Transfer and locator of workpieces for a gang machine

For a machine in which substantially the same machining operation is performed on each of a plurality of workpieces at the same time, an apparatus for transferring and locating the workpieces comprising, at least one pallet constructed and arranged to receive and carry in spaced-apart relation a plurality of workpieces which are substantially the same, at least one retainer carried by the pallet for each workpiece received thereon, each said retainer being constructed and arranged to receive and permit a workpiece to be shifted within predetermined limits in at least two directions at a right angle to each other relative to the pallet, at least one locator for each workpiece carried by the pallet, each said locator being carried by the machine and constructed and arranged to accurately locate a workpiece in the machine independently of all other workpieces in the machine and the pallet so that a machining operation can be performed on each of the workpieces, a lift carried by the machine and constructed and arranged to move all the workpieces carried by the pallet to a first position wherein each workpiece engages at least one of said locators carried by the machine and to a second position spaced from said first position wherein all of such workpieces are disengaged from all of such associated locators and received on the pallet by their associated retainers carried by the pallet.