Machine tool apparatus

Machine tool apparatus for handling routine pallets and priority pallets with loading and unloading stations comprising:

• a plurality of machine tools for performing machining operations on a workpiece mounted on a pallet;
• main conveyer means for carrying a pallet in one direction;
• buffer conveyer means for storing a pallet to be loaded onto a machine tool;
• return conveyer means for returning a pallet to an unloading station;
• pallet transfer means for moving a pallet among the conveyer means, the stations and the machine tools;
• central control means for controlling the machine tools, the conveyer means and the pallet transfer means comprising:
• means to discriminate a priority pallet from a routine pallet mounted on a machine tool or a loading station;
• means to reserve a machine tool onto which a priority pallet is to be loaded to prohibit use of said machine tool with respect to a routine pallet;
• means to cause the pallet transfer means and the main conveyer means to carry a priority pallet to a predetermined position on the main conveyer means;
• means to cause the pallet transfer means to load the priority pallet onto a machine tool when the machine tool is not reserved by another priority pallet.

Machine tool apparatus for handling routine pallets and priority pallets with loading and unloading stations comprising:

• a plurality of machine tools for performing machining operations on a workpiece mounted on a pallet;
• main conveyer means for carrying a pallet in one direction;
• buffer conveyer means for storing a pallet to be loaded onto a machine tool;
• return conveyer means for returning a pallet to an unloading station;
• pallet transfer means for moving a pallet among the conveyer means, the stations and the machine tools;
• central control means for controlling the machine tools, the conveyer means and the pallet transfer means comprising:
• means to discriminate a priority pallet from a routine pallet mounted on a machine tool or a loading station;
• means to reserve a machine tool onto which a priority pallet is to be loaded to prohibit use of said machine tool with respect to a routine pallet;
• means to cause the main conveyer means and the pallet transfer means to transfer a priority pallet to a predetermined position on the main conveyer means;
• means to cause the pallet transfer means to transfer the priority pallet from the main conveyer means to the machine tool.