A method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and tool changing system for changing tools on a machine. The tool changing system includes a tool magazine, a tool transporter, and an automatic tool changer (ATC). The ATC includes a tool holder and a tool changer. The tool magazine is configured to store at least one tool received at the tool loading station. The tool transporter is configured to transport a tool from the tool loading station or the tool magazine to a tool transfer position of the ATC, and to hold the tool at the tool transfer position during an automatic tool change process. The tool holder is configured to hold the tool at the tool transfer position during the automatic tool change process when the tool transporter is not positioned at the tool transfer position. The tool changer is configured to provide the tool at the tool transfer position to a tool change position of a machine during the automatic tool change process.

A tool changer includes a tool magazine, a support shaft disposed to have a center axis parallel to an axis of a tool spindle, a drive mechanism for rotating the support shaft about the center axis and moving the support shaft in the axial direction, three tool change arms fixed to the support shaft and each having a tool holding unit, a tool transfer mechanism for transferring a tool pot from the tool magazine to a standby position, and a provisional placing pot disposed at a provisional placing position. The tool changer starts a tool change operation in a state where a tool to be attached to the tool spindle, a tool to be used next, and a tool to be used after the next tool are held by the tool holding units of the tool change arms.

A machine tool includes a rotatable spindle, a spindle drive, a tool magazine, a tool changer including a rotating shaft, a rotating shaft drive motor, an angular position detector, a tool change arm having gripping units at both ends, and a controller. After interchanging a first tool mounted on the spindle and a second tool held in a tool pot, when rotating the tool change arm to an intermediate position, rotation of the spindle is started as soon as the second tool mounted on the spindle and the gripping unit are out of contact with each other.

A method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and tool changing system for changing tools on a machine. The tool changing system includes a tool magazine, a tool transporter, and an automatic tool changer (ATC). The ATC includes a tool holder and a tool changer. The tool magazine is configured to store at least one tool received at the tool loading station. The tool transporter is configured to transport a tool from the tool loading station or the tool magazine to a tool transfer position of the ATC, and to hold the tool at the tool transfer position during an automatic tool change process. The tool holder is configured to hold the tool at the tool transfer position during the automatic tool change process when the tool transporter is not positioned at the tool transfer position. The tool changer is configured to provide the tool at the tool transfer position to a tool change position of a machine during the automatic tool change process.

A tool changer includes a holding member having a tool change arm, a rotating mechanism for rotating the holding member, a forward/backward moving mechanism for moving the holding member forward and backward, and a controller controlling the mechanisms. A zero return controller determines whether the tool change arm is holding tools. When it is not holding tools, the tool change arm is rotated to a predetermined non-interference angle, the tool change arm is translated to a forward/backward movement zero point, and the tool change arm is rotated to a rotation zero point. When it is holding tools, the tool change arm is translated to a forward end, the tool change arm is rotated to position it on an expected path, and the tool change arm is moved along the expected path, thereby moving the tool change arm to the rotation zero point and the forward/backward movement zero point.

A machine tool includes a rotatable spindle, a spindle drive, a tool magazine, a tool changer including a rotating shaft, a rotating shaft drive motor, an angular position detector, a tool change arm having gripping units at both ends, and a controller. After interchanging a first tool mounted on the spindle and a second tool held in a tool pot, when rotating the tool change arm to an intermediate position, rotation of the spindle is started as soon as the second tool mounted on the spindle and the gripping unit are out of contact with each other.

A machine tool includes a door used for opening and closing an opening of a frame and a tool exchanger arm used for exchanging a tool between a tool magazine and a main shaft. The machine tool further includes an interlocking mechanism provided between the door and the tool exchanger arm. The interlocking mechanism works in an interlocking relationship with tool exchanging operation by the tool exchanger arm to open and close the door.

A tool changer 10 includes a tool change arm 40 having tool holding portions 42, 52 at ends thereof, a support shaft supporting the tool change arm 40, a rotation mechanism including a rotation drive motor 25 and rotating the tool change arm 40 about an axis of the support shaft, a forward/backward movement mechanism including a forward/backward movement drive motor 13 and moving the tool change arm 40 forward and backward along the support shaft, and a mount base 11 having the rotation drive motor 25, the forward/backward movement drive motor 13 and the support shaft mounted thereon. The tool changer has a restraining member 60 provided thereon which restrains movement of the tool change arm 40 in a direction along the support shaft by engaging with the tool change arm 40 positioned at an original position.

A tool changer is composed of a support shaft, a forward/backward movement drive motor moving the support shaft upward and downward, a rotation drive motor rotating the support shaft about an axis, a tool change arm having tool grippers formed at both ends thereof, and an air blow mechanism discharging compressed air to a tool and a next tool gripped by the tool grippers. In tool change using this tool changer, in a positioning operation, the tool change arm is rotated by degrees and compressed air is discharged toward the tool and the next tool by the air blow mechanism.

A servo-driven tool unclamping system for a machine tool contains: a tool changing unit, a tool unclamp unit, and a servo control unit. The tool changing unit includes a cam box, a first servo motor for driving the cam box, a driving shaft driven by the cam box, and a tool change arm driven by the driving shaft. The tool unclamp unit includes a spindle, a transmission assembly, and a second servo motor. The servo control unit includes a main controller, a first servo drive and a second servo drive both electrically connected with and controlled by the main controller. The first servo drive and the second servo drive are also electrically coupled with the first servo motor and the second servo motor and numerically control the tool changing unit and the tool unclamp unit, hence the tool change arm operates, and the spindle clamps and unclamps each tool.