Abstract: A rotary shuttle (10) for a machine tool (11) in which no power mechanism is required for moving the pallet (14, 15) with the workpiece off of the shuttle (10) and on to the machine tool worktable (13A) or for withdrawing a pallet (14, 15) with the completed workpiece on it off of the machine tool worktable (13A) and back on to the shuttle (14, 15). A rotatable shuttle (10) is presented with a workpiece support which can also be raised and lowered with pallets (14, 15), which in conjunction with an indexing table (13) moves workpieces between the worktable (13A) and a workpiece support (16, 19). A frame (66) of the shuttle mechanism (10) includes an offset rotatable section (65) which is arranged to extend over a portion (79) of the indexing table (13) with the shuttle mechanism (10) including support arms (16, 19) in conjunction with the offset rotatable section to extend over a portion of the indexing table (13).

Abstract: A tool changer for interchanging tools between a machine tool and a magazine in a minimum amount of time so as to reduce the down time of a machine tool. The tool changer includes a frame or base member for mounting on the machine tool with the frame member presenting at least two spaced apart mounting planes. Two tool change arm members are rotatably mounted on the frame and in the spaced apart mounting planes. A drive mechanism affords a reciprocating rotatable motion as well as a linear motion of each arm member so as to effect a motion similar to a fourbar linkage and a parabolic motion to the arm members. Each arm member has a clamping portion to grip tools in a firm but releasable manner. In a preferred manner, the arms are rotated through an arc of 180.degree. and the clamping members are positioned 90.degree. out of phase from each other. Also preferably the mounting planes are positioned at an angle of 45.degree.

Abstract: An improved workpiece storage and shuttle apparatus is fabricated of a base into which a carousel is journaled for indexable movement. Located about the periphery of the carousel are a plurality of workpiece storage pedestals, each pedestal having a pair of spaced apart guides thereon, each of the guides being parallel to a carousel radii. Affixed on the carousel is at least one and preferably two pairs of spaced apart guides, each of the guides of each pair of carousel guides extending from the center of the carousel beyond the carousel periphery so as to be parallel to a carousel radii. Between each pair of carousel guides is a pallet shuttle arm which is extendable out from and retractable into the guides by a hydraulic cylinder.