Machine tool method

• US 7,065,856 B1
• Filed: 11/10/1987
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1954
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H.
• Primary Examiner(s): BANKS, DERRIS HOLT
• Application Number:
  US07/126,319
• Time in Patent Office: 6,804 Days
• Field of Search: 295/63, 295/68, 295/64, 408/3, 408/32, 408/34, 408/234, 408/37, 408/42, 408/43, 483/1, 483/14, 483/15, 483/32, 451/5, 400/159, 400/160, 700/169, 723/99, 724/00
• US Class Current: 29/563
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 41/06 Features relating to organisation of working of machines
• 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 408/08 with means to regulate operation by use of templet, tape, card, or other replaceable information supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/365 Axes of tools moving with work during operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/368 Plural work stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/378 Coaxial, opposed tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/38 Plural, simultaneously operational tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/3806 with plural simultaneously operational work stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/91 Machine frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/10 Process
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/16 with means to transfer work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/165 Plural machine tools, e.g., flexible manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 483/1738 Tool head

Abstract

A machine tool apparatus is provided employing a plurality of tool heads which may be sequentially or simultaneously automatically controlled to perform preprogrammed operations on either the same or different workpieces. In one form, a plurality of tool heads are supported on the same frame, guideway or track and may be separate prepositioned or driven under remote or automatic control to perform preprogrammed operations wither in sequence or simultaneously on the same workpiece or simultaneously on separate workpieces spaced apart on a common conveyor such as a flight conveyor while the conveyor is either in motion or stationary.

In another form, the conveyor is automatically stopped with units of work thereon, each disposed so as to be predeterminately located with respect to a respective machine tool which has been prepositioned adjacent the work-holding conveyor. In yet another form, at least certain of the machine tools are movable parallel to the work-holding conveyor so that they may be predeterminately moved prior to and/or during operations on work.

In yet another form, means are provided for transferring units of work from the work-holding conveyor to temporary platforms adjacent certain of the respective machine tools so that each tool may perform automatic operations on work while the work-holding conveyor remains operating.

Claims

1. The process of producing engineering components from workpieces by the removal of material therefrom by means of a plurality of data-controlled machine tools, each of which has automatic means for locating and securing thereon a common workpiece holder, said machine tools being complementary to each other in relation to the machining operations to be carried out on the workpieces;

said process comprising;

securing each workpiece to a workpiece holder in a predetermined position and attitude with respect to the workpiece holder,

delivering each workpiece holder to storage means and storing each workpiece holder so that each workpiece is selectively accessible;

selecting each workpiece holder from said storage means;

presenting each of said selected workpiece holders to a selection of said machine tools in predetermined sequence;

automatically and sequentially locating and securing each of said selected workpiece holders at a predetermined location and attitude in each of said selected machine tools and subsequently performing programmed machining operations on said workpiece in each of said selected machine tools while said workpiece holder is so located and secured therein.

2. The process of producing a plurality of different engineering components from workpieces of different forms by the removal of material therefrom by means of a plurality of data controlled machine tools, each of which has automatic means for locating and securing thereon a common workpiece holder, said machine fools being complementary to each other in relation to the machining operations to be carried out on said workpieces;

said process comprising;

securing each workpiece to a workpiece holder in a predetermined position and attitude with respect to the workpiece holder,

delivering each workpiece holder to storage means and storing each workpiece holder so that each workpiece is selectively accessible,

selecting each workpiece holder from said storage means,

presenting each of said selected workpiece holders to selected of said machine tools in predetermined sequence, the sequence for each form of workpiece being different,

automatically and sequentially locating and securing each of said selected workpiece holders at a predetermined location and attitude in each of said selected machine tools and

subsequently performing programmed machining operations on each of said workpieces in each of said selected machine tools while the respective holder is so located and secured therein.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the act of storing each workpiece holder so that each workpiece is selectively accessible comprises storing each workpiece holder so that each workpiece is selectively accessible independently of other workpieces.

4. The process of producing a plurality of different engineering components from workpieces of different forms by performance of operations thereon by means of a plurality of data-controlled machine tools each of which has automatic means for locating and securing thereon a common workpiece holder, storage means having a plurality of locations for workpieces stored thereon so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, transport means, and programmable control means, said machine tools being complementary to each other in relation to the operations to be carried out on said workpieces;

said process comprising;

securing each workpiece to a workpiece holder in a predetermined position and attitude with respect to the workpiece holder,

selecting each workpiece holder from a location on said storage means;

transporting each selected workpiece holder by said transport means between said storage means and at least one preselected machine tool,

automatically and sequentially locating and securing each of said workpiece holders at a predetermined location and attitude in each of said selected machine tools, and

subsequently performing programmed operations on each of said workpieces in each of said selected machine tools while said workpiece holder is so located and secured therein, the operating sequence performed by said storage means, transport means and machine tools, including selecting, locating and securing workpiece holders, being under the control of said control means, the operating sequences of different workpieces, under the control of said control means, being different.

5. The precess of producing engineering components from a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces by means of a machining system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations and adapted to use a series of selected tools, storage means for storing a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, transport means to transport workpieces between a succession of said machine tools, and programmable control means, each batch comprising a plurality of workpieces requiring substantially the same machining operation and the workpieces of different batches requiring different machining operation;

said process comprising;

mounting each workpiece on a pallet adapted for locating said workpiece at each of said machine tools required for machining said workpiece;

locating each pallet-mounted workpiece on said storage means so that each pallet-mounted workpiece is selectively accessible;

selecting each of said pallet-mounted workpieces from said storage means and transporting each of said selected pallet-mounted workpieces by said transport means to at least a selected one of said machine tools, selecting and mounting required tools in each of said selected machine tools and machining said pallet-mounted workpieces at each of said selected machine tools;

monitoring the location of each workpiece during the various stages of its transporting and machining sequence by periodically entering into said control means information relevant to each of said workpieces; and

dismounting each machined workpiece from its associated pallet after completion of said transporting and machining sequence;

the operating sequence of storing, transporting and machining steps, including said selecting step, for each pallet mounting workpiece being under the control of said control means, the pallet-mounted workpieces of different batches being controlled to follow different sequences.

6. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces to form machined products by means of a machining system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operation, storage means adapted for storing a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, transport means to transport selected of said workpieces on said storage means between said storage means and said machine tools, and programmable control means, each batch comprising a plurality of workpieces requiring substantially the same machining operations and the workpieces of different batches requiring different machining operations;

said process comprising;

delivering each workpiece onto said storage means for storage so that it is selectively accessible;

selecting and transporting each workpiece in turn by said transport means from said storage means to one of said machine tools for performance of a first machining operation;

transporting said selected workpiece by said transport means back to said storage means after the completion of said first machining operation for storage so that said selected workpiece is selectively accessible;

transporting said selected workpiece by said transport means to a further one of said machine tools for the performance of a second machining operation thereon; and

transporting said selected workpiece by said transport means back to said storage means after the completion of said second machining operation;

the operating sequence of storage, transporting and machining steps unique for each workpiece, including said selecting step, being under the control of said control means, the workpieces of different batches being subjected to a different predetermined sequence of storage, transporting, and machining steps.

7. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces by means of a machining system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, storage means adapted for storing a plurality of workpiece so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, and programmable control means adapted to control each machine tool, each batch comprising a plurality of workpiece requiring substantially the same machining operations and the workpieces of different batches requiring different machining operations;

said process comprising;

delivering each workpiece to said storage means and storing each workpiece so that it is selectively accessible;

select and transporting each workpiece in turn from said storage means to one of said machine tools for the performance of a first machining operation thereon;

transporting said selected workpiece back to said storage means after the completion of said first machining operation;

transporting said selected workpiece to a further one of said machine tools for the performance of a second machining operation thereon; and

transporting said selected workpiece back to said storage means after the completion of said second machining operation;

the operating sequence of storage, transporting and machining steps, including said selecting step, applicable to each said workpiece being under the control of said control means, the workpieces of different batches being subjected to a different predetermined sequence of storage, transporting and machining steps.

8. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces by means of a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different operations upon the workpieces, storage means adapted for storing a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, and programmable control means adapted to control each of said machine tools, each batch comprising a plurality or workpieces requiring substantially the same operations to be performed upon them by said machine tools, and the workpieces of different batches requiring different machine tool operations;

said process comprising;

delivering each workpiece onto said storage means and storing each workpiece so that it is selectively accessible;

selecting and transporting each workpiece from said storage means to one of said machine tools for the performance of a first machine tool operation thereon;

transporting said selected workpiece back to said storage means after the completion of said first machine tool operation;

transporting said selected workpiece to a further one of said machine tools for the performance of a second machine tool operation thereon; and

transporting said selected workpiece back to said storage means after the completion of said second machine tool operation;

the operating sequence of storage, transporting and machine tool operations, including said selecting step, applicable to each said workpiece being under the control of said control means, the workpieces of different batches being subjected to a different predetermined sequence of storage, transporting and machine tool operations.

9. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces by means of a machining system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, storage means adapted for storing a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, and programmable control means, each batch comprising a plurality of workpieces requiring substantially the same machining operations and the workpieces of different batches requiring different machining operations;

said process comprising;

mounting each workpiece on a pallet adapted for locating said workpiece on a pallet adapted for locating said workpiece at each of said machine tools required for machining said workpiece;

delivering each pallet-mounted workpiece onto said storage means for storage so that it is selectively accessible;

selecting and transporting each pallet-mounted workpiece from said storage means to one of said machine tools for the performance of a first machining operation thereon;

transporting said selected pallet-mounted workpiece back to said storage means after the completion of said first machining operation;

transporting said selected pallet-mounted workpiece to another of said machine tools for the performance of a second machining operation thereon; and

transporting said selected pallet-mounted workpiece back to said storage means after the completion of the second machining operation;

the operating sequence of storage, transporting and machining steps, including said selecting step, applicable to each said workpiece being under the control of said control means;

the workpieces of different batches being subjected to a different predetermined sequence of storage, transporting and machining steps.

10. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of workpieces of different forms by means of a machining system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, storage means adapted for storing a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, transport means for transporting said workpieces, and programmable control means;

said process comprising;

selecting each workpiece from said storage means and transporting said selected workpiece along a predetermined route including at least one stop at a preselected machine tool for at least one machining operation on said selected workpiece and at least one stop at said storage means, different selected workpieces following different predetermined routes and having different combinations of storage, transporting and machining sequences; and

the operating sequence of storage and transporting steps for each workpiece and the machining operation by said at least one machine tool being under the control of said control means, the operating sequence of at least one workpiece being different from the operating sequences of other workpieces.

11. The process of claim 10 wherein the act of selecting each workpiece from said storage means comprises selecting a workpiece independently of other workpieces.

12. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of workpieces of different forms by means of a mac g system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, storage means for storing a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, transport means, and programmable control means;

said process comprising;

mounting each workpiece on a pallet adapted for locating said workpiece at each of said machine tools required for machining said workpiece;

locating each pallet-mounted workpiece on said storage means so that it is selectively accessible;

operating said machining system including the selection of each pallet-mounted workpiece from said storage means and the transporting of each selected pallet-mounted workpiece by said transport means between said storage means and at least one machine tool; and

monitoring the location of each pallet-mounted workpiece at the various stages of its operating sequence by periodically entering into said control means information relevant to each workpiece;

the operating sequence of storage, transporting and machining steps, including said selection step, of each said pallet-mounted workpiece being under the control of said control means, the operating sequences of different pallet-mounted workpieces being different.

13. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces by means of a machining system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, storage means having a plurality of selectively accessible locations for workpieces, transport means, and programmable control means, each batch comprising a plurality of work places requiring substantially the same machining operations and the workpieces of different batches requiring different machining operations;

said process comprising;

selecting each workpiece from a predetermined location on said storage means and transporting said selected workpiece by said transport means along a predetermined route including stops at preselected of said machine tools and at least one predetermined location on said storage means;

the operation sequence of storage, transporting and machining steps, including said selecting step, of each said workpiece being under the control of said control means, the operating sequences of the workpieces of each batch being the same and the operating sequences of the workpieces of different batches having different combinations of storage, transporting and machining steps.

14. A method of machining a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces requiring different machining operations from a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, each batch comprising a plurality of workpieces of similar form, comprising:

mounting each workpiece on a pallet adapted for locating said workpiece in each of said machine tools required for machining said workpiece,

locating each pallet-mounted workpiece so that it is selectively accessible at a location on storage means for the commencement of its operating sequence,

entering into control means details of each workpiece whereby the location of each workpiece at various stages of it s operating sequence is monitored by said control means,

machining each pallet-mounted workpiece including transporting each pallet-mounted workpiece, selected from one of said locations at said storage means, between said storage means and at least one machine tool, and

dismounting each workpiece from its associated pallet after completion of said operating sequence,

the operating sequence of machining and transporting steps for each workpiece being under the control of said control means, the operating sequences for different workpieces being different.

15. A method of producing engineering components from a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces requiring the performance thereon of different operations by a plurality of machine tools, each batch consisting of workpieces of similar form, comprising

delivering each workpiece onto storage means capable of holding a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible,

entering into programmable control means the identity of each workpiece,

selecting and transporting each workpiece in turn from said storage means to a first machine tool for the performance of first operation thereon,

transporting said selected workpiece back to said storage means after the completion of said first operation, and subsequently to a second machine tool for the performance of a second operation thereby and then back to said storage means,

each said transporting step being under the control of said programmable control means in accordance with a predetermined sequence of storage, transporting and machine tool operations unique for said selected workpiece,

workpieces of different forms being subjected to different sequences of said operations.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the act of delivering each workpiece onto storage means comprises delivering each workpiece onto storage means capable of holding a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible independently of the other workpieces.

17. A method of machining a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces requiring different machining operations from a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, each batch consisting of workpieces of similar form, comprising

delivering each workpiece to storage means and storing said workpieces on said storage means so that each workpiece is selectively accessible;

entering into programmable control means means for determining the identity of each workpiece;

selecting and transporting each workpiece in turn from said storage means to a first machine tool for the performance of a first machining operation thereof;

transporting said selected workpiece back to said storage means after the completion of said first machining operation, storing said workpiece on said storage means so that it is selectively accessible, and subsequently selecting and transporting said workpiece from said storage means to a second machine tool for machining thereby and then back to said storage means;

each said transporting step being under the control of said control means in accordance with a predetermined operating sequence of storing, transporting and machining steps unique to said selected workpiece, workpieces of a different form being subjected to a different predetermined operating sequence.

18. A method of machining a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces requiring different machining operations from a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, each batch consisting of workpieces of similar form, comprising

delivering each workpiece to storage means adapted for storing said workpiece on said storage means so that each workpiece is selectively accessible,

selecting and transporting each workpiece in turn from said storage means to a first machine tool for the performance of a first machining operation thereon,

transporting said selected workpiece back to said storage means after the completion of said first machining operation,

storing said workpiece on said storage means so that it is selectively accessible, and subsequently

selecting and transporting said workpiece from said storage means to a second machine tool for machining thereby and then back to said storage means,

each of said transporting and machining operations being under the control of a programmable control means in accordance with a predetermined sequence of storage, transporting and machining operations unique to said selected workpiece,

workpieces of different forms being subjected to a different sequence of storage, transporting and machining operation.

19. A method of machining a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces requiring different machining operations from a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, each batch consisting of workpieces of similar form, comprising

mounting each workpiece on a pallet adapted for locating said workpiece in each of said machine tools by which it is to be machined,

delivering each pallet-mounted workpiece onto storage means adapted for storing a plurality of the pallet-mounted workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible,

entering into programmable control means the identity of each workpiece and the location thereof on said storage means,

selecting a pallet-mounted workpiece from said storage means and transporting said selected pallet-mounted workpiece to first machine tool for the performance of a first machining operation thereon,

transporting said selected pallet-mounted workpiece back to said storage means for storage so that each workpiece is selectively accessible after the completion of said first machining operation, and subsequently

selecting and transporting said pallet-mounted workpiece from said storage means to a second machine tool for machining thereby and then back to the storage means,

each of said transporting and machining operations being under the control of said control means in accordance with a predetermined sequence of storage, transporting and mach operations unique to said selected workpiece,

workpieces of different forms being subjected to a different preprogrammed sequence of storage, transporting and machining operations.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the act of delivering each pallet-mounted workpiece onto storage means comprises delivering each pallet-mounted workpiece onto storage means adapted for storing a plurality of the pallet-mounted workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible independently of the other workpieces.

21. A method of machining a plurality of different workpieces requiring different forms of machining operations from a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations comprising:

conveying each workpiece under the control of a programmable control means along a predetermined route including, for at least some of the workpieces, preselected machining stops at a plurality of machine tools and at least one stop at a selected location on storage means adapted for storing a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible,

different selected workpieces being caused to follow different predetermined routes and to have different combinations of machining and storage sequences under the control of said control means.

22. A method of machining a plurality of different workpieces requiring different machining operations from a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations under the control of a programmable control means, comprising:

mounting each workpiece on a pallet adapted for locating said workpiece in each of said machine tools required for machining said workpiece;

locating each pallet-mounted workpiece, for the commencement of its operating sequence, on storage means so that each workpiece is selectively accessible;

selecting and transporting each pallet-mounted workpiece from said storage means to at least one of said machine tools;

performing at least one machining operation on said selected pallet-mounted workpiece at said at least one of said machine tools; and

entering into said control means details of said selected workpiece whereby the location of said selected workpiece at various stages of its operating sequence is monitored by said control means;

the operating sequence of storage, transporting and machining steps being under the control of said control means, different workpieces having different operating sequences.

23. A method of machining a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces requiring different machining operations from a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, each batch comprising a plurality of workpieces of similar form, comprising:

conveying each workpiece along predetermined route including, for at least some of the workpieces, preselected machining stops at a plurality of machine tools and at least one predetermined period of being located at a

selected location on storage means on which each workpiece is selectively accessible,

the operating sequence of machining, conveying and storage operations for each workpiece being under the control of programmable control means,

workpieces of different forms following different combination of machining, conveying and storage sequences and workpieces of the same form following similar such combinations.

24. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of workpieces of different forms by means of a machining system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, storage means for storing a plurality of workpieces so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, transport means, and programmable control means, said process comprising:

mounting each workpiece on pallet adapted for locating said workpiece at each of said machine tools required for machining said workpiece;

locating each pallet-mounted workpiece in said machining system for the commencement of its machining sequence;

operating said machining system, including the transporting of each selected pallet-mounted workpiece by said transport means to and from said storage means and the transporting of each selected pallet-mounted workpiece by said transport means between said storage means and at least one machine tool; and

monitoring the location of each workpiece at the various stages of its operating sequence by periodically entering into said control means information relevant to each workpiece;

the operating sequence of storage and transport steps for each workpiece and the machining operation by said at least one machine tool being under the control of said control means, the operating sequence of at least one workpiece being different from the operating sequences of other workpieces.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said storage means comprises a storage in which a plurality of workpieces may be placed so that each workpiece is selectively accessible independently of other workpieces.

26. A method of machining, by means of a plurality of machine tools, a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces requiring different machining operations, each batch comprising a plurality of workpieces of similar form, comprising:

storing each workpiece on storage means so that each workpiece is selectively accessible;

detecting when a machine tool has completed a machining operation on a particular workpiece and is ready to receive another workpiece;

transporting said particular workpiece from said machine tool;

transporting a selected further workpiece from said storage means to said machine tool; and

machining further workpieces by following similar detecting and transporting steps in relation to appropriate workpieces and appropriate machine tools;

said machining and transporting operations being under the control of control means.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the act of storing each workpiece comprises storing each workpiece on a storage means so that each workpiece is selectively accessible independently of other workpieces.

28. A method of machining, by means of a plurality of machine tools, a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces requiring different machining operations, each batch comprising a plurality of workpieces of similar form, comprising:

storing each workpiece on storage means so that each workpiece is selectively accessible;

detecting when a machine tool has completed a machining operation on a particular workpiece and is ready to receive another workpiece;

transporting said particular workpiece from said machine tool to a selected location on said storage means;

transporting a selected further workpiece from said storage means to said machine tool; and

machining further workpieces by following similar detecting and transporting steps in relation to appropriate workpieces and appropriate machine tools;

said machining, storage and transporting operations being under the control of control means.

29. A method of machining by means of a plurality of machine tools, a source of workpieces, and common transport means for transporting workpieces between said source and said machine tools, a plurality of batches of different workpieces requiring different machining operations under the control of programmable control means, each batch comprising workpieces of a similar form, comprising:

locating each workpiece at said source so that it is selectively accessible;

detecting when a machine tool has completed a machining operation on a workpiece ad is ready to receive a further workpiece;

operating said common transport means to select and deliver a further workpiece from said source to said machine tool;

operating said machine tool to perform the appropriate machining operation on said further workpiece;

detecting when said machining operation on said her workpiece has been completed;

operating said common transport means to remove said further workpiece from said machine tool; and

proceeding in similar manner to machine still further workpieces by said machine tool and the other of said machine tools;

the operation of said machine tools and said transport means being under the control of said control means.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said locating step comprises locating each workpiece as said source so that each workpiece is selectively accessible independently of other workpieces.

31. The process of producing a plurality of different engineering components from workpieces of different forms by performance of operations thereon by means of a plurality of data controlled machine tools each of which has automatic means for locating and securing thereon a workpiece, storage means having a plurality of locations for workpieces stored thereon so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, transport means, and programmable control means, said machine tools being capable of performing different machining operations;

said process comprising;

selecting each workpiece from a location on said storage means,

transporting each selected workpiece by said transport means between said storage means and at least one preselected machine tool,

automatically and sequentially locating and securing each of said workpieces at a predetermined location and attitude in each of said selected machine tools, and subsequently

performing programmed operation on each of said workpieces in each of said selected machine tools while said workpiece is so located and secured therein,

the operating sequence performed by said storage means, transport means and machine tools being under the control of said control means, the operating sequences of different workpieces, under the control of said control means, being different.

32. A method of machining, by means of a plurality of machine tools, a plurality of batches of workpieces, each batch consisting of a plurality of workpieces of similar form and requiring similar machining operations, the workpieces of different batches being of different form and requiring different machining operations;

said method comprising

storing said workpieces of different forms on storage means so that each workpiece is selectively accessible;

selecting each workpiece from said storage means;

transporting each said selected workpiece by transport means between said storage means and at least one selected machine tool;

selecting the program required for a selected workpiece delivered to a selected machine tool; and

performing the programmed machining operation on said selected workpiece while located at said selected machine tool;

said selecting of workpieces and transporting of said selected workpieces being under the control of control means;

at least a portion of said workpieces being subjected to different sequences of storing, transporting and machining steps.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein said storing step comprises storing said workpieces of different form so that each workpiece is selectively accessible from said storage means independently of other workpieces.

34. A process for producing engineering components from workpieces by the removal of material therefrom by means of a plurality of data-controlled machine tools, each of which has automatic means for locating and securing therein a workpiece, said machine tools being capable of performing different machining operations on the workpiece;

said process comprising;

delivering each workpiece to storage means and storing each of said delivered workpieces so that it is selectively accessible;

selecting each workpiece from said storage means;

presenting each of said selected workpieces to at least one selected of said machine tools;

automatically locating and securing each of said selected workpieces at a predetermined location and attitude in said at least on selected of said machine tools; and

subsequently

performing programmed machining operations on each of said selected workpieces in the respective of said at least one selected of said machine tools while said selected workpieces are located and secured therein.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the act of storing each of said delivered workpieces comprises storing each of said delivered workpieces so that it is selectively accessible independently of other workpieces.

36. A method of machining, by means of a plurality of machine tools, a plurality of batches of different forms of workpieces requiring different machining operations, each batch comprising a plurality of workpieces of similar form;

comprising;

storing each workpiece on storage means so that it is selectively accessible;

detecting when a machine tool has completed a machining operation on a particular workpiece and is ready to receive another workpiece;

transporting said particular workpiece from said machine tool;

selecting a further workpiece from said storage means and transporting said selected further workpiece from said storage means to said machine tool; and

machining further workpieces by following similar detecting and transporting steps in relation to appropriate workpieces and appropriate machine tools;

said transporting operations being under the control of central control means and said machine tools each being operated by programmable means for performing an appropriate machine operation on each workpiece transported thereto.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the act of storing each workpiece comprises storing each workpiece on storage means so that it is selectively accessible independently of other workpieces.

38. A process for producing engineering components from workpieces by the removal of material therefrom by means of a plurality of data-controlled machine tools, each of which has an automatic locating and securing device for a workpiece, said machine tools being capable of performing different machining operations on the workpieces;

said process comprising;

delivering and storing each workpiece so that it is selectively accessible;

selecting each workpiece from storage;

presenting each of said selected workpieces to at least one selected of said machine tools;

automatically locating and securing each of said selected workpieces at a predetermined location and attitude in said at least one selected of said machine tools; and

subsequently

performing programmed machining operations on each of said selected workpieces in the respective of said at least one selected of said machine tools while said selected workpieces are located and secured therein.

39. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of workpieces of different forms by means of a machining system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operation, a storage containing a plurality of workpieces, each workpiece being selectively accessible, a transport mechanism, and a programmable control system, said process comprising:

mounting each workpiece on a pallet configured to permit said workpiece to be located at each of said machine tools required for machining said workpiece;

locating each pallet-mounted workpiece in said machining system for the commencement of its machining sequence;

operating said machining system, including by transporting each selected pallet-mounted workpiece to and from said storage and between said storage and at least one machine tool; and

monitoring the location of each workpiece at the various stages of its operating sequence by periodically entering into said control system information relevant to each workpiece;

the operating sequence of storage and transporting steps for each workpiece and the machining operation by said at least one machine tool being under the control of said control system, the operating sequence of at least one workpiece being different from the operating sequences of other workpieces.

40. The process of producing engineering components from a plurality of workpieces of different forms by means of a machining system comprising a plurality of machine tools capable of performing different machining operations, a storage device structured to store a plurality of workpieces in selectively accessible fashion, a workpiece transporter, and a programmable control system;

said process comprising;

selecting each workpiece from storage and transporting said selected workpiece along a predetermined route including at least one stop at a preselected machine tool for at least one machining operation on said selected workpiece and at least one stop at storage, different selected workpieces following different predetermined routes and having different combinations of storage, transporting and machining sequences; and

the operating sequence of storage and transporting steps for each workpiece and the machining operation by said at least one machine tool being under the control of said control system, the operating sequence of at least one workpiece being different from the operating sequences of other workpieces.

41. A method of machining by means of a plurality of machine tools, a source of workpieces, and a common workpiece transporter extending between said source and said machine tools, a plurality of batches of different workpieces requiring different machining operations under programmable control, each batch comprising workpieces of a similar form, comprising:

locating each workpiece at said source so that it is selectively accessible;

detecting when a machine tool has completed a machining operation on a workpiece and is ready to receive a further workpiece;

operating said common transporter to select and deliver a further workpiece from said source to said machine tool;

operating said machine tool to perform the appropriate machining operation on said further workpiece;

detecting when said machining operation on said further workpiece has been completed;

operating said common transporter to remove said further workpiece from said machine tool; and

proceeding in similar manner to machine still further workpieces by said machine tool and the other of said machine tools;

the operation of said machine tools and said transporter being under programmable control.

42. The process of producing a plurality of different engineering components from workpieces of different forms by a plurality of data controlled machine tools, said machine tools being complementary to each other in relation to the operations to be carried out on said workpieces, said process comprising:

(a) securing each workpiece to a workpiece holder in a predetermined position and attitude with respect to the workpiece holder,

(b) delivering each workpiece holder to storage and storing each workpiece holder so that each workpiece is selectively accessible,

(c) selecting each workpiece holder from said storage,

(d) presenting each of said selected workpiece holders to selected of said machine tools in predetermined sequence, the sequence for each form of workpiece being different,

(e) automatically and sequentially locating each of said selected workpiece holders at a predetermined location with respect to each of said selected machine tools, and

(f) subsequently performing programmed machine operations on each of said workpieces with each of said selected machine tools while the respective holder is so located.

43. The process of producing a plurality of different engineering components from workpieces of different forms by performance of operations thereon by a plurality of data-controlled machine tools, a storage having a plurality of locations for workpieces stored thereon so that each workpiece is selectively accessible, a transporter, and a programmable controller, said machine tools being complementary to each other in relation to the operations to be carried out on said workpieces, said process comprising:

(a) securing each workpiece to a workpiece holder in a predetermined position and attitude with respect to the workpiece holder,

(b) selecting each workpiece holder from a location on said storage means;

(c) transporting each selected workpiece holder by said transporter between said storage and at least one preselected machine tool,

(d) automatically and sequentially locating each of said workpiece holders at a predetermined location with respect to each of said selected machine tools, and

(e) subsequently performing programmed operations on each of said workpieces at each of said selected machine tools while said workpiece holder is so located, the operating sequence performed by said storage, transporter and machine tools, including selecting and locating workpiece holders, being under the control of said programmable controller, the operating sequences of different workpieces, under the control of said programmable controller, being different.