Method for controlling tool change operations and machine tool

A machine tool, comprising:

• a machine frame;
• at least one tool spindle which is arranged on the machine frame and is displaceable relative thereto;
• a first storage device for tools;
• a second storage device for tools which is in communication with the first storage device and the at least one tool spindle, wherein a tool change at the at least one tool spindle takes place by way of the second storage device;
• and
• a control device for controlling machining operations at the machine tool, which includes a tool change unit by means of which a method for controlling tool change operations is performable or is performed;
• wherein a machining procedure on a workpiece includes a sequence of machining operations having in each case a particular tool and in each case a particular duration, and for a tool change, tools of the at least one tool spindle are provided by the second storage device in communication with the first storage device;
• and
• wherein there is associated with the machining procedure a sequence of tool provision operations in which a tool provision operation has in each case a particular duration;
• said method for controlling tool change operation comprising:
• a determination stage and a control stage, and in the determination stage for the machining procedure the durations of the machining operations and the tool provision operations are determined, and in the control stage the tool provision operations are temporally grouped in relation to the machining operations such that the tool provision operations bring about a minimized idle time in the machining procedure.