Patent ID: 6350222
Filing Date: 2002-02-26
Classification: B23B,B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
In a system including a machine operable to perform a process; a controller including a memory, operable to execute a program to cause said machine to perform said process; a tool head assembly mounted on said machine provided with a spindle and a first means for storing a selected number of tools, operable for selectively displacing each of said tools thereof between a storage position and a position for transfer of said tools to and from said spindle; and second means for storing a selected number of tools, the second storing means being accessible by said spindle such that said tools can be transferred between said second storing means and said spindle, a method comprising:storing in the memory the site of each of said tools relative to one of said first and second storing means and said spindle; loading a program into the controller, executable to cause said machine to perform a process; executing said program including: identifying the tools most used to perform said process; transferring each non-identified tool located on said first storing means and said spindle from said first storing means and said spindle to said second storing means; recording in the memory the new site of said non-identified tools; transferring each of said identified tools located on said second storing means to one of said first storing means and said spindle; and recording in the memory the new sites of said identified tools.