Machine tool with tool change function

A machine tool with a tool change function, comprising:

• a tool magazine for removably storing a plurality of tools;
• a spindle head for rotatably carrying a horizontal tool spindle and having a tool receiving hole for removably receiving said tools one at a time;
• a tool changer provided between said tool magazine and said horizontal tool spindle of said spindle head for transferring said tools therefrom;
• a single vertical head rotatably supporting a vertical tool spindle and a horizontal drive shaft drivingly connected with said vertical tool spindle and adapted to be removably mounted on said spindle head, said horizontal drive shaft being drivingly connected with said horizontal tool spindle and said vertical tool spindle also having a tool receiving hole for removably receiving said tools one at a time;
• a vertical head support for removably supporting said vertical head, said spindle head and said vertical head support being relatively movable in a vertical direction and first and second horizontal directions perpendicular to each other;
• first and second feed means for effecting relative movement between said spindle head and said vertical head support respectively in said vertical direction and said first horizontal direction so as to bring said horizontal drive shaft of said vertical head into axial alignment with said horizontal tool spindle;
• third feed means for effecting relative movement between said spindle head and said vertical head support in said second horizontal direction so as to mount said vertical head on said spindle head, said horizontal drive shaft being drivingly connected with said horizontal tool spindle;
• a tool support station for vertically supporting said tools at least one at a time so as to enable said vertical tool spindle of said vertical head being mounted on said spindle head to receive and remove any one of said tools from said tool support station;
• and
• a tool transfer device provided between said tool changer and said tool support station for transferring said tools therebetween such that each tool transferred from said tool changer to said tool support station is vertically held at said tool support station for subsequent insertion into said vertical tool spindle of said vertical head.