Claims
- 1. A tool transfer device for use in an automatic machine tool for changing a used tool and a new tool comprising:
- a slideable sleeve;
- a body having means for mounting the slidable sleeve on the machine tool;
- a main arm fixedly mounted on said slideable sleeve and provided with a first and second pawl means, said first pawl means for grasping the used tool and said second pawl means for grasping the new tool;
- a first power means operable to actuate said first and second pawl means to grasp said new and used tools;
- a connecting means connecting said first power means to said pair of pawl means for simultaneously actuating said pair of pawl means in response to the operation of the first power means, said connecting means comprising a pair of slide members slidably mounted in said main arm to be operably connected to said pair of pawl means, a pair of pivotal connecting members pivotably connected to said pair of slide members, and a further pivotal connecting member having one end pivotably connected to both said pair of pivotal connecting members, and;
- a second power means for rotating said slidable sleeve with said pair of pawl means so as to interchange the positions of said used and new tools grasped by said pawl means.
- 2. A tool transfer device according to claim 1, wherein said first power means comprises a fluid operated cylinder having a piston therein, and a movable bar having one end connected to the piston and the other end to which said further pivotal connecting member is pivotably connected, said movable bar being slidable in said slide sleeve means.
- 3. A tool transfer device according to claim 2, wherein said fluid operated cylinder is provided with a rod extended therefrom toward the outside of said cylinder, the rod being movable with said piston of said cylinder, and wherein said device further comprises a first confirmation means fixedly located at the outside of said cylinder, the confirmation means being actuated by dog means mounted on said rod when said piston moves in said fluid operated cylinder whereby the actuation of said pair of pawl means is confirmed.
Priority Claims (1)
| Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
| 47-87368 |
Aug 1972 |
JA |
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Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 387,002 filed Aug. 9, 1973 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,227 issued July 8, 1975.
The present invention relates to an automatic tool changing apparatus and more particularly, relates to an automatic tool changing apparatus adapted for application to a machine tool having a vertical spindle.
In a machine having a vertical spindle, it is well known to use an automatic tool changing apparatus to exchange an already used tool held in the spindle of the machine for one of a plurality of tools stored in a tool storage magazine.
The arrangement of a known automatic tool changing apparatus is such that when a tool stored in the tool storage magazine is to be inserted in the vertical spindle, the tool magazine is indexed by a tool index device to a predetermined position where the tool is inserted in a ready station by a sub-arm. Subsequently, the ready station is swung downward by 90.degree. to a position where the new tool in the ready station can be exchanged for a used tool which is in the vertical spindle. Then, the new tool in the ready station and the used tool in the vertical spindle are grasped and rotated, through 180.degree., by a main arm so that the new tool may be inserted in the vertical spindle. In such an arrangement, the ready station interposed between the sub and main arms has been indispensable.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic tool changing apparatus which eliminates provision of a ready station so as to simplify the arrangement thereof.
According to the present invention, an automatic tool changing apparatus adapted for application to a machine tool having a vertical spindle comprises a rotatable tool storage magazine adapted for storing a plurality of tools, an intermediate tool transfer device for taking a tool out of the storage magazine by horizontal movement thereof and for subsequently positioning an axis of the tool parallel with an axis of the vertical spindle in a position adjacent to said vertical spindle by downward swinging motion thereof through 90.degree., and a tool transfer device for exchanging the tool in the intermediate tool transfer device for an already used tool held in said vertical spindle.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
| Parent |
387002 |
Aug 1973 |
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Patent Grant
3998338
