Abstract: A machine tool includes: a spindle that allows a tool to be detachably mounted thereon; a tool changing device that holds a plurality of the tools, and attaches and detaches any of the tools to and from the spindle; a date and time storage unit that stores date and time when operation of the spindle is stopped last; and a calculation unit that calculates unused time of the spindle on the basis of the date and time stored in the date and time storage unit, when the tool is to be detached from the spindle, wherein in a case where the unused time calculated by the calculation unit is longer than a predetermined threshold value, the tool changing device performs detaching motion of the tool from the spindle for longer time compared to a case where the calculated unused time is at or less than the threshold value.

Abstract: A multi-spindle machining machine with a tool changing mechanism contains a base; a carrier including a seat to move in Z axis, a rotary shaft fixed on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in A axis, and a fixing holder coupled to an end portion of the rotary shaft to fix a work piece; a tool changing mechanism including a mount mounted to the rotary shaft to rotate with the rotary shaft and a monitor fixed on the seat to measure a length of the tool clamped on a driving spindle, and including a plurality of slots to receive the tools respectively; a working head moving above the carrier and the tool changing mechanism in X and Y axes and including the driving spindle mounted on a lower end thereof to rotate axially, and the lower end of the driving spindle allowing to engage and disengage the tool.

Abstract: A robotic tool changer removably attaches a robotic tool to a robotic arm. The changer includes a tool module connected to the robotic tool, and a master module connected to the robotic arm. To attach and detach the robotic tool, the changer couples and uncouples the tool module and the master module. A master electrical signal module (ESM) affixes to the master module and a tool ESM affixes to the tool module. In accordance with design requirements, the changer applies the same power supply to both the master ESM and the tool ESM. The changer, however, selectively suppresses application of the power supply to the tool ESM, while maintaining application of the power supply to the master ESM, during the coupling or uncoupling of the master module and the tool module. In doing so, the changer enables such coupling and uncoupling, while also preventing the formation of transient electric arcs.

Abstract: It is determined whether the first tool identification information that is output from a robot control device, and that indicates a present tool and the second tool identification information for detecting and identifying a tool attached to the robot are unequal to each other. The position coordinates of the taught reference point in an actual space of the robot occurring at the time when the unequalness therebetween is first detected are set as reference coordinates, and a region that contains the reference coordinates is set as a predetermined region. If the position coordinates of the taught reference point have come to exist outside the predetermined region during a period during which it is determined that the foregoing two pieces of information are unequal, an emergency stop signal for causing the robot to be in a safe state is output.

Abstract: A mechanical device is used to change a laser nozzle of a nozzle mount of a laser processing machine. The mechanical device includes a nozzle magazine with at least one nozzle holder for storing a laser nozzle at a nozzle storage location, and a dirt collector. The nozzle holder is movable by means of a positioning device provided for that purpose or alternatively the dirt collector is movable by means of a positioning device provided for that purpose into a stand-by position defined on the mechanical device. The nozzle holder and the dirt collector can also be transferred to a position remote from the stand-by position with the respective positioning device.

Abstract: A machine tool having an automatic tool changer (ATC). The machine tool includes a gantry, a spindle extending from the gantry, a configurable work area, and an ATC adjacent to a front wall of the machine tool. The ATC includes a rotary tool magazine and a plurality of receptacles oriented radially around the rotary tool magazine configured to hold a plurality of cutting tools having cutting edges. The cutting edges of the cutting tools point radially inwardly around the rotary tool magazine, and the cutting tools are removed directly from the automatic tool changer by the spindle and brought to a part to be machined. A tool sensor may be located between the ATC and the spindle to take measurements of the cutting tool. The ATC includes at least one receptacle configured to hold a cutting tool.

Abstract: A multi-spindle machining machine with a tool changing mechanism comprising a base; a carrier including a seat to move in Z axis, a rotary shaft fixed on the seat laterally to drive the seat to rotate in A axis, and a fixing holder coupled to an end portion of the rotary shaft to fix a workpiece; a tool changing mechanism including a mount mounted to the rotary shaft to rotate with the rotary shaft and a monitor fixed on the seat to measure a length of the tool clamped on the driving spindle, and including a plurality of slots to receive the tools respectively; a working head moving above the carrier and the tool changing mechanism in X and Y axes and including a driving spindle mounted on a lower end thereof to rotate axially, and the lower end of the driving spindle allowing to engage and disengage the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for replacing a process instrument in a processing apparatus, in which a target object is loaded by transfer mechanism into a processing unit and is subjected to a process by use of the process instrument. The method includes confirming that a process on the target object is finished in a processing unit designated as a process instrument replacement target, and providing information that a process instrument replacing operation is permitted to start. The method further includes, when a shutter of the processing unit designated as the process instrument replacement target is closed to perform a process instrument replacing operation and an operation prohibition state is thereby applied to the transfer mechanism, canceling the operation prohibition state to allow the transfer mechanism to perform a load/unload operation relative to a processing unit not designated as a process instrument replacement target.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for replacing a process instrument in a processing apparatus, in which a target object is loaded by a transfer mechanism into a processing unit and is subjected to a process by use of the process instrument. The method includes confirming that a process on the target object is finished in a processing unit designated as a process instrument replacement target, and providing information that a process instrument replacing operation is permitted to start. The method further includes, when a shutter of the processing unit designated as the process instrument replacement target is closed to perform a process instrument replacing operation and an operation prohibition state is thereby applied to the transfer mechanism, canceling the operation prohibition state to allow the transfer mechanism to perform a load/unload operation relative to a processing unit not designated as a process instrument replacement target.

Abstract: Apparatus (12) for storing robotic tooling for vehicle body sheet metal robotic assembly operates a robot to transfer robotic tooling between an assembly station and a rotary storage rack (56) of a storage rack assembly (28). The storage rack (56) has vertically spaced storage locations and is rotated about a vertical axis to provide circumferentially spaced storage locations.

Abstract: An improved milling machine makes use of individually controlled x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis carriages. These carriages provide positive and precise control of the position of the cutting tools and the blank to be cut. The tools are located in spindles that are moved in the x-axis. A work piece or blank is manipulated in the y-axis and the z-axis. The tools are offset in the x-axis. Lights on a work space door are used to signal the condition of the mill machine and the milling operation. A tool changer allows the tools to be changed to accommodate other materials. A camera or other sensor is used to detect the location and wear on the tools.

Abstract: The inventive device comprises a tool holder (1), which can be displaced in an x-direction, in a y-direction that is perpendicular thereto, and in a z-direction that is perpendicular to both the x-direction and the y-direction, and which can rotate about the z-direction. A solid matter dosing head (350), provided as a tool, is automatically attached in a removable manner to the tool holder (1) by means of a permanent magnet (351). The tool can be easily exchanged for another tool due to this automatic removable attachment of said tool to the tool holder (1) involving the use of a permanent magnet (351).

Abstract: The invention relates to an exchangeable tool having a tool body with a receiving end for holding the tool in a receiving structure, wherein a connector is arranged in the tool body for providing a substantially non-rotatable connection with a manipulator for manipulating the tool into and out from the receiving structure, to a combination of such tool with a manipulator for manipulating the tool into and out from a receiving structure, and to a method for manipulating such tool into and out from a receiving structure.

Abstract: The inventive device comprises a tool holder, which can be displaced in an x-direction, in a y-direction that is perpendicular thereto, and in a z-direction that is perpendicular to both the x-direction and the y-direction, and which can rotate about the z-direction A solid matter dosing head, provided as a tool, is automatically attached in a removable manner to the tool holder by means of a permanent magnet. The tool can be easily exchanged for another tool due to this automatic removable attachment of said tool to the tool holder involving the use of a permanent magnet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protection device for a motor spindle (1) arranged in a housing (2), particularly of a machine tool, having an inner ring (6) fixedly joined to the motor spindle (1) and an outer ring joined to the housing (2). The inner ring (6) is arranged in the outer ring (7) in a way permitting axial motion and a tilting motion, and is placed under elastically resilient preload against the outer ring (7) by means of preloading members (8).

Abstract: A multi-axis automatic tool-changing system for an automatic machining center which is disposed with a plurality of machining principal axes and a tool magazine. The tool magazine is disposed with a plurality of tool-changing positions located correspondingly to the machining principal axes. Between each machining principal axis and each tool-changing positions is disposed a tool-changing arm. Each tool-changing arm utilizes the first end and the second end tool-taking grooves to grasp and exchange the tools of the machining principal axes and the tool-changing positions.

Abstract: A tool holder includes a base body having a through hole and a tubular clamp rotatable between first and second positions. The tubular clamp has a plurality of axially extending split parts which extend through the through hole and which define a clamping hole to clamp a cutter. The split parts are resilient to move inward or outward. A plurality of push elements are formed on the base body to push the split parts inward when the tubular clamp is in the first position. The split parts are released when moving from the push elements in the second position of the tubular clamp.

Abstract: A machine tool has at least one working spindle, in which a tool receptacle for tool holders is provided. Furthermore, there is a tool-changing arm with a gripper, for a tool holder in order to transfer this tool holder between its magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool receptacle, and its working position, in which the tool holder can be clamped into the tool receptacle. Orientation means are provided between the gripper and the tool holder supported by it and secure the tool holder in a nonrotatable manner on the gripper at least during its transfer between the magazine position and the working position and release it after it has been clamped into the tool receptacle, with the result that the tool holder can be rotated in relation to the gripper.

Abstract: A plurality of atomizers or other tools are disposed in a mounting plate (10) in storage places (12), respectively. The mounting plate (10) is rotatable relative a paint robot of a coating installation and has a pneumatic lock or a tool holder (19) that can only be released automatically during storage of the atomizers by an external control device of the mounting plate.

Abstract: A tool changing device of a machine tool which prevents chips adhering to a tool. By using a drive motor with which a tool changing device of the machine tool is usually provided, to vibrate the tool, the chips are prevented from adhering to the tool, especially to a tapered portion of the tool, and/or the chips adhered to the tool are removed, without using any additional device.

Abstract: A machine tool has a working spindle in which a tool receptacle for tool holders is provided. Furthermore, there is at least one tool-changing arm with a gripper in which a tool holder is held in a peripheral alignment with respect to the gripper in order to transfer this tool holder between its magazine position, which is spaced apart from the tool receptacle, and its working position, in which the tool holder can be clamped into the tool receptacle. A positioning indicator is provided for the peripheral alignment of the tool holder, the indicator indicating a misalignment between the tool holder and gripper.

Abstract: An automatic tool changing device capable of cleaning a contact surface of a spindle, which is to be in contact with a tool holder, with a simple structure. The device includes a turret having a plurality of grippers on its outer circumference and holding the tool holder by means of the grippers. At the time of tool change, the grippers grip and pull out the tool holder fixed to the spindle. Rotation of the spindle causes the turret to rotate through a spindle gear, a turret gear, and a decelerating device, to thereby select a tool. At this moment, a coolant is spouted from a nozzle portion of a manifold toward a spindle taper hole in which the tool holder is interfitted and washes the taper hole. Due to the rotation of the spindle, the coolant is spouted onto the whole circumference of the taper hole, and the surface to be in contact with the tool holder is surely washed.

Abstract: A cleaning device for a machine tool is provided wherein the machine tool is provided with an automatic tool change mechanism for replacing a tool attached to a main shaft by another tool, and a cutting fluid nozzle for emitting coolant supplied from a coolant pump to a cutting location where a workpiece is machined by a tool. The cleaning device has at least one cleaning nozzle from which clean coolant is sprayed toward portions of the machine tool where adherence of machining chips affects changing of tools. The cleaning nozzle includes a nozzle hole that is open downwards, and an inclined wall that faces the opening of the nozzle hole and is inclined in a direction pointing to the tool. During changing of tools, clean coolant is supplied from the coolant pump to the cleaning nozzles through a filter.

Abstract: A machine tool includes a tool magazine for accommodating a plurality of tools, the tool magazine including a tool ejecting section, feeding means for selectively feeding one of the tools accommodated in the tool magazine to the tool ejecting section of the tool magazine, and feed control means for controlling the feeding means so that a feeding speed of the feeding means is set on the basis of a type of a machining operation executed during feed of the tool.

Abstract: In order to improve the operational reliability of an extending system with at least four extending elements (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) which are disposed behind one another and can be moved relative to one another in a direction of extension (B) as well as a direction of insertion (A) opposed thereto between an inserted position and an extended position it is proposed that for coupling the motion of the individual extending elements (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) a coupling arrangement be used which has a coupling element (28) which runs round a return spindle (24, 26), wherein the said return spindle is fixed relative to the middle extending element (20) of a group of three extending elements (10, 20, 30) disposed behind one another and extends perpendicular to the direction of extension, and the said coupling element (28) is movable along a path which is fixed relative to the return spindle (24, 25) and runs round the latter, the coupling arrangement also having two entraining elements (12, 31) which on the one hand are c