Machine tool with improved tool changer means
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorKenneth J. Susnjara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool changer for a machine tool having a toolhead assembly including a spindle with a device detachable securing a tool thereto, generally consisting of at least one device for holding a tool detachably securable to the spindle, pivotally connected to the assembly and angularly displaceable in a plane including the axis of the spindle between a retracted position and an extended position for transferring a tool between the tool holding device and the spindle; and a device for angularly displacing the tool holding device between such retracted and extended positions.
Claims20
In a system including a machine operable to perform a process;
- a controller including a memory, operable to execute a program to cause said machine to perform said process;
- a tool head assembly mounted on said machine provided with a spindle and a first means for storing a selected number of tools, operable for selectively displacing each of said tools thereof between a storage position and a position for transfer of said tools to and from said spindle;
- and second means for storing a selected number of tools, the second storing means being accessible by said spindle such that said tools can be transferred between said second storing means and said spindle, a method comprising:
- storing in the memory the site of each of said tools relative to one of said first and second storing means and said spindle;
- loading a program into the controller, executable to cause said machine to perform a process;
- executing said program including:
- identifying the tools most used to perform said process;
- transferring each non-identified tool located on said first storing means and said spindle from said first storing means and said spindle to said second storing means;
- recording in the memory the new site of said non-identified tools;
- transferring each of said identified tools located on said second storing means to one of said first storing means and said spindle;
- and
- recording in the memory the new sites of said identified tools.
In a system including a machine operable to perform a process;
- a controller including a memory operable to execute a program to cause said machine to perform said process;
- a tool head assembly mounted on said machine provided with a spindle and a first means for storing a selected number of tools, operable for selectively displacing each of said tools thereof between a storage position and a position for transfer of said tools to and from said spindle;
- and second means for storing a selected number of tools, the second storing means being accessible by said spindle such that said tools can be transferred between said second storing means and said spindle, a method comprising:
- storing in the memory the site of each of said tools in one of said first and second storing means and said spindle;
- loading a program executable to cause said machine to perform said process in said controller;
- executing said program including:
- identifying the highest number of tools required to perform said process, which may be accommodated by said first storing means;
- transferring each non-identified tool located on said first storing means and said spindle from said first storing means and said spindle to said second storing means;
- recording in the memory the new site of said non-identified tools;
- transferring each of said identified tools located on said second storing means to one of said first storing means and said spindle;
- and
- recording in the memory the new sites of said identified tools.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.