Method and system for switching workpieces

Abstract

In a method for switching a workpiece (W) fastened to a tray (P1) after a workpiece side (14) has been machined in a horizontal machining machine (M), the tray (P1) is fed into a transfer position (AP) in which the machined side (14) of the workpiece (W) is oriented in the direction of a tray carrier (T), a further tray (P2) is provided, and the workpiece is first transferred to the gripping device (9, 10) of the further tray (P2) in such a way that the machined side (14) faces forward, and is guided together with it into the machine (M) again. In the system (S) for switching, the tray carrier (T) has a positioning mechanism (11), by means of which a semi-machined workpiece (W) can be transferred to the gripping device (9) of the other tray (P2) with the machined side (14) facing forward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method according to the following technical solution and a system according to the following technical solution. Background Art

[0002] In the method known from WO 2021 / 047838 A, the semi-processed workpiece is led out of the horizontal processing machine with the processed side facing upwards together with the pallet that carries the workpiece during processing by a bracket arranged on the bottom plate by means of a transport device, for example, to a setting position, where the workpiece on the pallet is then manually re-clamped from the front side to the rear side using personnel and auxiliary means, such as a lift, and the pallet is, for example, fed back into the horizontal processing machine to complete the processing. This is both time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0003] When it comes to workpieces made of light metal or light metal alloys and used, for example, as aircraft parts, these workpieces can have an overall dimension B:L of approximately 4 to 6 meters and a weight of several tons as a blank. After the first processing step, the workpiece can still weigh more than a ton and be correspondingly difficult to handle. The finished workpiece then still weighs several hundred kilograms. The blank can be unprocessed or already partially processed.

[0004] In a horizontal processing machine (stand-alone operation), processing is carried out, for example, in two steps on a pallet, the second step being completed on the pallet after the workpiece has been switched and re-clamped, or in a unit consisting of several horizontal processing machines, in which the re-clamped workpiece is processed in a second step in another horizontal processing machine.

[0005] In a horizontal processing machine, two pallets can be temporarily held, for example, to hold workpieces back to back on a pivot arm and pallet holder, in order to bring the workpiece to be processed into the processing position in the horizontal processing machine more quickly and to remove and discharge the just processed workpiece together with its pallet. Alternatively, only one pallet can also be operated in a horizontal processing machine with or without workpieces.

[0006] Further prior art can be found in WO 2021 / 047837 A1 and WO 2021 / 047836 A1. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system of the type mentioned at the outset, with which the necessary switching or re-clamping of semi-machined workpieces is at least simplified.

[0008] The proposed object is achieved by a method according to the following technical solution and a system according to the following technical solution.

[0009] In the method, the pallet with the semi-processed workpiece is first moved, in particular pivoted and tilted, into a tilted transfer position on the horizontal processing machine while being displaced in the direction of the pallet carrier, so that the processed side of the semi-processed workpiece faces outward from the machine, toward another empty pallet, which has a workpiece clamping device for the workpiece. In the transfer position of the pallet, the semi-processed workpiece is transferred to the clamping device of the other pallet and is later either brought back into the processing position or first removed together with the other pallet, wherein the transferred workpiece is thus already positioned on the other pallet in a re-clamped manner, so that it no longer requires this time-consuming and labor-intensive processing step that previously had to be performed manually.

[0010] The essential advantage of the method is therefore that the workpiece change can be carried out quickly and in particular in an unmanned and automated manner.

[0011] In this system, the various movement possibilities of the pivoting arm and the tray support which can be rotated there are also utilized in order to prepare and carry out the automatic transfer without manual intervention.

[0012] In the case of the method and with the system, the transfer of workpieces and pallets can take place in a horizontal position or at least in a substantially vertical position, wherein a horizontal position is preferred.

[0013] By means of the positioning mechanism of the pallet carrier, the other pallet provided there in a preferably horizontal manner can be aligned with its clamping device relative to the clamping interface of the semi-processed workpiece. The semi-processed workpiece is located in a horizontal transfer position together with the pallet in such a way that the processed side of the workpiece faces the other pallet on the pallet transport device. The workpiece is then transferred to the clamping device of the other pallet by a relative raising and / or lowering movement between the other pallet and the pallet and released from the pallet. Therefore, the semi-processed workpiece is located in a re-clamping position on the other pallet after the transfer, without any external intervention being required here. The relative raising and / or lowering movement can be generated linearly by means of the positioning mechanism of the pallet carrier so that the clamping device of the other pallet is linearly engaged with the clamping interface by raising the other pallet and the other pallet is placed on the carrier again together with the transferred workpiece. Alternatively, the pallet with the semi-processed workpiece can be lowered to the same extent from the processing position into the transfer position by means of the pivot arm and the pallet holder, so that the clamping device of the other pallet and the clamping interface of the workpiece meet in an arc movement about the rotation axis of the pivot arm.

[0014] However, the pallet is advantageously first held at a distance above the other pallet in a horizontal transfer position. To transfer the workpiece, the other pallet is aligned with the workpiece and only then or at this point is it raised in the direction of the transfer position of the pallet. The workpiece clamping device of the other pallet then engages with the clamping interface of the workpiece and releases the fixation of the workpiece at the pallet. The workpiece is transferred and the pallet is emptied. The lifting movement is linear in order to achieve a smooth engagement of the clamping device with the clamping interface. This variant is preferred.

[0015] Alternatively, the tilted pallet with the semi-processed workpiece, whose processed side faces downward toward the other pallet, can be lowered in the same manner into this lower transfer position by means of the pivot arm and the pallet support until the workpiece is transferred to the clamping device of the other pallet. In this case, the clamping device of the other pallet merges with the clamping interface at the workpiece in an arc-shaped movement about the pivot axis of the pivot arm, provided that the clamping device and the clamping interface can be appropriately engaged with each other in this way.

[0016] It is further advantageous if the emptied pallet in the horizontal processing machine is pivoted upwards out of the movement path of the other pallets before the other pallets are removed together with the workpieces, in order to avoid collisions.

[0017] After the other pallets have been removed with the workpieces by means of the transport device on the bottom side combined with the carrier, the emptied pallet is turned over until its set-up side faces upward and is stored. The emptied pallet can then be transported away, for example, by means of a pallet transport device, preferably to a set-up position where it can be loaded with new blanks, or to a pallet storage.

[0018] In order to process the other workpiece side, the other pallet that has been removed can be brought back to the horizontal processing machine together with the workpiece, or fed into another horizontal processing machine, or fed into a pallet storage, such as a pallet rack. In principle, in this method variant, the blanks, finished parts and, if necessary, semi-finished parts are always moved together with the pallet.

[0019] According to the method, it is advantageous if the workpiece switching and possibly even the supply and removal of blanks and finished parts is carried out in an automatically controlled manner in the system, so that this step is carried out unmanned and smoothly and without the need for auxiliary mechanisms.

[0020] In other method variants, the blanks and finished components are supplied and removed from above and toward the top separately, ie without a pallet.

[0021] In this case, only two trays need to be used alternately.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment of the system, the distance between the pallet and the further pallet can be set in the horizontal transfer position, i.e., the further pallet that is aligned passes through this distance in order to transfer the workpiece during the linear raising movement of the carriage. As a result, the clamping device reliably merges with the clamping interface. However, the system can also be designed so that the workpiece comes into contact with the further pallet in the further lowered transfer position and is transferred.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the clamping device of the other pallet has a hydraulically actuable hole clamp. The clamping interface of the workpiece is a hole or blind hole in the workpiece, which is produced, for example, during machining and is used to engage the hole clamp. Such a hole clamp has, for example, an expandable mandrel and a stop for the workpiece. However, other types of clamping devices can also be used, provided that they can handle large masses and ensure high precision.

[0024] In order to be able to automatically carry out the workpiece changeover, it is advantageous if the system has at least one, preferably programmable, control which is coupled to the drive of the pivot arm, the positioning mechanism of the pallet support and the pallet carrier or even the carrier device.

[0025] In one embodiment, the pallet carrier can be combined with a transport device, such as a roller conveyor (eg with drivable rollers) or a bottom-side rail carriage unit, in order to maneuver the pallet only.

[0026] Of particular importance is the embodiment of the system with a carrying device for feeding the blanks and finished parts individually from above to the machine and leading them upward from the machine. The carrying device can be, for example, a lift or a robot or a movable support frame.

[0027] When the workpieces are supplied and removed on a transport device on the bottom side with or without a pallet in a vertical or nearly vertical (slightly inclined) position with the workpiece side parallel to the processing area in the machine, it is advantageous to provide a horizontal positioning mechanism in the transport device or carrier to make it easier for the workpieces to be fed into and removed from the machine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The subject matter of the present invention is explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a horizontal processing machine with a pallet handling system for workpiece switching is shown, at a stage in which a workpiece is currently being or has been processed,

[0030] Figure 2 shows the other stages at the beginning of workpiece switching,

[0031] Figure 3 shows the other stages before the workpiece switch,

[0032] Figure 4 Shows the stage when workpiece switching is completed,

[0033] Figure 5 shows the stage after the workpiece switching has been completed,

[0034] Figure 6 shows the other stages before the switched workpiece is extracted,

[0035] Figure 7 shows the output of the switched artifacts,

[0036] Figure 8 shows the stage before the empty tray is removed,

[0037] Fig. 9 shows the stage when the emptied pallet is led out,

[0038] Fig.10 shows the removal of the emptied pallet,

[0039] Fig.11 shows the supply of new or switched artifacts,

[0040] Fig.12 Other embodiments of the system are shown, and

[0041] Fig.13 Further specific embodiments of a system for carrying out further variants of the method are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] exist Figure 1 In the processing area 1 of the horizontal processing machine M, Figure 1 The workpiece not visible in the figure is machined, for example by cutting, and is fixed on the pallet P1. The pallet P1 is fixed in the shown, approximately vertical working position in the machining area 1. The workpiece is to be machined on both sides and therefore must be switched or re-clamped after one side has been machined in order to also be able to machine the other side.

[0043] A system S for handling a pallet, for example P1, is provided at a horizontal processing machine M. The system S comprises two parallel and synchronously pivotable pivot arms 4, which have a drive 5 and at whose free ends a pallet holder 2 is rotatably mounted and driven by means of a drive 3. The pallet holder 2 holds the respective pallet P1 at both front ends by means of engagement elements (not shown) and serves to tilt the pallet P1 at the pivot arms 4, while the pivot arms 4 are provided for pivoting the pallet by approximately 90°. The pivot arms are coupled to one another, for example, via a transverse axis 6 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0044] The system S also includes a pallet carrier T, which is arranged in front of the horizontal processing machine M. In the illustrated, non-limiting case, it is a rail carriage unit with a rail section 7, on which a carriage 8 can travel, for example. A positioning mechanism 11 is provided in the pallet carrier T, for example at or near the carriage 8, which serves to align the other pallets P2 placed horizontally on the carriage 8 horizontally, i.e. in a direction corresponding to the travel section 7 and perpendicular thereto, and also to raise and lower vertically linearly (arrow 11'). A clamping device 9 is provided on the other pallets P2, which has, for example, a plurality of hydraulically actuable hole clamps 10 for fixing and holding the workpiece. The drives 3, 5 and the positioning mechanism 11 are attached, for example, to separate, preferably programmable control units CU1, CU2 or to a common control unit, in order to implement at least one unmanned automatic workpiece switching, for example, with the aid of the system S, as shown in the following figures.

[0045] exist Figure 1 , a stationary pallet P1 is shown in the processing area 1. The pallet holders 2 are designed so that they can simultaneously hold two pallets in a back-to-back manner, for example in order to shorten the changeover from a processed workpiece to a workpiece to be processed. The pallet holders 2 are provided with a mechanism (not shown in detail, but shown twice here) Fig.11 , engaging elements 16, 17) engage in the end sides of the pallets to be handled, so that each pallet can be individually fed into the horizontal processing machine M and removed therefrom.

[0046] exist Figure 1 The other pallet P2 shown in FIG. 1 is provided on a carrier T, such as a workbench, to receive at least one semi-processed workpiece W from the pallet P1 .

[0047] exist Figure 2 In the embodiment, the pallet P1 on which the workpiece W is fixed is pivoted after processing by means of the pivot arm 4 in the direction of the pallet carrier T or the other pallet P2. The workpiece W still faces the horizontal processing machine M with its processed side.

[0048] In accordance with Figure 3 In the next phase, according to a non-limiting method variant, the pallet P1 has reached the turned horizontal transfer position AP and is secured, in particular by pivoting the pivot arm 4 and rotating the pallet support 2 at the pivot arm 4 (arrow 19). In this transfer position AP, the machined side of the workpiece W, which now faces the other pallet P2, is at a vertical distance from the clamping device 9 of the other pallet P2.

[0049] according to Figure 4The other pallet P2 is oriented by means of the positioning mechanism 11 of the carriage 8 so that the clamping device 9, for example, uses the engaging element 10 in the form of a hydraulically actuable hole clamp of the other pallet P2 to the clamping interface 18 of the workpiece W (at Figure 6 In addition, in the direction of the arrow 11' indicated in an orthogonal manner, the other pallet P2 is vertically and linearly raised until the clamping device 9 of the other pallet P2 engages with the clamping docking portion 18 of the workpiece W, whereupon the fixation of the workpiece W at the pallet P1 is released and the workpiece is transferred to the other pallet P2, i.e., so that the processed side points to the set-up side of the other pallet without contacting the other pallet P2.

[0050] In accordance with Figure 5 In the next stage, the other pallet P2 is lowered onto the carriage T together with the transferred workpiece W, so that the free pallet P1 (whose set-up side is indicated by 12) that has been emptied can be led out of the other pallet P2. However, the pivot arm 4 still blocks the movement path of the other pallet 2, so that according to Figure 6 , the pivot arm 4 together with the pallet P1 is first displaced upwards to leave the moving path of the other pallets P2 in the pallet transport device P. Thereafter, according to Figure 7 , the other pallet P2 on which the workpiece W is fixed, whose unprocessed side is marked with 13, is led out, for example to the set-up position R or the pallet storage, or again to the same or a different horizontal processing machine M, in order to also process the side 13 of the workpiece W. The processed side of the workpiece W facing the other pallet P2 is marked with 14 and is kept at a distance 15 from the other pallet P2, i.e. it is secured via the clamping device 9 of the other pallet, for example an engaged hole clamp 10, which opens hydraulically in a clamping interface 18, for example a hole or a blind hole, in the workpiece W and can also have a stop for the workpiece W, which supports the clamped workpiece.

[0051] As mentioned, according to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The process described when transferring a workpiece W to a further pallet P2 and, for example, temporarily removing it is a non-limiting method variant. This method variant has the advantage that the clamping device 9 can engage the clamping interface 18 of the workpiece W with a linear vertical movement.

[0052] However, if the other pallet's clamping devices 9, 10 and the workpiece's clamping interface 18 do not allow a completely linear convergence movement, the pallet P1 does not need to stay in Figures 3 to 5Instead of the transfer position AP shown, the pallet P1 can be lowered further in the same manner by means of the pivot arm 4 until the workpiece W comes into contact with the gripping devices 9, 10 of the other pallet P2 into the lower transfer position (not shown) and is held horizontally there by means of the pallet support 2. The gripping devices 9, 10 and the gripping abutment 18 then meet in the system S in an arcuate movement about the pivot axis defined by the pivot arm 4.

[0053] exist Figure 7 After the stage, a new further pallet P2 with workpieces that have not yet been processed or semi-finished workpieces can be supplied and transferred to the processing area 1 of the horizontal processing machine M in a reversed manner back-to-back with the still existing emptied pallet P1 and can be fixed (not shown), and / or the pallet P1 previously emptied during the changeover can then be led out, as shown in FIG. Figures 8 to 10 as shown, or stored on a bracket T, as Fig.12 shown.

[0054] That is, the emptied pallet P1 can be removed from the horizontal processing machine M via the carriage 8, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown in . The removed, emptied pallet P1 can be transported to a set-up position (not shown) in order to clamp the blanks again as workpieces, or transported to a pallet storage. Fig.10 , the pivot arm 4 is pivoted upwards, so to speak, into a preparatory position, and the pallet support 2 is also aligned to receive a pallet to be delivered later. A new processing cycle can then begin.

[0055] On the carriage 8 Fig.11 The other pallet P2 shown in the figure is, for example, the other pallet P2 previously introduced, on which the workpiece W is fixed with the unprocessed side 13 facing upward. However, it can also be another other pallet P2 'on which another workpiece W or blank that has not been processed at the side 13 is fixed.

[0056] exist Figures 1 to 11 In the method, the blanks, semi-finished parts and finished parts are transported on pallets P1, P2, PT respectively.

[0057] according to Figure 7 Alternatively, the other transported pallet P2 together with the semi-processed workpieces W can also be transferred to another horizontal processing machine (not shown) for further processing.

[0058] The hole clamp 10 illustrated as the clamping device 9 and the clamping interface 18 at the workpiece W represent only non-limiting possibilities for the configuration of other clamping devices of the pallet P2. Any further clamping device can be provided at the pallet P2 which is capable of bearing a relatively high weight of the workpiece W and, if necessary, of stably supporting the workpiece W during machining in the horizontal machining machine M.

[0059] The described system S for handling the pallets P1 , P2 is referred to as “automation” of the horizontal processing machine M in the art.

[0060] System in Fig.12 In the other embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the blanks and finished parts are supplied and removed separately by means of a carrier device 21 (e.g. a lift or a robot or a carrier frame) functionally associated with the horizontal processing machine M, using clamping elements 22 for holding the blanks and also the finished parts, for example in a vertical movement (arrow 21 '), and in the process only two pallets P1, P2 are used alternately, onto which the blanks are supplied from above or from which the finished parts are removed upwards. The carrier device 21 is shown only schematically and can actually be designed differently from what is shown, for example with a clamping device similar to the clamping device of the pallets P1, P2.

[0061] The carriage T may be a workbench with a positioning mechanism 11, which is equipped with a transport device 7 shown to make it easier to carry the pallets P1, P2. Fig.12 The support frame 20 can be supported on the bottom side.

[0062] exist Fig.12 , the pallet P1 with the blanks is pivoted into the processing area 1 and fixed. The other pallet P2 is ready on the carrier T for the explained transfer. After the transfer, the empty pallet P1 is fixed in the processing area 1 and the other pallet P2 is received, turned over and brought with its back to the back of the pallet P1 until both pallets are suspended at the pallet support 2 and turned over together, so that the other pallet P2 can now be introduced into the processing area 1 and fixed, after which the empty pallet P1 is turned over separately and deposited on the carrier T and a new blank is taken from the carrier device 21. The other pallets P2 are manipulated in the same way for transferring semi-finished parts and for receiving finished parts to be subsequently removed from the carrier device 21. This is a non-limiting example of a cyclic process when using the carrier device 21. During supply and removal, the carrier device 21 can respectively transport the blanks and finished parts alternately in a vertical or almost vertical position, that is to say in the case of cubic or plate-shaped workpieces W, with the workpiece side essentially parallel to the processing area 1 of the machine M.

[0063] Fig.13An embodiment of a system S is shown, with which the method can be carried out in an at least substantially vertical position of the workpiece W during the supply and removal and, if necessary, the transfer of the semi-finished workpiece to a further pallet P2. The workpiece W shown stands vertically on a carriage 8, for example, as shown, during the supply and removal by the transport device 7, which is supported, for example, by an L-shaped frame 26 or an L-shaped arrangement of pallets P1, P2, and during the supply is transferred individually to a pallet held at a pallet support 2 placed vertically on a pivot arm 4 or together with a pallet from a carriage T to a pallet support 2. For removal, the semi-finished parts or finished parts are transferred in a vertical position to the frame 26 or to the L-shaped arrangement of pallets P1, P2, respectively. The transfer of the workpiece to the machine M or from the machine M to the carriage T can be supported by a horizontal positioning mechanism 24, for example a carriage 8 of the carriage T of the transport device 7, which generates a horizontal movement (double arrow 25).

[0064] The pallet P1 can have a holding and clamping device 24 (e.g. a rod clamp) specifically for the blanks, with a vacuum support if necessary, while the other pallet P2 can have the mentioned clamping device 9 which matches the semi-finished and finished parts with its clamping docking part 18.

Claims

1. A method for switching at least one workpiece (W) fixed to a pallet (P1) to be processed on both sides after being processed on one workpiece side (14) at a horizontal processing machine (M), wherein a system (S) has two pivot arms (4) that can pivot upward and downward, a pallet support (2) that can rotate there to flip the pallet (P1), and a pallet bracket (T) located in front of the horizontal processing machine (M), the system being used to shift the pallet (P1) for workpiece switching together with the semi-processed workpiece (W) from a substantially vertical processing position toward the pallet bracket (T), characterized in that The pallet (P1) is moved during the shift to the transfer position (AP) until the processed side (14) of the workpiece (W) is facing the direction of the pallet carrier (T), on which a further pallet (P2) with a workpiece clamping device (9) is provided, and the workpiece (W) is transferred to the clamping device (9) and transferred together with the further pallet (P2) back into the processing position or guided out.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The pallet (P1) for switching the workpiece (W) is fed into a horizontally placed transfer position (AP) with the processed side (14) of the workpiece (W) facing downward relative to the other pallet (P2) provided in a horizontal manner on the bracket (T), or is fed into a transfer position (AP) with the processed side (14) of the workpiece (W) facing outward relative to the other pallet (P2) provided in an at least substantially vertically standing manner to be switched to an at least substantially vertically standing transfer position.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The corresponding workpiece (W) configured as a blank and / or semi-finished component and / or finished component is supplied and / or removed from the machine (M) at the bottom of the machine (M) or from above and upwards in an at least substantially vertically upright manner with the workpiece side approximately parallel to the processing area (1) of the machine (M).

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pallet (P1) is first held at a distance above the other pallet (P2) in the horizontal transfer position (AP), and in order to transfer the workpiece (W), the other pallet (P2) is aligned with the workpiece (W) and preferably raised toward the transfer position (AP) of the pallet (P1) when the workpiece clamping device (9) of the other pallet (P2) is engaged with the clamping docking portion (18) of the workpiece (W).

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pallet (P1) is lowered into the transfer position (AP) to transfer the workpiece (W) to the clamping device (9) of the other pallet (P2) horizontally placed on the pallet holder and aligned with the workpiece (W).

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The other pallet (P2) together with the semi-processed workpiece (W) is guided out of the machine (M), and before the other pallet (P2) is guided out, the emptied pallet (P1) is pivoted upwards out of the movement path of the other pallet (P2).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that After the other pallet (P2) has been removed together with the workpiece (W), the emptied pallet (P1) is turned over until its loading side (12) faces upwards and is then stored and transported away, preferably to a loading station (R) or a pallet rack.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Preferably, using a pallet (P1) placed on the support (T) or the other stored pallet (P2), the workpiece (W) is supplied individually from above as a blank with the aid of a carrying device (21) functionally associated with the horizontal processing machine (M), and is raised upward and guided out individually as a finished part or semi-finished part.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The processing is carried out by alternatingly using only two pallets (P1, P2), wherein the pallet (P1) is equipped with a clamping device (24) adapted to the blank and the pallet (P2) is equipped with a clamping device (9) adapted to the semi-finished and finished workpieces (W).

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that In order to process the other workpiece side, the removed further pallet (P2) is transferred back into the horizontal processing machine (M) or to another horizontal processing machine or a pallet storage, preferably a pallet rack.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The workpiece changeover and preferably also the pallet supply and removal and / or the individual supply of the blanks and the removal of the finished components are carried out in an automatically controlled manner by the system (S).

12. A system (S) for performing at least the method according to claim 1, wherein the system has two pivot arms (4) for pivoting which can be pivoted upward and downward, a pallet support (2) which can be rotated therein to flip the corresponding pallet (P1, P2), and a pallet carrier (T) located in front of the horizontal processing machine (M), and the pallet (P1) for workpiece switching together with the semi-processed workpiece (W) can be shifted from a substantially vertical processing position in the direction of the pallet carrier (T), characterized in that When the pallet (P1) is shifted to the transfer position (AP), it moves in such a way that the processed side (14) of the workpiece (W) faces the direction of the pallet carrier (T), a further pallet (P2) with a workpiece clamping device (9) is provided on the pallet carrier (T), and the workpiece (W) can be transferred to the workpiece clamping device (9) and transported together with the further pallet (P2) to the processing position again or guided out.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that A horizontal or at least substantially vertical transfer position (AP) of the pallet (P1) and a horizontal or at least substantially vertical position of the other pallet (P2) on the carriage (T).

14. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The pallet holder (T) has a positioning mechanism (11), by means of which the other pallet (P2) can be aligned relative to the clamping docking portion (18) of the workpiece (W) by means of the clamping device (9), and the workpiece (W) can be transferred to the clamping device (9) by relative lifting and / or lowering movement between the other pallet (P2) and the pallet (P1).

15. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The following distance can be adjusted on the pallet holder (T) in the horizontal transfer position (AP) between the pallet (P1) and the other pallet (P2), that is, the aligned other pallet (P2) passes through the distance to transfer the workpiece (W) as the positioning mechanism (11) moves linearly.

16. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that The clamping device (9) of the other pallet (P2) comprises a hydraulically actuatable hole clamp (10), and a hole or a blind hole produced during machining is provided in the workpiece (W) as a clamping interface (18) for engaging the hole clamp (10).

17. The system according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that The system (S) has at least one preferably programmable control unit (CU1, CU2) connected to the drive (2, 3) of the pivot arm (4) and the pallet support (2) and the positioning mechanism (11) of the pallet carrier (T), at least for automatically performing workpiece switching.

18. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The carriage (T) is combined with a transport device (7), which is preferably a roller conveyor or a rail carriage unit.

19. The system according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that The system (S) has a supporting mechanism (21) which is functionally associated with the horizontal processing machine (M) and is preferably located in front of and / or above the horizontal processing machine, for individually supplying and storing the blanks from above and for raising and removing the finished parts. The supporting mechanism is, for example, a lift or a robot or a supporting frame.

20. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that The carriage (T), preferably combined with the bottom-side transport device (7), has a horizontal positioning mechanism (24) for displacing the workpieces (W) supplied in a vertically upright manner and to be removed essentially horizontally relative to the machine (M).

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