Automatic tool changer

A process of automatically controlling an automatic tool changer which comprises a tool magazine to be rotatively indexed by a servo motor, and a waiting tool pot for temporarily holding a tool on standby, said process comprising the steps of:

• performing a tool magazine indexing operation in accordance with an indexing command, then transferring a tool from the tool magazine to the waiting tool pot, and performing a tool changing operation in accordance with a tool changing command by tool exchange between the waiting tool pot and a rotary tool spindle of a machine tool;
• temporarily stopping power supply to the servo motor if the next indexing command is not outputted within a predetermined time period after completion of the tool changing operation;
• and resuming the power supply to the servo motor when the next indexing command is outputted.

A process of automatically controlling an automatic tool changer which comprises a tool magazine to be rotatively driven by a servo motor, and a waiting tool pot for temporarily holding a tool on standby, said process comprising the steps of:

• performing a tool magazine indexing operation in accordance with an indexing command, then transferring a tool from the tool magazine to the waiting tool pot, and performing a tool changing operation in accordance with a tool changing command by tool exchange between the waiting tool pot and a rotary tool spindle of a machine tool;
• temporarily stopping power supply to the servo motor upon completion of the transfer of the tool from the tool magazine to the waiting tool pot;
• and resuming the power supply to the servo motor when the next indexing command is outputted.