Abstract: A major-minor tool shank for a machine tool including a major tool shank for fitting a minor stool shank therein. One end of the major tool shank is a minor taper pot provided with a lock mechanism for locking the minor tool shank, the lock mechanism including lock pins installed in holes opening through the wall of the minor taper pot. A cylindrical tool grip and a sleeve cap cover the minor taper pot, and a coil spring is provided between the tool grip and the sleeve cap. With the aid of spring force, the inner end of the lock sleeve pushes the lock pins in the radial direction and the pins latch the pull stud of the minor tool shank to connect and hold the minor tool shank in the major tool shank. When the lock sleeve is pushed in the axial direction, overcoming the spring force, the lock pins are released from the pull stud of the minor tool shank. Thus, the minor tool shank can snap off the major tool shank.

Abstract: A tool pot cleaning system for use by installing in a tool magazine of an automatic tool exchanger in machine tool. The tool pot cleaning system, installed in a tool magazine, equipped with a number of tool pots supported radically with an angle of elevation along the outer circumference of said tool magazine, comprises an air connection port disposed at the inside of the tool cradle and an air passage formed in the base of the tool pot. When the tool pot is tilted for exchanging tools, the air passage is channeled through to the said air connection port and the air jets into the tool pot to perform the cleaning of the inside of the tool pot.