Automatic tool change apparatus

Claim 2

An automatic tool change apparatus comprising: a tool magazine for storing a plurality of tools and for indexing a required tool into a predetermined position; tool holding means mounted on said tool magazine and provided with opening and receiving portions; a plurality of tool sleeve means each for holding a tool and each having first and second portions, each of said tool sleeve means being held by said receiving portions of said tool holding means at said first portion thereof and removable therefrom through said opening at said second portion; first tool transfer means movable in two directions so as to transfer one of said tool sleeve means along with a tool from said tool holding means to a tool change position, said first tool transfer means being capable of aligning said second portion of said one of said tool sleeve means with said opening by a motion in one of said two directions; and second tool transfer means for interchanging tools between said tool sleeve means in said tool change position and a tool spindle, when a machining operation by a previous tool is completed.

Claim 3

An automatic tool change apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said first portion of each of said tool sleeve means is an enlarged portion for engaging said tool holding means; said second portion of each of said tool sleeve means is a recessed portion having a smaller diameter than that of said enlarged portion; and further comprising, detent means in each of said tool sleeve means elastically urged toward a tool holder disposed therein to hold the same in said tool sleeve means.

Claim 4

An automatic tool change apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first tool transfer means comprises: a sub-transfer arm having fingers for clamping one of said tool sleeve means; and actuatOr means for moving said sub-transfer arm to shift said clamped one of said tool sleeve means in an axial direction in said tool holding means and for rotating said sub-transfer arm between said tool holding means and said tool change position.

Claim 5

An automatic tool change apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first tool transfer means comprises: a sub-transfer arm having fingers for clamping one of said tool sleeve means; first actuator means for disengaging said enlarged portion from said tool holding means by moving said sub-transfer arm in one direction; and said actuator means for transferring said one of said tool sleeve means from said tool holding means in the tool change position by moving said sub-transfer arm in a second direction.

Claim 6

An automatic tool change apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tool holding means comprises: a support for said tool holder having a pair of support plates, each of which has a limited width and is disengaged from said tool sleeve means when said tool sleeve means is moved in an axial direction thereof by said first tool transfer means; and a plunger in said support being elastically urged toward said tool sleeve means so as to prevent axial movement of said tool sleeve means therein.

Claim 7

An automatic tool change apparatus comprising: a tool magazine for storing a plurality of tools and for indexing a required tool into a predetermined position; a plurality of tool holding means mounted on said tool magazine and provided with opening and receiving portions; a plurality of tool sleeves each having enlarged portions at both ends thereof and a recessed portion intermediate said both ends for holding a tool, said enlarged portions being engaged with said receiving portions of said tool holding means and said recessed portion permitting passage through said opening portions of said tool holding means; a plunger for each of said tool holding means mounted on said tool magazine being elastically urged toward said tool sleeve engaged therein to normally prevent axial movement of said tool sleeve; a sub-transfer arm having fingers for clamping said tool sleeve; first actuator means for disengaging said enlarged portions of said tool sleeves from said receiving portions of said tool holding means and making said recessed portions of said tool sleeves correspond to said opening portions of said tool holding means; second actuator means for transferring said tool sleeves from said tool holding means to a tool change position by moving said sub-transfer arm; and a tool transfer arm for interchanging tools between the sub-transfer arm in said tool change position and a tool spindle.

Claim 8

An automatic tool change apparatus comprising: a tool magazine for storing a plurality of tools and for indexing a required tool into a predetermined position; a plurality of tool holding means mounted on said tool magazine and provided with opening and receiving portions; a plurality of tool sleeves each having enlarged portions at both ends thereof and a recessed portion intermediate said both ends for holding a tool, said enlarged portions being engaged with said receiving portions of said tool holding means and said recessed portion permitting passage through said opening portions of said tool holding means; a plunger for each of said tool holding means mounted on said tool magazine being elastically urged toward said tool sleeve engaged therein to normally prevent axial movement of said tool sleeve; a sub-transfer arm having fingers for clamping said tool sleeve; first actuator means for disengaging said enlarged portions of said tool sleeves from said receiving portions of said tool holding means and making said recessed portions of said tool sleeves correspond to said opening portions of said tool holding means; second actuator means for transferring said tool sleeves from said tool holding means to a tool change position by moving said sub-transfer arm; and a tool transfer arm for interchanging tools between the sub-transfer arm in said tool change position and a tool spindle.

Claim 9

An automatic tool change apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said tool holding means are arranged on a circular peripheral portion of said tool magazine; each of said tool sleeve means is provided with a holding portion extending outwardly from said tool holding means; and said first tool transfer means is provided with a pair of fingers which are moveable in a tangential direction of said tool holding means for clamping said holding portion outside of said tool holding means.