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.

The present disclosure relates to a portable socket holder for sockets or bits connectable to a power tool. The portable socket holder comprising socket compartments for different types of sockets or bits. The portable socket holder further comprising visually indication means arranged to visually indicate a socket compartment. Further the portable socket holder comprising a processor and a memory containing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the portable socket holder is operative to visually indicate by means of the visually indication means a socket compartment. The portable socket holder further comprising tightening joint element compartments for different types of tightening joint elements. The portable socket holder further comprising visually indication means arranged to visually indicate a tightening joint compartment. The portable socket holder further arranged to visually indicate based on which socket compartment that is visually indicated from which tightening joint element compartment a tightening joint element should be removed.

An automatic tool exchange system which allows a tool management mode to be arbitrarily selectable between a fixed address scheme and a memory random scheme in operation of the same machining center. The control unit for controlling the respective drive units of the tool exchanger and the magazine includes a storage unit for storing tool information containing a registered correspondence relationship between the tools and corresponding addresses of the stowage parts of the magazine, a modifying unit for modifying the tool information, and a tool exchange instruction unit for sequentially designating the tool to be used in each of the machining steps in accordance with the machining program, and driving the magazine to move the stowage part at the address corresponding to the designated tool to a predetermined position based on the tool information so that the tool is located at the exchange position at a predetermined timing. The control unit is configured to manage the tool in a mode selectively switchable between a first tool management mode in a fixed address scheme for returning the tool after use to a corresponding address, and a second tool management mode in a memory random scheme so as to stow the tool after use at an unoccupied address where the tool for next use has been previously stowed, and allow the modifying unit to modify the correspondence relationship between the tool after use and the address, which has been contained in the tool information.

An automatic tool exchange system which allows a tool management mode to be arbitrarily selectable between a fixed address scheme and a memory random scheme in operation of the same machining center. The control unit for controlling the respective drive units of the tool exchanger and the magazine includes a storage unit for storing tool information containing a registered correspondence relationship between the tools and corresponding addresses of the stowage parts of the magazine, a modifying unit for modifying the tool information, and a tool exchange instruction unit for sequentially designating the tool to be used in each of the machining steps in accordance with the machining program, and driving the magazine to move the stowage part at the address corresponding to the designated tool to a predetermined position based on the tool information so that the tool is located at the exchange position at a predetermined timing. The control unit is configured to manage the tool in a mode selectively switchable between a first tool management mode in a fixed address scheme for returning the tool after use to a corresponding address, and a second tool management mode in a memory random scheme so as to stow the tool after use at an unoccupied address where the tool for next use has been previously stowed, and allow the modifying unit to modify the correspondence relationship between the tool after use and the address, which has been contained in the tool information.

In a tool exchanger apparatus of a machine tool including a turret which turns around an axis inclining with respect to a vertical direction and which conveys tools, forces applied to tool gripping portions are calculated from a resultant force of a centrifugal force, gravity and an inertial force applied to each of the tools, using a weight and a position of each of the tools and a turning speed and a turning acceleration of the turret for each of turning phases when the turret turns, and the turning speed and the turning acceleration of the turret are determined for each of the turning phases.