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A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index dev

A production system for manufacturing a workpiece comprises an index system including a plurality of index devices removably mounted on the workpiece at known longitudinally spaced locations therealong, and a longitudinally extending index member releasably engaged with at least two of the index devices such that a position and orientation of the index member are fixed relative to the workpiece by the index devices, the index member having position-indicating features distributed therealong. The production system further comprises a machine module mounted for longitudinal movement along the index member and operable to perform an operation, the machine module being operable to detect the position-indicating features on the index member and thereby determine a position of the machine module relative to the workpiece.

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1. A production system for processing a workpiece, comprising: a material handling system configured to hold the workpiece and transport the workpiece along a process flow path;a plurality of index devices affixed to the workpiece, each index device including a machine readable identifier for identi

1. A production system for processing a workpiece, comprising: a material handling system configured to hold the workpiece and transport the workpiece along a process flow path;a plurality of index devices affixed to the workpiece, each index device including a machine readable identifier for identifying the index device;an index system fixed relative to the workpiece in a known position and orientation with respect thereto, wherein the index system is configured to engage the plurality of index devices and to read the respective identifiers; andan index support system connected with the index system and supporting one or more items used in processing the workpiece, the material handling system moving the workpiece along the process flow path and causing the index support system with the index system to be passively transported along with the workpiece. 2. The production system of claim 1, wherein the index support system comprises a zero-balance device. 3. The production system of claim 1, wherein the index support system comprises a wheeled cart. 4. The production system of claim 1, wherein the index support system includes a spring suspension. 5. The production system of claim 1, wherein the index support system comprises a sliding base that slides along a floor. 6. The production system of claim 5, further comprising a machine supported on the base and connected with the index system, the index system comprising an index member configured to clamp onto a pair of index devices affixed to the workpiece such that the base with the machine thereon is pulled with the workpiece along the process flow path, and the machine being configured to perform one or more work operations on the workpiece as the base and machine move along with the workpiece. 7. The production system of claim 6, wherein the base is configured to slide back and forth between a starting location and an ending location, and the index member is configured to disengage from the index devices when the base reaches the ending location to allow the base to be moved back to the starting location. 8. The production system of claim 5, further comprising a machine supported on the base and connected with the index system, the machine being configured to clamp onto the index system such that the sliding base with the machine thereon is pulled with the workpiece along the process flow path, and the machine being configured to perform one or more work operations on the workpiece as the base and machine move along with the workpiece. 9. The production system of claim 1, wherein the index system comprises a longitudinally extending index member having a machine-readable position-encoded strip extending therealong, and further comprising a machine engaging the index member, the machine being configured to determine a position of the machine relative to the workpiece by reading the position-encoded strip. 10. A production system for processing a workpiece, comprising: a material handling system configured to hold the workpiece and transport the workpiece along a process flow path;a plurality of index devices affixed to the workpiece, each index device including a machine readable identifier for identifying the index device;an index system fixed relative to the workpiece in a known position and orientation with respect thereto, wherein the index system is configured to engage the plurality of index devices and to read the respective identifiers;an index support system connected with the index system and supporting one or more items used in processing the workpiece, the material handling system moving the workpiece along the process flow path and causing the index support system with the index system to be passively transported along with the workpiece; anda machine connected with the index system,wherein the index system comprises an index member configured to clamp onto a pair of index devices affixed to the workpiece such that the machine is pulled with the workpiece along the process flow path, and wherein the machine is configured to perform one or more work operations on the workpiece as the machine moves along with the workpiece. 11. The production system of claim 10, wherein the index support system is selected from the group consisting of a zero-balance device, a wheeled cart and a spring suspension. 12. The production system of claim 10, wherein the index support system comprises a sliding base upon which the machine is supported, wherein the sliding base is configured to slide along a floor as the base with the machine thereon is pulled with the workpiece along the process flow path. 13. The production system of claim 12, wherein the base is configured to slide back and forth between a starting location and an ending location, and the index member is configured to disengage from the index devices when the base reaches the ending location to allow the base to be moved back to the starting location. 14. The production system of claim 10, wherein the index system comprises a longitudinally extending index member having a machine-readable position-encoded strip extending therealong, wherein the machine engages the index member, and wherein the machine is configured to determine a position of the machine relative to the workpiece by reading the position-encoded strip. 15. A production system for processing a workpiece, comprising: a material handling system configured to hold the workpiece and transport the workpiece along a process flow path;a plurality of index devices affixed to the workpiece, each index device including a machine readable identifier for identifying the index device;an index system fixed relative to the workpiece in a known position and orientation with respect thereto, wherein the index system is configured to engage the plurality of index devices and to read the respective identifiers;an index support system connected with the index system and supporting one or more items used in processing the workpiece, the material handling system moving the workpiece along the process flow path and causing the index support system with the index system to be passively transported along with the workpiece; anda machine configured to clamp onto the index system such that the machine is pulled with the workpiece along the process flow path, wherein the machine is configured to perform one or more work operations on the workpiece as the machine moves along with the workpiece. 16. The production system of claim 15, wherein the index support system is selected from the group consisting of a zero-balance device, a wheeled cart and a spring suspension. 17. The production system of claim 15, wherein the index support system comprises a sliding base that slides along a floor. 18. The production system of claim 17, wherein the base is configured to slide back and forth between a starting location and an ending location, and the index member is configured to disengage from the index devices when the base reaches the ending location to allow the base to be moved back to the starting location. 19. The production system of claim 17, wherein the machine is supported on the base and wherein the sliding base is configured to be pulled with the workpiece along the process flow path as a result of the machine being clamped onto the index system. 20. The production system of claim 15, wherein the index system comprises a longitudinally extending index member having a machine-readable position-encoded strip extending therealong, wherein the machine engages the index member, and wherein the machine is configured to determine a position of the machine relative to the workpiece by reading the position-encoded strip.