Processing machine and processing method

A processing machine for machining components, the processing machine comprising:

• a movement bridge,
• a body within which a chamber and the movement bridge are present, the movement bridge being movable on an upper part of the chamber along a Y axis,
• wherein the movement bridge is provided with an arm which is movable along the bridge along an X axis which extends perpendicular to the Y axis, the arm bearing a machining head which is vertically movable on the arm along a Z axis which extends perpendicular to each of the X axis and the Y axis, the machining head being provided with machining tools for the machining of the components,
• the processing machine further comprising a first zone in which the machining of the components occurs, wherein the first zone is located inside chamber, and wherein a bench is located in the first zone and the bench includes supports to support at opposite ends thereof one of the components which is shaped as an oblong element to be machined,
• the processing machine further comprising a control unit containing machining programs for controlling movement of the movement bridge, the arm, and the machining head,
• the processing machine further comprising a positioning device for grabbing of the oblong element to be machined and for transportation of the element to be machined from a second zone of the processing machine, the second zone being a charging zone of the element to be machined to the bench,
• wherein the positioning device is fixed to the structure of the movement bridge, and the positioning device is provided with an independent movement system along the X axis,
• wherein the control unit contains movement programs for controlling the movement of the movement bridge and for controlling movement of the positioning device for automatic or semi-automatic charging or discharging operations of the element to be machined with respect to the bench, in such a way that charging or discharging movements along the Y axis occur by means of the movement of the movement bridge and along the X axis occur by means of movement of the positioning device,
• wherein the positioning device comprises a plurality of grabbing devices, each of which is equipped with a respective lift device and a respective hook system for hooking, lowering, and lifting of the element to be machined,
• wherein the plurality of grabbing devices of the positioning device comprises a first grabbing device and a second grabbing device, and
• wherein the positioning device further comprises guides, the guides transversely extending along the X axis on the movement bridge, the first grabbing device and the second grabbing device being slidable along the guides independently of one another.