Numerical control tool storage device
By designing a CNC tool storage device, the automated storage and retrieval of tools is achieved through storage and movement mechanisms, which solves the problem of low efficiency in CNC tool storage and retrieval and improves the tool transfer efficiency in multi-station, multi-machine-tool collaborative operations.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202610547742.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-04-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
The existing CNC tool storage and retrieval has a low degree of automation and low efficiency. In multi-station and multi-machine-tool collaborative operation scenarios, the tool transfer path is complex and the scheduling efficiency is low.
A CNC tool storage device was designed, including a storage cabinet, a control console, a storage and retrieval mechanism, and a moving mechanism. The control system enables precise positioning and automated storage and retrieval of tools, and the storage and retrieval mechanism and the moving mechanism work together to achieve efficient storage and retrieval of tools.
It improves the flexibility and efficiency of CNC tool storage and retrieval, reduces manual intervention, lowers non-machining auxiliary time, and enhances the level of automation in the workshop.
Smart Images

Figure CN122184909A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of CNC cutting tool technology, specifically to a CNC cutting tool storage device. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, with the widespread application of CNC machine tools in the machining field, the standardized and efficient storage of various specifications and models of CNC cutting tools is becoming increasingly prominent. In the existing CNC machining field, cutting tools are mostly stored in open racks, and their storage and retrieval operations largely rely on manual handling and searching, or on fixed robotic arms in conjunction with a single worktable. This method has a low degree of automation and is highly dependent on human intervention, which not only results in low storage and retrieval efficiency and poor operational flexibility, but also makes it prone to positioning deviations due to human error, significantly increasing the non-machining auxiliary time of the machine tool and reducing overall machining efficiency.
[0003] Furthermore, when different types and specifications of cutting tools are distributed across multiple storage areas, traditional robotic arms require multiple long-stroke, large-range relocations to complete tool transfer, resulting in significant motion redundancy. This is especially pronounced in large machining workshops with multiple workstations and machine tools operating collaboratively, where the complexity of tool transfer paths and low scheduling efficiency become even more significant, further restricting the overall storage and retrieval efficiency of CNC cutting tools and the level of workshop automation. Summary of the Invention
[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a CNC tool storage device, which effectively solves the issues of poor flexibility and low efficiency in storing and retrieving CNC tools in the prior art.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes the following technical solution: a CNC tool storage device, comprising a storage cabinet with multiple glass panels on the front; a control console and an access port on the front of the storage cabinet; a transfer frame cooperating with the access port inside the storage cabinet, with multiple temporary slots on the transfer frame; an access mechanism cooperating with the transfer frame inside the storage cabinet; multiple pairs of tool storage groups inside the storage cabinet, arranged in an array, each tool storage group including a pair of symmetrical storage racks with multiple tool slots on the racks; each tool having a tool connector; a first positioning mechanism cooperating with the tool connector on both the tool slots and the temporary slots; a tool clamp inside the storage cabinet, movable within the storage cabinet; a moving mechanism cooperating with the tool clamp inside the storage cabinet; a second positioning mechanism cooperating with the tool connector and the first positioning mechanism on the tool clamp; and a control system inside the control console, capable of controlling the access mechanism and the moving mechanism.
[0006] Furthermore: the storage and retrieval mechanism includes a fixed support plate fixed inside the storage cabinet, a connecting slide is slidably connected to the fixed support plate, a storage and retrieval cylinder that cooperates with the connecting slide is provided on the fixed support plate, and the storage and retrieval port and the transfer frame are both fixedly connected to the connecting slide.
[0007] Furthermore: the moving mechanism includes a pair of horizontal rails installed inside the storage cabinet, which are respectively fixed horizontally to the bottom and top of the back panel inside the storage cabinet; a longitudinal rail is installed inside the storage cabinet, with both ends of the longitudinal rail located on the corresponding horizontal rails, and a track slide is installed on the longitudinal rail, which can move up and down on the longitudinal rail; the tool holder is slidably connected to the track slide, and a telescopic cylinder that cooperates with the tool holder is installed on the track slide.
[0008] Furthermore: the tool connector is provided with a positioning retaining ring and a pair of positioning slots, and the positioning retaining ring and positioning slots on the tool connector are perpendicular to each other.
[0009] Furthermore: the first positioning mechanism includes a U-shaped groove that cooperates with the positioning ring; the bottom of the U-shaped groove is provided with an upper fixing block that cooperates with the positioning groove.
[0010] Furthermore: the second positioning mechanism includes a tool clamp tube fixed to the tool holder, and the tool connector cooperates with the tool clamp tube; a pair of lower fixing blocks are provided on the tool clamp tube, and the lower fixing blocks cooperate with the positioning slots.
[0011] Furthermore: the sum of the lengths of the lower fixing block and the upper fixing block shall not exceed the length of the positioning slot.
[0012] Furthermore, each horizontal rail is equipped with a synchronous motor; the synchronous motor can drive the vertical rail to move left and right inside the storage cabinet via the horizontal rail.
[0013] Furthermore, both the tool holder and the temporary holder are marked with labels.
[0014] Furthermore, the width of the U-shaped groove is the same as the diameter of the positioning ring.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the gain effect of the present invention is as follows: 1. The storage and retrieval mechanism fixes the storage and retrieval of knives in a suitable position, which facilitates manual operation. The moving mechanism enables the movement of knives in the storage cabinet. When storing knives, the moving mechanism can store the knives in the storage and retrieval mechanism in a suitable position. When retrieving knives, the moving mechanism can move the corresponding knives in the storage cabinet to the storage and retrieval mechanism. This makes it convenient for staff to take out the corresponding knives from the storage and retrieval mechanism.
[0016] 2. The control system enables control of the storage and retrieval mechanism and the moving mechanism, ensuring perfect coordination between the two and effectively solving the problems of poor flexibility and low efficiency in CNC tool storage and retrieval.
[0017] 3. The first positioning mechanism enables the tool to be positioned on the tool holder and the temporary holder; the second positioning mechanism facilitates the removal of the tool and ensures the integrity of the function. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention.
[0019] Figure 2 This is an internal side view of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the access mechanism of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 4 This is a state diagram of the access mechanism of the present invention.
[0022] Figure 5 This is a state diagram of the moving mechanism of the present invention.
[0023] Figure 6 This is a diagram of the moving mechanism of the present invention.
[0024] In the diagram: 1. Storage cabinet, 2. Glass panel, 3. Control console, 4. Access port, 5. Horizontal rail, 6. Vertical rail, 7. Fixed support plate, 8. Connecting carriage, 9. Access cylinder, 10. Tool holder, 11. Transfer frame, 12. Tool connector, 13. Storage rack, 14. Telescopic cylinder, 15. Track slide, 16. Tool clamp, 17. Lower fixing block, 18. Upper fixing block. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0026] A CNC tool storage device includes a storage cabinet 1 with multiple glass panels 2 on its front. A control console 3 and an access port 4 are located on the front of the storage cabinet 1. A transfer frame 11, cooperating with the access port 4, is located inside the storage cabinet 1, and multiple temporary slots are mounted on the transfer frame 11. A storage and retrieval mechanism, cooperating with the transfer frame 11, is located inside the storage cabinet 1. Multiple pairs of tool storage groups are arranged in an array within the storage cabinet 1. Each tool storage group includes a pair of symmetrical storage racks 13, on which are mounted... There are multiple tool holders; each tool is equipped with a tool connector 12, and both the tool holder and the temporary holder are equipped with a first positioning mechanism that cooperates with the tool connector 12; a tool clamp 10 is provided inside the storage cabinet 1, and the tool clamp 10 can move within the storage cabinet 1; a moving mechanism that cooperates with the tool clamp 10 is provided inside the storage cabinet 1; a second positioning mechanism that cooperates with the tool connector 12 and the first positioning mechanism is provided on the tool clamp 10; a control system is provided inside the control console 3, and the control system can control the storage and retrieval mechanism and the moving mechanism.
[0027] The storage and retrieval mechanism includes a fixed support plate 7 fixedly connected inside the storage cabinet 1, a connecting slide 8 slidably connected to the fixed support plate 7, a storage and retrieval cylinder 9 that cooperates with the connecting slide 8 on the fixed support plate 7, and the storage and retrieval port 4 and the transfer frame 11 are both fixedly connected to the connecting slide 8.
[0028] The moving mechanism includes a pair of horizontal rails 5 installed inside the storage cabinet 1, which are horizontally fixed to the bottom and top of the back panel inside the storage cabinet 1 respectively; a longitudinal rail 6 is installed inside the storage cabinet 1, with both ends of the longitudinal rail 6 located on the corresponding horizontal rails 5, and a track slide 15 is installed on the longitudinal rail 6, which can move up and down on the longitudinal rail 6; the tool holder 10 is slidably connected to the track slide 15, and a telescopic cylinder 14 that cooperates with the tool holder 10 is installed on the track slide 15.
[0029] The tool connector 12 is provided with a positioning retaining ring and a pair of positioning slots, and the positioning retaining ring and positioning slots on the tool connector 12 are perpendicular to each other.
[0030] The first positioning mechanism includes a U-shaped groove that mates with the positioning ring; the bottom of the U-shaped groove is provided with an upper fixing block 18 that mates with the positioning groove.
[0031] The second positioning mechanism includes a tool clamp tube 16 fixedly connected to the tool holder 10, and a tool connector 12 cooperating with the tool clamp tube 16; a pair of lower fixing blocks 17 are provided on the tool clamp tube 16, and the lower fixing blocks 17 are cooperating with the positioning slots.
[0032] The sum of the lengths of the lower fixing block 17 and the upper fixing block 18 shall not exceed the length of the positioning slot.
[0033] Each horizontal rail 5 is equipped with a synchronous motor; the synchronous motor can drive the vertical rail 6 to move left and right inside the storage cabinet 1 via the horizontal rail 5.
[0034] Both the tool holder and the temporary holder are marked.
[0035] The width of the U-shaped groove is the same as the diameter of the positioning ring.
[0036] like Figure 1-6 As shown: During the use of this application, when it is necessary to store a tool, the tool's storage position on the storage rack 13 can be located first through the control console 3 and the control system. At the same time, the position of the tool stored on the transfer rack 11 will be displayed on the control console 3. If multiple tools are stored, the storage positions of the tools on the storage rack 13 can be located sequentially through the control console 3 and the control system. The sequential storage positions of the tools on the transfer rack 11 will be displayed on the control console 3. After the position is determined, the storage and retrieval mechanism will slide outward to open the storage and retrieval port 4. At this time, the transfer rack 11 on the connecting slide 8 will extend out of the storage cabinet 1. Under the action of the first positioning mechanism, the tool can be positioned and placed on the temporary card seat of the transfer rack 11 through the tool connector 12. After the above operation is completed, the storage and retrieval mechanism will be reset.
[0037] During this process, the control system will control the storage cylinder 9 to extend. Under the action of the slide rail, the fixed support plate 7 and the connecting slide 8 will slide accordingly. The connecting slide 8 will drive the transfer frame 11 and the storage port 4 to slide outward, so that the staff can place the knife in the temporary holder on the transfer frame 11. After the knife is placed, the control system will control the storage cylinder 9 to reset and retract. The connecting slide 8 will drive the transfer frame 11 and the storage port 4 to slide inward.
[0038] At this time, the positioning ring engages with the U-shaped groove; the upper fixing block 18 at the bottom of the U-shaped groove engages with the positioning groove, and the engagement distance between the upper fixing block 18 and the positioning groove is no greater than the length of the positioning groove.
[0039] After the storage mechanism is reset, the transfer rack 11 is parallel to the storage rack 13 in the storage cabinet 1 and is on the same plane. Then the control system will control the moving mechanism to transfer the tool, transferring the tool in the temporary chuck on the transfer rack 11 to the tool chuck on the corresponding storage rack 13. When multiple tools need to be stored, the control mechanism will control the moving mechanism to transfer the corresponding tools to the preset tool chuck in sequence.
[0040] During the transfer process, the synchronous motor enables the longitudinal rail 6 to move left and right on the transverse rail 5, and the track slide 15 on the longitudinal rail 6 enables the track slide 15 to move up and down on the longitudinal rail 6. The telescopic cylinder 14 enables the tool holder 10 to slide forward and backward. When the second control mechanism retrieves the tool, the telescopic cylinder 14 controls the tool holder 10 to slide forward. At this time, the tool connector 12 on the tool first extends into the tool clamp tube 16, and then the lower fixing block 17 on the tool clamp tube 16 cooperates with the positioning slot, thereby enabling control of the tool through the tool connector 12. After the tool is retrieved through the tool clamp tube 16 and the lower fixing block 17, the control system will... The horizontal rail 5 controls the horizontal movement of the vertical rail 6 and the tool holder 10, thereby separating the positioning ring from the U-shaped slot and removing the tool from the temporary tool holder. Under the action of the moving mechanism, when the tool is moved to the tool holder position of its corresponding storage cabinet 1, the tool is located at the opening of the U-shaped slot of the tool holder. The control system will control the moving mechanism to move left and right, thereby placing the tool in the corresponding tool holder. At this time, the positioning ring engages with the U-shaped slot; the upper fixing block 18 at the bottom of the U-shaped slot engages with the positioning slot. When it is necessary to execute the command to store multiple tools, the moving mechanism will store the tools one by one. Example 2
[0041] like Figure 1-6 As shown: Based on Embodiment 1, when it is necessary to take out the knife from the storage cabinet 1, the desired knife can be selected through the control console 3. At the same time, the control system will locate the storage position of the knife on the storage rack 13. When selecting to take out, the control console 3 will display the position of the knife on the transfer rack 11 when it is taken out. If multiple knives are to be taken out, the desired knives can be selected sequentially through the control console 3. The control system will locate the storage position of the knives on the storage rack 13 sequentially. When selecting to take out, the control console 3 will display the position of the knives on the transfer rack 11 when they are taken out.
[0042] After the above operations are completed, the control system will control the moving mechanism to transfer the tool, transferring the tool in the tool holder on the storage rack 13 to the temporary holder on the corresponding transfer rack 11; when multiple tools need to be stored, the control mechanism will control the moving mechanism to transfer the corresponding tools to the temporary holder in sequence.
[0043] After the preset tool is transferred to the temporary holder, the control system will open the access port 4 and the connecting slide 8 through the access mechanism. At this time, the required tool is placed in the preset temporary holder. After taking it out, the access mechanism is reset to complete the tool retrieval operation.
[0044] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0045] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
Claims
1. A CNC tool storage device, characterized in that: The system includes a storage cabinet (1), with multiple glass panels (2) on the front; a control console (3) and an access port (4) on the front; a transfer rack (11) that cooperates with the access port (4) inside the storage cabinet (1), with multiple temporary slots on the transfer rack (11); an access mechanism that cooperates with the transfer rack (11) inside the storage cabinet (1); and multiple pairs of tool storage groups inside the storage cabinet (1), arranged in an array. Each tool storage group includes a pair of symmetrical storage racks (13), with multiple slots on the storage racks (13). Each tool holder has a tool connector (12) and a first positioning mechanism that cooperates with the tool connector (12) on both the tool holder and the temporary holder. A tool clamp (10) is provided in the storage cabinet (1), and the tool clamp (10) can move within the storage cabinet (1). A moving mechanism that cooperates with the tool clamp (10) is provided in the storage cabinet (1). A second positioning mechanism that cooperates with the tool connector (12) and the first positioning mechanism is provided on the tool clamp (10). A control system is provided in the control console (3), and the control system can control the storage and retrieval mechanism and the moving mechanism.
2. The CNC tool storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage and retrieval mechanism includes a fixed support plate (7) fixedly connected inside the storage cabinet (1), a connecting slide (8) slidably connected on the fixed support plate (7), and a storage and retrieval cylinder (9) that cooperates with the connecting slide (8) on the fixed support plate (7). The storage and retrieval port (4) and the transfer frame (11) are both fixedly connected to the connecting slide (8).
3. The CNC tool storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The moving mechanism includes a pair of horizontal rails (5) installed inside the storage cabinet (1), which are horizontally fixed to the bottom and top of the back panel inside the storage cabinet (1); a longitudinal rail (6) is installed inside the storage cabinet (1), with the two ends of the longitudinal rail (6) located on the corresponding horizontal rails (5), and a track slide (15) is installed on the longitudinal rail (6), which can move up and down on the longitudinal rail (6); the tool holder (10) is slidably connected to the track slide (15), and a telescopic cylinder (14) that cooperates with the tool holder (10) is installed on the track slide (15).
4. The CNC tool storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tool connector (12) is provided with a positioning ring and a pair of positioning slots, and the positioning ring and positioning slots on the tool connector (12) are perpendicular to each other.
5. The CNC tool storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first positioning mechanism includes a U-shaped groove that cooperates with the positioning ring; the bottom of the U-shaped groove is provided with an upper fixing block (18) that cooperates with the positioning groove.
6. The CNC tool storage device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second positioning mechanism includes a tool holder tube (16) fixed on the tool holder (10), and a tool connector (12) cooperating with the tool holder tube (16); a pair of lower fixing blocks (17) are provided on the tool holder tube (16), and the lower fixing blocks (17) are cooperating with the positioning slots.
7. The CNC tool storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The sum of the lengths of the lower fixing block (17) and the upper fixing block (18) shall not exceed the length of the positioning slot.
8. The CNC tool storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Synchronous motors are installed on the horizontal rails (5); the synchronous motors can drive the vertical rails (6) to move left and right in the storage cabinet (1) through the horizontal rails (5).
9. The CNC tool storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the tool holder and the temporary holder are marked.
10. The CNC tool storage device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The width of the U-shaped groove is the same as the diameter of the positioning ring.
