Forming machine with a plurality of workstations

A forming machine that produces formed parts of a complex design from straight workpieces from wire or tube, comprising:

• a computerized numerical control unit;
• a plurality of workstations comprising a loading station, a first machining station downstream of the loading station, and at least one second machining station downstream of the first machining station, wherein at least two of the machining stations are forming stations;
• a transport system that transports successive workpieces from the loading station to downstream workstations while under control by the control unit,
• wherein
• the transport system is of a modular construction and comprises a plurality of transport modules, and each of the transport modules is assigned to two mutually successive workstations and comprises:
• a support structure;
• a transport unit supported by the support structure, and
• while under control by the control unit by way of an individual motion profile in a shuttle operation is movable in a reciprocating manner along a module transport section of the transport module, between a first terminal position and a second terminal position of a reciprocating stroke;
• and
• a gripper unit that grips a workpiece.