Patent ID: 6993821

Claim:
A manufacturing cell for performing a plurality of metalworking operations on a workpiece, wherein the manufacturing cell comprises a plurality of work stations, and wherein at least one work station comprises: (a) a metalworking machine; and (b) modular tooling apparatus secured to a table of the metalworking machine, the modular tooling apparatus comprising: (i) a base comprising: a means for securing the base to the table of the metalworking machine; and an attachment surface comprising a pocket having a locating feature; and (ii) at least one insert associated with the attachment surface by sliding into an opening of the pocket, the at least one insert comprising a locating feature and pocket orientation feature whereby the at least one insert can associate with the pocket in only one orientation, and a workpiece support feature on a surface thereof; wherein the locating feature on the at least one insert is configured to associate with the locating feature of the attachment surface, thereby defining a location of the workpiece support feature relative to the base.