Systems and Methods for Automated Machining a Workpiece

An end effector comprising:

• a machine tool;
• a tool-side automated tool changer coupled to the machine tool;
• and
• a tool-side data transmission connector coupled to the machine tool,
• wherein:
• the tool-side automated tool changer is coupleable to a master-side automated tool changer of a robotic manipulator;
• the tool-side data transmission connector is coupleable to a master-side data transmission connector of the robotic manipulator;
• and
• with the master-side automated tool changer coupled to the tool-side automated tool changer of the end effector:
• power is selectively transferred from the master-side automated tool changer to the tool-side automated tool changer;
• electrical signals are transferred between the master-side data transmission connector and the tool-side data transmission connector;
• and
• the end effector is identifiable based on one of the electrical signals transferred between the master-side data transmission connector and the tool-side data transmission connector.

A machining method comprising:

• detecting each one of a plurality of end effectors;
• retrieving a select one of the plurality of end effectors corresponding to a select one of a plurality of workpiece;
• identifying the select one of the plurality of end effectors;
• moving the select one of the plurality of end effectors over a processing location on the select one of the plurality of workpieces;
• and
• processing the select one of the plurality of workpieces.