Patent ES-8600992-A1 (ES)
Title: Tool handling system for a machine tool.
IPC: B23Q3/157
Filed: 1984-10-11
Abstract: The system includes a storage device comprising a closely-packed planar array of tool store locations, each receiving the base portion of a tool with its machining portion pointing upwardly. A selector moves over the tool storage device, grips a selected tool and moves it vertically out of its location and from there to the transfer station. The storage device pref. holds each tool in a predetermined angular position and comprises a rectangular array of store-locations together defining a tool crate. - A base support has an upper surface for supporting and locating at least four tool crates and moves a crate located on the base from one region to another. The tool selector includes a carriage preprogrammable to move in a horizontal plane between a position adjacent the transfer station and a predetermined store location. EPAB- EP-138600 B The system includes a storage device comprising a closely-packed planar array of tool store locations, each receiving the base portion of a tool with its machining portion pointing upwardly. A selector moves over the tool storage device, grips a selected tool and moves it vertically out of its location and from there to the transfer station. The storage device pref. holds each tool in a predetermined angular position and comprises a rectangular array of store-locations together defining a tool crate. - A base support has an upper surface for supporting and locating at least four tool crates and moves a crate located on the base from one region to another. The tool selector includes a carriage preprogrammable to move in a horizontal plane between a position adjacent the transfer station and a predetermined store location. (28pp)  Dwg.No.0/7) - EP-138600 B A tool handling system for handling tools (5) of the type having a machining portion (6) and a common base portion for being drivably engaged in a rotatable drive spindle (40) of a machine-tool workhead (C), said system including tool storage means for storing a plurality of said tools in a position generally adjacent said drive spindle, tool selector (A) for selecting and removing or replacing selected tools from or in said tool storage means, and: a generally horizontal support platform (10,11) for said tool storage means, characterised in that i) said tool storage means comprises a tool crate (12) having an upper surface region defining a generally horizontal close-packed rectangular array of tool storage apertures (13) each adapted to receive the haze portion (9) of a tool (5) with its machining portion (6) pointing upwardly and each being provided with location means (16) for locating a stored tool (5) against angular movement; ii) said support platform being adapted to support a plurality of adjacently disposed tool crates (12), each such crate (12) being movable between a predetermined location on said platform (10,11) at which said tools (5) may be removed or replaced, and a location at which said crate (12) may be removed and/or replaced by another such crate; iii) the tool selector means (A) comprises a carriage means (21) movably mounted on said support platform (10, 11) for preprogrammable movement in a generally horizontal plane over said tool storage means (12) and tool gripper means (24) carried by said carriage means (21) for vertical movement between a low level and a high level and being operable to grip a selected tool (5), and iv) the system is programmable to cause the tool selector means (A) to move to a position adjacent a selected tool (5) in a said tool crate (12), to grip said selected tool (5) and to withdraw it generally vertically from said crate (12) whenever said crate (12) has been moved to said predetermined location on said  pl suppo USAB- US4654954 A The tool handling system has a tool storage, a close-packed planar array of tool store locations, each receiving the base portion of a tool with its machining portion directed upwardly. A tool selector moves over the tool storage array and for gripping a selected tool and moves vertically out of its location to the transfer station. Each tool is maintained in a predetermined angular orientation. - Pref. the tool selector includes a carriage which is preprogrammable to move in X-Y manner between a position adjacent the transfer station and a predetermined tool store location. The tool gripper mechanism pref. includes a pair of gripping arms operable to grip a region of the base portion of a tool. The gripping arms each are of L-form with the gripping portions located at the free ends of the shorter arm limbs to allow those tools having cutting portions of greater dia. than their associated flange to be gripped.