Abstract: A method for optimizing the occupancy of magazine spaces by tools within at least one tool magazine for a machine tool in a computer-supported manner is provided. One or more workpieces of one or more workpiece types is produced using the tools supplied by a magazine device at a supply area, having the following steps: a-i) detecting a number of workpieces, magazine spaces, a number of tools, required space, allowable magazines spaces for each tool, allowable starting magazine occupancy, a sequence of work steps to be carried out by the machine tool on a workpiece, work step time periods required to carry out each individual work step on the workpiece, one or more supply time periods depending on the sequence of the work steps to be carried out, and j) optimizing the occupancy of the magazine spaces by tools.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tool magazine of a machine tool such as a moving column-type machining center, in which a magazine unit is installed on a saddle, a tool accommodated in a gripper part of the magazine unit is loaded or unloaded in a direction perpendicular to a tool axis, and a gripping part of a change arm directly grips a flange portion of the tool at the time of changing the tools by means of a tool changing part movably installed on the saddle and a tool changing part transfer part configured to move the tool changing part independently of a column, thereby reducing tool change time, improving productivity, minimizing a collision or mechanical interference, and improving stability and reliability in the medium-sized or large-sized machine tool having a length in a width direction.

Abstract: An automated tool clamping device, in particular a fully automated tool clamping device is configured for a clamping-in of at least one tool in a tool chuck by a tightening of a union nut of the tool chuck and/or for a declamping of the tool out of the tool chuck by a release of the union nut, and comprises a clamp element, which is at least configured to generate a connection, in particular a clamp connection, with the union nut of the tool chuck, and comprises a torque receiving element, which is at least configured to receive at least a large portion of a torque occurring during a tool clamping process, in particular during a tool clamping-in process and/or a tool declamping process.

Abstract: A machining center, comprising: a number N of workpiece tables equal to or greater than three, a number N of first guides, which extend parallel to a first direction; along said first guides being movable respective to workpiece tables, one for each first guide, a number N?1 of second guides, which extend parallel to a second direction transverse to said first direction, a number N?1 of machining groups each comprising at least one machining head; each machining group being movable parallel to said second direction along a respective second guide; a number N×(N?1) of machining areas wherein the machining groups can operate on workpieces present on said tables; along each first guide, or for a respective table, there being present N?1 machining areas, one for each machining group, so that each machining group can operate, according to a programmed work cycle, on all said N workpiece tables, a number N of workpiece loading/unloading areas, one for each workpiece table.

Abstract: A cutting blade supplying apparatus includes a cutting blade stocker that stocks a plurality of cutting blades; a carrying unit that carries out the cutting blade from the cutting blade stocker and carries the cutting blade to a cutting apparatus, a transferring unit that transfers the cutting blade carried by the carrying unit to a cutting blade replacing unit of the cutting apparatus, and a control unit. The cutting blade stocker includes a cutting blade case that accommodates the cutting blades each of which includes a mounting port formed in a center thereof to be mounted to a spindle and a cutting edge formed at an outer periphery of the mounting port, and a cutting blade case mounting unit on which to mount the cutting blade case.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft coupling. According to one embodiment, the shaft coupling comprises a first coupling part with a shaft and a conical shaft section. A tool (e.g. a grinding disc, a drill, etc.) can be fixed to a first end of the shaft, and a shaft collar is arranged on a second end of the shaft. The shaft coupling additionally comprises a second coupling part which has a conical hub into which the conical shaft section of the first coupling part can be introduced in order to form a tapered seat. The second coupling part additionally has a securing element which can be moved transversely to the rotational axis of the shaft coupling such that the securing element can engage with the shaft collar. At least one spring is arranged in the shaft coupling such that the spring generates a spring force which acts on the tapered seat in the axial direction when the securing element is engaged and biases said tapered seat.

Abstract: An automatic tool exchange system which allows a tool management mode to be arbitrarily selectable between a fixed address scheme and a memory random scheme in operation of the same machining center. The control unit for controlling the respective drive units of the tool exchanger and the magazine includes a storage unit for storing tool information containing a registered correspondence relationship between the tools and corresponding addresses of the stowage parts of the magazine, a modifying unit for modifying the tool information, and a tool exchange instruction unit for sequentially designating the tool to be used in each of the machining steps in accordance with the machining program, and driving the magazine to move the stowage part at the address corresponding to the designated tool to a predetermined position based on the tool information so that the tool is located at the exchange position at a predetermined timing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transport device (38) for transporting a workpiece (23) between a clamping chuck (22) and a workpiece carrier (30). The transport device (38) comprises a gripper arrangement (39) with a pivot arm (40). One end of the pivot arm (40) is supported on the machine tool (20) and, in particular, a machine slide (25) via a first pivot drive (41) so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis (S1). On the other end, the pivot arm (40) supports a second pivot drive (42) that defines a second pivot axis (S2). A workpiece gripper (43) is supported so as to be pivotable about this second pivot axis (S2). The two pivot axes are inclined by 45° relative to each other. A workpiece (23) held by the workpiece gripper (43) has a workpiece longitudinal axis (W) that extends in a first position (I) of the workpiece gripper (43) at a right angle with respect to the pivot axis (S1).

Abstract: A manufacturing system comprises plural types of manufacturing apparatuses driven by operation programs of which language specifications differ from each other. The manufacturing system comprises a cell control apparatus which generates the operation program to be executed in the manufacturing apparatus and communication apparatuses which send the operation programs generated by the cell control apparatus to the respective manufacturing apparatuses. A language specification common to the manufacturing apparatuses of which the types differ from each other is predetermined. The cell control apparatus includes a reading part which reads a common program generated based on the common language specification and a conversion part which converts the common program into the operation programs for the respective manufacturing apparatuses.

Abstract: A robotic tool changer removably attaches a robotic tool to a robotic arm. The changer includes a tool module connected to the robotic tool, and a master module connected to the robotic arm. To attach and detach the robotic tool, the changer couples and uncouples the tool module and the master module. A master electrical signal module (ESM) affixes to the master module and a tool ESM affixes to the tool module. In accordance with design requirements, the changer applies the same power supply to both the master ESM and the tool ESM. The changer, however, selectively suppresses application of the power supply to the tool ESM, while maintaining application of the power supply to the master ESM, during the coupling or uncoupling of the master module and the tool module. In doing so, the changer enables such coupling and uncoupling, while also preventing the formation of transient electric arcs.

Abstract: A moving device is provided. A first receiving device receives an emitted light from a base station and obtains a direction from a start position, which the moving device is in to the base station according to the emitted light to serve as a target direction. A driving device drives the moving device to move in the target direction from the start position. When the moving device meets a first obstacle which is disposed along the target direction and in the target area, a second receiving device obtains a distance between the moving device and the base station according to the received emitted light to serve as a middle distance. When a determination device determines that the middle distance is not equal to a predetermined distance, the driving device drives the moving device to detour around the first obstacle and move in the target direction continuously.

Abstract: A tool storage system stores tool holders for use in machine tools. The tool holders hold tools such as milling cutters, taps, drills, reamers, chamfering or deburring tools or the like. The tool holders may have standard taper-shanks. A receptacle is provided for each tool holder. The receptacles are arranged on a generally vertical array and hold the tool holders generally horizontally. The tool holders may be retained by engagement of a pull stud in the receptacle. The generally vertical array arrangement permits storing a large number of tools in a small footprint. In embodiments, a computer system provides functions for managing the tools and/or jobs in which the tools are used.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a machine module and an instrument module. The machine module is capable of being connected to a power tool. The instrument module is capable of being connected to the machine module and capable of generating a number of signals containing information about a number of operating conditions during operation of the power tool.

Abstract: A setup information generating device for a punch press which can generate setup information on replacement of a punch and a die with compatible tools, that is, replacement among punches and dies identified by the same tool number and used for processing for the same shape and the same size and which can also generate setup information according to processing know-how or the like. The device has a setup information generating device 48 for comparing a processing schedule with tool numbers in a mounted tool information storage device 45 to generate setup information. The device has a compatible tool registering device 38 for registering processing conditions such as material quality and board thickness and information on which of plural types of punches 81 and dies 82 identified by the same tool number are compatible as a punch 81 and a die 82 which meet the processing conditions are registered in accordance with inputs from an operation panel 46.

Abstract: The invention refers to a working machine with a machining tool which can be set in a spindle head of a working spindle. A monitoring unit is provided which monitors the shape of the spindle head.

Abstract: A tool joint part has a PIC incorporated therein for storing data which can be used to identify the tool to which the joint part is interconnected. PICs are incorporated into tool conditioning circuits. An intermediate circuit operates to match the identity stored digitally in a first PIC with the identity stored digitally in another PIC and thereby connect the tool to the appropriate tool conditioning circuit.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting tools to a base includes a movable base, a tool mounting frame for selective attachment to the base, and a locking assembly movable between a locked position where the tool mounting frame is securely attached to the base and an unlocked position where the tool mounting frame is movable relative to the base. The tool mounting frame includes at least one tool mount for supporting a first tool to perform a tooling operation after the locking assembly is moved to the locked position. The locking assembly includes a first mount supported by the base and a second mount supported by the tool mounting. The locking assembly is automatically interlocks the first and second mounts. A first sensor component is mounted to the base and a second sensor component is mounted to the tool mounting frame. A controller controls mounting speed based on the proximity of the sensor components. Additionally, a code corresponding to the type of tool mounting frame may be used.

Abstract: A device and a method for distinguishing and automatically identifying and classifying tools using the device are disclosed. The device has a fixed reading unit attached to a machine tool and a coding system on a rotating tool. The coding system is a series of coding elements which are arranged on the rotating tool in the circumferential direction having a prescribed pitch spacing at different circumferential distances from one another, and which are successively sensed by the reading unit during rotation of the tool.

Abstract: A tool changer for a machine tool having a toolhead assembly including a spindle with means for detachable securing a tool thereto, generally consisting of at least one means for holding a tool detachably securable to the spindle, pivotally connected to the assembly and angularly displaceable in a plane including the axis of the spindle between a retracted position and an extended position for transferring a tool between the tool holding means and the spindle; and means for angularly displacing the tool holding means between such retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A machine tool control system and method are provided that utilize metal mold arrangement information to improve machining efficiency and control. According to the disclosure, a machining schedule, a machining program and metal mold information (indicating the characteristic properties of a metal mold to carry out machining) are transferred to a controller for controlling a CNC device and a machine tool unit (e.g., a turret punch press). The controller transfers the metal mold information for the machining program to the CNC device by a different transfer route than that of the machining program. The CNC device searches for a metal mold specified by the metal mold information based on metal mold arrangement information stored in a file. The metal mold arrangement information indicates each metal mold that is located in the machine tool unit.

Abstract: Tools are classified into small type tools that can pass through the space between a pair of grippers in its open position and large type tools that cannot pass through the space between the pair of grippers in the open position, when the headstock supporting a spindle holding a tool is moved to a position corresponding to a tool change position. When the next tool to be used is of the small type, the tool is moved through a standby position to the tool change position during a machining operation using the tool on the spindle, the headstock is moved to the position corresponding to the tool change position in response to a tool changing instruction and a predetermined tool changing operation is carried out.

Abstract: According to this invention, common tool codes for specifying tools are used in a whole system, a T code command including tool codes, tool shape information and tool machining ability information are inputted into each NC machine, and this information is converted into local information of individual NC machines to perform machining. The tool codes and the tool information can be subjected to centralized control as a whole in the system.

Abstract: A tool holding device for use in a printed circuit board processing machine is provided with a record which is capable of storing data concerning the states of tools held on the tool holding device and data concerning processing conditions and which enables reading and updating of the recorded content through a communication with an external control device. Necessity for renewal of data registered in the NC device, which has to be executed in the known apparatus each time the tool holding device is exchanged, is eliminated thereby improving the rate of operation of the printed circuit board processing machine. In addition, the present invention enables an easy automatic replacement of tools when the lives of the tools are expired.