Patent ID: 6430796
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B21J,B23P,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for performing manufacturing operations upon a workpiece, comprising:a gantry; a frame mounted on the gantry, the frame having a middle portion and opposed leg portions joined to the middle portion in spaced relation for receiving the workpiece therebetween; at least one tool mounted on one of the leg portions of the frame and operable to perform an operation upon the workpiece; and a fixture for holding the workpiece such that a length dimension of the workpiece extends generally parallel to a generally horizontal first axis and the workpiece is disposed between the leg portions of the frame, the fixture including a plurality of holders spaced apart in a first horizontal direction parallel to said first axis, each holder being operable to extend generally horizontally along a direction generally perpendicular to said first horizontal direction so as to engage a side of the workpiece and to support the workpiece; wherein one of the gantry and the fixture is operable to travel relative to the other along the first horizontal direction so as to move the workpiece relatively through the frame, and wherein the holders of the fixture are operable to retract away from the side of the workpiece engaged by the holder so as to provide a clearance between the workpiece and said holder for passage of the frame through said clearance while the other holders remain engaged with the workpiece.