Abstract: An automatic tool-exchanging apparatus is provided which extends/contracts an arm with a rational and simple structure and can realize a high-speed operation essentially obtainable by making the arm's turning radius small. The apparatus comprises: an arm-driving shaft for being driven to rotate; an arm provided on the shaft and capable of being rotated, the arm capable of being moved to extend/contract and comprising a grip arm for attaching/detaching a tool, and an arm support movably supporting the grip arm; a clutch between the arm support and the shaft, the clutch for connecting the arm support and the shaft to make them rotate integrally, and disconnecting the arm support and the shaft to generate a relative rotation therebetween; and a link between the grip arm and the shaft, the link for transmitting the relative rotation of the shaft in respect to the arm support to make the grip arm move.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool changer for removal and installation of tools in a machining center having a spindle for holding a tool including a tool rack having a plurality of locations for holding tools and a rotatable arm movable between the spindle and the plurality of locations. Each of the plurality of locations has a clip for holding a tool and each clip has two arms with the arm on a first side of the clip having an inclined surface. The rotatable arm includes at least two grippers with each gripper defining at least one cam surface, the cam surface being structured and arranged to engage the inclined surface of the clip to allow for the removal of a tool in the clip.

Abstract: A tool changer for a machine tool includes an arm support disposed between a spindle head and a tool magazine to be reciprocally moved along the spindle relative to the spindle, a pair of tool changing arms mounted for rocking motion on support shafts further mounted on the arm support to cross the spindle, respectively, holding mechanisms on one ends of the tool changing arms respectively, and a rotating mechanism for rotating the tool changing arms by 180 degrees about a center shaft parallel with the spindle. Each holding mechanism has a moving pin and a spring for urging the moving pin in a direction of projection of the pin. The moving pins are engaged with a tool attached to the spindle and another tool located at a standby position of the tool magazine when the tool changing arms are rocked about the support shafts so that the tools are detachably held by the holding mechanisms respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring workpieces to and from the chuck of a machine tool. A gripper arm is mounted to the machine frame for selectively axial and rotational movement on a shaft having helical and longitudinal threads on the surface thereof. A first nut is rotatably mounted to the machine frame for axial advancement of the shaft and a second nut is rotatably mounted for rotational advancement. The apparatus may also include a panel mounted to the machine frame between a transfer station and the chuck. An opening in the panel adjacent the transfer station has surfaces which mate with corresponding surfaces of the gripper arm so as to preclude the passage of debris to the transfer station. The apparatus may also include an apparatus for sequentially transferring a series of workpieces. The apparatus has a two gripper jaws and a compressible pusher plate therebetween which is compressed as it is moved towards an opening in an input chute so that a workpiece may roll between the jaws of the gripper.

Abstract: A cutter exchanging apparatus includes a cam mechanism mounted on a driving shaft of the apparatus. The cam mechanism includes a cylindrical roller and a plate attached together. The cylindrical roller has a first and second end, and an endless recessed cam groove that includes an upper circumferential recessed cam groove formed adjacent to the first end, a lower circumferential recessed cam groove formed adjacent to the second end and two transition gradually curved cam groove, each connected to each of two free ends of the upper and lower circumferential recessed cam groove. The plate has a recessed groove that includes a starting point formed adjacent to the center point of rotation of the plate and an ending point.