Machine tool assembly

A machine tool assembly comprising:

• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• and
• at least one machining unit that is operable for performing an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame comprises first and second spaced end supports and at least one reinforcing element which extends fully between and connects to each of the first and second end supports so as to maintain the first and second end supports in a desired operative relationship,
• the workpiece holder and at least one machining unit each connected to at least one of the first and second end supports and at least one reinforcing element so that the at least one machining unit can be operated to perform a machining operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the first and second end supports each comprises a disk-shaped element and the at least one reinforcing element comprises a first elongate plate.

A machine tool assembly comprising:

• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• and
• at least one machining unit that is operable for performing an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame comprises first and second spaced end supports and at least one reinforcing element which extends between the first and second end supports so as to maintain the first and second end supports in a desired operative relationship,
• the workpiece holder and at least one machining unit each connected to at least one of the first and second end supports and at least one reinforcing element so that the at least one machining unit can be operated to perform a machining operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the at least one reinforcing element comprises a first elongate bar, and the first elongate bar comprises first and second joinable parts.

A machine tool assembly comprising:

• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• and
• at least one machining unit that is operable for performing an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame comprises first and second spaced end supports and at least one reinforcing element which extends between the first and second end supports so as to maintain the first and second end supports in a desired operative relationship,
• the workpiece holder and at least one machining unit each connected to at least one of the first and second end supports and at least one reinforcing element so that the at least one machining unit can be operated to perform a machining operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the at least one reinforcing element comprises a first elongate bar having a through passageway to permit passage of a coolant through the first elongate bar.

A machine tool assembly:

• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• at least one machining unit that is operable for performing an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame comprises first and second spaced end supports and at least one reinforcing element which extends between the first and second end supports so as to maintain the first and second end supports in a desired operative relationship,
• the workpiece holder and at least one machining unit each connected to at least one of the first and second end supports and at least one reinforcing element so that the at least one machining unit can be operated to perform a machining operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the at least one reinforcing element comprises a first elongate bar having a through passageway;
• and
• a temperature controlling fluid that is directed through the passageway of the first elongate bar.

A machine tool assembly comprising:

• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• and
• at least one machining unit that is operable for performing an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame comprises first and second spaced end supports and at least one reinforcing element which extends between the first and second end supports so as to maintain the first and second end supports in a desired operative relationship,
• the workpiece holder and at least one machining unit each connected to at least one of the first and second end supports and at least one reinforcing element so that the at least one machining unit can be operated to perform a machining operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the first and second end supports each comprises a disk-shaped element and the at least one reinforcing element comprises a first elongate bar,
• wherein the first and second end supports respectively have first and second facing surfaces which bound a working space and the at least one machining unit is mounted to the first facing surface.

A machine tool assembly comprising:

• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• and
• at least one machining unit that is operable for performing an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame comprises first and second spaced end supports and at least one reinforcing element which extends between the first and second end supports so as to maintain the first and second end supports in a desired operative relationship,
• the workpiece holder and at least one machining unit each connected to at least one of the first and second end supports and at least one reinforcing element so that the at least one machining unit can be operated to perform a machining operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the first and second end supports each comprise a disk-shaped element and the at least one reinforcing element comprises a first elongate bar,
• wherein the first end support has oppositely facing first and second surfaces on first and second opposite sides of the first end support, the workpiece holder is on the first side of the first end support, and the at least one machining unit is on the second side of the first end support.

A machine tool assembly comprising:

• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• and
• at least one machining unit that is operable for performing an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame comprises first and second spaced end supports and at least one reinforcing element which extends between the first and second end supports so as to maintain the first and second end supports in a desired operative relationship,
• the workpiece holder and at least one machining unit each connected to at least one of the first and second end supports and at least one reinforcing element so that the at least one machining unit can be operated to perform a machining operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame defines a passageway for guiding movement of a temperature controlling fluid.

In combination:

• a base;
• and
• a first machine tool assembly that can be placed in an operative position on the base in an elevated position over a subjacent support surface, said first machine tool assembly comprising:
• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• at least one machining unit that is operable to perform an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame comprises first and second spaced end supports and at least one reinforcing element which extends between the first and second end supports so as to maintain the first and second end supports in a desired operative relationship,
• the workpiece holder and at least one machining unit each connected to at least one of the first and second end supports and at least one reinforcing element so that the at least one machining unit can be operated to perform an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder;
• and
• a second machine tool assembly substantially the same as the first machine tool assembly that can be placed in an operative position on the base in an elevated position over a subjacent support surface so that machining operations can be performed simultaneously by the first and second machine tool assemblies.

In combination:

• a base;
• and
• a first machine tool assembly that can be placed in an operative position on the base in an elevated position over a subjacent support surface, said first machine tool assembly comprising:
• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• and
• at least one machining unit that is operable to perform an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame comprises first and second spaced end supports at least one reinforcing element which extends between the first and second end supports so as to maintain the first and second end supports in a desired operative relationship,
• the workpiece holder and at least one machining unit each connected to at least one of the first and second end supports and at least one reinforcing element so that the at least one machining unit can be operated to perform an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the base comprises a frame defining a plurality of compartments each configured to receive a machine tool assembly the same as the first machine tool assembly.

A machine tool assembly module comprising:

• a frame;
• a workpiece holder capable of grippingly engaging a workpiece;
• and
• at least one machining unit that is operable to perform an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame defines a cage with an external surface which is structurally reinforced to allow the machine tool assembly module to be supported on a base and operated with the base selectively bearing on a plurality of different portions of the cage which thereby permits different portions of the external surface of the machine tool assembly module to be placed against a support surface to permit performance of a machining operation with the machine tool assembly module in different orientations,
• wherein the frame comprises fixed facing surfaces bounding a working space and the workpiece holder resides at least partially within the working space.

A machine tool assembly module comprising:

• a frame;
• a workpiece holder;
• and
• at least one machining unit that is operable to perform an operation on a workpiece in an operative position on the workpiece holder,
• wherein the frame defines a cage with an external surface which is structurally reinforced and permits different portions of the external surface of the machine tool assembly module to be placed against a support surface to permit performance of a machining operation with different portions of the external surface of the cage on the machine tool assembly module bearing on the support surface,
• wherein the frame comprises facing surfaces spaced from each other along a first axis bounding a working space,
• wherein the machining unit is capable of driving a machining tool around a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis.