Travelling pallet system for workpiece changeover - has trolley type pallet with mechanism to withdraw wheels and lower pallet onto locating surfaces

The workpiece change-over system has a trolley type pallet (26) which runs on rails (23) between the machining station (24) and a work preparation station outsdie the machine. At the preparation station the workpiecees are set up on the pallet surface. The pallet rolls into the machining station up to a stop (29), when the coned wheels (31) are withdrawn by actuation of a lever and cam mechanism (39,41,42). This causes the pallet to drop onto the locating surfaces (46,47) where it is clamped ready for machining. The process is reversed to release the pallet and move it back to the preparation station. Pref. two pallet systems are used side by side. ADVANTAGE - Rapid workpiece change-over and reduced machine down time. Pallet location surfaces protected from wear and damage.