AUTOMATIC

TOOL
CHANGER
 CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Working Principle
3. Reasons of automating
4. Main Components
5. Assembly views
6. Overall 3D view
7. Techincal calculus statement
8. Safety
9. Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION
• An Automatic tool changer or ATC is used in computerized
numerical control (CNC) machine tools to improve the
production and tool carrying capacity of the machine. ATC
changes the tool very quickly, reducing the non-productive
time. Generally, it is used to improve the capacity of the
machine to work with a number of tools. It is also used to
change worn out or broken tools. It is one more step
towards complete automation.
An Automatic Tool Changer is equipment that
reduces cycle times by automatically changing tools
between cuts. Automatic tool changers are differentiated by
tool-to-tool time and the number of tools they can hold. CNC
machines are in general, more expensive than general purpose
man-operated machine tools, special attention is given to the
design of the NC machines and production tooling
in order to reduce the time spent in both w o r k a n d
machine set up. Tooling systems for NC are
d e s i g n e d t o eliminate operator error and maximize
productive machine hours. CNC tool changers allow a
machine to perform more than one function without requiring
an operator to change the tooling. A CNC tool
changer can quickly change the end effectors without
the requirement of multiple robots. Tool changers can
be a manual tool changers or automatic tool changers. A
CNC tool changer fulfills the requirement of multiple
tooling f o r a w i d e v a r i e t y o f m a c h i n e t o o l s . A
C N C m a c h i n e t o o l r a i s e s t h e productivity by
automatically translating designs into instructions for a
computer controller on a machine tool. The spindle axis of a
CNC machine tool fixes the chucks which is integral to the
lathe’s functioning. A CNC tool storage system is an
organized, efficient, and secure method of storing
tools at all stages and time. The main component of a
CNC tool storage system is a CNC tool holder. A CNC
tool holder is suitable for vertically storing all types of
preset tools.
 WORKING PRINCIPLE

• Automatic Tool Changer Mechanism

• After receiving the tool change command, the tool to be
changed will assume a fixed position known as the "tool
change position". The ATC arm comes to this position and
picks up the tool. The arm swivels between machine turret
and magazine. It will have one gripper on each of the two
sides. Each gripper can rotate 90°, to deliver tools to the
front face of the turret. One will pick up the old tool from
turret and the other will pick up the new tool from the
magazine. It then rotates to 180° and places the tools into
their due position.
• CNC tool changers allow a machine to perform more
than one function without requiring an operator to
change the tooling. A CNC tool changer can quickly
change the end effectors without the requirement of
multiple robots. Tool changers can be a manual tool
changers or automatic tool changers. A CNC tool
changer fulfills the requirement of multiple tooling
for a wide variety of machine tools.
• Why Tool Changer is needed?
• Tool changer is equipment which is used in CNC machines
to reduce the cycle time.
 REASONS OF AUTOMATING

Companies undertake projects in manufacturing automation

and computer integrated manufacturing for a variety of good
reasons. Some of the reasons used to justify automation are
the following:
1.To increase labor productivity
Automating a manufacturing operation usually increases
production rate and labor productivity. This means greater
output per hour of labor input.
2.To reduce labor cost
Ever increasing labor cost has been and continuous to be the
trend in the world’s industrialized societies. Consequently,
higher investment in automation has become economically
justifiable to replace manual operations.
3.To mitigate the effects of labor shortages
There is a general shortage of labor in many advanced nations,
and this has stimulated the development of automated
operations as a substitute for labor.
4.To reduce or eliminate routine manual and clerical tasks
An argument can be put forth that there is social value in
automating operations that are routine, boring, fatiguing, and
possibly irksome.
5.To improve worker safety
By automating a given operation, and transferring the worker
from active participation in the process to a supervisory role,
the work is made safer.
6.To improve product quality
Automation not only results in higher production rates than
manual operations; it also performs the manufacturing process
with greater uniformity and conformity to quality
specifications.
7.To reduce manufacturing lead time
Automation helps to reduce the elapsed time between
customer order and product delivery, providing a competitive
advantage to the manu facturer for future orders.
8.
To accomplish processes that cannot be done manually
Certain operations cannot be accomplished without the aid of a
machine. These processes have requirements for precision,
miniaturization, or complexity of geometry that cannot be
achieved manually.
9.To avoid the high cost of not automating. There is a
significant competitive advantage gained in automating a
manufacturing plant. The advantage cannot easily be
demonstrated on a company’s project authorization form. The
benefits of automation often show up in unexpected and
intangible ways, such as an improved quality,higher sales,
better labor relations, and better company image.Companies
that do not automate are likely to find themselves at
acompetitive disadvantage with their customers, their
employees and thegeneral public.
 MAIN COMPONENTS

SIDE MOUNT TOOL CHANGER DOUBLE ARM

The most important part of the assembly is, obviously, the claw
which is performing translation movement to the tool from the
magazine in order to grab it from there. The pulling of the tool
is executed by the pneumatic mechanism seen before. Then it
rotates 90 and 180° with the help of the stepper motor, thus
the changing of the tool is possible.
The material used for the claw is steel.
ANALIZA STRUCTURA ELEMENT FINIT
 FRAME

• As for the material used for the skeleton, we’ve chosen

cast iron
• Compozition: 3.2-3.5 C
2.2 Si
0.8 Mn
Fearrite+Pearlite
SAE G2500
 LINEAR GUIDEWAY
For this we went for a stepper motor, as we have a linear
bearing that helps us making the translation movement, so that
we can have a precise calculated move.
 SPATIAL CAM
For realizing the rotation move of the claw, and the translation
move we’ve chosen a spatial cam with a pre difened path to be
followed. The transmission of the power is made from a geared
stepper motor, letting us chose the speed of the process and
also moving the cam at a specifical angle.
 ACCESSORIES

BEARINGS
A bearing is a machine element that constrains relative motion
to only the desired motion, and reduces friction between
moving parts. The design of the bearing may, for example,
provide for free linear movement of the moving part or for free
rotation around a fixed axis; or, it may prevent a motion by
controlling the vectors of normal forces that bear on the
moving parts. Most bearings facilitate the desired motion by
minimizing friction. Bearings are classified broadly according to
the type of operation, the motions allowed, or to the directions
of the loads (forces) applied to the parts.
 BEAM COUPLING
Elastic couplings of the elastomeric type incorporate a pre-
compressed rubber component, which provides extra strength
and long life. These couplings cater for all types of
misalignment. The hubs are made of high strength aluminium
alloy, making the coupling light and corrosion resistant. The
rubber component damps shocks and provides smooth, quiet
power transmission, thus protecting both the driving and the
driving machines.
 JAW COUPLING
Coupling is a component used to connect a drive shaft and a
driven part, for example, a motor shaft and a ball screw for the
purpose of transmitting the torque. Also, Coupling introduces
mechanical flexibility providing misalignment for the shafts. As
a result, this coupling flexibility can prevent uneven wear,
vibration, and other mechanical troubles due to misalignment.
 SPRING
The spring it’s a flexible component of the claw, that bends
when the tool holder is grabbed, and stops it from getting out
unintentional.
ASSEMBLY VIEWS
3D VIEWS
TECHNICAL CALCULUS STATEMENT
 APPENDIX
Taking into account the problem that we have to solve which is
the precise positioning, a stepper motor is the perfect choice.
It’s found in printers, machine tools, and process control
systems and are built for high-holding torque that gives the user
the ability to move from one step to the next.
They have a controller system that designates the position
through signal pulses sent to a driver, which interprets them
and sends proportional voltage to the motor. They are
relatively simple to make and control, but they draw maximum
current constantly. Small step distance limits top speed and
steps can be skipped at high loads.
Safety
- Use caution when handling, testing, and
adjusting during installation, set-up and
operation.
- Service should not be performed with
power applied.
- Exposed circuitry should be properly
guarded or enclosed to prevent unauthorized
human contact with live circuitry.
- All products should be securely mounted
and adequately grounded.
- Provide adequate air flow and heat
dissipation.
- Do not operate in the presence of
flammable gases, vapors, liquids or dust.
Conclusions
Advantages:
- easy construction
- simple controlling systems
- can change between the two stands of the
tool magazine
- precise positioning using a stepper motor

Disadvantages:
- translation using the pneumatic mechanism
takes a little bit more time