Apparatus for identifying tools and for managing tool data

Claim 1

An apparatus for identifying tools for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging a tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means, by using the pull stud of the tool holders for the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool identifying apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmitting means respectively provided for each of said tool holders, each of said transmitting means being provided in a respective pull stud of a respective tool holder and having data setting means for setting tool data including tool discrimination data indicative of the kind of tool which is held in said respective tool holder, each said transmitting means transmitting a signal representative of said tool data, each said pull stud being a self-contained unit which is attachable to and detachable from a respective tool holder to permit exchange of a respective transmitting means; and receiving means, fixed to said machine tool, for receiving a signal transmitted from one of said transmitting means when said one transmitting means approaches said receiving means to thereby discriminate at least the kind of tool held by the tool holder associated with said one transmitting means.

Claim 2

An apparatus for identifying tools for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging a tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means, by using the pull stud of the tool holders for the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool identifying apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmitting means respectively provided for each of said tool holders, each of said transmitting means being provided in a respective pull stud of a respective tool holder and having data setting means for setting tool data including tool discrimination data indicative of the kind of tool which is held in said respective tool holder, each said transmitting means transmitting a signal representative of said tool data, each said pull stud being a self-contained unit which is attachable to and detachable from a respective tool holder to permit exchange of a respective transmitting means; and receiving means, fixed to said machine tool, for receiving a signal transmitted from one of said transmitting means when said one transmitting means approaches said receiving means to thereby discriminate at least the kind of tool held by the tool holder associated with said one transmitting means.

Claim 8

An apparatus for managing tool data for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging the tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means by using the pull stud of the tool holders for the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool data managing apparatus comprising: (A) a data storing apparatus respectively provided for each of said plurality of tool holders, said data storing apparatus, for each tool holder, being provided in a respective pull stud which is provided as a self-contained unit and is attachable to and detachable from one end of the tool holder and having: (i) holding means for holding tool data concerning a respective tool holder, (ii) first transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data, and (iii) control means for allowing data held in said holding means to be transmitting to said first transmitting/receiving means and for allowing data received by the first transmitting/receiving means to be stored into said holding means; and (B) a data input/output apparatus fixed to said machine tool and having: (i) second transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a said first transmitting/receiving means when a said first transmitting/receiving means approaches said second transmitting/receiving means, (ii) output means for outputting the data received by said second transmitting/receiving means, and (iii) input means for transferring input data to said second transmitting/receiving means.

Claim 9

An apparatus for managing tool data for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging the tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means by using the pull stud of the tool holders for the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool data managing apparatus comprising: (A) a data storing apparatus respectively provided for each of said plurality of tool holders, said data storing apparatus, for each tool holder, being provided in a respective pull stud which is provided as a self-contained unit and is attachable to and detachable from one end of the tool holder and having: (i) holding means for holding tool data concerning a respective tool holder, (ii) first transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data, and (iii) control means for allowing data held in said holding means to be transmitting to said first transmitting/receiving means and for allowing data received by the first transmitting/receiving means to be stored into said holding means; and (B) a data input/output apparatus fixed to said machine tool and having: (i) second transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a said first transmitting/receiving means when a said first transmitting/receiving means approaches said second transmitting/receiving means, (ii) output means for outputting the data received by said second transmitting/receiving means, and (iii) input means for transferring input data to said second transmitting/receiving means.

Claim 14

An apparatus for identifying tools for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging the tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means by using the pull stud of the tool holders for the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool identifying apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmitting means respectively provided for each of said tool holders, each of said transmitting means being provided in a respective pull stud which is provided as a self-contained unit which is attachable to and detachable from a respective tool holder, each of said transmitting means having data setting means for setting tool data including tool discrimination data indicative of the kind of tool which is held in said respective tool holder, each said transmitting means having a respective coil through which a signal representative of tool data is transmitted; and receiving means, fixed to said machine tool, and including a coil for receiving, by electromagnetic coupling, signals transmitted from each of said transmitting means when each of said transmitting means approaches said receiving means to thereby discriminate at least the kind of tool held by each of said tool holders.

Claim 15

An apparatus for identifying tools for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging the tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means by using the pull stud of the tool holders for the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool identifying apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmitting means respectively provided for each of said tool holders, each of said transmitting means being provided in a respective pull stud which is provided as a self-contained unit which is attachable to and detachable from a respective tool holder, each of said transmitting means having data setting means for setting tool data including tool discrimination data indicative of the kind of tool which is held in said respective tool holder, each said transmitting means having a respective coil through which a signal representative of tool data is transmitted; and receiving means, fixed to said machine tool, and including a coil for receiving, by electromagnetic coupling, signals transmitted from each of said transmitting means when each of said transmitting means approaches said receiving means to thereby discriminate at least the kind of tool held by each of said tool holders.

Claim 16

An apparatus for managing tool data for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging the tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means, by using the pull stud of the tool holders of the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool data managing apparatus comprising: (A) a data storing apparatus respectively provided for each of said plurality of tool holders, said data storing apparatus, for each tool holder, being provided in a respective pull stud attachable to and detachable from one end of the tool holder and having: (i) holding means for holding tool data concerning a respective tool holder, (ii) first transmitting/receiving means, including a coil, for transmitting and receiving data, and (iii) control means for allowing data held in said holding means to be transmitting by said first transmitting/receiving means through said coil and for allowing data received by the first transmitting/receiving means through said coil to be stored into said holding means; and (B) a data input/output apparatus fixed to said machine tool and having: (i) second transmitting/receiving means including a coil, for transmitting and receiving data to and from said first transmitting/receiving means of each tool holder through the coils of said first and second transmitting/receiving means when a said first transmitting/receiving means approaches said second transmitting/receiving means, (ii) output means for outputting the data received by said second transmitting/receiving means, and (iii) input means for transferring input data to said second transmitting/receiving means.

Claim 17

An apparatus for managing tool data for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging the tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means, by using the pull stud of the tool holders of the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool data managing apparatus comprising: (A) a data storing apparatus respectively provided for each of said plurality of tool holders, said data storing apparatus, for each tool holder, being provided in a respective pull stud attachable to and detachable from one end of the tool holder and having: (i) holding means for holding tool data concerning a respective tool holder, (ii) first transmitting/receiving means, including a coil, for transmitting and receiving data, and (iii) control means for allowing data held in said holding means to be transmitting by said first transmitting/receiving means through said coil and for allowing data received by the first transmitting/receiving means through said coil to be stored into said holding means; and (B) a data input/output apparatus fixed to said machine tool and having: (i) second transmitting/receiving means including a coil, for transmitting and receiving data to and from said first transmitting/receiving means of each tool holder through the coils of said first and second transmitting/receiving means when a said first transmitting/receiving means approaches said second transmitting/receiving means, (ii) output means for outputting the data received by said second transmitting/receiving means, and (iii) input means for transferring input data to said second transmitting/receiving means.

Claim 18

An apparatus for identifying tools for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging a tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means by using the pull stud of the tool holders of the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool identifying apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmitting means respectively provided for each of said tool holders, each of said transmitting means being provided in a respective pull stud of a respective tool holder and having data setting means for setting tool data including tool discrimination data indicative of the kind of tool which is held in said respective tool holder, each said transmitting means transmitting a signal representative of said tool data, each said pull stud being a self-contained unit which is attachable to and detachable from a respective tool holder to permit exchange of a respective transmitting means, each said pull stud having a cylindrical exterior shape and containing a threaded portion which is in threaded engagement with said respective tool holder, said threaded engagement enabling said pull stud to be attachable to and detachable from said respective tool holder; receiving means, fixed to said machine tool, for receiving a signal transmitted from one of said transmitting means when said one transmitting means approaches said receiving means to thereby discriminate at least the kind of tool held by the tool holder associated with said one transmitting means; and each of said transmitting means having a coil and said receiving means having a coil, each of said transmitting means being electromagnetically coupled to said receiving means when each said transmitting means approaches said receiving means, said receiving means having means for supplying operating electric power to each of said transmitting means through the electromagnetic coupling of a coil of a transmitting means with a coil of said receiving means.

Claim 19

An apparatus for identifying tools for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging a tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means by using the pull stud of the tool holders of the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool identifying apparatus comprising: a plurality of transmitting means respectively provided for each of said tool holders, each of said transmitting means being provided in a respective pull stud of a respective tool holder and having data setting means for setting tool data including tool discrimination data indicative of the kind of tool which is held in said respective tool holder, each said transmitting means transmitting a signal representative of said tool data, each said pull stud being a self-contained unit which is attachable to and detachable from a respective tool holder to permit exchange of a respective transmitting means, each said pull stud having a cylindrical exterior shape and containing a threaded portion which is in threaded engagement with said respective tool holder, said threaded engagement enabling said pull stud to be attachable to and detachable from said respective tool holder; receiving means, fixed to said machine tool, for receiving a signal transmitted from one of said transmitting means when said one transmitting means approaches said receiving means to thereby discriminate at least the kind of tool held by the tool holder associated with said one transmitting means; and each of said transmitting means having a coil and said receiving means having a coil, each of said transmitting means being electromagnetically coupled to said receiving means when each said transmitting means approaches said receiving means, said receiving means having means for supplying operating electric power to each of said transmitting means through the electromagnetic coupling of a coil of a transmitting means with a coil of said receiving means.

Claim 21

An apparatus for managing tool data for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging the tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means by using the pull stud of the tool holders of the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool data managing apparatus comprising: (A) a data storing apparatus respectively provided or each of said plurality of tool holders, said data storing apparatus, for each tool holder, being provided in a respective pull stud which is provided as a self-contained unit and which is attachable to and detachable from one end of the tool holder and having: (i) holding means for holding tool data concerning a respective tool holder, (ii) first transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data, and (iii) control means for allowing data held in said holding means to be transmitting to said first transmitting/receiving means and for allowing data received by the first transmitting/receiving means to be stored into said holding means; and (B) a data input/output apparatus fixed to said machine tool and having: (i) second transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a said first transmitting/receiving means when a said first transmitting/receiving means approaches said second transmitting/receiving means, (ii) output means for outputting the data received by said second transmitting/receiving means, (iii) input means for transferring input data to said second transmitting/receiving means; (C) wherein said first transmitting/receiving means in said data storing apparatus of a respective tool holder and said second transmitting/receiving means in said data input/output apparatus respectively having coils adapted to face each other when said first and second transmitting/receiving means approach each other, thereby bidirectionally transmitting the data by electromagnetic coupling of said coils; and (D) wherein operation electric power of said data storing apparatus is supplied from said data input/output apparatus to said data storing apparatus through the electromagnetic coupling of said coils.

Claim 22

An apparatus for managing tool data for use in a machine tool having an automatic tool changing apparatus, the automatic tool changing apparatus having tool keeping means for holding a plurality of tool holders to which the tools are respectively fixed, each of said tool holders having an associated pull stud, said tool changing apparatus automatically exchanging the tool attached to a spindle of the machine tool for a desired tool in said tool keeping means by using the pull stud of the tool holders of the exchanged tools to hold the tools, said tool data managing apparatus comprising: (A) a data storing apparatus respectively provided or each of said plurality of tool holders, said data storing apparatus, for each tool holder, being provided in a respective pull stud which is provided as a self-contained unit and which is attachable to and detachable from one end of the tool holder and having: (i) holding means for holding tool data concerning a respective tool holder, (ii) first transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data, and (iii) control means for allowing data held in said holding means to be transmitting to said first transmitting/receiving means and for allowing data received by the first transmitting/receiving means to be stored into said holding means; and (B) a data input/output apparatus fixed to said machine tool and having: (i) second transmitting/receiving means for transmitting and receiving data to and from a said first transmitting/receiving means when a said first transmitting/receiving means approaches said second transmitting/receiving means, (ii) output means for outputting the data received by said second transmitting/receiving means, (iii) input means for transferring input data to said second transmitting/receiving means; (C) wherein said first transmitting/receiving means in said data storing apparatus of a respective tool holder and said second transmitting/receiving means in said data input/output apparatus respectively having coils adapted to face each other when said first and second transmitting/receiving means approach each other, thereby bidirectionally transmitting the data by electromagnetic coupling of said coils; and (D) wherein operation electric power of said data storing apparatus is supplied from said data input/output apparatus to said data storing apparatus through the electromagnetic coupling of said coils.