Workpiece support systems and related machines

摘要

In some aspects, a workpiece processing installation includes an operating area, an operating pallet able to be moved along a transport direction between a position within the operating area and a position outside the operating area, the operating pallet being configured to support a workpiece, and a pallet support that is configured to be transferred from a first position, in which the pallet support defines a storage area for the storage of the operating pallet outside the operating area, to a second position in which the pallet support protrudes away from the operating area in the transport direction to a lesser extent than it does in the first position. Transferring the pallet support from the first position to the second position includes moving at least a portion of the pallet support towards the operating area which results in the storage area defined by the pallet support becoming smaller.

主权项

1. A workpiece processing installation comprising:
a housing that defines an operating area; an operating pallet able to be moved along a transport direction between a position within the operating area and a position outside the operating area, the operating pallet being configured to support a workpiece; and a pallet support comprising a first carrier member and a second carrier member that define a storage area therebetween for storing the operating pallet outside of the operating area, wherein the first carrier member is pivotably connected to a first column of the pallet support that allows the first carrier member to pivot about a vertical axis of the first column to move towards the operating area, and the second carrier member is pivotably connected to a second column of the pallet support that allows the second carrier member to pivot about a vertical axis of the second column to move towards the operating area, such that the pallet support can be transferred from a first position, in which the first and second carrier members protrude away from the operating area, to a second position, in which the first and second carrier members are positioned substantially perpendicular to the transport direction and at least partially overlap each other transversely relative to the transport-direction, such that the first and second carrier members protrude away from the operating area in the transport direction to a lesser extent than in the first position, wherein one of the first and second columns is spaced apart from the housing by a greater distance than the other of the first and second columns, such that in the second position, the first and second carrier members can at least partially overlap each other transversely relative to the transport direction and along a wall of the housing, and wherein an arrangement of the first and second columns relative to the housing defines an intermediate space between the housing and the pallet support, and the intermediate space is bordered by a lateral opening defined between the housing and either of the first and second columns that is spaced apart from the housing by the greater distance than the other of the first and second columns.