B23Q3/15786

Automated bit exchange method and apparatus for laboratory sample tube capping and decapping machines

A laboratory capper, decapper or combination capper/decapper includes a deck containing with a nest designed to hold an SBS-formatted tube storage rack, and a bit exchange magazine assembly containing one or more sets of adapter bits. The adapter bits are mounted on and unloaded from motor driven fittings, and are exchanged in order to cap or decap laboratory sample tubes or vials that have different head configurations. The bit exchange magazine assembly enables the bit to be exchanged robotically.

Multiple tool changer for machining center

A numerically controlled machining center for performing work on a workpiece including a plurality of magazines holding a plurality of tools, each magazine positioned a first distance from an adjacent magazine, a plurality of spindles equal to the number of magazines and movable relative to one another independent of the positions of the magazines, the spindles movable apart from one another in a tool loading position to accommodate large magazine sizes and movable toward one another in a working position to allow the tools to work close together to minimize waste, and a table for supporting a workpiece.

Automated Bit Exchange for Laboratory Sample Tube Capping and Decapping Machines

A laboratory capper, decapper or combination capper/decapper includes a deck containing with a nest designed to hold an SBS-formatted tube storage rack, and a bit exchange magazine assembly containing one or more sets of adapter bits. The adapter bits are mounted on and unloaded from motor driven fittings, and are exchanged in order to cap or decap laboratory sample tubes or vials that have different head configurations. The bit exchange magazine assembly enables the bit to be exchanged robotically.

MACHINE TOOL AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE MACHINE TOOL
20250345891 · 2025-11-13 ·

A machine tool includes a tool assembly having a tool carrier support and a tool magazine. The tool assembly is displaceable in parallel with an X axis. The tool carrier support supports a tool carrier for driving a tool.

The tool magazine of the tool assembly is configured for supporting a number of tools. The tool magazine is attached to the tool carrier support for movement with the tool carrier support in parallel with the X axis.

The tool assembly includes a drive component configured for displacing the tool magazine in relation to the tool carrier support, between a first position in which the tool magazine is not facing the tool carrier, and a second position in which the tool magazine is facing the tool carrier, for allowing tool replacement.