Manufacturing system and method for processing workpieces

A manufacturing cell for processing workpieces, comprising:

• a robotic device configured to operate on a workpiece supported on any one of a plurality of pallets, each of the pallets configured to be transported by a transport device;
• a first processing station and a second processing station located within reach of the robotic device and each configured to support any one of the pallets in fixed position relative to the robotic device;
• and
• a controller configured to coordinate the operation of the manufacturing cell in a manner allowing the robotic device to continuously operate on a workpiece supported by one of the plurality of pallets at the first processing station while another one of the plurality of pallets is transferred to or from the second processing station.

A method of processing workpieces, comprising:

• supporting one or more workpieces on each of a plurality of pallets;
• transporting, using a transport device, any one of the plurality of pallets to a first processing station located in a manufacturing cell within reach of a robotic device;
• and
• operating, using the robotic device, on a workpiece supported by one of the plurality of pallets at the first processing station while another one of the plurality of pallets is transferred to or from a second processing station located within reach of the robotic device.