Machine tools, in particular grinding machines with apparatus for changing grinding wheel tools and workpieces.

摘要

A grinding machine utilises a gantry type loader (27) for exchanging workpieces (12, 12a) with the work support spindle (11.) of the machine. The loading head (33) of the gantry loader has a rotatable workpiece gripper assembly (34) to switch the parts end-for-end during the loading and unloading process. The loading head is also fitted with non-rotating tool grippers (36) which are spring biased to mechanically grip and extract a grinding wheel tool (24) from a grinding wheelhead (13) and exchange the tool (24) with a different tool located in a tool support pocket (54) of a tool storage matrix (37) at a position remote from the grinding wheel head (14).