Apparatus for tool storage and selection

Apparatus for storing and holding tools comprising:

• a work station;
• a tool rest having a plurality of tool storage locations;
• said tool rest being stationary relative to the work station;
• first means for transporting individual tools between a storage location in said tool rest and the work station;
• said first means comprising second means for releasably attaching individual tools;
• third means associated with said tool rest for releasably holding individual tools in said tool rest;
• said third means being operable in conjunction with said second means to release a tool from said tool rest prior to tool transport by said first means to the work station and for receiving and holding a tool in said tool rest after return by said first means to said tool rest;
• said first means comprises an articulated arm having a plurality of connected arm segments;
• said second means comprising a pair of jaws operably movable relative one another between open and closed positions, said jaws being supported at the distal end of a last arm segment;
• said first means providing three dimensional movement of said arm to move said jaws between said tool rest and the work station and for opening and closing said jaws about a tool;
• each tool has a pair of separable portions and each of said jaws has means for releasably attaching a separate tool portion whereby a jaw is releasably attachable to a tool portion prior to tool removal from said tool rest and detachable from the tool portion after return to the tool rest, so that the tool portions may be stored at a storage location when not in use and may be removed from the storage location, with a tool portion attached to each jaw, for three dimensional movement and for relative opening and closing between the tool portions.