AUTOMATED TRANSFER OF WORKPIECES IN MACHINE TOOL

摘要

A machining system is provided which includes a selected number of machining centers for selectively cutting or machining metallic parts, the system further including a rack structure for providing inventory storage for parts which are to be machined by the centers. There is further provided a part transport device for moving a given one of the parts in a first part flow loop when the given part is in a condition which enables the part to be readily moved around a plant or other manufacturing establishment or to be shipped in commerce. The part transport device also moves the given part through a second part flow loop when the part is in a condition which enables the part to be machined by one of the machining centers. The first part flow loop comprises the movement of the given part from the inventory storage to a part preparation station and from the part preparation station to a finished part destination, the second part flow loop comprising movement of the part between the part preparation station and one of the machining centers. The system also includes a part monitoring system which keeps track of the location and machined status of every part contained in the machining system.