Patent ID: 7048679

Claim:
A tool-changing system for a machine tool, comprising: a tool changer with at least two receiver; for a tool which is transferable to at least one, or from at least one, spindle, each spindle defining a spindle axis; a tool magazine comprising a rack for accommodating a multiplicity of tools, the rack extending along a rack axis and being configured such that the tools are inserted into the rack perpendicularly to the rack axis, the rack further defining an aperture extending through the rack perpendicularly to the rack axis and being configured to accommodate an interference circle of the tool changer, and the rack being further oriented such that the rack axis is disposed perpendicularly to the spindle axis of the at least one spindle; and a storage and retrieval unit via which the tools are removable from the magazine and are moveable into a preliminary position for transferring the tool to the tool changer, the storage and retrieval unit being separated from the tool changer by the rack and being configured to transfer the tool to the tool changer through the aperture defined by the rack.