AUTOMATIC TOOL CHANGE DEVICE, APPLICABLE TO MACHINE TOOLS WITH VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL SPINDLE, AND AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR DETECTING AND ALIGNING THESE TOOLS IN THE SPINDLES OF THE MACHINE TOOLS.

摘要

A tool change device, for transferring selected tools between a rotary tool magazine and the rotary spindle of a machine tool. The magazine has a plurality of sector-shaped tool holders, in each of which one tool is stored. Tools are individually loaded or unloaded at a corresponding orientation of the magazine, at which a selected sector-shaped tool holder is in axial alignment with the machine spindle. When in such alignment, the sector-shaped tool holder is moved axially into cooperative relationship with the spindle and tool transfer is effected. Means are provided to lock each of the sector-shaped tool holders into an inactive axial storage position, except when selected.