Tool change device and tool change method

A tool change device comprising:

• a main spindle;
• a tool magazine including a plurality of hold portions arranged on a straight line in such a state that the hold portions are opened in one direction;
• tool interchanging means provided on one side of said tool magazine;
• a tool storage member provided on the other side of said tool magazine, said tool storage member adapted to allow replacement of a tool therein by an operator of said tool change device;
• a tool loader which is moved among a tool change position, a position corresponding to each hold portion of said tool magazine and a position corresponding to said tool storage member, for receiving and delivering a tool from and to any one of a tool change arm installed in said tool interchanging means, the hold portions of said tool magazine and said tool storage member;
• and
• a tool loader stopping means for preventing said tool loader from entering to the position corresponding to said tool storage member when a tool is replaced in said tool storage member by the operator.

A tool change method in a tool change device comprising:

• a main spindle (24) having a leading end on which a tool (25) is mounted;
• a tool magazine (29) including a plurality of hold portions (30) capable of holding a plurality of tools (25);
• a tool interchanger (27) disposed on one side of said tool magazine to interchange, at a tool interchanging position, said tool (25) mounted on said main spindle with a tool (25) taken out from one of the hold portions of said tool magazine;
• a tool storage member (41) disposed on the other side of said tool magazine for storing at least one tool (25) to be substituted for one of one of said tools held in the tool magazine and said tool mounted on said main spindle;
• and
• a tool carrier (L) to carry said tool stored on said tool storage member (41) to the hold portions on said tool magazine and to carry one of said tools held on the hold portions to said tool storage member,
• wherein said hold portions (30) are arranged on a straight line, and said tool (25) mounted on said main spindle is interchanged with a tool (25) taken out from one of one of the hold portions of said tool magazine and said tool storage member (41) at said tool interchanging position (P3);
• and wherein
• said tool carrier (L) is movable among holding positions respectively corresponding to said hold portions, said tool interchanging position and a tool storage position corresponding to said tool storage member so as to deliver and receive said tool among said hold portions of said tool magazine, said tool interchanger and said tool storage member,
• said tool change method comprising the step of:
• carrying said at least one tool from the tool storage position to one of said holding position corresponding to said hold portions and said tool interchanging position directly without passing through said tool magazine.

A tool change device comprising:

• a main spindle;
• a tool magazine including a plurality of hold portions arranged on a straight line in such a state that the hold portions are opened in one direction;
• tool interchanger provided on one side of said tool magazine;
• a tool storage member provided on the other side of said tool magazine, said tool storage member adapted to allow replacement of a tool therein by an operator of said tool change device;
• a tool loader which is moved among a tool change position, a position corresponding to each hold portion of said tool magazine and a position corresponding to said tool storage member, for receiving and delivering a tool from and to any one of a tool change arm installed in said tool interchanger, the hold portions of said tool magazine and said tool storage member;
• and
• a tool loader stopper to prevent said tool loader from entering to the position corresponding to said tool storage member when a tool is replaced in said tool storage member by the operator.