A horizontal five-axis turning plate type machining center includes a support base, a lathe bed arranged on the support base and a column arranged on the support base, wherein the lathe bed and the column are fixedly connected through a connecting arm, a turning plate device is arranged on the support base, an X-direction sliding plate capable of sliding in an X direction on the lathe bed is arranged on a side, facing the column, of the lathe bed, and a third driving unit capable of driving a workbench to perform position conversion between a turning plate and the X-direction sliding plate is arranged on the turning plate.

A self-propelled unit for movable operation on a support structure along a first axis of movement and a second axis of movement that is transverse to the first axis of movement includes a carrier configured for movable displacement on the support structure. A first conveyor assembly is operable to move the carrier on the support structure along the first axis of movement. A second conveyor assembly is operable to move the carrier on the support structure along the second axis of movement. A light source can be attached to the carrier in an operable mode to provide illumination to an area in proximity to the carrier. At least one power contact is configured to maintain electrical contact between the carrier and the support structure.

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 self-propelled unit for movable operation on a support structure along a first axis of movement and a second axis of movement that is transverse to the first axis of movement includes a carrier configured for movable displacement on the support structure. A first conveyor assembly is operable to move the carrier on the support structure along the first axis of movement. A second conveyor assembly is operable to move the carrier on the support structure along the second axis of movement. A light source can be attached to the carrier in an operable mode to provide illumination to an area in proximity to the carrier. At least one power contact is configured to maintain electrical contact between the carrier and the support structure.

A horizontal five-axis turning plate type machining center includes a support base, a lathe bed arranged on the support base and a column arranged on the support base, wherein the lathe bed and the column are fixedly connected through a connecting arm, a turning plate device is arranged on the support base, an X-direction sliding plate capable of sliding in an X direction on the lathe bed is arranged on a side, facing the column, of the lathe bed, and a third driving unit capable of driving a workbench to perform position conversion between a turning plate and the X-direction sliding plate is arranged on the turning plate.

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.