Machine tool with automatic tool changer
AssigneeMori Seiki Co., Ltd.
InventorsHiroshi Yasuda, Hiroto Matsushita
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool changing unit moves between a magazine position and a changing position to transfer a tool. A machine tool has a plurality of tool changing positions. One of the tool changing positions is selected in advance for changing the tools next time. The tool changing unit and the tool mounted on a tool spindle move to the selected changing position for changing the tools in the selected changing position. Accordingly, the tool changing unit and the tool spindle move respective short distances for changing the tools, thereby shortening the non-machining time of a machine tool combined with the automatic tool changer.
Claims8
A machine tool comprising an automatic tool changer having a movable tool changing unit for changing tools, a tool magazine for storing a plurality of tools, and a tool spindle for mounting a tool thereon and for machining a workpiece with the mounted tool in a machining area of the machine tool;
- wherein said tool changing unit moves between a magazine position and a changing position to transfer the tool, changes the tool on said tool spindle in said changing position, and changes the tools on said tool magazine in said magazine position,
- wherein said machine tool has a plurality of the changing positions;
- one of said changing positions is selected in advance of the changing of the tool on said tool spindle for changing the tool on said tool spindle;
- said tool changing unit and the tool mounted on said tool spindle move to the selected changing position for changing the tools between the tool changing unit and the tool spindle in the selected changing position;
- and
- wherein the machining area is covered with a splash guard having a plurality of shutters located in positions corresponding to the changing positions, respectively, which shutters are each configured to be selectively opened and closed to permit the passage of the tool changing unit from outside the splash guard to the machining area to perform a tool change between the tool changing unit and the tool spindle at the respective changing position.
A machine tool comprising an automatic tool changer having a movable tool changing unit for changing tools, a tool magazine for storing a plurality of tools, and a tool spindle for mounting a tool thereon and for machining a workpiece with the mounted tool in a machining area of the machine tool;
- wherein said tool changing unit moves between a magazine position and a changing position to transfer the tool, changes the tool on said tool spindle in said changing position, and changes the tools on said tool magazine in said magazine position,
- wherein said machine tool has a plurality of the changing positions;
- one of said changing positions is selected in advance of the changing of the tool on said tool spindle for changing the tool on said tool spindle, and
- said tool changing unit is controlled, prior to the changing of the tool on said tool spindle, to wait in one position, of waiting positions, which is close to the selected changing position;
- and
- when a tool change start signal is output, said tool spindle moves to cause said tool mounted thereon to reach the selected changing position, and said tool changing unit moves and changes the tool on said tool spindle in the selected changing position;
- and
- wherein the machining area is covered with a splash guard having a plurality of shutters located in positions corresponding to the changing positions, respectively, which shutters are each configured to be selectively opened and closed to permit the passage of the tool changing unit from outside the splash guard to the machining area to perform the tool change between the tool changing unit and the tool spindle at the respective changing position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.