Patent ID: 6949056

Claim:
A machine tool, comprising: a support structure; a spindle rotatably supported by said structure; said spindle adapted for engagement with a workpiece; said spindle operatively arranged to selectively rotate in an annular A-axis and about a linear and substantially horizontal Z-axis; a tool frame supported by said structure; said tool frame having an array of individual tool-holding stations adapted for engagement with a tool; an actuating mechanism; said actuating mechanism operatively arranged to selectively provide movement of said workpiece in said spindle relative to said tool in said tool frame in said substantially horizontal Z-axis, in a linear Y-axis that is perpendicular to said Z-axis, and in a linear X-axis that is perpendicular to both said Z-axis and said Y-axis; the position of said stations in said array defined by at least an X-axis coordinate and a Y-axis coordinate; and at least two of said stations in said array positioned such that said two stations have neither the same X-axis coordinate nor the same Y-axis coordinate.