【文章內(nèi)容簡(jiǎn)介】 t 18 can be provided, if desired for large workpieces, and can include a first stationary monument defining the processing position located between the first and second processing paths 16a, 16b. The at least one material han172。dling robot 16a, 16b can be supported for movement along at least one overhead rail location and/or at least one floor supported rail location. At least one material processing robot 20a, 20b, 20e, 20d can be located adjacent the processing position for processing workpieces 12a, 12b to be processed after being delivered by the at least one material handling robot 14a, 14b traveling along the corresponding processing paths 16a, 16b. Each material handling robot 14a, 14b can include an interchangeable end effecter 22 connectable to the material handling robot 14a, 14b for holding and supporting different configurations of workpieces 12a, 12b. The interchangeable end effecter 22 can be provided for holding, supporting, locating and/or geometry fixturing the corresponding workpiece 12a, 12b to be processed with the corresponding material handling robot 14a, 14b at the processing position 18. The interchangeable end effecter 22 can be floor mountable by the corresponding material handling robot 14a, 14b at the processing position. The interchangeable end effecter can define a geometry fixture tool 24 for accurately positioning the workpiece 12a, 12b to be processed with respect to the end effecter 22 thereby allowing the corresponding material handling robot 14a, 14b to accurately position the workpiece 12a, 12b and end effecter 22 in bination at the processing position in a predetermined location so that the material processing robots 20a, 20b, 20e, 20d can perform the processing operations with precise accurate positioning with respect to the workpiece. By way of example and not limitation, the material processing robots 20a, 20b, 20e, 20d can include welding robots for processing workpieces 12a, 12b of different configurations or body styles of automobiles to be assembled along the assembly line. The material processing robot 20a, 20b, 20e, 20d, can be supported from at least one overhead position and/or supported from at least one floor position. The present invention can include a method for processing a plurality of workpieces 12a, 12b. The method can include the steps of supporting a workpiece 12a, 12b to be moved along a processing path 16a, 16b with at least one material handling robot 14a, 14b movable along the processing path 16a, 16b. The method can include the step of receiving workpieces 12a, 12b to be processed that are delivered by the at least one material handling robot 14a, 14b at at least one station defined by at least one processing position adjacent the processing path 16a, 16b. A stationary monument 18 can be provided, if desired, for example to support a large workpiece for processing. By way of example and not limitation, the method according to the present invention can include the step of supporting a first workpiece movable along the first processing path 16a with a first material handling robot 14a, and supporting a second workpiece 12b to be moved along a second processing path 16b with a second material handling robot 14b movable along the second processing path 16b. The first workpiece 12a or second workpiece 12b can be supported for processing after being delivered by one of either the first and second material handling robots 14a, 14b at at least one station located between the first and second processing paths 16a, 16b. The method according to the present invention can include the step of processing the first and second workpieces 12a, 12b to be processed after being delivered by one of either the first and second material handling robots 14a, 14b with at least one material processing robot 20, 20b, 20e, 20d located adjacent the processing position. By way of example and not limitation, the at least one material processing robot 20a, 20b, 20e, 20d can include a welding robot. The method according to the present invention can include the step of holding and supporting different configurations of workpieces 12a, 12b with interchangeable end effecters 22 connectable to the first and second material handling robots 14a, 14b. Different workpiece configurations can be held, supported, transported, and accurately located with the interchangeable end effecters 22 and the corresponding material handling robots 14a, 14b at the processing position. The method according to the present invention can include the step of mounting one of the interchangeable end effecters 22 with respect to the processing position with the corresponding material handling robot 14a, 14b. If desired, the corresponding material handling robot can be disengaged from the end effecter 22 at the processing position, allowing the corresponding material handling robot to engage a processing tool, by way of example and not limitation, such as a weld gun, for performing additional processing operations on the workpiece to be processed located at the processing position. The method according to the present invention can include the step of accurately positioning the workpieces 12a