Multi-Zone Machine Tool System

An apparatus for machining a plurality of parts with at least one tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a support supported by the frame, the support supporting a first part in a first zone of a plurality of selectable zones associated with the support and a second part in a second zone of the plurality of selectable zones associated with the support, each of the plurality of selectable zones being located within a machining workspace of the apparatus;
• a machine tool spindle supported by the frame and moveable relative to the first part and the second part, the machine tool spindle adapted to couple the at least one tool, at least one of the support and the machine tool spindle including a plurality of moveable axes which position the at least one tool relative to the first part and the second part;
• and
• a motion control system operably coupled to at least one of the machine tool spindle and the support, the motion control system executing the machining of the first part and the second part through a controlled movement of the plurality of moveable axes, wherein the first zone has a first kinematics arrangement controlled by the motion control system to machine the first part and the second zone has a second kinematics arrangement controlled by the motion control system to machine the second part, the first kinematics arrangement differing from the second kinematics arrangement.

An apparatus for machining a part with at least one tool, the apparatus comprising:

• a frame;
• a support supported by the frame, the support supporting the part in one of a plurality of selectable zones associated with the support, each of the plurality of selectable zones being located within a machining workspace of the apparatus and defining an offset relative to a machine coordinate system;
• a machine tool spindle supported by the frame and moveable relative to the part, the machine tool spindle adapted to couple the at least one tool, at least one of the support and the machine tool spindle including a plurality of moveable axes which position the at least one tool relative to the part;
• and
• a motion control system operably coupled to at least one of the machine tool spindle and the support, the motion control system executing the machining of the part through a controlled movement of the plurality of moveable axes, wherein the controlled movement of the plurality moveable axes is based on a part program which includes instructions related to the machining of the part and a selection of a first zone of the selectable zones associated with the support.

A multi-interface machine tool system for machining a part, the multi-interface machine tool system comprising:

• a device for supporting the part;
• a first zone having a first interface which supports a first tool and includes a first plurality of moveable axes to position the first tool, the first tool being configured to remove material from the part;
• a second zone having a second interface which supports a second tool and includes a second plurality of moveable axes to position the second tool, the second tool being configured to remove material from the part;
• a motion control system operably coupled to the first interface and the second interface, the motion control system executing the machining of the part through a controlled movement of the first plurality of moveable axes and a controlled movement of the second plurality of moveable axes, wherein the controlled movement of the first plurality moveable axes is based on a part program which includes instructions related to the machining of the part and a selection of the first zone and the controlled movement of the second plurality moveable axes is based on the part program which includes instructions related to the machining of the part and a selection of the second zone.