Automatic tool changer and tool storage arrangement for machine tool

A combined tool storage and tool change arrangement for use with a machine tool of the type which includes a power-driven rotatable spindle having a socket which receives a tool shank of a predetermined size, said tool storage arrangement comprising a main tool storage magazine for receiving and storing a plurality of larger tool members each having a shank of said predetermined size, said main tool storage magazine comprising a plurality of tool receiving sockets each sized to receive a tool having a shank of said predetermined size;

• means for moving said main tool storage magazine whereby to present a predetermined tool receiving socket to a first tool transfer point;
• an auxiliary tool storage magazine for receiving and storing a plurality of smaller tools each having a shank of a size smaller than said predetermined size, said auxiliary tool storage magazine having a shank of said predetermined size whereby said auxiliary tool storage magazine may be stored in a socket of said main tool storage magazine;
• an adapter for positioning on said spindle whereby to adapt said spindle to receive at a given time one of said smaller tools, said adapter having a shank of said predetermined size whereby said adapter may be stored in a socket of said main tool storage magazine, and whereby said adapter may be received by said socket of said rotatable spindle;
• means for transferring said adapter from said main tool storage magazine to said socket of said spindle;
• means for transferring said auxiliary tool storage magazine from said main tool storage magazine to a tool transfer station intermediate said main tool storage magazine and said spindle, said tool transfer station including a socket for receiving said shank of said auxiliary tool storage magazine;
• means for indexing said auxiliary tool storage magazine at said tool transfer station whereby to present a predetermined smaller tool to a second tool transfer point;
• and
• means for transferring said predetermined smaller tool from said auxiliary tool storage magazine to said adapter in said spindle.

In an automated tool storage and tool changing system a method of storing and changing tools for use with a machine tool having a spindle with a socket which normally receives a tool of a predetermined shank size, comprising the steps of:

• (1) providing in association with said machine tool a main tool storage magazine having a plurality of tool receiving sockets each respectively sized to receive a tool shank of said predetermined size;
• (2) storing in said main tool storage magazine an indexable carrier member having a shank of said predetermined size, said carrier member having a plurality of tool receiving sockets each respectively sized to receive a tool shank therein with the respective tool receiving sockets having a tool positioned therein;
• p1 (3) retrieving said indexable carrier member from said main tool storage magazine and transferring said indexable carrier member to a tool transfer station which is located intermediate said main tool storage magazine and said spindle;
• (4) indexing said indexable carrier member at said tool transfer station to present a predetermined one of said tools carried by said indexable carrier member to a proper position for transfer to said spindle;
• and
• (5) transferring said predetermined one of said tools to said socket of said spindle.

In an automated tool storage and tool changing system a method of storing and changing tools for use with a machine tool having a spindle with a socket which normally receives a tool of a predetermined shank size, comprising the steps of:

• (1) providing in association with said machine tool a main tool storage magazine having a plurality of tool receiving sockets each respectively sized to receive a tool shank of said predetermined size;
• (2) storing in said main tool storage magazine an adapter member having a shank of said predetermined size, said adapter member including a tool retention mechanism adapted to receive a tool shank of a size different than said predetermined size;
• (3) storing in said main tool storage magazine an indexable carrier member having a shank of said predetermined size, said carrier member having a plurality of tool receiving sockets each respectively sized to receive a tool shank of a different size than said predetermined size, with said tool receiving sockets having tools with shanks of said different size positioned therein;
• (4) retrieving said adapter member from said main tool storage magazine and transferring said adapter member to said socket of said spindle;
• (5) retrieving said indexable carrier member from said main tool storage magazine and transferring said indexable carrier member to a tool transfer station which is located intermediate said main tool storage magazine and said spindle;
• (6) indexing said indexable carrier member at said tool transfer station to present a predetermined one of said tools carried by said indexable carrier member to a proper position for transfer to said spindle;
• and
• (7) transferring said predetermined one of said tools to said tool retention mechanism of said adapter.