A tool changer for a machine tool is provided with a command unit for outputting a change command for a tool storage position to a control unit, which turns a tool magazine with a tool mounted on a spindle and controls an index unit to index a predetermined tool grip portion to a tool change position on receiving the change command for the tool storage position from the command unit.

Method for manufacturing a workpiece with a predefined sequence of machine tools by a computer-controlled manufacturing machine with an optimal tool configuration, wherein the initial locations of the tools are allocated, first and second time transfer time functions are calculated for all tools, possible tool location sequences are generated, for possible tool location sequences a respective first cost factor is calculated, obtained tool location sequences are ranked in accordance with the respective first cost factor, the tools are transferred from their initial locations to the optimal locations in accordance with an optimal tool configuration, and the workpiece is manufactured with the optimal tool configuration by the manufacturing machine.

Provided is a method and a device for the computer-aided optimization of tool transportation operations for at least one tool magazine that has a number of magazine spaces and is used or is able to be used for a machine tool that is used to produce one or more workpieces with the aid of the tools provided at a provision space by a magazine device. The input comprises the set of tools and the space requirement of each tool and a permissible starting magazine occupancy. In step 1, a set of available time intervals is determined. In step 2, one or more tool transportation operations are assigned to a respective time interval under the condition that the movement period for the tool transportation operation is less than or equal to the length of the time interval. In step 3, one or more tool transportation operations are performed.

Method for manufacturing a workpiece with a predefined sequence of machine tools by a computer-controlled manufacturing machine with an optimal tool configuration, wherein the initial locations of the tools are allocated, first and second time transfer time functions are calculated for all tools, possible tool location sequences are generated, for possible tool location sequences a respective first cost factor is calculated, obtained tool location sequences are ranked in accordance with the respective first cost factor, the tools are transferred from their initial locations to the optimal locations in accordance with an optimal tool configuration, and the workpiece is manufactured with the optimal tool configuration by the manufacturing machine.