Machine tool configured for successively deploying a plurality of tools to modify a workpiece during a manufacturing process

A machine tool configured for successively deploying a plurality of workpieces to be modified by a tool, the machine tool comprising:

• a plurality of clamping units configured to be releasably connected to the machine tool, wherein each of the plurality of clamping units is configured to hold a respective one of the plurality of workpieces;
• a carrier unit carried by the machine tool and configured to releasably receive a respective one of the plurality of clamping units;
• a measurement chain which includes a plurality of measurement units and an evaluation unit that includes a primary antenna configured to receive electromagnetic transmission over a limited transmission distance and carried at a fixed position by the carrier unit;
• wherein each of the plurality of measurement units is carried by a respective one of the plurality of clamping units and configured and disposed for measuring a measured variable resulting from an interaction of the tool and a respective one of the plurality of workpieces;
• wherein each of the plurality of measurement units includes a respective one of a plurality of sensors, a respective one of a plurality of converter units, and a respective one of a plurality of secondary antennas;
• wherein each respective one of the respective plurality of clamping units holds a respective one of the plurality of workpieces in direct mechanical contact with a respective one of the plurality of sensors;
• wherein each respective converter unit and respective secondary antenna of each respective measurement unit are connected to each other and arranged at a spatial distance from the respective sensor and electrically connected by a respective signal cable to the respective sensor;
• a plurality of secondary housings, wherein each of the plurality of secondary housings contains a respective converter unit and respective secondary antenna of a respective sensor, wherein each of the plurality of secondary housings is carried by a respective clamping unit in a manner that disposes a spatial distance between the respective one of the plurality of secondary housings and the respective one of the plurality of sensors;
• and
• wherein each of the respective plurality of measurement units is configured to be positioned in a measuring position where only the respective measurement unit can be coupled to the evaluation unit for establishing a transmission connection between the respective secondary antenna and the primary antenna because only the respective secondary antenna is disposed at a distance within the limited transmission distance of the primary antenna when the respective measurement unit is disposed at the measuring position.

A machine tool configured for handling a workpiece via successively deploying a plurality of changeable heads configured to grip the workpiece, the machine tool comprising:

• a manipulator configured for movement relative to the machine tool and further configured for changeably connecting to a selected one of the plurality of changeable heads, wherein each of the plurality of changeable heads includes one of a plurality of tools configured to engage the workpiece with a gripping force;
• a measurement chain which includes a plurality of measurement units and an evaluation unit that includes a primary antenna configured to receive electromagnetic transmission over a limited transmission distance and carried at a fixed position by the manipulator;
• wherein each of the plurality of measurement units is carried by a respective one of the plurality of changeable heads and configured and disposed for measuring a measured variable resulting from an interaction of the respective one of the plurality of tools and the workpiece;
• wherein each of the plurality of measurement units includes a respective one of a plurality of sensors, a respective one of a plurality of converter units, and a respective one of a plurality of secondary antennas;
• wherein each respective one of the respective plurality of clamping units holds a respective one of the plurality of workpieces in direct mechanical contact with a respective one of the plurality of sensors;
• wherein each respective converter unit and respective secondary antenna of each respective measurement unit are connected to each other and arranged at a spatial distance from the respective sensor and electrically connected by a respective signal cable to the respective sensor;
• a plurality of secondary housings, wherein each of the plurality of secondary housings contains a respective converter unit and respective secondary antenna of a respective sensor, wherein each of the plurality of secondary housings is carried by a respective clamping unit in a manner that disposes a spatial distance between the respective one of the plurality of secondary housings and the respective one of the plurality of sensors;
• and
• wherein each of the respective plurality of measurement units is configured to be positioned in a measuring position where only the respective measurement unit can be coupled to the evaluation unit for establishing a transmission connection between the respective secondary antenna and the primary antenna because only the respective secondary antenna is disposed at a distance within the limited transmission distance of the primary antenna when the respective measurement unit is disposed at the measuring position.