Re: automatic tool changer

Alex,

The easiest way to accomplish automatic tool change on a lathe is by
using a setup called gang tooling. With a gang tooling the tools are
lined up across the top of the X axis slide. To change a tool the X
slide just has to move in or out to that tool's position.

Gang tooling has a disadvantage over the turret type tool changer in
that a tailstock is not very practical to use, unless you can get by
with only two tools, one in front of the part and one behind.
Normally, gang tooling use is limited to relatively short parts. On
the plus side, tool changes are as fast as the machine can rapid
between the tool spacing. It's uncomplicated and inexpensive to
implement.

somewhere I saw a statistic that approximately 98% of all production
turned parts are less than 1" diameter and less than 1" in length.
From this statistic you might conclude a gang tool setup would be
ideal under most conditions.

Doug

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "alex" <telecomt@t...> wrote:
> I wonder if there is an automatic tool changer for a lathe, for
example.
> If it exists, how can it be incorporated into the software?
> Alex
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]