A manufacturing system for processing workpieces includes a manufacturing cell, a plurality of pallets supporting workpieces, and at least one robotic device configured to operate on the workpieces. The manufacturing system also includes first and second processing stations configured to support any one of the pallets in fixed position relative to the robotic device. The manufacturing system additionally includes at least one transport device configured to transport any one of the pallets to and from each of the first and the second processing stations. In addition, the manufacturing system includes a controller configured to coordinate the operation of the manufacturing cell in a manner allowing the robotic device to continuously operate on a workpiece supported by a pallet at the first processing station, while another pallet is transported to or from the second processing station.

An automated assembly apparatus includes an assembly robot, which has a plurality of hands of different heights and an XY-axis moving unit movable in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of operation base units which have operation bases and Z-axis moving unit capable of moving the operation bases in a vertical direction. The automated assembly apparatus further includes a control unit which raises in advance, before the assembly robot reaches above the operation bases, the operation bases by the Z-axis moving unit to positions where the operation bases do not interfere with the plurality of hands.

An automated assembly apparatus includes an assembly robot, which has a plurality of hands of different heights and an XY-axis moving unit movable in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of operation base units which have operation bases and Z-axis moving unit capable of moving the operation bases in a vertical direction. The automated assembly apparatus further includes a control unit which raises in advance, before the assembly robot reaches above the operation bases, the operation bases by the Z-axis moving unit to positions where the operation bases do not interfere with the plurality of hands.

An automated assembly apparatus includes an assembly robot, which has a plurality of hands of different heights and an XY-axis moving unit movable in a horizontal direction, and a plurality of operation base units which have operation bases and Z-axis moving unit capable of moving the operation bases in a vertical direction. The automated assembly apparatus further includes a control unit which raises in advance, before the assembly robot reaches above the operation bases, the operation bases by the Z-axis moving unit to positions where the operation bases do not interfere with the plurality of hands.