Concentric Magazine Tool Changer for Horizontal Lathe Tool Exchange
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Horizontal type machine tools such as lathes or horizontal type turning centers lack an automatic tool changer and a tool magazine, leading to increased non-machining time, reduced productivity, and increased manual labor and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
An automatic tool changer system that moves both the magazine and the tool post to be concentric, allowing for quick and automatic tool exchange, with the magazine horizontally installed parallel to the tool post and tools disposed similarly, enabling efficient tool management and minimization of non-machining time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tool loading and changing is used in horizontal type machine tools, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and non-machining time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magazine (tool storage) and tool post (tool mounting location) into a single integrated structure that can perform both storage and tool changing functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate manual tool loading operations while maintaining automated tool changing capability, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine-tool post integrated structure serves multiple functions: it stores multiple tools, automatically exchanges tools with the spindle, and positions tools for machining operations. This multi-functionality replaces manual tool loading and changing operations, significantly reducing non-machining time and improving overall productivity
2Loss of time
If manual tool changing is performed, then device complexity remains low, but non-machining time increases and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine pre-stores multiple tools in ready-to-use positions before machining operations begin. During tool changing, the system simply exchanges the current tool with a pre-positioned tool from the magazine, eliminating the time-consuming manual tool loading process and significantly reducing non-machining time
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated magazine-tool post system performs automatic tool changing without manual intervention. The system self-manages tool exchange operations by coordinating the magazine positioning and tool transfer mechanisms, thereby eliminating labor-intensive manual tool changing while reducing non-machining time
3Speed
If traditional separate magazine and tool post configuration is used, then device complexity is lower, but tool exchange speed is slower and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the magazine and tool post into a unified structure, the patent enables direct tool transfer between storage and mounting locations without requiring separate positioning and transfer operations. This merging significantly accelerates tool exchange speed while the modular design keeps device complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the magazine and tool post in a concentric arrangement where the magazine rotates around the tool post axis. This spatial reconfiguration in a different dimension (radial vs. linear arrangement) enables faster tool access and exchange by eliminating long linear travel distances, thereby improving tool exchange speed without excessive complexity
4Reliability
If horizontal type machine tools lack automatic tool changer, then device complexity is reduced, but maintenance costs increase and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic tool changing system performs tool exchange operations autonomously without manual intervention, eliminating the reliability issues associated with manual tool changing such as human error, tool dropping, and inconsistent positioning. The system self-manages the entire tool exchange process, improving reliability despite increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated magazine-tool post system incorporates sensors and control mechanisms that monitor tool exchange operations in real-time. This feedback system ensures accurate tool positioning, proper tool engagement, and detection of any anomalies during operation, thereby enhancing system reliability through continuous monitoring and adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an automatic tool changer for a machine tool which can change a tool mounted on a tool post by moving both of a magazine and a tool post to be concentric in order to change a tool in a horizontal type machine tool such as a lathe or a horizontal type turning center; a method of controlling the automatic tool changer and a machine tool including the automatic tool changer.