A machine tool apparatus is provided employing a plurality of tool heads
which may be sequentially or simultaneously automatically controlled to
perform preprogrammed operations on either the same or different
workpieces. In one form, a plurality of tool heads are supported on the
same frame, guideway or track and may be separate prepositioned or driven
under remote or automatic control to perform preprogrammed operations
either in sequence or simultaneously on the same workpiece or
simultaneously on separate workpieces spaced apart on a common conveyor
such as a flight conveyor while the conveyor is either in motion or
stationary.In another form, the conveyor is automatically stopped with
units of work thereon, each disposed so as to be predeterminately located
with respect to a respective machine tool which has been prepositioned
adjacent the work-holding conveyor. In yet another form, at least certain
of the machine tools are movable parallel to the work-holding conveyor so
that they may be predeterminately moved prior to and/or during operations
on work.In yet another form, means are provided for transferring units of
work from the work-holding conveyor to temporary platforms adjacent
certain of the respective machine tools so that each tool may perform
automatic operations on work while the work-holding conveyor remains
operating.