A tool changer 30 with a master half 32 and tool half 34. A securing mechanism has a clasp 70 and a cam 72. The clasps 70 move between a release position and a grasping position. In the grasping position, the master 32 and tool halves 34 are secured together with one another. The cam 72 moves the clasps 70 between the release and grasping positions. From a release position, the master half 32 engages the tool half 34. The master half 32 moves laterally with respect to the tool half 34. This, in turn, moves the cam 72, and thus the clasps, from their release positions to their grasping positions. In the grasping position, the clasps 70 grasp the tool half 34, the cam locks 72 in its grasping position and the master 32 and tool 34 halves secure with one another.

Systems and methods for changing end-of-arm tools and methods for manufacturing vehicles are provided. An exemplary end-of-arm tool changing system includes a rotatable tool rack configured to hold at least two end-of-arm tools and configured to move a selected end-of-arm tool from a far location to a near location. The exemplary end-of-arm tool changing system further includes a robot configured to reach the near location for attachment of the selected end-of-arm tool to the robot.

A workpiece exchange device, including: a workpiece spindle; and a workpiece library, wherein: the workpiece spindle is arranged on a pallet, the pallet is arranged on a slide table, the pallet can move along a Z axis of a machine tool, and the slide table can move along an X axis of the machine tool; and the workpiece library is used to store workpieces, and the workpiece spindle can move along the X-axis and Z-axis of the machine tool and grab a workpiece. The present invention also discloses a method for exchanging workpieces. Through the coordinated movement of the slide table and the pallet, the workpiece spindle can take out a workpiece to be machined from the workpiece library or return a machined workpiece into the workpiece library. The present invention uses a machine tool coordinate system to grab the workpiece with high precision and high speed, and does not need to add an auxiliary mechanism, and has the advantages of simple structure, high stability and good reliability.

A tool changing mechanism includes a tool base housing, a mandrel disposed therein and having a chamber and a keyway provided axially, and first and second linked units. A first shoulder portion is provided at an end of the keyway, and pulling jaws are disposed at the other end. The first linked unit has a first pulling rod, an end of which has an external thread, and the other end has a connecting portion driven by a pneumatic cylinder. The second linked unit has a second pulling rod, an end of which has an internal thread, and a pressing head is disposed at the other end. The second pulling rod has a sliding key located in the keyway. The first pulling rod is screwed into the second pulling rod, and the relative screwing rotation therebetween attains tool pulling for fixing or tool loosening for removing the cutting tool.

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.

The system includes a cell framework for defining a manufacturing area. The system includes at least one workplace within the manufacturing area. The system includes at least one manufacturing component within the manufacturing area and configured to be movable along three axes in relation to the at least one workplace. The system includes a conveying mechanism configured to move a part into the at least one workplace to be worked on by the at least one manufacturing component.

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 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 cutting tool rest includes a first tool holder that holds a rotating tool, a second tool holder that holds a fixed tool, and a plurality of holder-mounting parts on which one of first tool holder and the second tool holder is selectively mounted. Each of first tool holder and the second tool holder includes a clamping mechanism part. Each of holder-mounting parts includes a hydraulic cylinder mechanism part that causes clamping mechanism part to operate in a clamped state of clamping a tool and an unclamped state of unclamping the tool when a hydraulic pressure is supplied.

A cutting tool rest includes a first tool holder that holds a rotating tool, a second tool holder that holds a fixed tool, and a plurality of holder-mounting parts on which one of first tool holder and the second tool holder is selectively mounted. Each of first tool holder and the second tool holder includes a clamping mechanism part. Each of holder-mounting parts includes a hydraulic cylinder mechanism part that causes clamping mechanism part to operate in a clamped state of clamping a tool and an unclamped state of unclamping the tool when a hydraulic pressure is supplied.