Patent ID: 6722836
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: B23Q,B25J,B65G

Abstract:
A linked manufacturing system for processing parts, comprising:a plurality of first gantries extending in a first direction and being arranged parallel to each other; a plurality of second gantries extending transversely to said first direction in a second direction and being arranged parallel to each other, said first and second gantries forming crossing points with each other; a plurality of first processing stations for performing a first processing operation; a plurality of second processing stations for performing a second processing operation; a plurality of storage devices being arranged at said crossing points, each storage device comprising a plurality of storage places for receiving parts; a plurality of first slides arranged displaceably along said first gantries; a plurality of second slides arranged displaceably along said second gantries; a plurality of first gripping devices supported by said first slides and comprising means for gripping and for vertically displacing parts; a plurality of second gripping devices arranged displaceably in vertical direction on said second slides and comprising means for gripping parts and means for moving parts in at least one more direction different from said vertical direction; wherein said first and second processing stations are linked by said first gantries, and said first gripping devices are configured for transferring parts between said storage devices and said first or second processing stations; and wherein said second gripping devices are configured for transferring parts between the storage places of the storage devices linked by the second gantries.