A tool magazine of a machine tool holds machining tools of multiple types. The number of stored machining tools of at least one type is more than one. When all the machining tools of the at least one type are unused, a first test-machining step of machining a workpiece using one machining tool of each type is performed. When the machined product is graded as acceptable, a second test-machining step of replacing the machining tool of the at least one type with an unused machining tool in the tool magazine and machining a new workpiece using the one machining tool of each type is performed. The second test-machining step is repeated until all the machining tools are used.

A method for machining a workpiece includes using a multi-axis robot to lift a tool head from a magazine. The robot attaches the tool head to an end of a drill tube. The drill tube is then rotated and longitudinally translated to machine the workpiece. The tool head is withdrawn from the machined workpiece longitudinally by moving the drill tube. The robot is used to disconnect the tool head, replace the disconnected tool head into a magazine and withdraw a different tool head from the magazine for attachment to the drill tube.

A universal machining system capable of accommodating multiple small-batch or one-off machining jobs, involving workpieces of different diameter and composition, comprises a rotating chuck having multiple jaws that may be adjusted positionally inward or outward towards the longitudinal centerline of the workpiece or removed entirely, and a tool turret capable of holding a variety of socketed tools. System also comprises a measurement sensor, which may be separate or comprise one of the socketed tools. A control program collects machining instructions for a series of workpieces, and directs the chuck, the tool turret, the measurement sensor, and at least one robot to load/unload workpieces and tools from the chuck and turret, respectively, measure workpieces and tools for quality control, and track available storage, overriding or skipping individual machining instructions as dictated by safety parameters and the availability of raw materials and tools.

The invention relates to a processing plant (1) comprising: at least one first working spindle (2); a tool magazine (6) for storing different processing tools (4), wherein at least one storage plane (10) having several tool receiving spaces (11) arranged next to one another is provided in the tool magazine (6); a tool change device (5) comprising at least one first gripper device (13) for exchanging the processing tool (4) held in the working spindle (2), wherein the gripper device (13) comprises at least one first gripper unit (15) and one second gripper unit (16) which are positioned at a gripper-unit distance (17) from one another. The gripper units (15, 16) can be displaced between the working spindle (2) and the tool magazine (6).

A transfer jig for use in transferring a new cutting blade as a replacement component to the processing unit, in a cutting apparatus including a chuck table holding a workpiece, a processing unit having a spindle and a cutting blade detachably mounted on the spindle, a cutting blade changing unit changing the cutting blade, and a transfer mechanism supplying the workpiece to the processing unit. The transfer jig has a plurality of receiving portions each adapted to receive the new cutting blade and the cutting blade changed by the cutting blade changing unit. The transfer jig is adapted to be transferred by the transfer mechanism transferring the workpiece.

The invention relates to a bending tool storage device (1) for storing bending tools (2), comprising: a preferably shelf-type rack (3) on which a plurality of storage locations (4) for bending tools (2) are arranged, at least one supply path (10), preferably in the form of a tool guide (11), for issuing and/or retrieving bending tools (2), and at least one first transfer device (5) for transferring bending tools (2) between the storage locations (4) and a transfer point (6), characterized in that the bending tool storage device (1) comprises, between the transfer point (6) and the supply path (10), a rotating installation (7) for rotating the bending tools (2).

The disclosure provides a milling system and method under different lubrication conditions. The system uses a tool to mill the workpiece, a force measuring system to measure the milling force, a tool change system to replace the tools, a tool storage to store the tools. It can store the tools, provide the lubricating oil to the milling surface, select different tools according to different processing conditions, select the best angle differences of the unequal spiral angle tools according to different conditions comprising dry cutting, casting-type lubrication, minimal quantities of lubrication or minimal quantities of nanofluid lubrication, and/or choose the optimal tool according to different cutting parameters in order to obtain the minimum milling force.

There is provided a blade replacing apparatus for replacing a cutting blade. The blade replacing apparatus includes a blade storage unit including a movable storage section configured to store the cutting blade, a transporting unit including a holding unit configured to hold the cutting blade and a moving mechanism configured to move the holding unit, a camera configured to photograph the holding unit, and a control unit including an operation control section configured to control operation of the blade storage unit and the transporting unit and a position registration section in which positions of the storage section and the holding unit. The storage section includes a first mark portion photographable by the camera, and the holding unit includes a second mark portion photographable by the camera.

A device for the identification of a tool which is accommodated in a tool holder includes a read/write head configured to communicate with an RFID transponder. The read/write head extends above and/or below the tool holder over at least 70% of an overall diameter of the tool holder. The tool holder has a longitudinal axis and, on its side, a recess which is formed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tool holder and in which the RFID transponder is inserted such that the transfer curve of the RFID transponder runs upwards and/or downwards, as seen from the recess, in a direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool.

There is provided a blade replacing apparatus for replacing a cutting blade. The blade replacing apparatus includes a blade storage unit including a movable storage section configured to store the cutting blade, a transporting unit including a holding unit configured to hold the cutting blade and a moving mechanism configured to move the holding unit, a camera configured to photograph the holding unit, and a control unit including an operation control section configured to control operation of the blade storage unit and the transporting unit and a position registration section in which positions of the storage section and the holding unit. The storage section includes a first mark portion photographable by the camera, and the holding unit includes a second mark portion photographable by the camera.