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Automatic tool changers, type CTM are suitable for applications on NC milling machines, vertical and horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes, transfer machines, laser and plasma cutting machines. In addition, they are effectively applied on wood and granite routing machines and machines designed specifically for cutting extruded aluminium.
CTM tool changers are manufactured in 4 standard frame sizes and accommodate most types of tool holders.
Each CTM tool changer consists of:
A dual motion cam operated exchanger that performs the high speed and mechanically synchronized movements for grasping, extracting, exchanging and inserting the tools simultaneously between the spindle and the magazine, plus the release of the tool grippers. This entire high speed cycle is operated by one 3 phase, self- braking motor.
A mechanical exchange arm with dual "rapid-release" gripper hands and built-in safety interlocks.
The tool storage magazine, on which all tool holder pockets are hinged to enable a 90 deg. tilt during a tool exchange are assembled on a mechanical cam driven indexing table operated by a 3 phase self-braking motor, with an optional servomotor drive available on some models. The tool holder tilt unit is pneumatically operated as is the tool taper cleaning head actuated as the used tool is inserted back into the magazine. A built-in switch system guarantees precise tool holder identification and is used for management of the migrating tools. In addition, a dedicated tool holder to tool pocket identification management system is available upon request.
All CTM tool changers are fabricated using pre-engineered sub assemblies that are manufactured using state of the art steels, alloys and plastics so that they are durable yet lightweight and in many instances the tool changer assembly is attached directly onto the machine without affecting the machines performance.
The main characteristics of these self-contained CTM tool changers besides the simplicity, reliability and the cleanliness is the high speed tool exchange cycle itself which is determined by the pre-engineered cam mechanisms. The cams motion law has been studied and applied in the best way to obtain a fast and harmonic motion of the exchange arm. This exchange time varies from 0.6 to 5 seconds, depending upon the frame size of the unit, the tool weights and the length of the exchange are.
Related Glossary Terms
- alloys
alloys
Substances having metallic properties and being composed of two or more chemical elements of which at least one is a metal.
- centers
centers
Cone-shaped pins that support a workpiece by one or two ends during machining. The centers fit into holes drilled in the workpiece ends. Centers that turn with the workpiece are called “live” centers; those that do not are called “dead” centers.
- computer numerical control ( CNC)
computer numerical control ( CNC)
Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.
- computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
Use of computers to control machining and manufacturing processes.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- numerical control ( NC)
numerical control ( NC)
Any controlled equipment that allows an operator to program its movement by entering a series of coded numbers and symbols. See CNC, computer numerical control; DNC, direct numerical control.
