Re: Table mounted tool changer

daveland@... wrote:

> From: daveland@...
>
> Has anyone ever seen a table mounted tool changer on a mill?
> I was thinking of designing one to hold 4 or six tools. The CNC
> program would be written to position itself over the proper place and activate
> the power drawbar. The holders would be placed at specific coodinates and each
> tool cold be fetched at will. spring loaded stop prongs would keep the NBT-40
> tooling from spinning during the change.
>
> What is wrong with this idea? I seem to see very complex carrousel arangements
> that bolt near the column. They also have complex retention mechanisms that
> avoid threads and opt for buttons or nubs. I guess breaking the taper away is
> a big issue.

I've seen this used on circuit board drilling machines. Of course, these
circuit board drills are pretty tiny, not like a 40-series taper holder.

One problem is a way to hold the tools on the table. There are so many
different sizes and shapes of tools (boring bars, fly cutters, long drill bits, etc.)
That's why most of the carousels, chains, etc, hold the toolholder by the
flange or thereabouts, and just have a big, open area where the tool goes.

Jon