During the machining process of CNC machine tools, when different cutting tools are needed for machining, tool replacement is necessary. So what are the ways to change CNC machine tools?

1. Rotating tool holder tool change

Rotary tool holder is a simple automatic tool changing device commonly used in CNC automated machine tools. It can be designed in various forms such as square knife holders, hexagonal knife holders, or disc axial knife holders. Four, six, or more cutting tools are installed on the rotary tool holder and replaced according to the instructions of the CNC device.

The rotary tool holder must have good strength and stiffness in structure to withstand the cutting resistance during rough machining. Due to the fact that the machining accuracy of turning largely depends on the position of the tool tip, for CNC machine tools, the tool position is not manually adjusted during the machining process. Therefore, it is more necessary to choose a reliable positioning scheme and a reasonable positioning structure to ensure that the rotary tool holder has the highest possible repeated positioning accuracy (generally 0.001-0.005mm) after each rotation.

2. Replacing the spindle head and changing the tool (tool rotation is the main movement)

Replacing the spindle and changing the tool is a relatively simple tool changing method for CNC automated machine tools with rotating tools. This type of spindle head is actually a turret tool magazine. There are two types of spindle heads: horizontal and vertical. Usually, the turret's rotation is used to replace the spindle head to achieve automatic tool changing. On each spindle of the turret, the rotating tools required for each process are pre installed. When a tool change command is issued, each spindle head sequentially turns to the machining position and connects the main movement, causing the corresponding spindle to drive the tool to rotate. And other spindles in non machining positions are disconnected from the main motion.

3. Automatic tool change system with tool magazine

Due to the limited number of cutting tools that can be accommodated by rotary tool holders and turret head type tool changing devices, they cannot meet the processing needs of complex parts. Therefore, automatic tool changing CNC machines often use automatic tool changing devices with tool libraries. The automatic tool changing device with a tool magazine consists of a tool magazine and a tool changing mechanism, and the tool changing process is relatively complex. Firstly, all the cutting tools used in the machining process should be installed on the standard tool holder separately. After pre adjusting the dimensions outside the machine, they should be placed in the tool magazine in a certain way. When changing the tool, first select the tool in the tool magazine, and then use the tool changing device to take out the tool from the tool magazine or spindle for exchange. Install the new tool into the spindle and put the old tool back into the tool magazine. The tool magazine has a large capacity and can be installed on the side or above of the spindle box. Due to the fact that there is only one spindle in the spindle box of CNC machine tools with automatic tool changing devices with tool libraries, the stiffness of the spindle components needs to be high to meet precision machining requirements.