Automatic tool changer for multiple spindle machine tool

An automatic tool changer for a machine tool having a spindlehead and having a plurality of spindles mounted therein for rotation about spaced parallel axes, comprising:

• a plurality of crossed tool change arms mounted on a common tool change shaft for rotation about the axis of said shaft and for axial movement along the axis of said shaft;
• a tool gripper on each end of every tool change arm, said tool grippers, tool change arms and spindles being positioned to enable tools to be simultaneously inserted into or withdrawn from all of said spindles by the tool grippers on one end of each tool change arm;
• a tool storage magazine having a plurality of tool sockets for storing tools and having one ready station for each of said tool change arms, said ready stations being located to enable tools to be simultaneously inserted into or withdrawn from the tool sockets which are in said ready station by the tool grippers on one end of each tool change arm, said tool sockets being spaced apart by a distance which enables the tools to be arranged in spaced interspersed relationship so that a predetermined set of tools can be simultaneously removed from said tool sockets;
• means for moving each tool gripper into and out of engagement with the tool in the corresponding spindle or tool socket;
• means for moving said tool change shaft axially outwardly far enough to withdraw tools from said spindles and said tool sockets and for moving said tool change shaft axially inwardly far enough to insert tools into said spindles and tool sockets;
• and
• means for rotating said tool change shaft by 180.degree. when it is in its outward position to interchange the ends of said tool change arms to transfer tools from said tool sockets to said spindles and from said spindles to said tool sockets.