Method and system for automatically changing shafts

A system, comprising:

• a manipulator;
• a machine tool comprising a motor shaft configured to drive a tool, the machine tool being coupled to and configured to be positioned by the manipulator;
• and
• a shaft coupling configured to couple the motor shaft of the machine tool to the tool, the shaft coupling comprising:
• a first coupling part comprising a shaft and a conical shaft segment, the shaft having a first end configured for attachment of the tool and a second end on which a shaft shoulder is arranged;
• a second coupling part comprising a conical hub into which the conical shaft segment is configured to be inserted to form a conical seat, and a securing element configured to move transversely with respect to an axis of rotation of the shaft coupling, the securing element being configured to snap into place on the shaft shoulder of the shaft;
• and
• at least one spring arranged to produce an elastic force which, when the securing element is snapped in place, acts on the conical seat in an axial direction and biases the conical seat.

A system, comprising:

• a shaft coupling comprising:
• a first coupling part comprising a shaft and a conical shaft segment, the shaft having a first end configured for attachment of a tool and a second end on which a shaft shoulder is arranged;
• a second coupling part comprising a conical hub into which the conical shaft segment is configured to be inserted to form a conical seat, and a securing element configured to move transversely with respect to an axis of rotation of the shaft coupling, the securing element being configured to snap into place on the shaft shoulder of the shaft;
• and
• at least one spring arranged to produce an elastic force which, when the securing element is snapped in place, acts on the conical seat in an axial direction and biases the conical seat;
• and
• at least one changing station comprising a support plate with a recess that defines a placement position in which the first coupling part of the shaft coupling is configured to be inserted into the recess,
• wherein the conical shaft segment of the first coupling part protrudes from the support plate.

A method, comprising:

• aligning, by a manipulator, a second coupling part of a shaft coupling, which has a conical hub, coaxially to a first coupling part of the shaft coupling that has a conical shaft segment and provided in a changing station;
• pressing the second coupling part against the first coupling part until a securing element of the second coupling part snaps into place at a shaft shoulder of the first coupling part and forms a latching connection;
• lifting the second coupling part such that the first coupling part is lifted out of the changing station;
• carrying out an automated process with a tool mounted on the first coupling part by a manipulator;
• placing the shaft coupling into the changing station or into a further changing station such that the securing element of the second coupling part in the respective changing station is actuated via a stop such that the latching connection is released;
• and
• removing the second coupling part from the respective changing station by the manipulator while the first coupling part remains in the changing station.