An Automatic Tool Changer is equipment that reduces cycle times by automatically changing tools between cuts.

Automatic tool changers are differentiated by tool-to-tool time and the number of tools they can hold. CNC machines are in general, more expensive than general purpose manoperated machine tools, special attention is given to the design of the NC machines and production tooling in order to reduce the time spent in both work and machine set up. Tooling systems for NC are designed to eliminate operator error and maximize productive machine hours. CNC tool changers allow a machine to perform more than one function without requiring an operator to change the tooling. A CNC tool changer can quickly change the end effectors without the requirement of multiple robots. Tool changers can be a manual tool changers or automatic tool changers. A CNC tool changer fulfills the requirement of multiple tooling for a wide variety of machine tools. A CNC machine tool raises the productivity by automatically translating designs into instructions for a computer controller on a machine tool. The spindle axis of a CNC machine tool fixes the chucks which is integral to the lathes functioning. A CNC tool storage system is an organized, efficient, and secure method of storing tools at all stages and time. The main component of a CNC tool storage system is a CNC tool holder. A CNC tool holder is suitable for vertically storing all types of preset tools.

AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS

Automated manufacturing systems operate in the factory on the physical product. They perform operations such as processing, assembly, inspection, or material handling in some cases accomplishing more than one of these operations in the same system. They are called automated because they perform their operations with a reduced level of human participation compared with the corresponding manual process. In some highly automated systems, there is virtually no human participation. Examples of automated manufacturing systems includes: Automated machine tools that process machine parts Transfer lines that perform a series of machining operations Automated assembly systems Manufacturing systems that use industrial robots to perform processing or assembly operations Automatic material handling and storage systems to integrate manufacturing operations Automatic inspection system for quality control

TOOLING FOR NUMERICAL CONTROL

Since NC machines are in general, more expensive than general purpose

man-operated machine tools, special attention is given to the design of the NC machines and production tooling in order to reduce the time spent in both work and machine set up. Tooling systems for NC are designed to eliminate operator error and maximize productive machine hours. They do this in one or more of the following ways: 1. Using quick change tool holders 2. Automatic tool selection 3. Automatic tool Changer 4. Presetting of tool 5. Facilitating tool selection and tool changing through the numerical control program While tooling for NC machines might appear to be specialized, the actual components and principles involved have much in common with what would be considered proper practice for conventional machine tools.
1. Tool Holders

Quick change tool holders are designed so that cutting tools can be readily positioned with respect to the spindle axis of the machine. This requires that tolerances on length and/or diameter be held on all tools used in the machine. Arbor type cutters such as face mills and shell end mills are held in arbor type tool holders. Shank type mills are held in positive lock holder. Drills, reamers and boring tools are held in a straight shank collet type holder. Taps are held in a tension and compression collet type holders. 14
2. Automatic tool selection

Automatic tool selectors in NC make all the tool changes required to complete a predetermined sequence of machining operations on a part. There are two basic approaches to automatic tool selection: When relatively small number of different tools is required, automatic tool selector is the turret type. The turret is rotated under program control to bring the proper tool into position. The tools are held in preset tool holder adapters which are mounted into turret spindles. An automatic tool changer and magazine of tools is frequently used in preference to the turret approach, when the number of tools to be used is large. Each tool is inserted in a common spindle as required. The tools which are mounted in uniform holders, are automatically picked up, placed into the spindle and locked in place. When the operations using that tool are completed it is returned to the tool storage magazine. For changing tools rapidly it is better to place tool in magazine or turret in the order in which they will be used.
3. Automatic Tool Changer

For three axis machines which perform a wide variety of operations tool

changes a programmed into the tape for fully automatic selection and replacement. The automatic tool change system may consist of following elements: Rotary tool storage magazine for numerous tools. Automatic tool changer to remove tool holders from the machine spindle and replace them with tape programmed tools. 15 Basic tool holders adaptable to a multiplicity of cutting tool types and work specifications. Tool coding rings and system for selection of proper tools in accordance with tape signals. In operation, the automatic tool change is accomplished in four steps: By tape command (and from any location the magazine) the tool magazine rotates to proper position to bring the pre selected tool into place for particular operation. One end of the tool change your arm then grasps the tool while the opposite end grasps the tool to be replaced in the spindle. The tool changer arm moves out away from the spindle removing one tool from the magazine and other tool from the spindle

AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER

AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER
An Automatic Tool Changer is equipment that reduces cycle times by automatically changing tools between cuts. Automatic tool changers are differentiated by tool-to-tool time and the number of tools they can hold. CNC tool changers allow a machine to perform more than one function without requiring an operator to change the tooling. A CNC tool changer can quickly change the end effectors without the requirement of multiple robots. Tool changers can be a manual tool changers or automatic tool changers. A CNC tool changer fulfills the requirement of multiple tooling for a wide variety of machine tools. Why Tool Changer is needed? Tool changer is equipment which is used in CNC machines to reduce the cycle time. The term applies to a wide variety of tooling, from indexable insert, single point tools to coded, preset tool holders for use in automatic tool changers. It includes power-actuated, cross-slide tooling and turret tool holders for single spindle chuckers, interchangeable-block boring tools. A number of basic types of tool holders are available that accommodate most face mills, end mills, drills, reamers, taps, boring tools, counterbores, countersinks, and spot facers. Arbor type cutters such as face mills and shell end mills are held in an arbor type tool holders. Shank type mills are held in positive lock holder. Drills, reamers and boring tools are held in a straight shank collet type

holder. Taps are held in a tension and compression collet type holders. 17

TYPES OF AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER

There are mainly three kinds of tool changers available in market according to the tool magazine arrangements provided. 1. Tool change system with gripper arm 2. Tool change system with chain magazine 3. Tool change system with disc magazine

TYPES OF AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER

There are mainly three kinds of tool changers available in market according to the tool magazine arrangements provided. 1. Tool change system with gripper arm 2. Tool change system with chain magazine 3. Tool change system with disc magazine 1. Tool Change system with gripper Arm In this system, there are mainly two elements Disc with magazine Gripper arm In this system, a disc is provided with magazine, in which different types of tools are loaded. It can hold maximum 32 tools. In magazines, all the tools which are required are fixed in the magazines. The tool which is programmed in controller according to the program will be indexed in front of the gripper arm and then the gripper arm grips the tool and performs the operation. After completion of the operation by each tool, the gripper arm places the tool back in to the magazine. Description of the gripper arm The tool changer gripper arm consists of a central aluminum structure with terminal tool grippers of hardened steel. Tool gripping and release are obtained by means of a spring-operated mechanism actuated by the rotation of the arm. The latter, in turning, engages or disengages the grippers from the tools when these are in exchange position. 2. Tool Change system with chain magazine In this kind of system, a chain is provided with magazines for tool holding. This chain can hold numerous tools so it is used in heavy machineries. Starting from 32 it can hold more than 100 tools. 18 These chain is indexed in front of the head stock directly as per the tool

Fig: Tool Change system with chain magazine

In this kind of system there is no arrangement like gripper arm. The chain itself is indexed and the machining is done while keeping the tool in the chain only. 3. Tool change system with Disc magazine In this system, the tools are held in a big disc. This disc is not similar to the disc provided in gripper arm mechanism. In this disc, there are tool grippers provided separately for each magazine these grippers holds the tool and performs machining operation as well.

Fig: Tool change with disc magazine

This system disc can hold 32 to maximum of 64 tools. These type of tool changers are used in medium capacity machineries.