# US 2008/0188363 A1 · Highly Flexible Machine Tool Comprising Several Workpiece Supports > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0188363 A1 - Document ID: US20080188363A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/665,553 - Filed: 2005-10-07 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2004-10-15 - Assignees: Witzig & Frank GmbH - Inventors: Frank Baumbusch; Walter Bauer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188363A1 ## CPC - B23Q 7/1415: {with a series disposition of working devices not corresponding with the sequence of the working} - B23Q 39/04: the sub-assemblies being arranged to operate simultaneously at different stations, e.g. with an annular work-table moved in steps (associations of machines connected only by work-transferring means B23Q41/00) - B23Q 41/02: Features relating to transfer of work between machines (arrangements for handling work for machine tools coordinated in production lines B23Q7/14) - Y10T 29/5124: with means to feed work intermittently from one tool station to another - Y10T 483/165: Plural machine tools, e.g., flexible manufacturing - B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A machine tool (1) has a work chamber (3), in which two workpiece supports (7, 8) can move independently of one another. A plurality of tool bits (44, 45) are also disposed in the work chamber. Movement devices which define movement regions are assigned to the workpiece supports (7, 8). These movement devices overlap one another in a region in which a machining unit (35) can be disposed. With such a machine tool, very high flexibility in terms of the workpieces to be produced as well as high productivity are achieved. The machine tool (1) thus makes it possible to achieve high degrees of automation, even with small-scale mass production. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A machine tool (1) for machining workpieces, having a work chamber (3); having a plurality of machining units (35), which carry driven tool bits (44, 45) that are disposed in the work chamber (3), the machining units forming machining stations, which can be approached by the workpieces in a programmable machining sequence; having at least two workpiece supports (7, 8), which are disposed in the work chamber (3) and to each of which individual movement devices (17) are assigned, so that each workpiece support (7, 8) is movable within its own movement region (28, 29), located in the work chamber, and the workpiece supports (7, 8), for machining the workpieces to suit the machining sequence, are movable into predetermined positions in order to position the workpieces for machining. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the movement regions (28, 29) overlap one another at least in some regions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the movement regions (28, 29) overlap one another only in some regions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the movement devices (17) each have at least two linear adjusters (19, 25), which define different directions of motion (x, z). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The machine tool as defined by claim 4, characterized in that the directions of motion (x, z) of a machining unit (35) are located in a common horizontal plane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The machine tool as defined by claim 4, characterized in that the directions of motion (x, z) of a plurality of machining units (35) are located in a common plane. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the movement devices (17) each have at least one pivoting adjuster (24). ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the movement devices (17) each have at least two pivoting adjusters (24, 27), which define two different pivot axes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The machine tool as defined by claim 4, characterized in that the movement devices (17) each have at least two pivoting adjusters (24, 27), which define two different pivot axes, and the first pivot axis matches the first direction of motion (z). ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The machine tool as defined by claim 9, characterized in that the second pivot axis is oriented transversely to the first pivot axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the linear adjusters includes at least one linear motor (19). ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the workpiece supports (7) are provided with automatic clamping devices. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the machining units (35) is supported adjustably in at least one direction by means of a positioning unit (46). ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the machining units (35) is movable in at least two directions (z, y) by means of a positioning unit (46). ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that at least one positioning unit (46) includes at least one linear motor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the machining units has a turret (39) with a plurality of work spindles (42, 43). ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that machining units (35) are disposed at different places in the movement region (28, 29). ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that at least two machining units are disposed at one place in the movement region (28, 29). ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the movement region (28, 29) spans at least two machining units. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the workpiece supports are linearly adjustable during the machining of the workpieces. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the workpiece supports are pivotably adjustable during the machining of the workpieces. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The machine tool as defined by claim 1, characterized in that the workpiece supports are held in repose for the machining at at least one machining station.