Patent ID: 8052588
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tool replacement system including: a tool conveyance apparatus for holding tools and conveying the tools between a tool magazine storing a plurality of tools accommodated therein and a machining center in which tools are operated by rotation of a main spindle to perform a sequences of process operations; a tool replacement arm for accepting tools by rotational movement of the tool replacement arm and carrying the tools to the machining center, and taking out tools, whose operations have already ended, from the machining center; an intermediate magazine for accepting tools between the tool conveyance apparatus and the tool replacement arm; and a computer for controlling the system by providing sequences of the operations and operation times of tools operating in all the processes in advance of the sequences of process operations being carried out, and: controlling transfer of next ones of the tools of the sequences, planned to be operated next in the machining center after a specified one of the tools, for which specified one of the tools the operation time is shorter than a conveyance time by reciprocation of the tool conveyance apparatus between the tool magazine and the tool replacement arm, to the tool replacement arm by the tool conveyance apparatus, controlling conveyance of at least a part of the next ones of the tools, planned to be operated next in the machining center, for which a waiting time that is greater than or equal to the conveyance time by reciprocation of the tool conveyance apparatus between the tool magazine and the tool replacement arm occurs until the operation thereof in the machining center since the operation of the specified one of the tools already had ended, to the intermediate magazine in advance of the sequences of process operations being carried out, by an instruction of the computer in the machining center, and controlling, in the intermediate magazine, transfer of the corresponding tools requiring the waiting time in line by their sequence of operation, to the tool replacement arm via the intermediate magazine.