The disclosed embodiments provide a novel and unique apparatus and method to remove swarf from a workpiece during the operation of a machine tool on that workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, a set of slanted vanes attached to a rotating part of the machine tool, when that rotating part is directed at the workpiece, clears swarf from a workpiece during machine operation without having to add any other expensive swarf removal parts, or integrate any complicated swarf removal system into the machine tool. The vanes on the rotating part, using the motion of that rotating part, provide the required force of air to blow swarf out and away from the workpiece. Among the many different possibilities contemplated, the rotating part can be a spindle, or a tool holder, or an endmill, or any other rotating part of a machine tool pointed at the workpiece during the operation of the machine. Additionally, the set of slanted vanes can attach to an inner hub fitted around or onto the rotating part and the slanted vanes can spin free of any other parts if the composition of the vanes with any metallic or non-metallic material make the vanes sufficiently stiff to provide the necessary air force on the workpiece during the operation of the machine and the high speed of the rotating part. Also, the outer edge of the slanted vanes can connect to a shroud surrounding the vanes and thus keep the slanted vanes in the required slanted position to produce the necessary force of air on the workpiece. Additionally, O-rings can be used to fit the inner hub to the rotating part and thus provide another way to create the firm and secure attachment of the machine tool swarf removal apparatus to the rotating part.

A machine tool can perform a turning process using a fixed tool and a milling process using a rotating tool. The machine tool includes: a tool spindle having an air supply portion, for rotating the rotating tool; a lower tool rest for mounting a plurality of fixed tools thereon; a tool holder having a tapered surface restraining a tool, and attached to the lower tool rest, for detachably holding the tool; an automatic tool changer; and a special tool mounted on the tool spindle, into which the air is introduced from the air supply portion. When the tool is automatically changed by the automatic tool changer, the special tool mounted on the tool spindle is coupled to the tool holder, and the air from the air supply portion is supplied to the tapered surface through the special tool.

The present invention relates to a tool carrier 62 for a machine tool, in particular a lathe, having a rotary shaft drive for a numerically controllable rotary shaft B for rotating the tool carrier 62, a first tool turret head 62A carrying tools, rotatably mounted around a first turret axis, and a second tool turret head 62B carrying tools, rotatably mounted around a second turret axis, the first tool turret head 62A and the second tool turret head 62B being positioned on opposite sides of the tool carrier 62 with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotary shaft B. The present invention also relates to a machine tool, in particular a lathe, having a tool carrier 62 of this type.