Modular frame interface

A modular processing machine including a plurality of process units for completing a series of sequential tasks on a work piece conveyed through the modular processing machine, the modular processing machine comprising:

• a first module including,
• a first mounting plate including a first hole, and
• a first rail extending along a longitudinal axis, the first hole having a first axial end facing the first hole, the first hole being coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis,
• a second module including,
• a second mounting plate including a second hole coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and
• a second rail extending coaxially with the longitudinal axis, the second rail having a second axial end facing the second hole,
• wherein the first rail has a first alignment feature at the first axial end thereof protruding longitudinally from the first hole, and the second rail has a second alignment feature at the second axial end thereof protruding longitudinally from the second hole of the second mounting plate, and the first alignment feature is engaged with the second alignment feature to coaxially align the first rail with the second rail along the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the modular processing machine further comprises a first process unit mounted on the first rail for completing a first task of the series of sequential tasks, and
• wherein the modular processing machine further comprises a second process unit mounted on the second rail for completing a second task of the series of sequential tasks, the second task being completed sequentially after the first task.

A modular processing machine including a plurality of process units for completing a series of sequential tasks on a work piece conveyed through the modular processing machine, the modular processing machine comprising:

• a first module including,
• a plurality of first rails extending parallel to each other,
• a first process unit mounted on the plurality of first rails, and
• a second module including,
• a plurality of second rails extending parallel to each other,
• a second process unit mounted on the plurality of second rails, and
• a conveyor extending between the first module and the second module and defining a process flow direction from an upstream end of the first module towards a downstream end of the second module,
• wherein a plurality of male-female interfaces between the plurality of first rails and the plurality of second rails sets the plurality of first rails and the plurality of second rails to extend parallel to the process flow direction, and an attachment between the first module and the second module is established by fastener joints positioned separately from the plurality of male-female interfaces in a plane perpendicular to the process flow direction.