Patent ID: 7490710

Claim:
An automated flexible manufacturing system capable of modular interchangeability of the machining stations, comprising: a) a track for transporting a combination comprising a workpiece mounted on a pallet, the track transporting the combination pallet and workpiece along a single central track pathway defined by essentially upwardly extending walls located on either side of the single central pathway, b) plural modular machining stations capable of being disposed substantially adjacent the track, each machining station being modularly attachable and detachable from the track, and, when attached to the track, providing an automated machining station for processing the workpiece mounted on the pallet at a location removed from the immediate vicinity of the track; and c) a workpiece diverter disposed at least at one of the plural automated machining stations, the workpiece diverter including a diverter mechanism capable of transferring the pallet and workpiece combination from the track and to the automated machining station, the track having substantially transverse channels extending through one of the essentially upwardly extending walls to permit the pallet and workpiece combination to be diverted from the single central track pathway and to the associated automated machining station, the workpiece diverter further having a retracting mechanism capable of retracting the pallet and workpiece combination from the machining station and onto the single central pathway of the track, wherein each of the plural machining stations includes a trunnion, the trunnion having a pivotable trunnion body and at least one attaching surface, and being disposed immediately adjacent the track for receiving the pallet and workpiece combination when it is diverted form the track by the workpiece diverter, the attaching surface being capable of retaining the pallet and workpiece combination in a fixed relation with respect to the attaching surface.