ATC Magazine in CNC machine

Tool Magazine in CNC machine

•Tool magazine is collection of different types of cutting tools used to complete an operation in CNC machine.

•Eg: Milling tool, Drilling tool, Rimming tool, Taping tool, boring tool etc.

• All tools in magazine is specified with a unique number(T01, T02, T03…..), call tool number.

• A motor and gearbox followed by a chain rotates the magazine.

Types of Magazine

1) Drum type magazine

2) Chain type magazine

3) Matrix/Rack magazine

1) Drum type magazine

                   The Drum or disc type tool magazine rotates to get the desired tool in position with the tool change arm. Larger the diameter of the disc/drum more the number of tools it can hold. It has pockets where tool can be inserted. It carries about 12 to 50 tools. A motor and gearbox is provided to rotate the tool and bring it to the desired position. A pneumatics cylinder is been used for pot position. Figure shows the arrangement of drum magazine.

2) Chain type magazine

                   When the number of tools is more than 50, chain type of magazines are used. The magazine is mounted overhead or as a separate column. In chain magazines the tools are identified either by their location in the tool holder or by means of some coding on the tool holder. In additional with motor gearbox sprocket been provided to rotate the chain, the toolpots are mounted on chain and rotate with the chain, as like drum magazine pneumatic cylinders are provided for pot position.

       3) Matrix/Rack magazine

                   Rack magazines are cost-efficient alternative to usual tool magazine systems. Set-up time can be optimized by utilizing the racks' capacity of up to 50 tools. The high storage capacity of up to 400 tools permits a large production capacity of varying work pieces without tool changes. A AS/RS Automatic storage and retrieval system or robot is been provided for picking and placing the tool.

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