A workstation and method for processing a plurality of workpieces includes
at least one material handling robot movable along a processing path for
supporting a workpiece to be moved along the processing path. At least
one station can be defined by at least one processing position adjacent
the processing path for receiving workpieces to be processed when
delivered and positioned by the at least one material handling robot.
Interchangeable end effecters can be connected to the material handling
robot for holding and supporting different configurations of workpieces.
The material handling robot can disengage from the end effecter at the
processing position, to allow engagement with a processing tool for
performing additional processing operations on the workpiece. A flexible
body workstation for assembling workpieces can use multiple robots and/or
multiple fixtures for processing different workpiece configurations in
any sequential order along two processing paths.