Tool changer for machine tool

A machine tool comprising:

• a spindle head;
• a spindle mounted along an axis on the spindle head so that a tool is detachably attached thereto;
• a tool magazine provided with a plurality of tools detachably attached thereto and locating a tool to be subsequently used at a standby position;
• and
• a tool changer executing a change of tools between the spindle and the tool magazine, the tool changer comprising:
• an arm support disposed between the spindle head and the tool magazine and mounted to be reciprocally moved along the spindle relative to the spindle;
• a pair of tool changing arms rockably mounted on support shafts further mounted on the arm support generally perpendicular to said spindle axis, respectively, each tool changing arm having one end;
• holding mechanisms provided on the ends of the tool changing arms respectively, each holding mechanism having a moving pin and urging means for urging the moving pin in a direction of projection of the moving pin, the moving pins being disengageably engaged with the tool attached to the spindle and the tool located at the standby position of the tool magazine when the tool changing arms are rocked about the support shafts so that the tools are detachably held by the holding mechanisms respectively;
• and
• rotating means for rotating each of the tool changing arms by 180 degrees about a center shaft parallel with the spindle.