The invention relates to a system for a method for controlling a machine tool with at least one replaceable tool and a workpiece, especially a mill blank, and for a method for machining the workpiece, which machine tool comprises a robot arm movable along at least 2, especially at least 3 space axes in an area of motion, which carries and moves at least one workpiece, eventually via a workpiece holder, with a control unit for controlling the machine tool. The machine tool (52) includes a sensor (46), especially a space-fixed optical sensor located thereon or associated thereto, and the detection range (42) of which overlaps the area of motion at least partially for detection of a code on the machine tool.

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.

A highly convenient machine tool system is provided. An NC lathe as an example of the machine tool system includes a first tool post to which a first tool for machining a workpiece is attached, a numerical control unit adapted to control a movement of the first tool post according to a numerical control program, and a scanner adapted to measure a position and a shape of the first tool attached to the first tool post brought to a predetermined position under control of the numerical control unit.

The invention relates to a tool changing device (1) for a forming press (2), in particular a press brake, comprising at least one tool magazine (3, 4) and at least one transfer device (5, 6) for the transfer of the forming tools (7, 8) of the at least one tool magazine (3, 4), which are storable in the at least one tool magazine (3, 4), from the at least one tool magazine (3, 4) to the forming press (2) and in the reverse direction, wherein the at least one transfer device (5, 6) has a drivable thrust chain (9, 10) for the transmission of compressive and tensile forces.

A method for confirming cutting tool's location includes: a position calculation unit basing on plural sleeve positions in a tool magazine to train and obtain training posture data and training signal strength data of each the sleeve position; and the position calculation unit sending a tool call command to move a target cutting tool among the cutting tool to a tool exchange position. The latter step includes: obtaining a posture data and a signal strength data of the target cutting tool; based on the posture data and the signal strength data, the position calculation unit comparing the training posture data and the training signal strength data to confirm a target sleeve location of the target cutting tool; and, rotating the tool magazine to move the target cutting tool from the target sleeve location to the tool exchange position. In addition, a machine system using the method is also provided.

A tool shape measurement device includes: a contour detection unit that detects a tool contour from an image of a rotating tool that is taken; an axis direction calculation unit that calculates a tool axis direction that is an axis direction of the rotating tool on the basis of the tool contour; a tool diameter measurement unit that calculates an apparent tool diameter of the rotating tool on an imaging surface on the basis of a calibrated positional and postural relationship between an imaging device and the rotating tool, the tool axis direction, and the tool contour; and a tool diameter correction unit that calculates a distance between the imaging device and the rotating tool using the tool axis direction, and corrects the apparent tool diameter to an actual tool diameter by correcting distortion in the tool contour on the basis of the distance.

A method for confirming cutting tool's location includes: a position calculation unit basing on plural sleeve positions in a tool magazine to train and obtain training posture data and training signal strength data of each the sleeve position; and the position calculation unit sending a tool call command to move a target cutting tool among the cutting tool to a tool exchange position. The latter step includes: obtaining a posture data and a signal strength data of the target cutting tool; based on the posture data and the signal strength data, the position calculation unit comparing the training posture data and the training signal strength data to confirm a target sleeve location of the target cutting tool; and, rotating the tool magazine to move the target cutting tool from the target sleeve location to the tool exchange position. In addition, a machine system using the method is also provided.

A socket tool storage system comprises a multi-tiered arrangement of a plurality of socket shelves in a vertical configuration, each socket shelf comprised of a plurality of socket drive attachments to receive sockets, with non-identical spacing between the drive attachments. A central shaft facilitates attaching the socket shelves in the vertical configuration, one socket shelf over a next socket shelf, each socket shelf attached to rotate on the central shaft. A ratchet and extension holder attached to the central shaft to stow a plurality of ratchets and extensions, the ratchet and extension holder comprising holes of at least two diameters. A back shroud attaches to a base supporting the central shaft.

A tool transfer system includes: a machine tool; a tool storage section in which a plurality of tool holders are able to be stored; a workstation for a worker to perform work for the tool holders; a transfer device for transferring a designated tool holder among a tool holder in the machine tool, a tool holder in the tool storage section, and a tool holder in the workstation, to a designated transfer destination, which is one of the machine tool, the tool storage section, and the workstation; and a controller for controlling the tool transfer system. If a tool holder to be removed from the machine tool includes a tool holder holding an unusable tool, the controller controls the transfer device so as to transfer the tool holder to be removed, from the machine tool to the workstation.

An automatic tool exchange system which allows a tool management mode to be arbitrarily selectable between a fixed address scheme and a memory random scheme in operation of the same machining center. The control unit for controlling the respective drive units of the tool exchanger and the magazine includes a storage unit for storing tool information containing a registered correspondence relationship between the tools and corresponding addresses of the stowage parts of the magazine, a modifying unit for modifying the tool information, and a tool exchange instruction unit for sequentially designating the tool to be used in each of the machining steps in accordance with the machining program, and driving the magazine to move the stowage part at the address corresponding to the designated tool to a predetermined position based on the tool information so that the tool is located at the exchange position at a predetermined timing. The control unit is configured to manage the tool in a mode selectively switchable between a first tool management mode in a fixed address scheme for returning the tool after use to a corresponding address, and a second tool management mode in a memory random scheme so as to stow the tool after use at an unoccupied address where the tool for next use has been previously stowed, and allow the modifying unit to modify the correspondence relationship between the tool after use and the address, which has been contained in the tool information.