Manufacturing machine

Apparatus for automatically manipulating a workpiece, comprising, in combination:

• conveyor means for transporting a workpiece supporting platen to a work station at which the workpiece is to be manipulated,
• first support means for securing the conveyor means to a floor,
• second support means independent of the first support means for securing the work station to the floor at a location horizontally offset from the conveyor means,
• carriage means for supporting and transporting the platen, the carriage means including a pair of arms which extend under the platen,
• means for movably attaching the carriage means to the conveyor means in such a manner that the pair of arms are centilevered towards the work station,
• elevator means for lifting the platen vertically from the conveyor means, the elevator means being secured to the second support means such that the elevator means is cantilevered towards the conveyor means so that it can rise between the pair of arms of the carriage means to engage the underside of the platen,
• first alignment means for precisely positioning the platen relative to the work station, the first alignment means including at least two precision tapered pins on the elevator means and two mating precision alignment holes on the platen, and
• second alignment means for precisely positioning the platen relative to the conveyor means, the second alignment means including at least two additional precision tapered pins on the conveyor means and two additional mating precision alignment holes on the platen.