Tool transfer device for machine tools

摘要

A tool transfer device for machine tools that can reduce the tool transfer time and also reduce the cost of the device by eliminating the need for a driving source. The tool transfer device for machine tools has a tool magazine set beside a spindle on which a tool is mounted. The tool magazine serves for accommodating and holding therein a multiplicity of tools so that the tools are directed perpendicular to an axis of the spindle. A transfer pot is set on a spindle side of the tool magazine and is driven and moved by a horizontal moving unit and a vertical moving unit. This allows a next-process tool accommodated in the tool magazine to be taken out and transferred horizontally to a stroke end position by the transfer pot, and the next-process tool is then tilted at the stroke end position to a tool changing position in which the next-process tool is parallel to the axis of the spindle. The tool transfer device comprises a tool tilting mechanism including a tilted cam member and a tilting cam member for tilting the next-process tool to the tool changing position by horizontal movement of the horizontal moving unit to the stroke end position. The method of operating the tool transfer device is also presented.