Apparatus for changing tools in grinding machines and the like

In a grinding machine which operates with rotary tools, particularly in a circular grinding machine which operates with large grinding wheels, the combination of a tool support arranged to carry at least one rotary tool so that the axis of rotation of such tool is at least substantially horizontal, said support comprising a rotary spindle for tools and an enclosure for said spindle and the tool thereon;

• means for moving said support along a predetermined path toward and away from a tool changing station;
• a depository for tools disposed at said station and having carrier means for carrying tools in such orientation that the axes of the tools are at least substantially vertical;
• and transfer means for transferring tools between said support and said carrier means at said station, including means for changing the orientation of the axes of tools from substantially horizontal to substantially vertical during transfer from said support to said carrier means and from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal during transfer from said carrier means to said support, said orientation changing means comprising a head mounted for angular movement about a predetermined axis and said transfer means further comprising two arms which are mounted on said head and are disposed substantially at right angles to each other, and discrete tool clamping means provided on each of said arms, each of said clamping means defining a discrete axis coinciding with the axis of the tool which is held by the respective clamping means, said predetermined axis being disposed at an angle of substantially 45.degree. to the vertical and to each of said discrete axes, said enclosure including a housing provided on said support and having a window for the passage of a tool during transfer of the tool between said spindle and one of said arms, and two separable lids for said window, each of said arms having means for releasably holding one of said lids.

Apparatus for storing, applying and transferring rotary grinding tools, comprising a spindle;

• a depository;
• means for moving said spindle relative to and independently of said depository a base;
• a head movably mounted on said base;
• a plurality of arms provided on said head;
• tool clamping means on each of said arms;
• means for tilting said head between a first position in which the axis of a tool which is held by one of said clamping means is substantially horizontal and a second position in which the axis of rotation of such tool is substantially vertical, and said head including a turret mounted on said base and being selectively indexible about a substantially vertical axis as well as about a substantially horizontal axis.