Patent ID: 7798947

Claim:
A method of replacing a cutting tool in a tool magazine in a machine center comprising: providing a mounting frame having a pair of guide rails, and a tool changing jig having a lifting assembly, a pair of clamp arms each having a holder at a distal free end thereof and a locking lever, a pair of locking clamps, and a V-shaped block assembly, the tool changing jig being slidable along the pair of guide rails; pushing the tool changing jig toward the tool magazine until the tool changing jig contacts a rear positive stop on the mounting frame; pivoting the clamp arms to an open position; cranking the lifting assembly in an upward direction until the V-shaped block assembly contacts the cutting tool; pivoting the clamp arms to a closed position; dislodging the cutting tool from the tool magazine; pulling the tool changing jig away from the tool magazine until the tool changing jig contacts a front positive stop on the mounting frame; replacing the cutting tool in the tool changing jig; and pushing the tool changing jig toward the tool magazine until the cutting tool is inserted and locked into the tool magazine.