Swarf handing apparatus

A swarf handling apparatus installed in a machining tool that performs machining operation accompanied by production of stringy swarf, comprising:

• a swarf catching device including a holder unit that holds the stringy swarf when the stringy swarf makes contact with the holder unit wherein the swarf catching devices causes the holder unit to move either in a circling manner or in a reciprocating manner in a region around a machining point in such a manner that the position of the holder unit is continuously varied relative to the machining point, for catching the stringy swarf;
• and
• a swarf discarding device that receives and discards the stringy swarf, wherein
• the swarf catching device directs the caught stringy swarf to the swarf discarding device to discard the stringy swarf,
• the swarf catching device causes the holder unit having caught the stringy swarf to travel toward the swarf discarding device, to thereby direct the caught stringy swarf to the swarf discarding device, and
• a travel speed of the holder unit traveling toward the swarf discarding device is lower than or equal to a speed of growth of the stringy swarf.