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.

Provided are a tool changer and a machine tool having a plurality of tool storage magazines and capable of suppressing the generation of vibration. The tool changer performs tool change between first and second tool storage magazines. The center of gravity of the second magazine is disposed below the tool change positions of the first and second magazines. Preferably, the second magazine is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

The present invention relates to a handling apparatus 1 for use at a machine tool, comprising: a base body 2 which can be set up on a floor space, a storage body 3 which can be set up on the top side of the base body 2 and serves to store a plurality of workpieces or tools, and a handling robot 5, which is arranged on the base body 2 and has a gripper device 6 for receiving a workpiece and/or tool from the storage body 3 and for inserting the workpiece and/or tool taken from the storage body 3 by the gripper device 6 into a corresponding workpiece and/or tool support of the machine tool. A plurality of first set-up elements 18 are arranged on the bottom side of the storage body 3 and a plurality of first centering elements 19 are arranged on the top side of the base body 2, wherein, when the storage body 3 is set up on the top side of the base body 2, the first set-up elements 18 interact in each case in pairs and in self-centering manner with the first centering elements 19 in such a way that the storage body 3 adopts a predetermined reference position in relation to the base body 2.

Tool magazine for the provision of tools for a machine tool, wherein the tool magazine has a multiplicity of receiving positions for tools. A first tool can be removed from or inserted into a first receiving position along a removal direction, and at least one further receiving position for receiving a further tool is provided.

The present invention includes a tool magazine (10) storing a plurality of tools (T), a turret (3) to which a plurality of tools (T) are attached, and a tool changer (20) changing a tool (T) attached to the turret (3) for a tool (T) stored in the tool magazine (10). The tool changer (20) has two tool grippers for gripping tools (T) and replaces tools (T) attached to the turret (3) with one another using the two tool grippers based on tool information stored in a tool information storage (43) under control by a tool change control unit (42).

A dispatch system and a dispatch method for manufacturing mold are provided. The dispatch system includes a control unit, a mold material storage unit, a processing cutter storage unit, an object pick-and-place and transfer unit, a mold processing unit and a mold product storage unit. The mold material storage unit includes many unprocessed mold materials. The processing cutter storage unit includes many processing cutters. The object pick-and-place and transfer unit is electrically connected to the control unit and disposed between the mold material storage unit and the processing cutter storage unit. One of the unprocessed mold materials and one of the processing cutters are transferred to the mold processing unit by the object pick-and-place and transfer unit, the unprocessed mold material is processed to form a mold product by the mold processing unit, and the mold product is transferred to the mold product storage unit.

A dispatch system and a dispatch method for manufacturing mold are provided. The dispatch system includes a control unit, a mold material storage unit, a processing cutter storage unit, an object pick-and-place and transfer unit, a mold processing unit and a mold product storage unit. The mold material storage unit includes many unprocessed mold materials. The processing cutter storage unit includes many processing cutters. The object pick-and-place and transfer unit is electrically connected to the control unit and disposed between the mold material storage unit and the processing cutter storage unit. One of the unprocessed mold materials and one of the processing cutters are transferred to the mold processing unit by the object pick-and-place and transfer unit, the unprocessed mold material is processed to form a mold product by the mold processing unit, and the mold product is transferred to the mold product storage unit.

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 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 spindle head; a spindle rotatably supported on the spindle head; a chuck unit configured to chuck a tool inserted in an axis direction of the spindle; a tool holder configured to hold the tool attached to the chuck unit; and a rotary arm configured to move the tool holder to a reachable position of the spindle. The tool holder is supported on the rotary arm by a support mechanism, and the support mechanism includes a displacement following mechanism configured to support the tool holder on the rotary arm in a manner to be capable of displacing the tool holder in a direction intersecting an axis of the tool.