MACHINE TOOL WITH AN AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGER FOR SINGLE TOOLS AND MULTIPLE SPINDLE TOOLHEADS, AND A MULTIPLE SPINDLE TOOLHEAD

摘要

An automatic tool changer for transferring single tools and/or multiple spindle toolheads between a tool storage magazine and a horizontal spindle of a machine tool. A plurality of single tools and/or toolheads are stored in the tool storage magazine with their shanks in a vertical position. A first tool change arm transfers a selected tool or toolhead from the storage magazine to a tilt unit which tilts the shank of the tool or toolhead by 90 DEG from a vertical to a horizontal position parallel with the axis of the spindle. A second tool change arm removes the tools or toolheads from the tilt unit and spindle simultaneously, interchanges them, and inserts the interchanged tools or toolheads into the spindle and tilt unit. The tilt unit then tilts by 90 DEG back to the vertical position, and the first tool change arm returns the tool or toolhead in the tilt unit back to the tool storage magazine. Each multiple spindle toolhead has support and clamp means on its rear portion which coacts with support and clamp means on the spindlehead of the machine to support the toolhead and hold it stationary while the shank and tools of the toolhead are rotating with the spindle.