Importance

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Abstract

An adaptable machining system includes a plurality of transport units mounted on a machine base with each transport unit carrying a system-standard mounting plate that receives a tool-carrying module. Each tool-carrying module includes a machining tool and associated motor mounted on a system-standard tooling plate which, with the mounting plate of the transport unit, define a system-standard tooling interface. The transport units, under the coordinated control of a system controller, advance their respective tooling modules to and from a work piece to accomplish their machining function. The mounting plate of each transport unit establishes an orthogonal reference system relative to the operating axes of the machine so that the position of each tool carried on a tooling module is known relative to the operating axes of the machine. Tooling change over from one set of tooling modules to another can be accomplished with a minimum of machine down time by removing the prior set of tooling modules and installing a replacement set. Since the system-standard tooling interface pre-establishes an orthogonal reference system for each tooling module, each tooling module can be bench fabricated and set-up to minimize tooling set-up time.

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First Claim