Automated machine tool installation with storage means

• US 4,369,563 A
• Filed: 10/29/1970
• Issued: 01/25/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1965
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Patent Defense Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: John Conventry Smith Jr, Molins PLC
• Inventors: Williamson, David T. N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Briggs, William R.
• Application Number:
  US05/085,289
• Time in Patent Office: 4,471 Days
• Field of Search: 198/19, 198/38, 29/33, 29/33.12, 29/563, 29/564, 29/33 R, 29/33 P, 29/568, 29/26 A, 214/16.4 A, 214/10.5 R, 214/10.5 S
• US Class Current: 483/7
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 41/00 Combinations or associations of metal-working machines not directed to a particular result according to classes B21, B23, or B24 B23Q37/00, B23Q39/00 take precedence; features relating to operations performed, if the different metal-working operations are of the same kind, see the subclass for the kind of operation, e.g. punching B21D, welding B23K, grinding B24B; features relating to technically specified combinations of different metal-working operations B23P23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 7/1426 with work holders not rigidly fixed to the transport devices B23Q7/005, B23Q7/035 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4189 characterised by the transport system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5107 Drilling and other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5124 with means to feed work intermittently from one tool station to another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5136 Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53013 Computer input
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53039 with control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53048 Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53052 including position sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/534 Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/10 Process
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/12 with means to regulate operation by means of replaceable information supply [e.g. , templet, tape, card, etc. ]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/123 Replaceable information comprising tool location
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/13 with control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/165 Plural machine tools, e.g., flexible manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/175 Plural matrices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/179 Direct tool exchange between spindle and matrix

Abstract

A system comprising a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools in which different workpieces are each subjected to appropriate selected machining operations on selected machine tools in a selected order by appropriate delivery of common form pallets loaded with the workpieces. Transporters deliver pallets between the machine tools, a storage rack, and work-setting stations where workpieces, automatically delivered in bins from a bin store, are loaded on pallets. Tool magazines are delivered between a rack and the machine tools by transporter. Transport and machining operations are computer controlled, and monitors feed back signals indicative of location of pallets, tool magazines, and bins in the system.

Claims

1. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations and comprising a plurality of complementary numerically-controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path, a store located adjacent said path and having a plurality of storage means for storing workpieces, transport means for transporting workpieces between the store and the machine tools along said path from which there is access to any of said storage means in the store and to any of the machine tools and operable to convey selected workpieces independently of other workpieces, and a central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said machine tools and with said transport means to control movement of each of said workpieces by said transport means between a predetermined selection of the storage means in the store and a predetermined selection of the machine tools, and to control predetermined selected machining operations performed by each of the selection of machine tools on the workpiece, the pattern of movement of said workpieces along said path and the machining operations performed by said selection of machine tools on said workpieces being different for each of said types of workpieces.

2. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

3. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.

4. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 further comprising pallets for supporting said workpieces.

5. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 4 wherein said central programmed control means includes program means adapted to cause said transport means to move the workpieces after each machining of a workpiece from the machine tool which performed the machining operation to another of said machine tools or a storage means in the store.

6. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 5 wherein said store comprises a rack-like pallet container having partitions defining a plurality of compartments for pallets and wherein said central programmed control means is adapted to direct said transport means to predetermined compartments for delivering and receiving pallets.

7. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 6 wherein said rack-like pallet container is elongated and located adjacent said machine tools, and said transport means includes a transporter positioned between said container and said machine tools and movable along one side of said container, said transporter having pallet-carrying means movable vertically relatively to the transporter so that said pallet-carrying means can be aligned with any predetermined compartment of said container, and means associated with said pallet-carrying means to withdraw a pallet from and deliver a pallet to said predetermined compartment and to deliver a pallet to and withdraw a pallet from any predetermined machine tool.

8. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 7 wherein said transporter has projecting means to project therefrom and engage against said partitions of said container to locate the transporter relatively to said container.

9. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 7 further comprising rails mounted on said rack-like container along which said transporter runs.

10. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 7 comprising a magazine store for magazines of tools for use in said machine tools and wherein said central programmed control means is adapted to cause said transport means to transport predetermined of said tool magazines between said magazine store and predetermined of said machine tools.

11. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 10 wherein said magazine store comprises a rack-like magazine container having partitions defining a plurality of compartments for tool magazines and wherein said central programmed control means is adapted to direct said transport means to any predetermined tool magazine compartment to and from which tool magazines are to be transported.

12. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 11 wherein said magazine container is elongated and is positioned adjacent and in line with said elongated pallet container.

13. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 12 wherein said transporter further comprises tool magazine-carrying means movable vertically relatively to the transporter so that it can align with a predetermined compartment of said magazine container, and means associated with said tool magazine-carrying means to withdraw a tool magazine from and deliver a tool magazine to said compartment and to deliver a tool magazine to and withdraw a tool magazine from a machine tool.

14. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pallets include means for releasably linking said pallets in pairs, wherein at least one of said machine tools is a twin-spindle machine and wherein said store and transport means are capable of transporting and storing said pallets in linked pairs.

15. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 14 wherein at least one of said machine tools is a single spindle machine, and comprising means associated with that machine tool to unlink the pallets of a pair delivered thereto before the performance of machining operations thereby, and to relink the pallets of said pair after the performance of machining operations on workpieces loaded on said pallets.

16. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 4 wherein said store has a plurality of compartments for pallets, and each pallet has a unique identification for allocation to a particular compartment in said store, so that a pallet cannot be delivered by said transport means to a compartment other than its allocated compartment.

17. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 16 wherein each compartment of said pallet store is allocated to a pair of pallets and each pair of pallets has a unique identification for allocation to a particular compartment.

18. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 4 wherein each pallet has an identification and comprising monitoring means associated with said transport means to feed back to said central programmed control means a signal indicative of the identification of a pallet being transported.

19. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said machine tools has associated therewith pallet loading means for supporting a plurality of pallets as a buffer store for pallets to be fed into and from each machine tool, and means to feed a pallet from each of said pallet loading means into the associated machine tool and from said associated machine tool into said pallet loading means, said transport means being arranged to deliver pallets to and receive pallets from said pallet loading means, and said central programmed control means being adapted to control the selection of a pallet to be fed into each machine tool from said associated pallet loading means and the selection of a pallet to be taken from any of said loading means by said transport means.

20. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 19 wherein each of said pallet loading means comprises a rotatable member with paddles, each of which can hold at least one pallet, and wherein said central programmed control means is adapted to control rotation of each of said members to align a selected paddle alternatively with an entrance-exit for a pallet to be delivered to and taken from the associated machine tool and with a transfer position at which a pallet can be delivered to and taken from said selected paddle by said transport means.

21. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said machine tools has associated therewith a tool magazine loader including means for supporting a plurality of tool magazines and means to feed a tool magazine from said magazine loader into each machine tool and from each machine tool into said magazine loader, said central programmed control means being adapted to control the selection of a tool magazine to be fed into each machine tool from said magazine loader.

22. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 21 wherein each of said magazine loaders comprises a rotatable member with paddles, each of which can hold a tool magazine, and said central programmed control means is adapted to control rotation of each of said members to align a selected paddle with an entrance-exit for a tool magazine to be delivered to and taken from the associated machine tool.

23. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 22 wherein the transport means is arranged to deliver tool magazines to and receive tool magazines from each of said magazine loaders.

24. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least one work-setting station means along said path for loading, unloading and repositioning of workpieces on said pallets and wherein said central programmed control means is adapted to cause said transport means to transport empty pallets from said store to said work-setting station means and loaded pallets from said work-setting station means to said pallet store.

25. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 24 wherein said pallet store is located between said machine tools and said work-setting station means and said central programmed control means is adapted to cause said transport means to deliver pallets from said work-setting station means to said store and to receive pallets from said store for delivery to said work-setting station means at one side of said store facing said work-setting station and to deliver pallets from said machine tools to said store and receive pallets from said store for delivery to said machine tools at the side of said store opposite to said one side and facing said machine tools.

26. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 25 wherein said pallet store comprises a rack-like container having partitions defining a plurality of through compartments for pallets, said compartments being open on said one side and said opposite side of said store.

27. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 26 wherein said transport means includes a first transporter located between said store and said work-setting station means to transport pallets between said work-setting station means and said one side of said store and a second transporter located between said store and said machine tools to transport pallets between said machine tools and said opposite side of said store.

28. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 37 wherein said transporters are movable along said rack-like container and have pallet-carrying means movable vertically relatively to the transporters so that said pallet-carrying means can be aligned with any selected compartment of said container, and means associated with said pallet-carrying means to withdraw a pallet from and deliver a pallet to said selected compartment, said work-setting station means and any of said machine tools.

29. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 28 wherein said means associated with said pallet-carrying means is arranged to receive a pallet on said pallet-carrying means from one side of the transporter and to deliver a pallet from said pallet-carrying means at the opposite side of the transporter.

30. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 29 wherein each of said transporters has two sets of pallet-carrying means, and wherein said means associated with one set are arranged to receive a pallet on said one set of pallet-carrying means from one side of the transporter and deliver the pallet therefrom at the opposite side of the transporter, and said means associated with the other set are arranged to receive a pallet on said other set of pallet-carrying means from said opposite side of the transporter and deliver the pallet therefrom at said one side of the transporter.

31. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 30 wherein each of said transporters has projecting means to project therefrom and engage said container to locate the transporter relatively to said container.

32. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 27 comprising rails mounted on said container along which said transporters run.

33. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 24 wherein said work-setting station means comprises a plurality of work-setting tables and said central programmed control means is adapted to control the operation of said transport means to deliver and remove pallets from each work-setting table.

34. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 33 wherein said work-setting tables are arranged in a line alongside said pallet store container so that said first transporter can align with any of said work-setting tables.

35. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 33 further comprising conveyor means to convey workpieces to said work-setting station means and to convey machined workpieces which have been unloaded from pallets away from said work-setting station means.

36. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 35 wherein said conveyor means includes means to convey together with workpieces, tooling required for loading the workpieces on pallets.

37. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 35 comprising bins for material conveyed by said conveyor means.

38. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 37 wherein said conveyor means is arranged to convey empty bins to said work-setting station means for loading with machined workpieces.

39. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 35 wherein each of said work-setting tables has movable deflecting means the operation which is controlled by said control means to deflect from said conveyor means material destined for that work-setting table.

40. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 35 wherein said conveyor means comprises a two-way conveyor arranged to convey material to said work-setting station means in one direction and away from said work-setting station means in the opposite direction.

41. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 40 further comprising a bin preparation station having a bin store for containing bins loaded with material wherein said conveyor extends between said work-setting station means and said bin preparation station and wherein said transport means includes bin transport means to transport bins from said bin store and deposit them on said conveyor.

42. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 41 wherein said bin preparation station includes a bin loading section comprising means for supporting bins while being loaded with material and means for storing said loaded bins in said bin store and a bin unloading section comprising means for unloading bins arriving on said conveyor at said bin preparation station.

43. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 42 wherein said bin store serves also as a store for empty bins, said bin transport means being capable of transporting empty bins which have been unloaded in said bin unloading section to said bin store.

44. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 43 in which said bin store has a first transit section, from which empty bins can be taken for loading, a second transit section, into which bins loaded with material at said bin loading section can be placed, a third transit section into which empty bins which have been unloaded in said bin unloading section can be placed, and a main section from which said bin transport means transports bins to said conveyor, and wherein said bin transport means is capable of transferring empty bins from said main section to said first transit section and from said third transit section to said main section, and loaded bins from said second transit section to said main section.

45. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 44 comprising detecting means to detect a vacancy for a bin in said first transit section and the presence of a bin in said second and third transit sections, and wherein said central programmed control means is capable of causing said bin transport means to perform an appropriate transfer operation responsively to such detection.

46. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 41 wherein said bin store comprises a rack-like bin container having partitions defining a plurality of compartments for bins and wherein said central programmed control means is capable of directing said bin transport means to deliver a bin to or remove a bin from a predetermined compartment.

47. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 46 wherein said bin transport means comprises a transporter movable along said bin container and having bin carrying means movable vertically relatively to the transporter so that it can align with any compartment of said bin container, and means associated with said bin carrying means to withdraw a bin from and deliver a bin to said compartment and to deliver a bin to said conveyor.

48. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 41 wherein said bin store has a compartment uniquely allocated to each bin and each bin has a corresponding unique identification, and wherein said bin transport means has associated monitoring means to feed back to said central programmed control means a signal indicative of the identification of a bin being transported, so that a bin cannot be delivered by said bin transport means to a compartment allocated to a different bin.

49. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 41 wherein each bin has a unique identification and comprising monitoring means to feed back to said central programmed control means a signal indicative of the identification of a bin and indicative of the contents of the bin when the bin is loaded, so that said central programmed control means can thereafter associate said bin with its contents.

50. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 49 comprising further monitoring means to feed back to said central programmed control means a signal indicative of the identification of a bin returned from said work-setting station means to said bin preparation station so that said central programmed control means can dissociate said bin from the contents it contained when loaded for delivery to said work-setting station means.

51. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 24 comprising signal means to feed back to said central programmed control means signals indicative of the completion of work-setting at said work-setting station means.

52. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for identifying workpieces at at least one location along said path and transmitting signals to said control means.

53. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for detecting the presence of workpieces of at least one location along said path and transmitting signals to said control means.

54. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 comprising monitoring means to feed back to said central programmed control means signals indicative of the completion of a transport operation by said transport means or a machining operation by said machine tools.

55. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said machine tools has connected thereto a control unit comprising a plurality of programming means to control machining operations performed by the associated machine tool and wherein said central programmed control means controls machining operations performed by the associated machine tool by selecting one of said programming means to program a control unit.

56. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 1 further comprising carriers for workpieces being transported, said carriers having distinguishable identifications, and monitoring means to feed back to said central programmed control means signals indicative of the identities of carriers at predetermined positions in the installation.

57. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 56 wherein said carriers comprise pallets on which workpieces are loaded.

58. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 56 wherein said carriers comprise bins in which workpieces are contained.

59. A machining installation for machining workpieces comprising a plurality of pallets, a plurality of pallets, a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machining units each of which has an automatic pallet-locating means to locate a pallet relative to said machining unit, transport means for conveying pallets along a path, means for transferring pallets to and from said transport means to at least one pallet loading and unloading station located along said path for loading workpieces to be machined on pallets and for unloading previously machined workpieces from pallets, central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said machining units and with said transport means, said transport means being adapted to receive predetermined control signals from said central programmed control means and in response thereto to convey pallets to and from any of said machining units and said loading and unloading station, and said plurality of pallets being in excess of the number of machining units so that at least one pallet is available at said loading and unloading station when all said locating means are simultaneously occupied by pallets, said transport means being adapted in response to control signals to convey any pallet to any selection of said machining units in any order for any combination of machining operations with the capability of the installation to be carried out on a workpiece on a pallet.

60. A machining installation as claimed in claim 59 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machining units.

61. A machining installation as claimed in claim 59 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machining units, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machining units and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machining unit, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machining unit.

62. A machine tool installation comprising a plurality of pallets, a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machining units located adjacent a predetermined path and each of which has an automatic pallet-locating means to locate a pallet relative to said machining unit, storage means located adjacent said path for storing a plurality of said pallets, conveyor means to convey pallets between said storage means and machining units along said path from which there is access to any of the pallets in said storage means and any of the machining units, said plurality of pallets being in excess of the number of said machining units so that at least one pallet is located in said storage means when all said locating means are simultaneously occupied by pallets, said conveyor means being adapted to convey any pallet to any selection of said units in any predetermined order for any combination of machining operations within the capability of the installation to be carried out on a workpiece on a pallet, central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said machining units and said conveyor means.

63. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 62 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machining units.

64. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 62 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machining units, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machining units and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machining unit, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machining unit.

65. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 62 further comprising means for transferring pallets to and from said transport means at at least one station located along said path for loading workpieces to be machined on pallets and unloading previously machined workpieces from pallets.

66. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces comprising a plurality of complementary numerically-controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path, a store located adjacent said path and having a plurality of storage positions for storing workpieces, transport means to convey workpieces between the store and the machine tools along said path from which there is access to any storage position in the store and any of the machine tools and operable to convey selected workpieces independently of other workpieces to any one of said machine tools and any position in said store and to convey each workpiece between said store and a predetermined selection of said machine tools, central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said machine tools and said transport means.

67. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 66 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

68. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 66 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.

69. A production system comprising a plurality of data-controlled machining units located adjacent a predetermined path and operative to perform different operations on work-in-process and each having means to locate and secure a workpiece holder, a plurality of store means located adjacent said path for storing workpiece holders, conveyor means to convey workpiece holders to and from the storage means and to and from the machining units, said conveyor means being operable to convey workpiece holders along said path from which there is access to any of the store means and any of the machining units and to convey selected workpiece holders independently of other workpiece holders, central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means to each of said data-controlled machining units and said conveyor means to control the movement of workpiece holders in the system by said conveyor means and to feed workpiece holders only to selected machining units and storage means and bypass nonselected machining units and storage means.

70. A production system as claimed in claim 69 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said maching units.

71. A production system as claimed in claim 69 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machining units, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machining units and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machining unit, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machining unit.

72. A production system comprising a plurality of data-controlled machining units located adjacent a predetermined path and operative to perform different operations on work-in-process, a plurality of storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces, workpiece carrier means, guide means for said carrier means extending along said path from which there is access to any of the storage means and to any of the machining units, drive means to move said carrier means in either direction along said path, sensing means effective to sense when the workpiece carrier means is at a selected machining unit or storage means to which a particular workpiece carried thereby is to be fed, central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means to each of said data-controlled machining units, said drive means and said sensing means to control movement and positioning of said carrier means along said path and to automatically transport a workpiece to any selected one of the machining units and storage means.

73. A production system as claimed in claim 72 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machining units.

74. A production system as claimed in claim 72 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machining units, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machining units and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machining unit, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machining unit.

75. A production system comprising a plurality of data-controlled machining units located adjacent a predetermined path and operative to perform different operations on work-in-process, a plurality of storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces, conveyor means operative to convey workpiece holders along said path through a plurality of access positions from each of which there is access to a diferent one of the machining units and storage means, identifying means to distinguish the machining units and storage means, sensing means to read said identifying means when a holder is at an access position, central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said data-controlled machining units, with said conveyor means and with each of said sensing means to control movement of a holder, destined for a particular machining unit or storage means to which there is access from that access position, toward the machining unit or storage means and a holder, not so destined, along said path bypassing that machining unit or storage means.

76. A production system as claimed in claim 75 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machining units.

77. A production system as claimed in claim 75 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machining units, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machining units and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machining unit, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machining unit.

78. A production system for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations to produce a variety of components comprising a plurality of workpiece holders for carrying said workpieces of different types, a plurality of data-controlled machining units located adjacent a predetermined path and adapted to perform different operations on work-in-process and each having means to locate and secure a workpiece holder, a plurality of storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces, conveyor means to convey said workpiece holders to and from the machining units and to and from the storage means, said conveyor means being operable to convey said workpiece holders along a path from which there is access to any of said machining units and any of said storage means, and central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said data-controlled machining units and said conveyor means to control the movement of said workpiece holders in the system by said conveyor means to only a predetermined selection of said machining units and storage means, said selection being at least one storage means for a particular workpiece and those units required to perform machining operations on that workpiece, and to control the movement of different workpiece holders by said conveyor system to different predetermined selections of machining units and storage means, the selection being dependent in each case on the particular type of workpiece on the holder whereby the pattern of movement of said workpieces along said path is different for each of said types of workpieces, said machining units being capable of simultaneous operation on different types of workpieces.

79. A production system as claimed in claim 78 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machining units.

80. A production system as claimed in claim 78 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machining units, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machining units and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machining unit, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machining unit.

81. A production system for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations to produce a variety of components, comprising a plurality of workpiece holders for carrying said different workpieces, a plurality of data-controlled machining units located adjacent a predetermined path and each having means to locate and secure a workpiece holder, and each capable of performing machining operations according to a dictated program, a plurality of storage means adjacent said path for storing workpieces mounted on said workpiece holders, conveyor means to convey said workpiece holders along said path to and from the machining units and storage means, central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with said conveyor means and with each of said machining units to control the movement of said workpiece holders in the system by said conveyor means and to control movement of a holder carrying a particular workpiece to only those selected machining units required to perform machining operations on that workpiece and to at least one selected storage means, said central programmed control means including programming means to dictate to each machining unit the particular selected machining program to be performed on the particular type of workpiece to be presented to it.

82. A production system as claimed in claim 81 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machining units.

83. A production system as claimed in claim 81 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machining units, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machining units and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machining unit, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machining unit.

84. A production system for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations to produce a variety of components comprising a plurality of data-controlled machining units located adjacent a predetermined path and adapted to perform different operations on work-in-process, a plurality of storage means located along said path, means to effect operative juxtapositioning of selected machining units and differing workpieces and to effect positioning of selected workpieces at selected storage means, conveyor means to cause relative movement between the machining units and storage means on the one hand and the workpieces on the other along said path from which there is access between any of the workpieces and any of the machining units and storage means, and central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said data-controlled machining units and said conveyor means to control said relative movement between the machining units and storage means on the one hand and the workpieces on the other hand into operative juxtaposition, to bring different workpieces and different preselected machining units into operative juxtaposition and to position each workpiece at a selected storage means, the selection being dependent in each case on the particular workpiece, said machining units being capable of simultaneous operation on different workpieces.

85. A production system as claimed in claim 84 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machining units.

86. A production system as claimed in claim 84 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machining units, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machining units and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machining unit, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machining unit.

96. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 84 further comprising means for transferring workpieces to and from said transport means at at least one workfixing station for securing workpieces to said support elements, said central programmed control means including program means adapted to control movement of said workpieces by said transport means between said storage means and said workfixing station.

97. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 96 wherein said transport means comprises a transporter for transporting workpieces mounted on said support elements along said path between said storage means and said workfixing station.

98. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 97 wherein said workfixing station comprises means at one location for receiving workpieces from said transporter and means at another location for delivering workpieces to said transporter and said transporter comprises means at separate locations for simultaneously delivering and receiving workpieces to and from said receiving and delivering means respectively of said workfixing station.

99. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 98 wherein each workpiece support element includes a distinguishing identifying means and said workfixing station comprises monitoring means for sensing said identifying means and transmitting a signal to said central programmed control means.

100. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 96 further comprising means for transferring workpieces to and from said transport means at at least one work-resetting station for repositioning workpieces on said support elements between machining operations, said central programmed control means controlling movement of said workpieces by said transport means between said storage means and said work-resetting station.

101. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 96 further comprising a plurality of bins for containing workpieces, templates and tooling;

means for transferring bins to and from a bin loading and unloading station; and

conveyor means for conveying said bins between said workfixing station and said transferring means at said bin loading and unloading station.

102. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 101 wherein each bin includes a distinguishing identifying means and both said bin loading and unloading station and said workfixing station comprise monitoring means for sensing said identifying means and transmitting a signal to said central programmed control means.

103. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 101 wherein said bin loading and unloading station comprises further storage means for dispensing and receiving bins to and from said conveyor means.

104. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 103 wherein said further storage means comprises means defining a plurality of compartments, each for receiving one of said bins.

105. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 104 wherein each bin includes a distinguishing identifying means and the compartments of said further storage means are arranged with one main section and three transit sections, each section containing a plurality of compartments, each compartment of said main section being allocated for receiving a bin having only one particular identifying means, the first transit section being for empty bins, the second transit section being for freshly loaded bins and the third transit section being for recently unloaded bins;

said conveyor means being capable of conveying bins to and from said compartments and between the compartments of said main section and the compartments of said transit sections.

106. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 105 wherein said conveyor means comprises a bin transporter for transporting bins to and from said compartments, and a conveyor for conveying said bins from said bin transporter to said workfixing station and from said workfixing station to said bin transporter.

107. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 105 wherein each of said compartments includes means for detecting the presence or absence of a bin therein and for transmitting a signal to said central programmed control means, whereby the conveyance of said bins by said conveyor means can be controlled by said central programmed control means.

108. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 105 wherein said conveyor means comprises monitoring means for sensing said identifying means on each bin while located on said conveyor means and transmitting a signal to said central programmed control means, whereby the conveyance of said bins by said conveyor means can be controlled by said central programmed control means.

87. A production system for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations to produce a variety of components, comprising a plurality of data-controlled machining units located adjacent a predetermined path, a plurality of storage means adjacent said path for storing workpieces, means to effect predetermined operative positioning relationship between each machining unit and each of said workpieces, each said machining unit being capable of performing machining operations according to a dictated program, conveyor means to effect relative movement between workpieces on the one hand and the machining units and storage means on the other, central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with said conveyor means and with each of said machining units to control said relative movement effected by said conveyor means to bring a particular workpiece and only those selected machining units required to perform machining operations on that workpiece into operative positional relationship and to locate said particular workpiece in at least one selected storage means when machining operations are not required, said central programmed control means including a programming device to dictate to each machining unit the particular selected machining program to be performed on a particular workpiece.

88. A production system as claimed in claim 87 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machining units.

89. A production system as claimed in claim 87 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machining units, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machining units and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machining unit, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machining unit.

90. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations and comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path;

(b) storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces,

(c) transport means operable to transport selected of said workpieces independently of other workpieces between said storage means and said machine tools along said path from which there is access to the storage means and each of the machine tools, and

(d) central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said numerically controlled machine tools and said transport means to control movement along said path of selected of said workpieces by said transport means between at least one of said machine tools and said storage means and to control movement of each workpiece between said storage means and a predetermined selection of the machine tools.

91. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 90 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

92. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 90 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.

93. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 90 wherein said central programmed control means includes program means adapted to control each of said machine tools so that each machine tool in said selection performs on the workpiece at least one predetermined selected machining operation.

94. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 90 wherein said storage means includes means for storing tools, said transport means is capable of transporting said tools along said path between said storage means and said machine tools, and said central programmed control means is adapted to control movement of said tools by said transport means between the machine tools and storage means.

95. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 94 further comprising a plurality of tool magazines, each for retaining a set of a plurality of tools, and means for transferring sets of tools to and from said tool magazines at a tool loading and unloading station located along said path, said central programmed control means being adapted to control movement of said tools by said transport means between said storage means and said tool loading and unloading station.

109. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 94 wherein at least one of said machine tools comprises tool loading means for delivering and receiving tools to and from said transport means and to and from a tool locating position, said tool loading means including means for accumulating a plurality of said tools.

110. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 90 further comprising a plurality of support elements, each including means for positioning a workpiece thereon, said machine tools and storage means including means for receiving and returning said support elements with workpieces positioned thereon from and to said transport means.

111. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 110 wherein each of said support elements includes means for releasably linking adjacent support elements together, said machine tools and storage means including means for simultaneously receiving and returning said support elements while linked together from and to said transport means.

112. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 110 wherein each support element includes means identifying the workpiece supported thereon, said transport means further comprising monitoring means for detecting said identifying means on said support elements and transmitting identification information to said central programmed control means.

113. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 112 wherein said identifying means on each of said support elements comprises at least one magnetic element, the arrangement of one or more magnetic elements on each support element being different, and said monitoring means on said transport means being sensitive to the arrangement of magnetic elements on said support elements.

114. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 110 wherein each support element includes datum means for accurately locating each support element and the workpieces mounted thereon on said machine tools.

115. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 90 wherein said storage means comprises means defining a plurality of individual compartments, said transport means being capable of transporting workpieces along said path from which there is access to each of said compartments, and said central programmed control means includes program means adapted to control movement of said workpieces by said transport means between said machine tools and said compartments, whereby each workpiece may be transported between a compartment and a predetermined selection of the machine tools.

116. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 115 wherein said storage means includes a plurality of compartments for storing tools, said transport means being capable of transporting both tools and workpieces along said path from which there is access to each of said compartments, and said central programmed control means includes program means adapted to control movement of both said tools and workpieces by said transport means between said machine tools and said compartments.

117. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 115 wherein said plurality of compartments in said storage means are arranged in at least one vertical row and said transport means comprises:

(a) guide means extending between said compartments and said machine tools, and

(b) at least one transporter movable along said guide means for delivering and retrieving workpieces to and from any of said compartments and machine tools and for supporting workpieces while being transported between the machine tools and compartments,

(c) said transporter comprising means for moving workpieces vertically and horizontally,

(d) whereby workpieces may be inserted into and removed from said compartments and machine tools.

118. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 117 further comprising a plurality of support elements, each for positioning a workpiece thereon, said transporter comprising platform means for retaining said support elements and means for accurately aligning said platform means with said vertical row of compartments when said transporter is adjacent said vertical row of compartments.

119. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 117 further comprising a plurality of support elements, each for positioning a workpiece thereon, said transporter comprising at least one platform means for retaining said support elements, means for indexing said platform means along a vertical path to align said platform means with any one of said compartments in said vertical row, and means for transferring said workpiece support elements between said platform means and a compartment with which said platform means is aligned.

120. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 119 wherein said means for transferring said workpiece support elements between said platform means and a compartment comprises means movable towards and away from the edge of said platform means for moving a workpiece support element from said platform means to a compartment or from a compartment to said platform means and a retractable element mounted on said movable means for movement between a projecting position for engaging a workpiece support element prior to said movement thereof and a retracting position for disengaging said workpiece support element following said movement thereof.

121. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 120 wherein said platform means comprises conveyor means for moving workpiece support elements along said platform means and for receiving workpiece support elements from and feeding workpiece support elements to said transfer means.

122. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 90 wherein said transport means comprises at least one transporter for delivering and retrieving workpieces to and from said storage means and any of said machine tools and for supporting workpieces while being conveyed between the machine tools and storage means.

123. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 122 wherein said transport means further comprises guide means extending between said storage means and said machine tools, said transporter being movable along said guide means.

124. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 90 wherein at least one of said machine tools comprises workpiece loading means for delivering and receiving workpieces to and from said transport means and to and from a machining position, said workpiece loading means including means to accumulate a plurality of said workpieces.

125. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 124 further comprising a plurality of support elements, each for positioning a workpiece thereon and including identification means, said workpiece loading means including monitoring means for detecting said identification means on said support elements and transmitting identification information to said central programmed control means.

126. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 124 wherein said loading means further comprises cleaning means for removing swarf from said workpieces while located on said loading means.

127. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations and comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path,

(b) storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces,

(c) transport means operable to transport selected of said workpieces independently of other workpieces between said storage means and said machine tools along said path from which there is access to the storage means and each of the machine tools,

(d) central control means including program means adapted to control movement along said path of selected of said workpieces by said transport means between at least one of said machine tools and said storage means and to control movement of each workpiece between said storage means, and a predetermined selection of the machine tools,

(e) a plurality of support elements, each including means for positioning a workpiece thereon and means for releasably linking adjacent support elements together, said machine tools, storage means and transport means being adapted to simultaneously handle workpieces mounted on a plurality of said support elements while linked together, and

(f) at least one of said machine tools comprising loading means for delivering and receiving a pair of workpieces mounted on a pair of linked support elements to and from said transport means and for delivering and receiving a single workpiece mounted on a single support element to and from a machining position, said loading means comprising means for linking and unlinking said pairs of support means.

128. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 127 wherein said support elements are linked and unlinked by relative lateral movement of adjacent support elements and said loading means comprises a rotatably mounted member having a plurality of radially extending paddles thereon, each paddle for supporting a pair of said support elements and comprising two segments, each segment being arranged such that only one support element of said pair of support elements can be positioned thereon and means for moving one of said segments relative to the other to link and unlink support elements positioned on the respective segments of said paddle.

129. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations and comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path,

(b) storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces, said storage means comprising means defining a plurality of individual compartments arranged in at least one vertical row,

(c) a plurality of support elements, each for positioning a workpiece thereon,

(d) transport means operable to transport selected of said workpieces including their respective support elements independently of other workpieces between said storage means and said machine tools along said path from which there is access to each of said compartments of said storage means and each of said machine tools,

(e) said transport means comprising guide means extending between said compartments and said machine tools, at least one transporter movable along said guide means for delivering and retrieving workpieces to and from any of said compartments and machine tools and for supporting workpieces while being transported between said machine tools and compartments, said transporter comprising at least one platform means for retaining said support elements, means for indexing said platform means along a vertical path to align said platform means with any one of said compartments in said vertical row and means for transferring said workpiece support elements between said platform means and a compartment with which said platform is aligned,

(f) said indexing means comprising a first pair of pulley means spaced substantially vertically from each other at fixed locations, a plurality of further pairs of pulley means, means for securing each pair of the further pulley means a fixed vertical distance from each other and said further pairs laterally from each other, flexible line means extending between and around the pulley means of said first pair, the portions of said line means passing around said upper and lower pulleys of said first pair respectively, passing alternately below and above the upper and lower pulleys respectively of said successive further pairs, and the opposite ends of said line means being anchored, said platform mean being secured to the portion of said line means between the pulleys of said first pair, and means for selectively moving vertically each of said securing means for said further pairs of pulley means to index said platform means vertically, and

(g) central control means including program means adapted to control movement along said path of selected of said workpieces by said transport means between at least one of said machine tools and said storage means and to control movement of each workpiece between said storage means and a predetermined selection of said machine tools.

130. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations and comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path,

(b) storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces,

(c) transport means operable to transport selected of said workpieces independently of other workpieces between said storage means and said machine tools along said path from which there is access to said storage means and each of said machine tools,

(d) central control means including program means adapted to control movement along said path of selected of said workpieces by said transport means between at least one of said machine tools and said storage means and to control movement of each workpiece between said storage means and a predetermined selection of said machine tools,

(e) at least one of said machine tools comprising workpiece loading means for delivering and receiving workpieces to and from said transport means and to and from a machining position, said workpiece loading means comprising rotary workpiece support means for retaining a plurality of workpieces thereon.

131. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 130 wherein said workpiece loading means comprises pusher means for moving said workpieces between said rotary workpiece support means and said machining position.

132. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 130 further cmprising a plurality of support elements, each for positioning a workpiece thereon, said rotary workpiece support means including a plurality of retaining means for retaining a plurality of workpiece support elements about the axis of said rotary workpiece support means.

133. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 132 wherein said workpiece loading means comprises a first station for transferring workpiece support elements between said transport means and said rotary workpiece support means, and a second station for transferring support elements between said rotary workpiece support means and said machining position, and indexing means for rotating said rotary workpiece support means and locating any one of said retaining means at said first and second stations.

134. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 133 wherein said workpiece loading means further comprises sensing means for detecting the position of said rotary workpiece support means and transmitting the positional information to said central programmed control means.

135. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations and comprising:

(a) a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path,

(b) storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces and tools,

(c) transport means operable to transport selected of said workpieces independently of other pworkpieces and selected of said tools independently of other tools between said storage means and said machine tools along said path from which there is access to said storage means and each of said machine tools, and

(d) central control means including program means adapted to control movement along said path of selected of said workpieces by said transport means between at least one of said machine tools and said storage means, to control movement of each workpiece between said storage means and a predetermined selection of the machine tools and to control movement along said path of selected of said tools by said transport means between said machine tools and said storage means,

(e) at least one of said machine tools comprising tool loading means for delivering and receiving tools to and from said transport means and to and from a tool location position, said tool loading means comprising rotary tool support means for retaining a plurality of tools thereon.

136. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 135 wherein said tool loading means comprises pusher means for moving said tools between said rotary tool support means and said tool location position.

137. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 135 further comprising a plurality of tool magazines, each for retaining a plurality of tools and including identification means, said tool loading means including monitoring means for detecting said identification means on said magazines and transmitting identification information to said central programmed control means.

138. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 135 further comprising a plurality of tool magazines, each for retaining a plurality of tools, said rotary tool support means including means for retaining a plurality of said magazines about the axis of said rotary tool support means.

139. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 138 wherein said tool loading means comprises a first station for transferring tool magazines between said transport means and said rotary tool support means, a second station for transferring tool magazines between said rotary tool support means and said tool locating position, and indexing means for rotating said rotary tool support means and locating any one of said magazine retaining means at said first and second stations.

140. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 139 wherein said tool loading means further comprises sensing means for detecting the position of said rotary tool support means and transmitting the positional information to said control means.

141. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations and comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path,

(b) storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces and tools,

(c) a plurality of support elements, each for positioniing a workpiece thereon,

(d) transport means operable to transport selected of said workpieces including their respective support elements independently of other workpieces and said tools independently of other tools between said storage means and said machine tools along said path from which there is access to said storage means and each of said machine tools,

(e) a plurality of tool magazines, each for retaining a plurality of tools,

(f) at least one of said machine tools comprising workpiece loading means for delivering and receiving workpieces mounted on said support elements to and from said transport means and to and from a machining position, said workpiece loading means including a plurality of retaining means for retaining a plurality of workpiece support elements thereon, tool loading means for delivering and receiving tools in said tool magazines to and from said transport means and to and from a tool locating position, said tool loading means including a plurality of retaining means for retaining a plurality of tool magazines thereon, indexing means for locating any one of said support element retaining means at a first position and any one of said tool magazines at a second position, and transfer means for transferring said workpiece support elements and tool magazines between said first and second positions respectively and said machining and tool location positions respectively, and

(g) central control means including program means adapted to control movement along said path of selected of said workpieces by said transport means between at least one of said machine tools and said storage means, to control movement of each workpiece between said storage means and a predetermined selection of the machine tools and to control movement along said path of selected of said tools by said transport means between said machine tools and said storage means.

142. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 141 wherein said transport means comprises means for selectively transferring said workpiece support elements and tool magazines separately or simultaneously.

143. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 142 wherein said transfer means comprises support means for supporting said workpiece support elements and tool magazines for movement along separate paths between said first position and said machining position on the one hand and said second position and tool locating position on the other, said paths being substantially parallel to each other and defining a first plane, pusher means, and means for moving said pusher means in a direction parallel to said paths and first plane and for moving said pusher means in a direction transversely thereof in a second plane to locate said pusher means at at least two predetermined lateral positions, said second plane being transverse to said first plane, said pusher means being adapted when in one position to move a workpiece support element along one path and when in another position to move a tool magazine along another path.

144. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 143 wherein said pusher means is movable to a third lateral position and is adapted in that position to move a workpiece support element and a tool magazine simultaneously along their respective paths.

145. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 143 wherein said pusher means is movable to a further lateral position whereby said pusher means may be moved without contacting a workpiece support element or a tool magazine along their respective paths.

146. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces of different types requiring different machining operations and comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path,

(b) storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces and tools,

(c) a plurality of tool magazines, each for retaining a set of a plurality of tools, and a tool loading and unloading station located along said path for loading and unloading sets of tools in and from said magazines.

(d) a plurality of support elements and at least one workfixing station along said path for securing workpieces to said support elements,

(e) a plurality of bins for containing workpieces, templates and tooling, a bin loading and unloading station along said path and conveyor means for conveying said bins between said workfixing station and said bin loading and unloading station,

(f) transport means operable to transport selected of said workpieces including their respective support elements independently of other workpieces and tools independently of other tools between said storage means, said machine tools, said tool loading and unloading station, said at least one workfixing station and said bin loading and unloading station along said path from which there is access to said storage means, each of said machine tools, said tool loading and unloading station, said at least one workfixing station and said bin loading and unloading station,

(g) said conveyor means comprising a first conveyor for conveying bins from said loading and unloading station to said workfixing station and a second conveyor for conveying bins from said workfixing station to said loading and unloading station, and said workfixing station comprising retaining means for receiving bins from said first conveyor and means for releasing bins from said retaining means and loading bins on said second conveyor, and

(h) central control means including program means adapted to control movement along said path of selected of said workpieces by said transport means between at least one of said machine tools, said storage means and said workfixing staton, to control movement of each workpiece between said storage means and a predetermined selection of said machine tools, and to control movement along said path of selected of said tools by said transport means between said tool loading and unloading station, storage means and machine tools.

147. A control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools capable of selectively performing similar or different machining operations on parts delivered to said machine tools, which parts may be the same or different and each of which has a process indicia associated therewith, comprising:

central computer means comprising a plurality of programs for controlling machining operations at all of the machine tools;

control means responsive to any one of said process indicia for coupling to any one of said machine tools the program from said central computer means which controls the machining operation to be performed on a part delivered to said one machine tool and which part is identified by the process indicia associated therewith;

part identification means for identifying the process indicia of a part;

said control means including at least one data link connected between said central computer means and each of said machine tools for coupling programs to the machine tools associated therewith, and means for connecting the program identified by the process indicia to the data link for the machine tool at which the part is located;

means for indicating when each machine tool is in condition for receiving a new part; and

means for delivering parts to the machine tools including conveying means responsive to said indicating means for randomly transporting a part from a part supply location to the machine tool at which said condition has occurred.

148. A control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools capable of selectively performing similar or different machining operations on parts delivered to said machine tools, which parts may be the same or different and each of which has a process indicia associated therewith, comprising:

means for delivering parts to the machine tools;

central computer means comprising a plurality of programs for controlling machining operations at all of the machine tools;

control means responsive to any one of said process indicia for coupling to any one of said machine tools the program from said central computer means which controls the machining operation to be performed on a part delivered to said one machine tool and which part is identified by the process indicia associated therewith;

a central supply of tools for use by more than one of said plurality of machine tools;

said control means including at least one data link connected between said central computer means and each of said machine tools for coupling programs to the machine tools associated therewith, and means for connecting the program identified by the process indicia to the data link for the machine tool at which the part is located;

means for identifiying the tools which will be necessary for performing the machining operations controlled by a given program at a selected one of said plurality of machine tools; and

means responsive to said identifying means for causing the identified tools to be conveyed from said central supply of tools to said selected one machine tool.

149. A control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools, some of which are capable of performing similar machining operations on a part, comprising:

a central computer having a program memory for storing a plurality of different programs, each program providing information for controlling more than one of said plurality of machine tools to produce the same series of machining operations on a part, wherein each part is assigned a process indicia which identifies the part, and said computer has a parts location memory for storing the process indicia which identifies each part in the system;

a plurality of data links coupling said computer to each of said plurality of machine tools in order to transmit a program stored in said program memory to any one of said plurality of machine tools;

a central supply of parts on which similar and different series of machining operations are to be performed by any one of said plurality of machine tools;

means for conveying a part from said central supply to one of said plurality of machine tools;

means responsive to the conveyance of said part for generating a signal which identifies the series of machining operations which are to be performed on said conveyed part;

means for selecting the program stored in said program memory which controls the same series of machining operations as identified by the signal from said generating means and for transmitting said last named program over the data link connected to the machine tool to which said part has been conveyed; and

sensing means connected to said computer for recording the passage of parts past predetermined locations along said conveying means;

said computer having means responsive to said sensing means for continuously updating the location of process indicia in said parts location memory in order that the location of process indicia in said parts location memory corresponds with the instantaneous location of the parts along said conveying means.

150. A control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools, some of which are capable of performing similar machining operation on a part, comprising:

a central computer having a memory for storing a plurality of different programs, each program providing information for controlling more than one of said plurality of machine tools to produce the same series of machining operations on a part;

a plurality of data links coupling said computer to each of said plurality of machine tools in order to transmit a program stored in said memory to any one of said plurality of machine tools;

a central supply of parts on which similar and different series of machining operations are to be performed by any one of said plurality of machine tools;

means for conveying a part from said central supply to one of said plurality of machine tools;

means for generating a signal which identifies the series of machining operations which are to be performed on said conveyed part;

means responsive to the conveyance of said part for selecting the program stored in said memory which controls the same series of machining operations as identified by the signal from said generating means and for transmitting said last named program over the data link connected to the machine tool to which said part has been conveyed;

a central supply of tools for use by more than one of said plurality of machine tools;

means for identifying the tools which will be necessary for performing the machining operations controlled by a given program at a selected one of said plurality of machine tools; and

means responsive to said identifying means for causing the identified tools to be conveyed from said central supply of tools to said selected one machine tool.

151. A central control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools, each using a plurality of tools for performing different machining operations on a part, each tool being assigned a tool indicia which identifies the tool and each part being assigned a process indicia which identifies the part, comprising:

(a) a central supply of tools for use by more than one of said plurality of machine tools;

(b) conveying means for tranpsorting tools from said central supply and parts to any of said machine tools;

(c) sensing means for recording the passage of parts and tools past predetermined locations;

(d) means for identifying at least some of the tools which will be necessary for performing a series of machining operations at one of said plurality of machine tools;

(e) a central computer with a tools location memory and a parts location memory for storing said tool indicia and process indicia identifying each tool and part respectively, said computer having means responsive to said sensing means for continuously updating the location of process indicia and tool indicia in said parts location memory and said tools location memory respectively in order that the location of process indicia and tool indicia in said parts location memory and said tools location memory respectively corresponds with the instantaneous location of the parts and tools in the system; and

(f) control means responsive to the identifying means for causing said conveying means to transport the identified tools from said central supply to said one machine tool.

152. A control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools capable of selectively performing similar or different machining operations on parts delivered to said machine tools, which parts may be the same or differnt and each of which has a process indicia associated therewith, comprising:

conveying means for transporting a part from a part supply location to individual supply locations for each of said plurality of machine tools, including eject means located at one of said individual supply locations and actuable to deliver a part adjacent thereto to a particular machine tool;

a programmable computer including a central source of programs for controlling machining operations at the machine tools, including a recirculating memory means for continuously recording the location and identity of parts being transported by said conveying means, and means for selecting a part as identified by a particular process indicia for delivery to said particular machine tool;

data link means coupling said computer to each of said machine tools to transmit a program from said computer to any one of said machine tools; and

control means for actuating said eject means when said particular process indicia is located in said recirculating memory means at the individual supply location adjacent said eject means.

153. A control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools capable of selectively performing similar or different machining operations on parts delivered to said machine tools, which parts may be the same or different and each of which has a process indicia associated therewith, comprising:

means for delivering parts to the machine tools;

central computer means comprising a plurality of programs for controlling machining operations at all of the machine tools;

control means responsive to any one of said process indicia for coupling to any one of said machine tools the program from said central computer means which controls the machining operation to be performed on a part delivered to said one machine tool and which part is identified by the process indicia associated therewith;

part identification means for identifying the process indicia of a part, including a record medium carried along with said part and forming said process indicia, and a read unit associated with at least one machine tool and responsive to the record medium for identifying said process indicia represented thereby;

said control means including at least one data link connected between said central computer means and each of said machine tools for coupling programs to the machine tools associated therewith, and means for connecting the program identified by the process indicia to the data link for the machine tool at which the part is located.

154. A control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools capable of selectively performing similar or different machining operations on parts delivered to said machine tools, which parts may be the same or different and each of which has a process indicia associated therewith, comprising:

means for delivering parts to the machine tools;

central computer means comprising a plurality of programs for controlling machining operations at all of the machine tools;

data link means coupling said computer means to each of said machine tools to transmit a program from said computer means to any one of said machine tools; and

control means responsive to any one of said process indicia for coupling to any one of said machine tools the program from said central computer means which controls the machining operation to be performed on a part delivered to said one machine tool and which part is identified by the process indicia associated therewith.

155. A control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools, some of which are capable of performing similar machining operations on a part, comprising:

central computer having a program memory for storing a plurality of different programs, each program providing information for controlling more than one of said plurality of machine tools to produce the same series of machining operations on a part, wherein each part is assigned a process indicia which identifies the part, and said computer means has a parts location memory for storing the process indicia which identifies each part in the system;

a plurality of data link means coupling said computer to each of said plurality of machine tools in order to transmit a program stored in said program memory to any one of said plurality of machine tools;

a central supply of parts on which similar and different series of machining operations are to be performed by any one of said plurality of machine tools;

means for conveying a part from said central supply to one of said pulrality of machine tools;

means responsive to the conveyance of said part for generating a signal which identifies the series of machining operations which are to be performed on said conveyed part; and

means for selecting the program stored in said memory which controls the same series of machining operations as identified by the signal from said generating means and for transmitting said last named program over the data link connected to the machine to which said part has been conveyed.

156. A control system for controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools, some of which are capable of performing similar machining operations on a part, comprising:

central computer means having a memory for storing a plurality of different programs, each program providing information for controlling more than one of said plurality of machine tools to produce the same series of machining operations on a part;

a plurality of data link means coupling said computer to each of said plurality of machine tools in order to transmit a program stored in said memory to any one of said plurality of machine tools;

a central supply of parts on which similar and different series of machining operations are to be performed by any one of said plurality of machine tools;

means for conveying a part from said central supply to one of said plurality of machine tools;

means responsive to the conveyance of said part for generating a signal which identifies the series of machining operations which are to be performed on said conveyed part;

means for selecting the program stored in said memory which controls the same series of machining operations as identified by the signal from said generating means and for transmitting said last named program over the data link connected to the machine tool to which said part has been conveyed.

157. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path,

(b) storage means located adjacent said path for storing workpieces,

(c) transport means for transporting workpieces between said storage means and said machine tools along said path from which there is access to the storage means and each of the machine tools and operable to convey selected workpieces independently of other pieces, and

(d) central programmed control means and data link means coupling said control means to each of said machine tools to transmit a program from said control means to any one of said machine tools to control each of said machine tools so that each machine tool to which a workpiece is delivered by said transport means performs on said workpiece at least one predetermined machining operation.

158. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 157 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

159. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 157 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said data link means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.

160. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools,

(b) a source of workpieces,

(c) transport means to transport workpieces between said source and said machine tools along a path from said source to each of said machine tools, and

(d) central programmed control means and data link means coupling said control means to said transport means and to each of said machine tools to control movement by said transport means along said path of selected of said workpieces between said source and at least one of said machine tools and to control each of said machine tools so that each machine tool to which a workpiece is delivered by said transport means performs on said workpiece at least one predetermined machining operation.

161. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 160 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

162. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 160 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said data link means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.

163. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools,

(b) a source of workpieces,

(c) transport means to transport workpieces between said source and said machine tools along a path from said source to each of the machine tools, and

(d) central programmed control means and data link means coupling said control means to each of said machine tools and to said transport means to control said transport means and to transmit a program from said control means to any one of said machine tools to control each of said machine tools so that each machine tool to which a workpiece is delivered by said transport means performs on said workpiece at least one predetermined machining operation.

164. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 163 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

165. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 163 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said data link means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.

166. A machine tool installation comprising a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools located adjacent a predetermined path, a source of workpieces for said machine tools, said source being located along said path, conveyor means to convey workpieces along said path between the source and the machine tools from which there is access for workpieces to the plurality of machine tools so that each workpiece can be taken to a selection of machine tools appropriate to the machining operations to be performed thereon, a plurality of cutting tools for the machine tools, and central control means including a plurality of programs for programming the machine tools to perform appropriate machining operations and means connecting said control means to said conveyor and each of said machine tools to control the conveying operations carried out by the conveyor to supply appropriate workpieces to the machine tools and to supply appropriate programs to the machine tools and to control the selection by the machine tools of appropriate cutting tools.

167. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools,

(b) at least one transfer station including means for supporting workpieces,

(c) means defining a path extending between said transfer station and each of said machine tools,

(d) storage means located along said path between said transfer station and said plurality of machine tools and adapted for storage of workpieces,

(e) transport means for transporting workpieces along said path between said transfer station, said storage means and each of said machine tools, and

(f) central programmed control means and means connecting said control means to said transport means and to each of said machine tools to control said transport means to convey said workpieces between said transfer station and said storage means and selected workpieces between said storage means and selected of said machine tools and to control each of said machine tools so that each machine tool to which a workpiece is delivered by said transport means performs on said workpiece at least one predetermined machining operation.

168. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 167 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

169. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 167 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.

170. A machine tool installation as defined in claim 167 further comprising at least one further transfer station including means for supporting tools, further storage means located along said path between said transfer station and said plurality of machine tools and adapted for storage of tools, said transport means being adapted for transporting tools along said path between said further transfer station, said further storage means and each of said machine tools, and said programmed control means being adapted to control said transport means to convey said tools between said further transfer station and said further storage means and selected tools between said further storage means and selected of said machine tools.

171. A machine tool installation for machining workpieces comprising:

(a) a plurality of complementary numerically controlled machine tools,

(b) means for transferring workpieces to and from said machine tool installation at at least one transfer station,

(c) transport means for transporting workpieces between said transfer station and each of said machine tools,

(d) said transport means including at least one storage section for receiving, storing and dispensing workpieces, and

(e) programmed control means and means connecting said control means to said transport means and to each of said machine tools to control said transport means to convey said workpieces selectively to and from selected of said machine tools and to control each of said machine tools so that each machine tool to which a workpiece is delivered by said transport means performs on said workpiece at least one predetermined machining operation.

172. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 171 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

173. A machine tool installation as claimed in claim 171 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.

174. A machine tool installation as defined in claim 171 further comprising means for transferring tools to and from said machine tool installation at at least one further transfer station, said transport means including at least one further storage section for receiving, storing and dispensing tools, and said programmed control means being adapted to control said transport means to convey said tools selectively to and from selected of said machine tools.

175. A manufacturing system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools for machining a plurality of workpieces,

(b) distinguishing identification means associated with each of said workpieces,

(c) a conveyor extending along a path between the machine tools for presenting workpieces to the machine tools and including means at key points along said path for sensing said identification means and generating identification signals,

(d) a computer having a memory and means connecting said computer to each of said machine tools,

(e) means responsive to said identification signals for transferring to the memory of said computer instructions relating to a particular workpiece as it enters the conveyor for movement from one of said machine tools to another, and

(f) means responsive to said identification signals and associated with said computer to send instructions to a particular machine tool when the particular workpiece arrives at that particular machine tool.

176. A manufacturing system, comprising

(a) a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools,

(b) a conveyor extending between the machine tools,

(c) a pallet movable along the conveyor and adapted to carry a workpiece, and

(d) central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said machine tools and said conveyor,

(e) said conveyor including a staging area portion having means for receiving a workpiece and a pallet wherein the workpiece is mounted on the pallet in a first aspect, and said control means controlling said conveyor to return the pallet and workpiece to the staging area portion for remounting of the workpiece in a second aspect after at least one operation has been performed on the workpiece by a machine tool.

177. A manufacturing system as claimed in claim 176 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

178. A manufacturing system as claimed in claim 176 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.

179. A manufacturing system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools,

(b) a conveyor associated with the machine tools and adapted to present a workpiece to any one of said machine tools, and

(c) central control means and means connecting said central control means with each of said machine tools and with said conveyor for controlling said conveyor to direct the workpiece to the machine tools and for controlling said machine tools and including primary and contingency programs of operations to be performed on the workpiece,

(d) said central control means including means responsive to lack of availability of a particular machine tool to the workpiece to shift from a primary program to a contingency program calling for said central control means to control said conveyor to transfer said workpiece to another machine tool and to control said other machine tool in operations performed on said transferred workpiece.

180. A manufacturing system as claimed in claim 179 wherein said central control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

181. A manufacturing system as claimed in claim 179 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central control means to control the associated machine tool.

182. A manufacturing system, comprising:

(a) a plurality of machine tools,

(b) a conveyor extending between the machine tools for presenting workpieces to the machine tools,

(c) a pallet carrying a workpiece and movable along the conveyor from one machine tool to another,

(d) distinguishing identification means associated with each pallet,

(e) identification stations at key points along the conveyor, each station including means for reading the said identification means and generating an identification signal,

(f) a ready-access memory blank connected to each of the machine tools, and

(g) central programmed control means and means connecting said central programmed control means with each of said machine tools and with said conveyor, said central programmed control means including means responsive to an identification signal for transferring to the ready-access memory bank instructions relating to a particular workpiece as it enters the conveyor for movement from one machine tool to another and means responsive to an identification signal for transmitting instructions from said ready-access memory bank to a particular machine tool when the particular workpiece arrives at that particular machine tool.

183. A manufacturing system as claimed in claim 182 wherein said central programmed control means comprises a plurality of programs for selectively controlling each of said machine tools.

184. A manufacturing system as claimed in claim 182 further comprising a plurality of program storage means equal in number to the number of said machine tools, each of said program storage means being associated with one of said machine tools and said connecting means connecting each of said program storage means to said central programmed control means and the associated machine tool, each of said program storage means comprising a plurality of programs, any one of which programs may be selected by said central programmed control means to control the associated machine tool.