Automatic tool changer with electromagnetically readable tool holder having an electromagnetically coupling stopper for numerical control

摘要

A tool holder is enclosed in a rack which is moved by a belt for automatic tool exchange. A stopper member provided for the rack is fitted into a positioning groove formed in a flange portion of the tool holder, thereby preventing the rotation of the holder. A magnetic induction coupling apparatus is buried in the bottom of the tool holder positioning groove. A magnetic induction coupling apparatus of a reader/writer disposed at the external position is arranged so as to face the magnetic induction coupling apparatus of the tool holder. Information is written into or read out of a memory module attached in the tool holder by way of the magnetic induction coupling between both of those coupling apparatuses. The stopper member of the rack is arranged between the magnetic induction coupling apparatus of the tool holder and the magnetic induction coupling apparatus of the reader/writer and has a magnetic material to magnetically couple these coupling apparatuses.