Patent ID: 8574139
Filing Date: 2013-11-05
Classification: B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An automatic tool changer (ATC) for use in a machine tool, the automatic tool changer comprising: a rotary tool magazine configured for rotation about a central axis thereof; a plurality of receptacles oriented around the rotary tool magazine, each configured to hold a respective cutting tool, each cutting tool having two ends that are spaced along a longitudinal axis of the cutting tool, each cutting tool having a respective cutting edge located at one of the two ends, wherein the receptacles are configured such that when the cutting tools are held in the receptacles, the longitudinal axes of the cutting tools extend radially with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary tool magazine, and wherein the receptacles each comprise three pairs of legs, each pair of legs being spaced in the direction of the respective longitudinal cutting tool axis from each of the other pairs of legs of the respective receptacle, two of the pairs of legs being retaining legs for retaining the respective cutting tool in the respective receptacle, and the other pair of the legs being alignment legs for engaging a respective groove to align the respective longitudinal cutting tool axis radially with respect to the magazine rotation axis; wherein when the cutting tools are each held in a respective one of the receptacles, the cutting edges of the cutting tools are located at a position that is more radially inward with respect to the rotation axis of the tool magazine than the other end of the respective cutting tool is, and wherein the cutting tools are removed directly from the tool magazine by a spindle located in the machine tool.