Patent Publication Number: US-2013232779-A1

Title: Unit configuration type machine tool, conveyance apparatus and processing equipment

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C §111(a) of International Application No. PCT/JP2011/072000, filed Sep. 27, 2011, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-239419, filed Oct. 26, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference as a part of this application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a unit configuration type machine tool, a conveyance apparatus, and a processing equipment, in which any one of the machine tool and the conveyance apparatus for a work transportation is designed to be of a unit configuration type capable of recombining and/or expanding and which can be transformed to various configurations to enable a mixed production or the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Hitherto, in a machine tool, a unit configuration type machine tool has been suggested (as disclosed in, for example, the JP Laid-open Utility Model Publication No. S61-205701 listed below) in which a feed slide, a headstock, a tool post, and other elements are rendered to be of a unit configuration type and by recombining the units, a turning center, for example, is formed or a machining center is formed. The machine tool of a recombinable type discussed above is known as a module configuration machine tool or block build type machine tool. 
     Also, as a conveyance apparatus to deliver or discharge workpieces in or from a machine tool such as, for example, a lathe or turning machine, the type which includes a lifter, mounted on a traveling member movable along a guide rail, and a chuck provided in a loader head at a lower end of the lifter to hold a workpiece has been well known. In this type of conveyance apparatus, the traveling member moves along a linear transport path. It has, however, been found that only with the linear transport path, an installation space for a machine tool is limited and it is difficult to achieve efficient utilization of the floor space available in a factory. Because of this, suggestions have been made to include at least one curved section in the transport path such as disclosed in, for example, the JP Laid-open Patent Publication No. H04-283039 and JP Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-149269. 
     PRIOR ART LITERATURE 
     
         
         [Patent Document 1] JP Laid-open Utility Model Publication No. S61-205701 
         [Patent Document 2] JP Laid-open Patent Publication No. H04-283039 
         [Patent Document 3] JP Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-149269 
       
    
     The conventional unit configuration type machine tool is such that what is unitized is merely limited to mechanism components such as, for example, a feed slide, a headstock and a tool post, and wiring for drive sources such as, for example, motors provided in the units are individually designed and realized for each unit after assembly has been completed. For this reason, a wiring work is complicated and therefore, it is difficult to achieve recombination in the field. In particular, even amplifiers or the like for driving the units, which form accessory elements such as a chuck changing device or the like have hitherto been installed on a control panel and, therefore, the wiring varies considerably depending on whether those accessory units are to be installed or whether they should not be installed, resulting in further complication in wiring work. 
     Also, the conventional unit configuration type processing equipment is such that the conveyance apparatus has not yet been unitized. Thus, where recombination and/or expansion of the machine tool is carried out, a design of the conveyance apparatus suitably employed in the machine tool which has been expanded has been required. Because of this, even though the machine tool is of a unit configuration type, effects of a free property in recombining have not been sufficiently demonstrated. By way of example, a rail employed in the conventional conveyance apparatus of a gantry type or the like is such that a track rail has been formed by processing a square pipe and then installing a linear guide on the processed square pipe. For this reason, once the layout changes, the entire rail need be replaced. However, a quick change in machine tool and/or processing equipment, which are to be installed within the factory, have come to be desired in view of the recent trend of large item small scale production and/or the desire to change products accelerated by product development. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a unit configuration type machine tool, a unit configuration type conveyance apparatus, and a unit configuration type processing equipment, as well as units for the machine tool and travel guide units, in which, when including a connecting work of a wiring system, the degree of freedom of recombination and expansion is high and the recombination can be easily and quickly accomplished in the field. 
     In view of the foregoing, the present invention according to a first preferred embodiment thereof provides a unit configuration type machine tool that includes a plurality of mechanism units, in which case each of the mechanism units includes a connecting unit to mechanically connect the other mechanism units or one of component elements of the machine tool with each other, and at least one of the mechanism units are assembly component parts of a kind including a movable portion and/or a drive source and also including a unit portion wiring and a terminal to connect the unit portion wiring. 
     According to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the mechanism units is an assembly component part of a kind including a movable portion and/or a drive source and also including a unit portion wiring and a terminal to connect the unit portion wiring. Because of this, the degree of freedom of recombination and expansion, including a connecting work of the wiring system, is high and the recombination can be easily and quickly accomplished in the field. For this reason, the present preferred embodiment can quickly accommodate a change in processing equipment in dependence on the mixed production. It is to be noted that the term “machine tool” referred to in the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention made hereinabove and hereinafter should be construed as including not only a narrowly defined machine tool such as, for example, a lathe or the like capable of performing a mechanical processing such as, for example, a cutting process, but also a broadly defined machine tool including a sheet metal processing machine such as, for example, a punch press, a laser processing machine, and so on. 
     In the unit configuration type machine tool designed in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, a base and a plurality of mechanism units are provided, and at least one of the mechanism units are assembly component parts including the movable portion and the drive source. The base referred to above includes a plurality of unit installing seats to removably install any one of the mechanism units, a base portion wiring, and terminals on a main control device side and a mechanism unit side that are connected with the base portion wiring. Each of the mechanism units may be of a type that is removably installed on the unit installing seat of the base or on the mechanism unit mounted on the unit installing seat of the base, and including a terminal and a unit portion wiring that are connected with a terminal on the mechanism unit side of the base or a terminal of the unit portion wiring provided in the other mechanism unit. 
     In the case of the above described construction, at least one of the mechanism units includes the unit portion wiring and the terminal thereof. As a result, when the mechanism unit is recombined, connection between the terminals provided in the base and the mechanism unit makes it possible to complete a wiring work of the machine tool. For this reason, the degree of freedom of recombination and expansion, including a connecting work of the wiring system, is high and the recombination can be easily and quickly accomplished in the field. As a result, the present preferred embodiment can quickly accommodate a change in processing equipment in dependence on the mixed production. Also, since use is made of the base on which the mechanism unit is installed and since the base includes the unit installing seat, the base portion wiring and the terminal of that wiring, the recombination can be further easily and further quickly accomplished. 
     In the unit configuration type machine tool of the type referred to above, at least one of the mechanism units may include a unit built-in control circuit arranged and programmed to drive the drive source of the mechanism unit, in which case the unit built-in control circuit is connected with the main control device through the unit portion wiring of the mechanism unit and the base portion wiring of the base. The unit built-in control circuit is a circuit that is arranged and programmed to perform a control function of a strong current system which includes, for example, an electric motor drive current. Where the unit built-in control circuit arranged and programmed to drive the drive source for the mechanism unit is provided in the mechanism unit in this way, there is no need to newly use a drive circuit within the main control device nor is there a need to modify the drive circuit within the main control device, and the main control device suffices to include a portion of its program to which a modification is made. For this reason, the recombination and expansion of the machine tool can be further easily and further quickly accomplished. 
     The present invention in accordance with a second preferred embodiment thereof provides a unit configuration type conveyance apparatus to load and unload a work onto and from a machine tool, which includes a guide equipped frame including a travel guide, and a traveling member movable along the travel guide. The traveling member includes a holding unit arranged to hold the work and the guide equipped frame includes a plurality of travel guide units connected with each other in a direction conforming to a traveling direction of the traveling member. Since it is constructed by connecting the plurality of the travel guide units, recombination and expansion of the transport path can be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     The travel guide unit referred to above may include one of an electric component and an electric wiring. Since in this way the travel guides in the conveyance apparatus are unitized and one of the electric component and the electric wiring is provided in each of the travel guide units, the recombination and expansion of the transport path, including an electric system, can be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     A drive source to cause the traveling member of the conveyance apparatus to move may be a linear motor, in which case the linear motor includes a plurality of armatures on a primary side, that are arranged along the travel guide, and a mover provided in the traveling member, and each of the travel guide units is provided with the armatures and a sensor to detect a position of the mover as the electric component parts. Because the drive source to drive the traveling member includes the linear motor, and the armatures and the sensor to detect the position of the mover are provided in the travel guide unit, the recombination and expansion of the transport path, including the drive system, can be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     Where each of the travel guide units includes an inverter to supply an electric driving power to each of the armatures and a control portion arranged and programmed to control the armatures by controlling the inverter, the recombination and expansion of the transport path, including the guide, the drive system and the electric system, can be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     The plurality of the travel guide units may include a travel guide unit which defines a rectilinear section of the travel guide, and a travel guide unit which defines a curved section of the travel guide. If the travel guide unit includes the rectilinear section and the curved section, by a combination of the units, the transport path can be designed to include a path configuration having a free property such as, an L-shape and a ring shape. 
     The present invention in accordance with a third preferred embodiment thereof provides a unit configuration type processing equipment which includes a machine tool and a conveyance apparatus to load and unload a work relative to the machine tool, in which case the machine tool is a unit configuration type machine tool equipped with a plurality of types of mechanism units. Each of the mechanism units includes a connecting unit to mechanically connect the other mechanism units or one of component elements of the machine tool with each other, and at least one of the mechanism units is an assembly component part of a kind including a movable portion and/or a drive source and also including a unit portion wiring and a terminal to connect the unit portion wiring. 
     According to the unit configuration type processing equipment of the construction referred to above, the machine tool is a unit configuration type machine tool, each of the mechanism units includes a connecting unit to mechanically connect, and at least one of the mechanism units is a assembly component part of a kind including a movable portion and/or a drive source and also including a unit portion wiring and a terminal to connect the unit portion wiring. Because of this, with respect to the machine tool, the degree of freedom of recombination and expansion, including a connecting work of the wiring system, can be easily and quickly accomplished. For this reason, it is possible to accommodate a change in processing equipment according to the mixed production. 
     The unit configuration type processing equipment according the preferred embodiments present invention is a processing equipment which includes a machine tool and a conveyance apparatus to load and unload a work relative to the machine tool, in which case the machine tool is a unit configuration type machine tool equipped with a plurality of types of mechanism units, and a base may include a plurality of unit installing seats to removably install any one of the mechanism units, a base portion wiring, and terminals on a main control device side and a mechanism unit side that is connected with the base portion wiring. Each of the mechanism units is of a type that may be removably installed on the unit installing seat of the base or on the mechanism unit mounted on the unit installing seat of the base, and including a terminal and a unit portion wiring that are connected with a terminal on the mechanism unit side of the base or a terminal of the unit portion wiring provided in the other mechanism unit. 
     In the case of the construction described above, the machine tool is a unit configuration type machine tool and at least one of the mechanism units includes a unit portion wiring and a terminal thereof. Because of this, when the mechanism unit is recombined, the wiring work of the machine tool completes when connection is made between terminals provided in the base and the mechanism units. For this reason, the degree of freedom of recombination and expansion, including the connecting work of the wiring system, is high and the recombination and expansion in the field can be easily and quickly accomplished. As a result, it is possible to quickly accommodate any change in processing equipment according to the mixed production. Also, the unit configuration type machine tool includes a base on which the mechanism units are installed, and this base includes unit installing seats, the base portion wiring, and the terminal of that wiring. Accordingly, the recombination can further be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     The different unit configuration type processing equipment of the preferred embodiments of the present invention may be processing equipment which includes a machine tool and a conveyance apparatus to load and unload a work relative to the machine tool, in which case the conveyance apparatus is a unit configuration type conveyance apparatus including a guide equipped frame including a travel guide, and a traveling member movable along the travel guide. The traveling member includes a holding unit arranged to hold the work and the guide equipped frame includes a plurality of travel guide units connected with each other in a direction conforming to a traveling direction of the traveling member. In the case of the construction described above, since the conveyance apparatus is the unit configuration type conveyance apparatus assembled by connecting the plurality of travel guide units, recombination and expansion of the transport path can be easily and quickly accomplished and it is also possible to quickly accommodate any change in installing position and in form of the machine tool. 
     The travel guide unit may include one of an electric component and an electric wiring. In this case, the recombination and expansion of the transport path, including the installation of the electric component and the electric wiring work, can be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     The unit configuration processing equipment of the preferred embodiments of the present invention may be a processing equipment which includes a machine tool and a conveyance apparatus to load and unload a work relative to the machine tool, in which case the machine tool is a unit configuration type machine tool equipped with a plurality of types of mechanism units. Each of the mechanism units includes a connecting unit to mechanically connect the other mechanism units or one of component elements of the machine tool with each other, and at least one of the mechanism units is a assembly component part of a kind including a movable portion and/or a drive source and also including a unit portion wiring and a terminal to connect the unit portion wiring. The conveyance apparatus is a unit configuration type conveyance apparatus including a guide equipped frame including a travel guide, and a traveling member movable along the travel guide. The traveling member includes a holding unit arranged to hold the work and the guide equipped frame includes a plurality of travel guide unit connected with each other in a direction conforming to a traveling direction of the traveling member. 
     In the case where both of the machine tool and the conveyance apparatus are made to be a unit configuration type, the degree of freedom of change in form of the processing equipment can be further increased. Also, since some of the mechanism units of the machine tool have the unit portion wiring and the terminal thereof, the degree of freedom of recombination and expansion, including the connecting work of the wiring system, can be enhanced and the recombination can be easily and quickly accomplished in the field. Even with the conveyance apparatus, since it is constituted by connecting the travel guide units, a recombining work and an expanding work can be easily and quickly performed. As a result, it is possible to quickly accommodate a moderate change in processing equipment according to the mixed production. 
     The unit configuration type processing equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be a processing equipment which includes a machine tool and a conveyance apparatus to load and unload a work relative to the machine tool, in which case the machine tool is a unit configuration type machine tool including a base and a plurality of types of mechanism units, and at least one of the mechanism units is an assembly component part of a kind including a movable portion and/or a drive source. The base referred to above includes a plurality of unit installing seats to removably install any one of the mechanism units, a base portion wiring and terminals on a main control device side, and a mechanism unit side that is connected with the base portion wiring. Each of the mechanism units is removably installed on the unit installing seat in the base or removably mounted on a mechanism unit installed on the unit installing seat of the base and includes a terminal and a unit portion wiring that are connected with the terminal of the unit portion wiring connected with the terminal on the mechanism unit side of the base or a terminal of the unit portion wiring provided in the other mechanism unit. 
     Even in the case of the construction described above, since both of the machine tool and the conveyance apparatus are designed to be of a unit configuration type, the degree of freedom of change in the form of the processing apparatus can increase further. Also, some of the mechanism units of the machine tool include the unit portion wiring and the terminal thereof, the degree of freedom of recombination and expansion, including the connecting work of the wiring system, can be enhanced and the recombination and expansion can be easily and quickly accomplished in the field. In addition, the unit configuration type machine tool includes the base on which the mechanism units are installed and the base in turn includes a unit installing seat, a base portion wiring, and a terminal of the wiring. Therefore, the recombination can be further easily and further quickly accomplished. Even with the conveyance apparatus, since it is constructed by connecting the travel guide units, the recombination and expansion can be easily and quickly accomplished. For this reason, it is possible to quickly accommodate a moderate change in processing equipment according to the mixed production. 
     Where at least one of the various mechanism units of the machine tool includes the unit built-in control circuit to drive the drive source of the mechanism unit and this unit built-in control circuit is connected with the main control device through the unit portion wiring and terminal of the mechanism unit and the base portion wiring and terminal of the base, for the purpose of the recombination or the like there is no need to use a new drive circuit within the main control device nor to modify the drive circuit within the main control device and the main control device may work satisfactorily if the program used therein is partially modified. For this reason, the recombination and expansion of the machine tool can be further easily and further quickly accomplished. 
     Where each of the travel guide units includes one of the electric component and the electric wiring, the recombination and expansion of the transport path, including the electric system, can be easily and quickly accomplished. Where the drive source to drive the traveling member of the conveyance apparatus is a linear motor and includes a plurality of the armatures on the primary side, which are arranged along the travel guide, and a mover provided in the traveling member, in which case each of the travel guide units is provided with the electric element and a sensor to detect a position of the mover, the recombination and expansion of the transport path, including the drive system, can be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     Where each of the travel guide units includes an inverter arranged to supply an electric driving power to each of the armatures and a control portion arranged and programmed to control the armatures by controlling the inverter, the recombination and expansion of the transport path, including the guide, the drive system, and the electric system, can be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     Where the plurality of the travel guide units include a travel guide unit which defines the rectilinear section of the travel guide, and the travel guide unit which defines the curved section of the travel guide, by the combination of the units the transport path can be shaped to represent any desired path shape such as, for example, an L-shape or a ring shape. 
     The present invention in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment thereof provides a mechanism unit of a machine tool that includes an assembly component including a movable portion and a drive source, which mechanism unit includes a terminal and a unit portion wiring, adapted to be connected either with a terminal of the base on the mechanism unit side or with a terminal of a unit portion wiring provided in a mechanism unit on a low stage side, and a unit built-in control circuit to drive the drive source. Because of the mechanism unit constructed as described above, the degree of freedom of recombination and expansion, including a connecting work of the wiring system, is high and the recombination can be easily and quickly accomplished in the field. In addition, any change in control system can also be accomplished quickly. 
     The present invention in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment thereof provides a travel guide unit of a unit configuration type conveyance apparatus, which includes a travel guide section defining a portion of a lengthwise direction of the travel guide, a frame portion including the travel guide section installed therein, an armature installed in the frame portion, a mover provided in the traveling member, and a sensor installed in the frame portion to detect a position of the mover. According to this travel guide unit of the structure described above, the recombination and expansion of the travel path can be easily and quickly accomplished. 
     Any combination of at least two constructions, disclosed in the following description and/or the accompanying drawings should be construed as included within the scope of the present invention. The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In any event, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will become more clearly understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the preferred embodiments and the drawings are given only for the purpose of illustration and explanation, and are not to be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way whatsoever, which scope is to be determined by the appended claims. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to denote like parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1A  is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual structure of a unit configuration type processing equipment designed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a machine tool included in the processing equipment shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing one non-limiting example of a combined form of the unit configuration type processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing various non-limiting examples of groups of a base and units in the unit configuration type machine tool included in the processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing one non-limiting example of the combined form of the unit configuration type processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing one non-limiting example of a mechanism unit of the machine tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a different non-limiting example of the mechanism unit of the machine tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view showing one non-limiting example of a tool head of the machine tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view showing another non-limiting example of the tool head of the machine tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view showing a further non-limiting example of the tool head of the machine tool in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view showing a travel guide unit, which will become a rectilinear section of a conveyance apparatus used in the unit configuration type processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view showing a travel guide unit, which will become a curved section of the conveyance apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8C  is a perspective view showing a traveling member of the conveyance apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is a top plan view showing a non-limiting example of the travel guide unit that is rectilinear in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a front elevational view of the travel guide unit of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 9C  is a horizontal sectional view of the travel guide unit of  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a top plan view showing a non-limiting example of the travel guide unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention that is curved. 
         FIG. 10B  is a front elevational view of the travel guide unit of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 10C  is a horizontal sectional view of the travel guide unit of  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing a conceptual construction of a control system of the unit configuration type processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is an explanatory diagram showing a perspective view of a machine portion of the unit configuration type processing equipment and a block diagram showing a conceptual construction of the control system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing explanatory details of the conceptual construction of the control system used in the unit configuration type processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing another non-limiting example of the combined form of the unit configuration type processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are perspective views showing a different non-limiting example of the unit configuration type processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 16A to 16F  are perspective views showing a still different non-limiting example of the unit configuration type processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view showing one non-limiting example of a combined form of a guide equipped frame used in the conveyance apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a front elevational view showing one non-limiting example of the form of the guide equipped frame in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view showing the relation between a travel guide of the guide equipped frame and the traveling member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a top plan view showing the relation between the guide equipped frame, a linear motor and the traveling member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a fragmentary front elevational view, with a portion omitted, showing one non-limiting example of a combined form of the unit configuration type processing equipment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a side view, with a portion broken away, showing the conveyance apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23A  is a top plan view showing the traveling member used in the conveyance apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23B  is a front elevational view of the traveling member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23C  is a bottom plan view of the traveling member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23D  is a rear view of the traveling member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a transverse sectional view showing the travel guide and the traveling member both in the conveyance apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a sectional view showing a portion of  FIG. 22  on an enlarged scale. 
         FIG. 26  is a fragmentary sectional view showing the linear motor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a top plan view showing an individual motor defining a portion of the linear motor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a top plan view showing an arrangement of the individual motor forming respective portions of the linear motor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a sectional view showing the relation between the linear motor and a sensor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a block diagram showing a drive system of the linear motor in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 31A and 31B  are top plan view showing another non-limiting example of a combined form of the guide equipped frame included in the conveyance apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with particular reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  to  FIG. 30 .  FIG. 1A  illustrates a conceptual construction of a unit configuration type processing equipment according to a preferred embodiment and  FIG. 1B  shows a specific example of a tool machine used in this unit configuration type processing equipment. Referring particularly to  FIG. 1A , the unit configuration type processing equipment includes a machine tool  2  and a conveyance apparatus  1  to load and unload a workpiece or work W to and from the machine tool  2 . 
     The machine tool  2  is preferably a unit configuration type machine tool and includes a base  2 A, a plurality of types of mechanism units  2 U ( 2 U 1 ,  2 U 2  and  2 U 3 ). Any of the mechanism units  2 U are replaceable with other mechanism units  2 U that are prepared outside the machine as will be described in detail with particular reference to  FIG. 3  and others. As shown in  FIG. 1A , each of the mechanism units  2 U is preferably an assembled component including a unit main body  2 Ua, a movable portion  2 Ub movable relative to the unit main body  2 Ua, and a drive source  2 Uc arranged to actuate the movable portion  2 Ub. 
     The base  2 A is an element that will become a bed or a base frame or the like, and preferably includes a plurality of unit installing seats  61  arranged to receive any mechanism unit  2 U replaceably installed thereon, a base portion wiring  62 , and terminals  63  and  64  of a main control device  31  side and the mechanism unit  2 U connected with the base portion wiring  62 , respectively. Each of the unit installing seats  61  includes a portion, which defines a seat to replaceably install the mechanism unit  2 U thereon, and a mounting hole (not shown). It is to be noted that the unit installing seat  61  may be a rail for guiding purposes. 
     Each of the mechanism units  2 U is preferably an element having a particular actuating function of a tool post, a feed slide, a headstock and others in the machine tool, and is replaceably installed on the unit installing seat  61  of the base  2 A or on the mechanism unit  2 U installed on the unit installing seat  61  of the base  2 A. In the example as shown in  FIG. 1B , the mechanism units  2 U 1  and  2 U 2  are preferably installed on the base  2 A and the mechanism unit  2 U 3  is preferably installed on the mechanism unit  2 U 2 . Each of the mechanism units  2 U preferably includes an installing portion  65  adapted to be installed on the unit installing seat  61 , and the unit installing seat  61  and the installing portion  65  are connected together by a connecting element  66  such as, for example, a bolt or the like. 
     One of the mechanism units  2 U, on which a different mechanism unit  2 U may possibly be installed, is preferably provided with a unit installing seat  61 U on an upper surface thereof. The mechanism unit  2 U that is installed on the other mechanism unit  2 U is installed on the unit installing seat  61  through the installing portion  65  thereof and connected therewith by the connecting element  66 . In other words, the unit installing seats  61 ,  61   u , the installing portion  65  and the connecting element  66  cooperate with each other to define a connecting unit. 
     Although the base  2 A and each of the unit installing seats  61 ,  61   u  of the mechanism unit  2 U are available in a plurality of types, they are standardized to the dimension and the shape that are predetermined for each of groups, and the installing portion  65  of each of the mechanism units  2 U is standardized to the dimension and the shape, that are enough to accommodate the base  2 A and the unit installing seats  61  and  61   u  of the mechanism unit  2 U for each of the groups. Accordingly, replacement of the mechanism units  2 U within the group is made possible. 
     Each of the mechanism units  2 U preferably includes a unit portion wiring  67 . Also, each of the mechanism units  2 U is connected with a terminal  64  of the base  2 A on a mechanism unit side via the unit portion wiring  67  or includes a terminal  69  that is connected with a terminal  68  on a front end side of the unit portion wiring  67  in the other mechanism unit side  2 U on a lower stage side on a base end side thereof. The unit portion wiring  67  is connected with a drive source  2 Uc of the mechanism unit side  2 U on a base end side thereof. Also, the unit portion wiring  67  of the mechanism unit  2 U, with which the other mechanism unit  2 U in the next stage thereof is possibly connected, include a wiring relative to the drive source  2 Ub possessed by itself and a wiring to connect with the other mechanism unit  2 U in the next stage. 
     At least one of the mechanism units  2 U defining respective portions of the machine tool  2  preferably includes a unit built-in control circuit  2 Ud arranged and programmed to drive the drive source  2 Ub of this mechanism unit  2 U. In the example as shown in  FIG. 1A , the mechanism unit  2 U 1  includes the unit built-in control circuit  2 Ud. This unit built-in control circuit  2 Ud is connected with the main control device  31  through the unit portion wiring  67  of the mechanism unit  2 U and the base portion wiring  62  of the base  2 A. 
     Although the base portion wiring  62  and the unit portion wiring  67  are assumed to be one in number in  FIG. 1A  for the sake of brevity, each of the base portion wiring  62  and the unit portion wiring  67  preferably includes a signal wiring and an electric power wiring. The signal wiring may include a plurality of types of standard wirings laid in. In dependence on the signal wiring and the electric power signal, the various terminals  63 ,  64 ,  68 , and  69  are also available for the signal wiring and for the electric power wiring. Each of those terminals  63 ,  64 ,  68 , and  69  is preferably in the form of a plug-in connection type male side or female side connector or the like, and is connected either directly or through a flexible wiring. It is to be noted that the base portion wiring  62  and the unit portion wiring  67  may be bundled together or, alternatively, laid at different positions. 
     Even with respect to the terminals  63 ,  64 ,  68 , and  49 , the signal wiring and the electric power wiring may be laid at the same position or, alternatively, laid at different positions. It is to be noted that the signal wiring of the base portion wirings  62  is preferably connected with the main control device  31 , and the electric power wiring thereof may be connected with a commercial alternating current source available at a position different from the main control device  31 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example in which for two machine tools  2  of the unit configuration type, one conveyance apparatus  1  of the unit configuration type is installed. The machine tools  2  are shown in a condition with machine covering provided therein. A combination of the machine tool  2  and the conveyance apparatus  1  can be available in various forms as will be described in detail with particular reference to  FIG. 14  to  FIGS. 16A to 16F . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a group of the mechanism units  2 U. An arbitrarily chosen mechanism unit  2 U of the group G 1  can be selectively installed on a first unit installing seat  61   1  of the base  2 A. For the mechanism unit  2 U of the group G 1 , a mechanism unit  2 U G11  of a standard turret, a mechanism unit  2 U G12  of a rotary tool turret, and a mechanism unit  2 U G13  equipped with a Y-axis function, for example, can be selectively installed. A second unit installing seat  61   2  of the base  2 A is in preferably the form of a guide rail and a mechanism unit  2 U G21  of the group G 2  is installed on the guide rail. The mechanism unit  2 U G21  is preferably in the form of a cross slide device (XZ slide), which is a feed slide device that enables movement in two axis directions perpendicular to each other. So far shown therein, the mechanism unit  2 U G21  is shown as available in one type, but a plurality of the mechanism units may be prepared so that one of them can be arbitrarily chosen for replacement. 
     On the cross slide device which is the mechanism unit  2 U G21  of the group G 2 , an arbitrarily chosen mechanism unit  2 U of the group G 3  can be selectively installed. The mechanism units  2 U of the group G 3  includes, for example, a mechanism unit  2 U G31 , which defines a headstock device for a high rigidity, and a mechanism unit  2 U G32  which defines a headstock device for a high speed. To the mechanism units  2 U G31  and  2 U G32  of the group  3 , the mechanism unit  2 U of the group G 4  is mountable. As the mechanism unit  2 U of the group G 4 , in the instance as shown, a mechanism unit  2 U G41  defining an automatic chuck changing or replacing main shaft to replace a chuck on a main shaft in a work holding condition is made available. This mechanism unit  2 U G41  defining the automatic chuck changing main shaft is mounted as desired. 
     Other than that, a mechanism unit  2 U G51  of a chuck changing device is mountable on the unit installing seat (not shown) of the base  2 A as the mechanism unit  2 U of the group G 5 . The mechanism unit  2 U G51  of the chuck changing device is operable to replace the chuck in the mechanism unit  2 U G41  of the automatic chuck changing main shaft. 
     One example of the machine tool  2  constructed with the use of the mechanism units  2 U shown in  FIG. 3  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The machine tool  2  shown in  FIG. 4  is an example in which the mechanism unit  2 U G11  of the standard turret and the mechanism unit  2 U G21  comprised of the XZ slide are installed on the base  2 A shown in  FIG. 3 , and the mechanism unit  2 U G32 , which defines the high speed headstock device, is installed on the mechanism unit  2 U G21  comprised of the XZ slide. This machine tool  2  preferably provides a lathe of a main shaft moving type. Fitting a machine covering to a main body of the machine tool assembled in the manner described above results in one machine tool  2 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a specific example of the mechanism unit  2 U G12  of the rotary tool turret. This mechanism unit  2 U G12  is assembled by mounting a turret  82 , which is a tool post defining a movable portion  2 Ub, on a turret support  81  which is a unit main body  2 Ua (shown in  FIG. 1A ), so that the turret  82  can be rotated for indexing and then by mounting a rotary tool  83  on the turret  82 . In this figure, the rotary tool  83  is shown as removed from the turret  82 . The turret support  81  preferably includes the drive source  2 Uc (best shown in  FIG. 1A ) installed thereon to drive the turret  82  to turn, and also preferably includes the unit built-in control circuit  2 Ud (also best shown in  FIG. 1A ) built therein. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a specific example of the mechanism unit  2 U G13  equipped with a Y-axis function. In this example, a lifter unit  85  including the turret  82  mounted thereon is installed on a lifter support device  84 . The lifter support device  84  is preferably of a type in which a lifter  84   c  is installed on the lifter support device main body  84   a , which is the unit main body  2 Ua (best shown in  FIG. 1A ), through a lifter rail  64   b , so that the lifter  84   c  can be selectively ascended or descended, and the drive source  2 Uc (best shown in  FIG. 1A ) to drive the lifter  84   c  to selectively ascend and descend is installed. The lifter  84   c  and the turret  82  preferably define the movable portion  2 Ub (best shown in  FIG. 1A ) in the mechanism unit  2 U. Also, in this example, the drive source  2 Uc of the mechanism unit  2 U includes the drive source to selectively ascend or descend the lifter  84   c  and the drive source to turn the turret  82 . The lifter support device main body  84   a  preferably includes the unit built-in control circuit  2 Ud (best shown in  FIG. 1A ) built therein. It is to be noted that the turret  82  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is preferably, for example, a decagonal turret. 
       FIGS. 7A to 7C  illustrate various examples of tool heads  86  that are installed on the turret  82  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In the example shown in  FIG. 7A , a tool  87  including two turning blades for an outer diameter processing are fitted to a common tool holder  88  in a fashion parallel to each other. In the tool head  86  of  FIG. 7B , the tool  87 , including two turning blades for an inner diameter processing, is fitted to the common tool holder  88  in a fashion parallel to each other. In the tool head  86  shown in  FIG. 7C , two rotary tools  87 A are fitted to the common tool holder  88  in a fashion parallel to each other. Each of those tool heads  86  has the tool holder  88  that is fitted to the turret  82  best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Where those tool heads  86  are used, it is designed to have the two tools, and therefore, an initial setup replacement can be reduced. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , the conveyance apparatus  1  preferably includes a guide equipped frame  12 , including a travel guide  4  disposed on a frame  12   a , and a traveling member  3  movable along the travel guide  4 . The traveling member  3  is preferably provided with a traveling member mounting mechanism  3 B including the chuck  19  that serves as a holding unit of the work W. The guide equipped frame  12  referred to is provided by a plurality of travel guide units  12 U ( 12 U A  and  12 U B ) connected with each other so as to line up in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to a traveling direction of the traveling member  3 . The travel guide unit  12 U is of a type in which the travel guide  4  and the frame  12   a  including this travel guide  4  mounted thereon are divided into a plurality of pieces in a direction lengthwise thereof, and electric components and electric wirings installed on the frame  12   a  are too divided for each of the travel guide units  12 U. It is to be noted that a portion of each of the travel guide units  12 U on the frame  12   a  is referred to as a frame portion. 
     A drive source to drive the traveling member  3  is a linear motor  5  of a synchronous type including a plurality of individual motors  6  which are armatures on a primary side arranged along the travel guide  4 , a mover  7  provided in the traveling member  3 . The individual motors  6  are spaced relative to each other. Each of the travel guide units  12 U is provided with the individual motors  6  and sensors  15  arranged to detect the position of the mover  7  as electric component parts. The sensors  15  are preferably linear sensors and are respectively provided for each of the individual motors  6 . A travel control unit  10 , which is a control unit of the linear motor  5 , preferably includes a single multiple unit controller  10 A (best shown in  FIG. 30 ) described in detail later, and an individual motor control unit  8  mounted on each of the individual motors  6 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , to control the corresponding individual motor  6 . Each of the individual motor control units  8  includes an inverter and a control portion arranged and programmed to control the corresponding individual motor  6  by controlling the inverter, and is installed on the frame  12   a  having been positioned in the vicinity of the associated individual motor  6 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A to 8C , the travel guide unit  12 U includes a travel guide unit  12 U A  which defines a rectilinear portion of the guide equipped frame  12 , and a travel guide unit  12 U B  which defines a curved portion thereof. The travel guide units  12 U A  and  12 U B  can be sequentially connected in an arbitrary combination. Although each of the travel guide units  12 U A  and  12 U B  preferably includes pillars  11  at opposite ends thereof, pillars  11  at sites that continue to each other may be omitted. Where they are omitted, the travel guide unit  12 U including a pillar  11  at one end thereof may be prepared or, alternatively, the pillar  11  at one end may be removed from the travel guide unit  12  including the pillars  11  at the opposite ends thereof. 
       FIGS. 9A to 9C  shows the travel guide unit  12 U A  which define the rectilinear portion, as viewed in various directions and in section, and  FIGS. 10A to 10C  show the travel guide unit  12 U B  which will define the curved portion, as viewed in various directions and in section. Each of the travel guide units  12 U A  and  12 U B  is such that the individual motor control units  8 , put together into a neighboring group, are preferably mounted on a common circuit substrate to define a single motor drive circuit portion  9 . Each of the individual motor control units  8  is connected with the wiring (not shown) provided in each of the travel guide unit  12  and is provided with terminals (not shown) at opposite ends of such travel guide unit  12  of that wiring. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a block diagram showing the relation in wiring of the control system in the unit configuration type processing equipment. The main control device  31  referred to previously preferably includes a computer numerical control device  32  and a computerized processing equipment integrity control unit  33 , and the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  and a host computer  35  are connected with each other. The processing equipment integrity control unit  33  and the numerical control device  32  may be either disposed spaced from each other or provided within the same housing or in the same control panel. The processing equipment integrity control unit  33  referred to above is operable and programmed to control the unit configuration type processing equipment in its entirety, and is mainly operable to perform a sequence control. The processing equipment integrity control unit  33  preferably includes a programmable controller or the like. 
     The processing equipment integrity control unit  33  preferably is programmed to perform a function of controlling the machine tool  2  and a function of controlling the conveyance apparatus  1  and accessory equipment  72  and, of the controls of the machine tool  2 , the numerical control is carried out by the numerical control device  32 . The host computer  35  referred to above is operable to perform a production management and is connected with the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  through a local area network (LAN) or the like so as to provide the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  with a production command such as, for example, a production schedule or the like. 
     Of the mechanism units  2 U of the machine tool  2 , a mechanism unit  2 U that requires a shaft moving control by use of a feedback control such as, for example, a mechanism unit  2 U defining a cross slide device, a mechanism unit  2 U defining a headstock and a mechanism unit  2 U defining a rotary tool, in the instance as shown, has no built-in control circuit  2 Uc built therein and the drive sources  2 Ub therefor are connected with the numerical control device  32  so that they can be directly controlled by the numerical control device  32 . 
     Of the mechanism units  2 U of the machine tool  2 , the mechanism unit  2 U driven by the sequence control has the built-in control circuit  2 Uc built therein such that with a command of the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  given to the built-in control circuit  2 Uc, the control of the drive source  2 Ub within the mechanism unit  2 U can be performed by the built-in control circuit  2 Uc. Accordingly, where the mechanism unit  2 U is recombined with a different type, the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  sends a simple control signal such as, for example, an ON/OFF signal, and the detailed control is carried out by the built-in control circuit  2 Uc. Wirings for the transmission of the signals are carried out through the base portion wiring  62 , the unit portion wiring  67  and their related terminals  64 ,  68 , and  69 , all of which have been previously described with particular reference to  FIG. 1A . 
     Regarding the conveyance apparatus  1 , various portions preferably have respective control units built therein, each of which control units is programmed and operable in response to a corresponding command of the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  to cause the respective drive source to be controlled by the control unit built therein. In other words, the guide equipped frame  12 , which is a conjugation of the travel guide units, preferably includes a travel control unit  10  arranged and programmed to drive the linear motor  5  which is a drive source for traveling. The traveling member mounting mechanism  3 B preferably includes drive sources  16   a  and  17   a  (only one of which is representatively shown in  FIG. 11 ) to move in the anteroposterior direction and elevating direction, respectively, and is provided with a built-in control circuit  16   b . A loader chuck  19  preferably includes a drive source  19   a  to selectively open and close, and is provided with a built-in control circuit  19   b . In response to commands of the processing equipment integrity control unit  33 , traveling control of the linear motor  5  is performed through the built-in travel control unit  10 , controls of the various drive sources  16   a  and  17   a  of the traveling member mounting mechanism  3 B are performed through the built-in control circuit  16   b , and control of the drive sources  19   a  of the loader chuck  19  is performed through the built-in control circuit  19   b.    
     Even in the accessory device  72  such as, for example, a stocker, a built-in control circuit  72   b  arranged and programmed to control a drive source  72   a  is provided, which drive source  72   a  is controlled through the built-in control circuit  72   b  in accordance with a command of the processing equipment integrity control unit  33 . Transmission of signal to the respective built-in control circuits  16   b  and  19   b  of the traveling member mounting mechanism  3 B and the loader chuck  19  is accomplished through a wireless local area network from the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  or the control panel  34 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an explanatory diagram including a perspective view of a mechanical portion of the unit configuration type processing equipment and a block diagram of a control system. In this non-limiting example, one conveyance apparatus  1  is preferably combined with two machine tools  2 . 
     The processing equipment integrity control unit  33  provided for each of the machine tool  2  is connected with the numerical control device  32  and the control panel  34  through LANs  38  and  39 . A local area network capable of performing a high speed communication effective to obtain a real-time property is used for the local area network (LAN)  39  that is used to connect between the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  and the numerical control device  32 . The processing equipment integrity control unit  33  and the numerical control device  32  may be either spaced a distance from each other or provided within the same housing or control panel. The host computer  35  is connected with the control panel  34  and the numerical control device  32  of each of the machine tools  2  through a local area network  37  and a hub  36 . Each of the control panels  34  preferably includes a computer such as, for example, a personal computer or the like, an image display device such as, for example, a liquid crystal display device or the like, and an input key. The processing equipment integrity control unit  33  and the built-in control circuit  72   b , which defines an accessory control unit, are connected with each other through a controller area network (CAN) communication linkage  40 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a diagram with a form display modified, which is supplemented to the block diagram shown in  FIG. 11 . It is, however, to be noted that a difference exists in portion of the contents shown in  FIG. 11 . In this example, the control panel  34  is preferably communicated with a wireless communicating unit  47 , which is a wireless local area network terminal of the traveling member mounting mechanism  3 B, through the hub  101  and also through a wireless communicating unit  49   a , which is a wireless local area network terminal, and is then communicated with the built-in control circuits  16   b  and  19   b  of the traveling member mounting mechanism  3 B via the wireless communicating unit  47 . The built-in control circuit  16   b  is preferably provided by a built-in control circuit main body  16   ba  and a two axis amplifier  16   bb , and controls the Y-axis and Z-axis drive sources  16   a  and  17   a  with the two axis amplifier  16   bb . By the built-in control circuit main body  16   ba , a command is given to an amplifier  105  of a swivel motor  104  operable to exchange the respective positions of the two chucks  19 . A sensing board  106  is connected with the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  through the CAN communication linkage  40  and a RIO (Remote Input-Output) board  107  is connected with the processing equipment integrity control unit  33  through RIO wiring. 
       FIG. 14  to  FIGS. 16A to 16F  illustrate explanatory diagrams showing the relation between various types of combinations of the travel guide units  12 U in the conveyance apparatus  1  and the machine tool  2 . In particular,  FIG. 14  illustrates an example of a fundamental combination, which is provided by one machine tool  2  and one rectilinear travel guide unit  12 U A . In an example shown in  FIG. 15A , a plurality of rectilinear travel guide units  12 U A  are connected with each other, and a plurality of machine tools  2  are arranged along the rectilinear travel guide units  12 U A . In an example shown in  FIG. 15B , two rectilinear travel guide units  12 U A  and one curved travel guide unit  12 U B  are connected to provide an L-shaped guide equipped frame  12  with a machine tool  2  arranged along each of the rectilinear sections. 
     In an example shown in  FIG. 16A , a plurality of rectilinear travel guide units  12 U A  are connected together with two machine tools  2  installed therealong and, at the same time, a delivery stocker  111 , an external measuring instrument  112  and a discharge conveyor  113 , all of which are preferably accessory equipments, are arranged. In an example shown in  FIG. 16B , a plurality of or one rectilinear travel units  12 U A  are connected on opposite sides of one curved travel guide unit  12 U B  and a machine tool  2  is arranged in a rectilinear section and, at the same time, an external measuring instrument  112  is installed in a curved section. Also, two traveling members  3  are installed relative to the guide equipped frame  12 . In an example shown in  FIG. 16C , two curved travel guide units  12 U B  and a plurality of rectilinear travel guide units  12 U A  are connected to define a travel path of a U-shaped configuration and a machine tool  2  is disposed in each of rectilinear sections and an external measuring instrument  112  is disposed in a curved section. 
     In an example shown in  FIG. 16D , by a combination of four curved travel guide units  12 U B  and four rectilinear travel guide units  12 U A , a ring shaped travel path of a square shape is provided, and machine tools  2  are disposed at two rectilinear sections. Also, a discharge conveyor  113  is preferably disposed at a rectilinear section. In an example shown in  FIG. 16E , by a combination of four curved travel guide units  12 U B  and a plurality of rectilinear travel guide units  12 U A , a ring shaped travel path of an elongated rectangular shape is provided with machine tools  2  disposed in each of rectilinear section. Three travelling members  3  are installed on the guide equipped frame  12 . In an example shown in  FIG. 16F , the unit configuration type processing equipment of the structure shown in and described with reference to  FIG. 16D  is installed at two locations and a conveyor  114  is installed between those unit configuration processing equipments. 
     As described above, by combining the curved travel guide unit  12 U B  and the rectilinear travel guide unit  12 U A  together, the guide equipped frames  12  defining the various travel path can be configured. Also, since as the drive source of the traveling member  3 , the linear motor  5  including the individual motors  6 , which includes respective armatures on the primary side and which are arranged in the guide equipped frame  12 , is preferably used, it is easy and possible to quickly install the plurality of the traveling members  3  on the single guide equipped frame  12 . 
     It is to be noted that by combining only the arcuately curved travel guide units  12 U B , a ring shaped guide equipped frame  12  or an S-shaped guide equipped frame  12  can also be constructed, as shown in  FIGS. 31A and 31B . 
     Next, the details of the conveyance apparatus  1 , in which the travel guide units  12 U of the construction hereinabove described are combined, and the travel guide units  12 U will be described with particular reference to  FIGS. 17 to 30 . As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the guide equipped frame  12  preferably defines an L-shaped transport path provided by connecting rectilinear travel guide units  12 U A  with opposite ends of the single curved travel guide unit  12 U B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the traveling member  3  is preferably a carriage including traveling wheels  21  ( 21   i  and  21   o ) and includes the traveling member mounting mechanism  3 B installed in an undersurface thereof. The chuck  19 , which is a holding unit arranged to hold the work W, and a moving mechanism  20  to move the chuck  19  are provided in the traveling member mounting mechanism  3 B. The moving mechanism  20  preferably includes an anteroposterior moving carriage  16  mounted on the traveling member  3  to selectively advance and retract in an anteroposterior direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel (X-axis direction), a lifter  17  of a rod-shaped configuration mounted on this anteroposterior moving carriage  16  to selectively ascend and descend, and a work holding head  18  provided at a lower end of the lifter  17 . The chuck  19  referred to previously is provided two in number on the work holding head  18 . The two chucks  19  are adapted to be replaced by a chuck direction converting mechanism (not shown) within the work holding head  18  between a downwardly oriented position and a forwardly oriented position. A drive source of this chuck direction converting mechanism is preferably the swivel motor  104  which has been shown in and described with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 21 , the anteroposterior movable carriage  16  is operated by an electrically operated drive source  16   a  such as, for example, a motor mounted on the traveling member  3 , so as to move in an anteroposterior direction and, on the other hand, the lifter  17  is driven by an electrically operated drive source  17   a  such as, for example, a motor mounted on the anteroposterior movable carriage  16  so as to ascend and descend. The chuck  19  preferably includes chuck pawls (not shown) that are selectively opened or closed by an electrically operated drive source  19   a  such as, for example, a solenoid to hold the work W. 
     As shown in a top plan view in  FIG. 19 , the travel guide  4  preferably includes the two rectilinear sections  4 A and  4 A, which lie perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to each other, and the curved section  4 B that connects the rectilinear sections  4 A and  4 A together. The curved section  4 B preferably includes a single curved travel guide unit  12 U B  and the rectilinear sections  4 A and  4 A each includes the rectilinear travel guide unit  12 U A . There are provided an outer diameter side guide surface  4   o  and an inner diameter side guide surface  4   i , which are continued over those rectilinear sections  4 A and the curved section  4 B and which are positioned on outer and inner diameter sides of the curved section  4 B in parallel or substantially parallel relation to each other so as to be oriented inwardly and outwardly, respectively. Further, there are provided a pair of wheel guide surfaces  4   u , oriented in a direction upwards and downwards, in the curved section  4 B. Each of the wheel guide surfaces  4   u  is provided along the outer diameter side guide surface  4   o  and the inner diameter side guide surface  4   i.    
     As shown in a sectional representation in  FIG. 24 , the outer diameter side guide surface  4   o  and the inner diameter side guide surface  4   i  are preferably positioned above traveling wheels  21   i  and  210  that run on the wheel guide surface  4   u . The traveling member  3  is provided not only with the traveling wheels  21   i  and  21   o , but also with outer diameter side rollers  23 , which are guided by the outer diameter side guide surface  4   o , and inner diameter side rollers  24 , which are guided by the inner diameter side guide surface  4   i . The outer and inner diameter side rollers  23  and  24  rotate about a vertical axis. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 23A to 23D , the number of the outer diameter side rollers  23  and that of the inner diameter side rollers  24  are preferably chosen to be three or more, and those three or more outer and inner diameter side rollers  23  and  24  are preferably arranged in respective rows extending in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the direction of travel. In the instance as shown, the outer diameter rollers  23  are positioned adjacent front and rear ends and an intermediate portion of the traveling member  3 , thus totaling to three in number. Those three or more outer diameter side rollers  23  are arranged in an arcuate shape conforming to the arcuate shape of the outer diameter side guide surface  4   o  which defines the curved section  4 B ( FIG. 19 ). On the other hand, the inner diameter side roller  24  are preferably arranged in a rectilinear shape conforming to a portion of the inner diameter side guide surface  4   i  which defines the rectilinear section  4 A, thus totaling to four in number. In detail, the inner diameter side rollers  24  are positioned at two locations adjacent to front and rear ends of the traveling member  3  and two locations on anteroposterior sides of an intermediate portion of the traveling member  3 . The traveling member  3  preferably includes a plan shape in which a side edge on the outer diametric side represents an arcuate shape following a portion of the outer diametric side guide surface  4   o  defining the curved section  4 B, but it may be of any suitable shape provided that it will not interfere with the travel guide  4 , and is therefore of any freely designed shape. 
     The traveling wheels  21   i  and  210  in the traveling member  3  are preferably provided on opposite sides widthwise so that the wheels  21   i  and  210  can run on the two guide surfaces  4   u  on the opposite sides. The traveling wheel  210  on the outer diameter side is rotatably mounted on a movable wheel support body  28  which is so supported as to be turned in direction about the vertical axis O relative to the traveling member  3 . Each of the movable wheel support bodies  28  is preferably provided with a direction manipulating element  25  of a lever shape protruding towards the outer diameter side, and a front end of the direction manipulating element  25  is provided with a cam follower  25   a  such as, for example, a roller that is rotatable about the vertical axis. A cam surface  26  (best shown in  FIG. 24 ) to guide the cam follower  25   a  at the free end of the respective direction manipulating element  25  is provided in the travel guide  4  over the entire length in a direction conforming to the direction of travel. This cam surface  26  is so provided at a location, where the traveling member  3  enters the curved section (best shown in  FIG. 19 ), that the direction of the associated traveling wheel  210  can be forcibly diverted. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , a running drive of the traveling member  3  is preferably carried out by a linear motor  5  of a synchronous type. The linear motor  5  is preferably a discrete or discontinuous type linear motor including a plurality of individual motors  6 , mounted on the frame  12 , and a single mover or movable magnet array  7 . Each of the individual motors  6  is of a type capable of functioning as an armature on the primary side of a separate, single linear motor. Those individual motors  6  are arranged along the travel guide  4  over the entire traveling zone of the traveling member  3  and having spaced a distance from each other. The mover  7  referred to above is preferably provided by a permanent magnet and is mounted on the traveling member  3 . A travel control unit  10  arranged and programmed to drive the linear motor  5  is preferably provided by a plurality of individual motor drive devices  8  to drive the respective individual motors  6  and a multiple unit controllers  10  (which will be described in detail with particular reference to  FIG. 30 ) to apply position commands and others to the individual motor drive devices  8 . Two of the individual motor drive devices  8  are arranged into a motor drive circuit block  9  and the respective motor drive circuit block  9  is mounted on the frame  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 26 and 27 , each of the individual motors  6  is preferably of a type that can be driven with a three-phase alternating current and is a three pole armature provided with three electrodes  6 U,  6 V and  6 W one for each of the three phases (U, V and W phases). The direction of arrangement of those electrodes  6 U,  6 V and  6 W preferably conforms with a moving direction X of the mover  7 . Each of those electrodes  6 U,  6 V and  6 W is preferably provided by a core  6 Ua,  6 Va and  6 Wa and a coil  6 Ub,  6 Vb and  6 Wb. The cores  6 Ua,  6 Va and  6 Wa are of a type protruding from a common core base portion  6   d . The individual motors  6  arranged in a plural number are identical in structure with each other and, accordingly, respective lengths A thereof as measured in a direction conforming to a mover running direction are identical with each other. It is to be noted that although in this example, the number of the pole of each of the individual motors  6  has been shown and described as three, it may not be necessarily limited to three, but it may be an integral multiplicity of three such as, for example, nine. 
     The movers  7 , each in the form of N and S magnetic poles defined by a permanent magnet, are provided in a plural number and are arranged on a mover base body  7   a  in a direction conforming to the traveling direction X. It is also to be noted that the number of the N and S magnetic pole pairs may be arbitrarily designed. The mover  7  has a length B enough to extend over the plurality of the individual motors  6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 30 , the multiple unit controller  10 A of the travel control unit  10  is programmed to be operable in response to a position command, fed from a host control unit, to apply position commands necessary to drive the corresponding individual motors  6  to respective individual motor control units  8 . In other words, the position command, which is converted into a coordinate system of each of the individual motors  6 , is applied to the individual motor control units  8  for the respective individual motors  6 . The multiple unit controller  10 A is preferably provided by a computer such as, for example, a microcomputer or a personal computer, a program therefor, circuit elements and so on. 
     Each of the individual motor control units  8  is preferably provided by a motor drive circuit (not shown) of a strong current system arranged and programmed to supply an electric motor current to the associated individual motor  6  and a control unit (not shown) of a weak current system arranged and programmed to control the motor drive circuit, and includes a substrate including various circuit elements mounted thereon. The motor drive circuit of the strong current system is preferably provided by an inverter or the like provided with a plurality of switching elements and is connected with a direct current source (not shown) for driving purposes. The control unit of the weak current system for each of the individual motor control units  8  and the multiple unit controller  10 A is preferably provided by a microcomputer and a program therefor and various circuit elements and so on. 
     Each of the individual motor control units  8  preferably is programmed to control a feedback control of the position, velocity and electric current in a cascade control. The position feedback performs a feedback control of a predetermined position loop gain in dependence on a deviation between a detection value of a sensor  15  to detect the current position of the mover  7  relative to the individual motor  6  and a command value of the position command The velocity feedback is carried out with the use of a speed detection value obtained through a derivation of the position detection value of the sensor  15 . The current feedback is provided so as to control an electric motor drive current by detecting a drive current, applied to the individual motor  6 , with an electric current detecting unit  14 , and then generating the electric current value dependent on the deviation between the electric current detection value and the electric current command value with the use of a predetermined electric current loop gain. This electric current control unit is of a type programmed to perform a control through a vector control or the like and is programmed to perform an electric current control in correspondence with the magnetic pole position of the mover  7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 28 , each of the sensors  15  is preferably a linear scale, which is arranged in a rectilinear direction conforming to the direction of arrangement of the coils of the individual motors  6  and is of a type capable of accomplishing a position detection within a somewhat longer range than the length of the individual motors  6 . Each of the sensors  15 , as specifically shown in  FIG. 29 , preferably includes a plurality of sensor elements  15   a  arranged in a direction lengthwise thereof, and each of those sensor elements  15   a  is defined by a magnetic sensor element arranged to detect the magnetism of the mover  7 . 
     More specifically, each of the sensor elements  15   a  is operable to detect the magnetic pole position of the magnetic pole pair  7 P of each of the mover  7 . In other words, for the length tp of the magnetic pole pair  7 P, a magnetic force having a peak of one N-pole side and S-pole side is generated, and therefore, the detection of the peak position on the N-pole side or S-pole side results in detection of the magnetic pole position. Also, the sensor  15  outputs one position detection value, which is the position of the mover  7 , from an output of each of the sensor elements  15   a . It is to be noted that the sensor  15  is provided as a position sensor arranged to merely detect the position of the mover  7  and a magnetic pole sensor may be provided separate from the sensor  15 , or a particular one of the sensor elements  15   a  of the sensor  15  may be used as a magnetic pole sensor arranged to detect an electric current through magnetic poles. 
     It is to be noted that although in the foregoing description the magnetic pole position of the mover  7  has been shown and described as preferably detected directly, positioning of the sensors  15  is difficult to achieve in order to directly detect the magnetic pole position. In view of this, in the preferred embodiment now under discussion, as best shown in  FIGS. 20 and 25 , a plurality of position detecting magnets  29  are provided in the traveling member  3  so as to assume a position laterally of the mover  7  so that the magnetic pole position of the magnets  29  in the traveling direction may align with magnetic pole position of the mover  7 . The sensor  15  detects the magnetic pole position of the mover  7  by detecting the position detecting magnets  29 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 30 , the individual motor  6 , the individual motor control unit  8  and the sensor  15  cooperate with each other to define one set of the individual motor set  6 A. This individual motor set  6 A is preferably installed on the frame  12  along the travel guide  4  as shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , even at the curved section  4 B of the travel guide  4 , the individual motor set  6 A is installed in a manner similar to that in the rectilinear section  4 A. In the individual motor set  6 A in the curved section  4 B, the individual motor control unit  8  (best shown in  FIG. 30 ) is programmed to correct the detection value of the sensor  15  in dependence on the curved line. 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the traveling member  3  preferably includes the chuck  19 , which defines a holding unit of the work W, and the chuck moving mechanism  20  to move the chuck  19  in an anteroposterior direction and in a vertical direction, which are directions different from the traveling direction of the traveling member  3 . The drive sources  16   a  and  17   a  (best shown in  FIG. 21 ) of the moving mechanism  20  and the drive source  19   b  of the chuck  19  are of the electrically operated type, and supply of an electric power to these drive sources  16   a ,  17   a , and  19   a  is carried out by a non-contact power feeding device  41 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 25 , the non-contact power feeding device  41  referred to above preferably includes an electric power supplying unit  42 , defined by wirings  42   a  on the primary side of each of the poles provided along the travel guide  4 , and an electric power receiving unit  43 , preferably including a coil on the secondary side, provided in the traveling member  3  for movement while held in a fashion proximate to and along the wirings  42   a . The wirings  42   a  are supported by a wiring support member  44 . The wiring support member is installed on the frame  12   a  provided in the travel guide  4  or on the pillar  11  used to support the frame  12   a . The electric power receiving unit  43  including a coil in each phase is supported by the traveling member  3  through a movable side support member  45 . The coil in each phase, which defines the electric power receiving unit  43 , is connected with the drive sources  16   a ,  17   a , and  19   a  of the moving mechanism  20  referred to previously. The wirings  42   a  of the electric power supplying unit  42  are preferably covered by a covering  46  having a slit  46   a  defined therein for the passage of the movable side support member  45  therethrough. 
     It is to be noted that the wiring  42   a  of the non-contact power feeding device  41  may be provided either in the travel guide unit  12 U or separate from the travel guide unit  12 U. It is to be noted that since an electric current received by the electric power receiving unit  43  is an alternating current resulting from an induced current, the individual motor control unit  8  is provided with a rectifying circuit (not shown) that rectifies the alternating current and the rectifying circuit serves as a direct current power source for the inverter referred to previously. 
     Also, the traveling member  3  preferably includes a wireless communicating unit  47  mounted thereon defining the wireless LAN, and a command transmitting unit  48  is mounted on the traveling member  3 , which unit  48  controls the respective electrically operated drive sources  16   a ,  17   a , and  19   a  of the moving mechanism  20  and the chuck  19  in response to a signal communicated by the wireless communicating unit  47 . The command transmitting unit  48  may be in the form of a wiring merely transmitting a signal between the wireless communicating unit  47  and the drive sources  16   a ,  17   a , and  19   a . Also, the command transmitting unit  48  preferably includes a wiring arranged to send, in addition to a command to drive, signals of various sensors (not shown), provided in the traveling member  3 , to the wireless communicating unit  47 . The wireless communicating unit  47  on the traveling member  3  communicates with a wireless communicating unit  49   a  provided in a main control device  31  arranged and programmed to control the entire conveyance system. The various drive sources mounted on the traveling member  3  are all electrically operated ones and, hence, wirings and piping necessary to connect with the ground side are all eliminated. 
     According to the unit configuration type processing equipment of the construction described hereinabove, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the machine tool  2  is of a unit configuration type, and the base  2 A and each of the mechanism units  2 U include the base portion wiring  62  or the unit portion wiring  67  and its terminals  63 ,  64 ,  68 , and  69 . Therefore, when the mechanism unit  2 U is recombined, a wiring work of the machine tool  2  completes when connection is made to the terminals  64 ,  68 , and  69  provided in the base  2 A and the mechanism unit  2 U. Because of this, unlike the conventional system in which mechanism portions are merely unitized, the degree of freedom of recombination and expansion, including a connecting work of the wiring system, is high, and, therefore, recombination in the field can be facilitated and can be accomplished quickly. 
     Regarding the drive source  2 Ub among the drive sources  2 Ub of the respective mechanism units  2 U, which is driven under the sequence control, since the unit built-in control circuit  2   d  to drive the drive source  2 Ub is provided in such mechanism unit  2 U, there is no need to add a new drive circuit to the main control device  31  nor to modify the drive circuit in the main control device  31 , and a minor change in program or the like is sufficient in the main control device  31 . For this reason, recombination and/or expansion of the machine tool  2  can be further facilitated and can be further quickly accomplished. 
     Since in addition to the unitization of the machine tool  2 , the guide equipped frame  12  in the conveyance apparatus  1  is also unitized, not only can the change in form of the machine tool  2  be accomplished, but also the change in form can be accomplished freely as to the number of installations and the change in arrangement. Because of these, the change in form can be quickly achieved to provide optimum processing equipment suited for the mixed production. Since each of the travel guide units  12 U preferably includes the individual motor  6 , which defines the respective armature of the linear motor  5 , and the sensors  15  to detect the position of the mover  7 , the recombination can be further easily accomplished and can be quickly carried out. Since each of the travel guide units  12 U preferably includes the inverter arranged to supply an electric driving power to the individual motors  6  and the individual motor control unit  8  including a control portion arranged and programmed to control the respective individual motors  6  by controlling the inverter, the recombination can be further easily and quickly accomplished. 
     Since the travel guide unit  12 U is provided with the travel guide unit  12 U A , which defines the rectilinear section, and the travel guide unit  12 U B , which defines the curved section, by the combination of the travel guide units  12 U A  and  12 U B , the transport path can be arranged to have a free path shape such as, for example, the L-shaped confirmation and/or the ring shape as shown in and described with particular reference to  FIG. 14  to  FIGS. 16A to 16F . 
     Also, according to the conveyance apparatus  1  of the construction described above, since the linear motor  5 , which includes the individual motors  6 , disposed along the travel guide  4  and the movers  7  on the secondary side installed in the traveling member  3 , is preferably utilized in driving the traveling member  3 , the traveling member  3  can be precisely positioned even in the curved section  4 B of the travel guide  4 . For this reason, while the transfer table  71  to deliver and receive the work W relative to the travel body  3  is positioned at the curved section  4 B, not only can the work W be assuredly delivered and received through the precise halting and positioning, but also the attitude of the work W, the holding position and others can be set properly. With the curved section  4 B of the travel path used in delivery and receipt of the work W in this way, limitations imposed on the arrangement of the various machines and equipments within the factory can be relieved and the limited floor space in the factory can be utilized efficiently. 
     In addition, while the traveling member  3  includes the chuck  19  and the moving mechanism  20  arranged to move the chuck  19 , the supply of the electric power is provided through the non-contact power feeding device  41 . Accordingly, the use of any cable wiring to supply the electric driving power is dispensed with in view of the structure provided to drive the traveling member  3  by the linear motor  5  including the mover  7  on the secondary side provided in the traveling member  3 . Because of this, the use of any cable required to accomplish the electric power supply between the traveling member  3  and the ground is eliminated, allowing the transport path to be freely designed. Also, in the practice of this preferred embodiment, the wireless communicating unit  47  is mounted on the traveling member  3  and through the signal communicated by the wireless communicating unit  47  the chuck  19  and the moving mechanism  20  are controlled. Thus, in addition to the non-contact power feeding, the wireless communicating unit  47  is preferably used to transmit and receive the control signal, and therefore, it is possible to dispense with any wiring between the traveling member  3  and the ground as well as a transmission system for the control command. Accordingly, it is possible to design the transport path freely as desired. 
     In addition, the linear motor  5  is preferably used in driving the traveling member  3 ; the linear motor  5  preferably is of the type in which the mover  7  on the secondary side is in the form of the permanent magnet of a kind including the N and S magnetic poles alternately arranged in a direction conforming to the direction of travel; and use is made of the sensor  15  arranged to detect the magnetic poles of the mover  7  or to detect the magnetic poles of the detection magnets  29  that are provided in the traveling member  3  in a pattern identical with that of the magnetic poles of the mover  7 . The positioning control of the traveling member  3  is preferably performed in response to the output of the sensor  15  to detect the magnetic poles. Because of this, a further precise positioning control can be accomplished, and also a highly precise positioning can be accomplished even at the curved section. Accordingly, the delivery and receipt of the work W relative to the transfer table  71  at the curved section  4 B can be performed further assuredly at a further proper angle. 
     Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings which are used only for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will readily conceive numerous changes and modifications upon the reading of the present specification. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               1  . . . Conveyance apparatus 
               2  . . . Machine tool 
               2 A . . . Base 
               2 U . . . Mechanism unit 
               2 U 1 ,  2 U 2 ,  2 U 3  . . . Mechanism unit 
               2 Ua . . . Unit main body 
               2 Ub . . . Movable portion 
               2 Uc . . . Drive source 
               2 Ud . . . Unit built-in control circuit 
               2 UG 11  . . . Mechanism of standard turret 
               2 UG 12  . . . Mechanism unit of rotary tool turret 
               2 UG 13  . . . Mechanism unit having Y-axis function 
               2 UG 21  . . . Mechanism unit of group G 2   
               2 UG 31  . . . Mechanism unit which will become the headstock device 
               2 UG 32  . . . . Mechanism unit which will become the headstock device 
               2 U 41 ,  2 UG 51  . . . Mechanism unit 
               3 B . . . Traveling member mounting mechanism 
               4  . . . Travel guide 
               5  . . . Linear motor 
               6  . . . Individual motor 
               7  . . . Mover 
               8  . . . Individual motor control unit 
               9  . . . Motor drive circuit part 
               10  . . . Travel control device 
               10 A . . . Multiple unit controller 
               12   a  . . . Frame 
               12  . . . Guide equipped frame 
               12 U . . . Travel guide unit 
               12 U A  . . . Travel guide unit of rectilinear section 
               12 U B  . . . Travel guide unit of curved section 
               14  . . . Electric current detecting unit 
               15  . . . Sensor 
               19  . . . Chuck (Work holding unit) 
               16   a ,  17   a ,  19   a  . . . Drive source 
               21  ( 21   i ,  21   o ) . . . Traveling wheel 
               31  . . . Main control device 
               32  . . . Numerical control device 
               33  . . . Processing equipment integrity control unit 
               34  . . . Control panel 
               41  . . . Non-contact power feeding device 
               47  . . . Wireless communicating unit 
               61  . . . Unit installing seat 
               61   u  . . . Unit installing seat 
               62  . . . Base portion wiring 
               63 ,  64  . . . Terminal 
               65  . . . Installing portion 
               67  . . . Unit portion wiring 
               68 ,  69  . . . Terminal 
             W . . . Work (Workpiece)