Vertical Tool Magazine Layout for Fast Machine Tool Exchange

The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of tool magazines to a vertical stacked configuration. Multiple tool magazines are arranged vertically and connected through a tool carrier that moves along a vertical guide. This dimensional change allows increased tool storage capacity without proportionally increasing the machine's horizontal footprint, as the tools are stacked in the vertical dimension rather than spread out horizontally.

The patent implements a nested structure where multiple tool magazines are stacked vertically and connected through a common tool carrier system. The tool carrier acts as an intermediary that services multiple magazines in a compact nested arrangement, allowing the system to achieve high tool capacity while maintaining a compact overall footprint by nesting the magazines in vertical space.

The patent employs a universal tool carrier design that can service multiple different tool magazines through a standardized interface. The tool carrier is designed with universal gripping mechanisms and positioning systems that work with any magazine in the stack, allowing a single carrier design to handle multiple magazines. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate transfer mechanisms for each magazine.

The tool carrier serves as an intermediary element between the tool spindle and multiple tool magazines. Rather than directly connecting each magazine to the spindle, the carrier acts as a mediator that picks up tools from any magazine and delivers them to the spindle. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by creating a centralized transfer point that manages tool flow between multiple magazines and the machining center.

The patent divides the tool storage system into discrete, modular tool magazines that can be manufactured independently. Each magazine is a separate unit with its own rotatable shaft and gripping mechanisms, allowing for standardized mass production of individual magazine modules. These modular segments are then assembled into a vertical stack, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to creating a single integrated complex structure.

The patent incorporates rotatable shafts in each tool magazine that can dynamically position tools for exchange. The rotatable shafts allow tools to be oriented and presented to the tool carrier at any position, enabling flexible and efficient tool exchange operations. This dynamic positioning capability, combined with the modular design, allows for efficient tool access while maintaining manufacturability through standardized rotational mechanisms.