an operating status, which may be non-collaborative, collaborative, or semi-collaborative modes; monitoring a safety trigger and, if activated, performing a safety action and controlling according to the type of safety trigger; monitoring if the safety trigger is removed; and if the safety trigger is removed, return to operating in the configured mode.

A processing system includes a conveyance path including a plurality of conveyance modules configured to convey a carriage, the plurality of conveyance modules being disposed to convey the carriage to a plurality of positions, a processing apparatus configured to perform processing on a work mounted on the carriage, and a control unit configured to control the plurality of conveyance modules and the processing apparatus, wherein the control unit is configured to, in performing the processing on the work at the plurality of positions by the processing apparatus, move the work to the plurality of positions by moving the carriage using the conveyance modules.

A method and apparatus for delivering and retrieving workpieces to and from a machine table. This invention also relates to an apparatus for receiving at the machine table workpieces which are delivered to and retrieved by the delivery system. Carriers move along a conveyor without a loading arm rotating with respect to a supply table and also without the supply table rotating with respect to the loading arm. The receiver has pivot arms that act in a scissor-like manner to open and close an opening that lockingly engages a connector connected to a pallet.

A workpiece transport element for placement on a transport belt and for receiving workpieces, including a bearing pin disposed on a holding element for engaging in an opening in the workpieces for support during transport, wherein the holding element includes at least two bearing pins that are movably mounted with respect to the holding element and have different diameters, wherein the bearing pins are selectively movable into a transport position or out of the transport position. The workpiece transport element can also include bearing pins including a tip, wherein, for storing shaft-like parts, a vertical guide rail including a counter-holder that is movable thereon in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail and includes a holding tip is provided.