Cassette changing apparatus for index-feeding machining systems

A cassette-changing apparatus for index-feed machining systems, the apparatus comprising:

• a base;
• a plurality of machining units positioned at predetermined intervals on said base in a workpiece feeding direction;
• a plurality of cassettes, each of said plurality of cassettes being positionable in one of said plurality of machining units, said plurality of machining units sequentially performing a plurality of machining processes on a workpiece as the workpiece is passed in said workpiece feeding direction through said cassettes positioned in said machining units;
• first and second cassette holders moveable towards and away from said plurality of machining units, said first and second cassette holders defining a plurality of positioning groove means for housing and holding subsets of said plurality of cassettes and for aligning said subsets of cassettes in said predetermined intervals with said plurality of machining units when said first and second cassette holders are positioned toward said machining units;
• cassette changing means for moving said subsets of cassettes on said first and second cassette holders from a standby location to a loading location;
• transfer means movable in a transfer direction intersecting said workpiece feeding direction and for extracting in said transfer direction one of said plurality of cassettes from one of said plurality of machining units and onto one of said cassette holders in said loading position, said transfer means also for installing in said transfer direction another one of said plurality of cassettes from another one of said holders in said loading position into one of said plurality of machining units, said transfer means including an engaging means for engaging and disengaging with said plurality of cassettes;
• trial machining means positioned adjacent said cassette changing means and for aligning one of said subsets of said cassettes for subsequent use in said machining units;
• base positioning means for adjusting positions of said machining units to receive one of said subsets from one of said cassette holders and for adjusting positions of said machining units for said sequential performing of said plurality of machining processes on the workpiece;
• control means for recording alignment data from said trial machining means and feeding said alignment data to said base positioning means.