Abstract: A tool conveyer for use with a machine tool includes: a rotatable first link (15); a first fluid pressure cylinder (17) for driving the first link: a second link (20) rotatably connected at its intermediate portion to an free end of the first link; a tool holder (11) connected to a first end of the second link; a first guide (23) for rectilinearly guiding the tool holder in a tool conveying direction; and a second guide (24) for a second end of the second link in a direction perpendicular to the first guide. When the second link is rotated by the first fluid pressure cylinder via the first link, the tool holder is rectilinearly transferred between a tool magazine and an automatic tool changer. The tool conveyer further includes first, second, and third gears (26, 27, 28); a second fluid pressure cylinder (29) for driving the first gear; and a catch (11a) provided on the tool holder for booking a pot (4) and a tool (3).

Abstract: A tool clamping mechanism for clamping a tool using a thrust applied by a hydraulic/pneumatic cylinder as an actuator. This thrust is weaker than that of coned disc springs withstanding a force applied during a cutting operation or the like of the tool. Compression of the coned disc springs is reduced so as to assure reliable and stable rotation of the spindle. The clamping mechanism further includes a force increasing mechanism constituted by sloped portions between a first draw bar and a second draw bar which is concentric to the first draw bar, a tapered surface of an annular piece, and a plurality of balls. When the second draw bar retreats, the balls are raised from the groove to a larger diameter portion of the second draw bar, so that an urging force of the coned disc springs acts on the first draw bar, and clamps the tool to the spindle.

Abstract: An ATC according to the invention swivels a changer arm 44 by means of a first cam 24, pulls out a tool and brings a replacement tool into position by means of a second cam, open/closes a sliding cover 61 by way of a chain 62 and over-drive gears 53, 58 and 55, 59 by means of a third cam, exploiting a slight rotation of an arm shaft 51 and clamps/unclamps the tool T on a spindle by feeding actuator oil to a hydraulic cylinder on the spindle head side by driving a piston pump 47 by a fourth cam 25. Additionally, a shift gear 34 is moved by a hydraulic cylinder 29 to drive either the cam shaft 21 or the magazine drive shaft 31 by means of a motor 14 so that the four cams can be driven by a single cam and, at the same time, the tool magazine is also swivelled and indexed by the same motor.

Abstract: In a knitting machine, a needle selector having jacks fitted respectively in needle grooves formed in one of a cylinder, a dial and a needle bed is provided. A jack groove cam has a raising cam face for moving the jacks along their respective axes. A control electromagnet is arranged in facing relation to one of the jacks at a yarn feeding position on a stationary side. The control electromaget is excited in response to a needle-selecting signal to attract the jack to bring its butt into engagement with the raising cam face. A jack holding cam is arranged in juxtaposed relation to the other rocking end of the jack at the yarn feeding position. The jack holding cam has a cam face which is so magnetized as to attract the jack toward the jack groove cam. A welt cam is arranged at such a position as to clamp the jack between the cam face of the jack holding cam and a cam face of the welt cam, which is magnetized to attract the jack.