Patent ID: 7594337

Claim:
A tool shank comprising; a spindle attachment portion that is removably attachable to the rotatable spindle of an associated machine tool; a shank body portion that extends beyond the end of the spindle when the tool shank is attached thereto; a feature on the shank body portion suitable for engagement with a tool change device; and a first part of a separable electrical coupling, the first part being located on the shank body portion between the feature and the spindle attachment portion; wherein the first part of the separable electrical coupling establishes at least one electrical connection with a second part of the separable electrical coupling provided on the machine tool, the separable electrical coupling providing at least one electrical connection between the tool shank and the associated machine tool during rotation of the tool shank by the machine tool; wherein, when the tool shank is attached to the spindle of the machine tool, the first and second parts of the separable electrical coupling are separated by a gap of less than 1 mm.