Patent ID: 6071220
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: B23Q,Y10T

Abstract:
A tool change method in a tool change device comprising:a main spindle (24) having a leading end on which a tool (25) is mounted;a tool magazine (29) including a plurality of hold portions (30) capable of holding a plurality of tools (25);a tool interchanging means (27) disposed on one side of said tool magazine for interchanging, at a tool interchanging position, said tool (25) mounted on said main spindle with a tool (25) taken out from one of the hold portions of said tool magazine;a tool storage member (41) disposed on the other side of said tool magazine for storing at least one tool (25) to be substituted for one of one of said tools held in the tool magazine and said tool mounted on said main spindle; anda tool carrying means (L) for carrying said tool stored on said tool storage member (41) to the hold portions on said tool magazine and for carrying one of said tools held on the hold portions to said tool storage member,wherein said hold portions (30) are arranged on a straight line, and said tool (25) mounted on said main spindle is interchanged with a tool (25) taken out from one of one of the hold portions of said tool magazine and said tool storage member (41) at said tool interchanging position (P3); and whereinsaid tool carrying means (L) is movable among holding positions respectively corresponding to said hold portions, said tool interchanging position and a tool storage position corresponding to said tool storage member so as to deliver and receive said tool among said hold portions of said tool magazine, said tool interchanging means and said tool storage member,said tool change method comprising the step of:carrying said at least one tool from the tool storage position to one of said holding position corresponding to said hold portions and said tool interchanging position directly without passing through said tool magazine.