Abstract: The invention relates to a device for interchanging suction pipettes which can be removed from a magazine and coupled to a fitting head of a fitting device and detached from the fitting head and deposited in the magazine. The fitting head has, on its side facing the magazine, a motor on whose driven shaft a star-shaped part and a latching plate are mounted. The latching plate has at least one nub (121) which, after insertion of the star-shaped part into a star-shaped cutout in the suction pipette held in the magazine and after rotation of the star-shaped part and the latching plate into a locking position, engages in a notch, and which, on insertion of a suction pipette held on the star-shaped part into the magazine, can be moved out of the notch.

Abstract: In a method and device for automatically exchanging knife units of a knife ring slicing device, the knife changing magazine is moved relative to the knife ring into a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine are axially aligned with the knife receptacles of the knife ring. The worn knives of the knife ring are moved axially into empty knife receptacles of the knife changing magazine. A relative movement between the knife changing magazine and the knife ring is carried out until the knife changing magazine and the knife ring are again in a knife changing position in which the knife receptacles with resharpened knife units are aligned with the knife receptacles in the knife ring. The resharpened knife units are introduced in the opposite axial direction into the knife receptacles of the knife ring from which the worn knife units had been removed.

Abstract: A automatically indexing tool magazine, of the type attached to machining centers that incorporate an automatic tool change function, able to hold a relatively large number of tools in a compact space as means of improving space efficiency. The tool magazine is comprised of a rotatable main table and multiple sub-tables rotatably attached to the main table in a uniformly spaced radial pattern, each sub-table being equipped with a number of tool pots likewise arranged in a uniformly spaced radial pattern. The tool pots serve as containers into which machining tools can be inserted or removed. The main table and sub-tables are rotatably indexed by means of respective main table and sub-table indexing mechanisms. The tool pot holding the tool designated for removal is transported to a tool removal position through the rotational indexing movement of the main table and appropriate sub-table.

Abstract: A device for loading and unloading a tool into/from the tool magazine of a machine-tool or the like comprises a door, which separates the area of the tool magazine from an external protected area, and a tool-bearing slide, which can be displaced between a backed-off position outside the door and an advanced position inside the door and close to the tool magazine. The slide is connected to the door by a mechanical transmission in such a way that a movement of advance of the slide causes a simultaneous movement of opening of the door, and a movement of backing off of the slide causes a simultaneous movement of closing of the door.

Abstract: A dental automatic cutting apparatus is disclosed, having a construction in which cutting tools are made automatically detachable to a chuck and a tool cassette by automatic control mechanism comprising: an engagement means provided to the tool cassette and a base block to maintain the tool cassette in a detachable manner to the base block to a desired position relation, the tool cassette provided on its front surface side with at least two post-inserting bore through which each tool post having a function to accommodate and hold the cutting tool which can be inserted, and the base block is fixed to a main body of the dental automatic cutting apparatus, and connection means for connecting the engagement means provided in the tool cassette to the base block to fix the tool cassette.

Abstract: A tool storage and tool exchange device of a high speed machining machine-tool having a horizontal ram that receives a tool. The exchange device includes a tool storage module that has a multiplicity of housings receiving the tools, a handling module that loads or unloads at least one tool from a housing and transports the tool from the housing toward an exchange zone with a transfer module, and a transfer module that transports a tool present in the ram from an exchange zone with the ram toward the exchange zone with the handling nodule and vice-versa. The multiple modules allow simultaneous execution of different operations by a tool storage and tool exchange device.

Abstract: A rotary drive adapted to perform a speed of rotation switching of a tool holding device, comprising an output drive shaft bearing the tool holding device, said output drive shaft being able to be moved into first and second axial positions by means of a setting drive. The output drive shaft is coupled in the first axial position with a power driven first drive gear wheel and in the second axial position with a concentric tubular shaft, which is adapted to be driven by a power driven second drive gear wheel by way of a worm drive.

Abstract: A machine tool for cutting workpieces, the machine tool having a tool slide shiftable on or along a machine tool table as support of a machining unit. The machining unit has at least one work spindle and a workpiece support for receiving the workpieces to be machined. For enabling fast machining including an accurate and rapid positioning of the machining unit with as few linear guidances as possible, the tool slide has a transverse support shiftably guided on or along the machine tool table and also has two cross slides shiftable in its longitudinal direction. The machining unit is jointedly arranged between the cross slides via a coupling mechanism having at least two dimensionally stable swivel arms for axially moving the work spindle.

Abstract: An artwork is made on a surface of a matrix or plate with acrylic paint and then allowing the paint to dry. A layer of a backing material adhesive, such as an acrylic gel, is next applied to the acrylic layer and a backing material (such as paper or cloth) is placed upon the gel, and the wet gel is then allowed to dry. The dry artwork is then removed from the matrix. The invention allows the inclusion within a single image of other media (wet or dry), such as paper, fabric, dry acrylic elements, watercolor, waterbase crayons and pencils, felt pens, waterbase inks, water mixable oil paints, oil pastels and oil paint sticks because of the bonding abilities of acrylics.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic tool changer which employs a servo motor as a drive source for a tool magazine and, yet, features a minimized power consumption and a reduced steady torque of the servo motor. The automatic tool changer is adapted to perform a tool magazine indexing operation in accordance with an indexing command and then perform a tool changing operation in accordance with a tool changing command. If the next indexing command is not outputted within a predetermined time period after completion of the tool changing operation, power supply to the servo motor for driving the tool magazine is temporarily stopped and, when the next indexing command is outputted, the power supply to the servo motor is resumed for performing the indexing operation.

Abstract: A tool pot used for a tool magazine of a machine tool to removably hold a tool is disclosed. A main body of the tool pot is constructed a cylindrical wall defining a holing aperture for holding the tool, end ribs formed at opposed ends of the cylindrical wall and a plurality of longitudinal ribs formed between the end ribs on the outer periphery of the cylindrical wall. And the main body is integrally molded from a glass-fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin material such as crystalline nylon-type resin. Therefore, the tool pot has high wear resistance and light weight, and it can be recycled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool magazine system and a gripper for a machining spindle. It is proposed that said gripper should be fed to said tool laterally with respect to the rotational or longitudinal axis of said tool, particularly substantially at right angles to that axis, and should grasp said tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating tool changer for an automobile and more particularly, to a floating tool changer for an automobile which can set at least two different floating tools simultaneously and exchange a socket portion of the floating tool by using a desirable grip means automatically so that the floating tool changer is applicable to in assembly lines for variety kinds of automobiles and thus, a productivity and an operation efficiency can be enhanced.

Abstract: A magazine which retains tools within the working area of a machine tool has a storage port which is mounted to a base via a compliant mount which provides two degrees of rotational freedom, and two degrees of translational freedom. The mount enables the storage port to be brought into register with a chuck on the spindle of the machine as a result of mutual engagement between surfaces on the storage port and the chuck during a tool change operation. The tool is retained within the chuck by using hydraulic pressure chambers in the chuck to deform an interior wall of the chuck cavity, and thereby causing it to grip the sides of the tool. Such a retention mechanism requires a relatively small clearance of the tool within the chuck when the wall is underformed, thereby necessitating the compliantly mounted storage port and alignment surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machining center, wherein at least one work spindle with a preferably horizontal spindle position can be displaced preferably in the direction of X, Y and Z and each work spindle is allocated at least one substantially circular tool store which can rotate around a central axis and which is provided with storage locations so that the working spindle(s) can deposit one or several tools. The invention is characterized in that a) the tool store (2) comprises one or several tool disk(s) (3) which are arranged parallel to each other and grouped together in a drum store, wherein b) the tool disk(s) can be individually or jointly rotated around a central axis (4) which is perpendicular to the spindle axis and c) the tools (5) can be inserted with their tips (6) forward into tool holders (7) in the tool store (2) which are arranged in a tangential to radical direction.

Abstract: A tool carousel comprising a plurality of wheel sections which can be joined together to form a carousel wheel and a plurality of tool-holding portions. Each tool-holding portion and wheel section is configured such that each tool-holding portion can be journalled to a respective wheel section for rotation between a tool-storage position and a tool-accessing position in which a tool can be installed thereupon or removed therefrom.

Abstract: A tool gripper which holds a plurality of tools in arm portions thereof. The gripper is provided in a tool rack type magazine that accommodates tools used in machine tools, and each of the arm portions of the tool gripper is arc-shaped and opened in an obliquely upward direction so that a tool entrance of the arm portion faces obliquely upward over a tool holding portion of the arm portion. The tool gripper is obtained by processing a continuous, elongated plate with laser or press to form the arm portions, and such a plate can be obtained by overlaying a plurality of thin plates in the thickness direction into a sandwich structure.

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: When the amount of a change in load current supplied to a grinder is not more than a predetermined threshold value, the amount of piercing into a workpiece by the grinder is controlled according to the load current. When the amount of a change in load current exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the grinding speed of the grinder is controlled according to the load current. When performing a plurality of operations with one robot, a position correction value calculated in one operation is utilized to correct a target position in another operation.

Abstract: A tool attachment and release system for robotic arms which using a magnet for supplying the attractive force to hold the tool to the robotic arm while allowing separation of tools from the robotic arm without manual intervention. A series of tools are held at predetermined locations in a tool rack allowing the robot to automatically deposit therein or acquire therefrom a particular tool. Permanent magnets are mounted between steel inserts in the tool attachment block. The steel insert are used to direct and concentrate magnetic flux to the tool attachment surface and also to each of two shunt bar contact surfaces. During the attach and disconnect operations, magnetic flux shunt bars are placed in close proximity to the two shunt bar contact surfaces to thereby provide an alternative path for the magnetic flux. This greatly reduces but does not eliminate the attractive force between the tool adapter plate and the attachment block.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a machine-tool (20) including at least one machining station able to accommodate selectively a tool, at least one tool magazine for storing the tools, a tool transfer device, and control means for driving the tool magazine. The machine-tool is characterised in that the tool magazine (21) is formed as a closed circuit of several interconnected main supports (30), in that each main support (30) can accommodate and hold several subsidiary supports (31) intended to carry at least two tools. The machine-tool (20) further includes an operator interface for loading/unloading the subsidiary supports (31) from outside the machine-tool (20), independently of the operating state of the machine-tool (20). The storage capacity of such a tool magazine (21) is advantageously high, and makes the machine-tool highly autonomous.

Abstract: A tool rack support system which includes leaf spring type flexures which allow the tool rack a measure of compliance in both the horizontal and vertical planes. The support system comprises preferably two flexure support assemblies with each assembly preferably including two cantilevered, horizontally oriented, planar flexures and two cantilevered, vertically oriented, substantially planar flexures which are ultimately supported from the distal end of the horizontally oriented, planar flexures. The vertically oriented, planar flexures give the support system a measure of compliance which allows the tool rack to be moved discretely in the horizontal plane as a result of a robotic arm acquiring or delivering a tool to the tool rack. The horizontally oriented, substantially planar flexures of the support system give the support assembly vertical compliancy to allow the tool rack to be moved discretely in the vertical direction as a result of a robotic arm acquiring or delivering a tool from the tool rack.

Abstract: An electronic component mounting apparatus for determining whether or not a nozzle replacement operation is successfully performed. A horizontal array of nozzles are accommodated in the holder in a nozzle stocker, and a light emitting device and a light receiving device are arranged so that the light path between both runs above the nozzles. The nozzle stocker is arranged in a travel path of a feeding head. The nozzle mount of the feeding head returns a used nozzle into the holder or mounts a new nozzle thereon. When any nozzle remains lifted from the holder intercepting the light path, a returning operation of the used nozzle is determined to be a failure. When a nozzle replacement is performed, its success or failure is reliably determined by detecting a intercepting height of light and release height of light by the nozzle and nozzle mount, respectively.

Abstract: An off-line automatic viscosity measuring apparatus, which can execute viscosity measurement of a plurality of specimens while automatically replacing rotors, is provided. The off-line automatic viscosity measuring apparatus according to the invention has: a detachable rotor 7; a viscosity detection head 33 for executing viscosity measurement with the rotor 7 connected thereto; a detection head moving mechanism 34 for moving the viscosity detection head 33 up and down and left and right; a separation aid mechanism 50 for aiding in separation of the rotor 7 and the viscosity detection head 33; and a rotor magazine mechanism 40 for holding a plurality of rotors 7. The viscosity detection head 33 has a bottom end formed with a detection head attaching/detaching part for accepting the rotor 7. The rotor 7 has a top end formed with a rotor side attaching/detaching part being inserted into the detection head attaching/detaching part for connecting the rotor 7 and the viscosity detection head 33.

Abstract: A single driving system (4, 5, 6) is provided for a plurality of pairs of controlled systems and axis controllers (1, 12:2, 13). This driving system is connected to a required pair of the controlled systems and the axis controllers as needed using an axis changing device (3) and a changing controller (7). At this time, the shaft position data of the driving system, at the time when a controlled system is separated from the driving system, is stored in a first axis shaft position data storing device (8) or a second axis shaft position data storing device (11). When the connection is returned, an offset signal is sent to the changing controller (7) from a first axis shaft position offset calculator (9) or a second axis shaft position offset calculator (10). Thus, a plurality of controlled systems can be driven by a single driving system.

Abstract: To improve a machine tool, comprising a machine frame, a workpiece holder arranged on the machine frame for a workpiece to be machined, a tool holder arranged on the machine frame for receiving a tool and at least one drive with a slide for executing a relative movement between the tool and the workpiece in the direction of at least one axis, such that it allows as high dynamics as possible, it is proposed that the drive comprise electric linear motors aligned parallel to the axis and spaced from one another in a transverse direction, that the slide extend between the two linear motors, and that a control be provided for simultaneously operating the linear motors for displacement of the slide.

Abstract: A combination magazine and changer for use with a machining head of an electrical discharge machine for rapidly changing a tool. The magazine includes a plurality of separate housings, each of which supports a tool. A retaining means is provided for each housing and creates an attracting force for holding the tools in place. The changer includes a robot arm arranged in proximity to the magazine and which is capable of linear motion relative to the magazine. A mechanical clamping member is mounted to an end of the arm and removes a given tool from the magazine for use in the machining head in a first linear motion and replaces the used tool on the magazine in a second reverse linear motion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated loading of a drilling machine package having a plurality of drill bit receiving openings arranged in a known configuration with verified precision drill bits from a drill bit container is disclosed. The apparatus includes an automated transfer machine which is connected to a control device, a package frame, a container receiving member, and a diameter sensing device. While not necessarily connected to the automated transfer machine, the package frame and the container receiving member are located at positions which are accessible by the automated transfer machine. Further, the diameter sensing device is operably associated with the automated transfer machine. The method of operation includes the control device recalling data specific to a particular job. A drill bit container is placed on the container receiving member.

Abstract: The tool storage apparatus according to the present invention includes holder units consisted by a strut and a multiplicity of holders adapted to hold tools. Holders are arranged in two rows and in each row, the holders are arranged one above another and in the adjacent rows the openings for receiving tools are opened in the opposite direction relative to each other.