TOOLS MAGAZINES FOR CNC MACHINES

By: Karim Medhat Fahmy 28-5468 T-23

SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

GERMAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO
 I. Tools Magazine description

In the CNC machines we are targeting high production rates, high accuracy but when it comes to tool
management we need to reduce the need for a CNC operator to change/calibrate the tools by hand therefore
tools magazine/turret were introduced eliminating completely the need for a CNC operator to change/calibrate
the tools by hand and making the operation automated completely increasing the reliability, speed and
accuracy.

The turret type is used when relatively small number of different tools is required were the tools are held in
preset tool holder adapters which are mounted into turret spindles while on the other hand a magazine is used
when larger number of tools are required such that the tools which are mounted in uniform holders, are
automatically picked up, placed into the spindle and locked in place and when the operations using that tool
are completed it is returned to the tool storage magazine.

II. Types of Tools Magazine

Mainly there are two most common types of magazines.

A. Chain Magazine

The first type of magazine is called “CHAIN” magazine where it is indexed

in front of the head stock directly as per the tool programmed position.
The chain magazine can hold numerous tools starting from 32 tools up to
100+ tools. The tools are identified either by their location in the tool
holder or by means of some coding on the tool holder.
B. Drum Magazine

The second type is the “DRUM” magazine where rotates to get the desired tool in position with the tool change
arm. Having larger the diameter of the disc/drum means that we can have more number of tools that it can
hold. It has pockets where tool can be inserted. It carries about 12 up to 50 tools. If the number of tools are less
the disc is mounted on top of the spindle to minimize the travel of tool between the spindle and the disc. If the
tools are more then, the disc is wall mounted or mounted on the machining center column.

C. Rack Type Magazine

Last but not least, there is a third type of tool magazines which is “Rack-Type” magazine where a gripper arm is
used to grip the tool from the rack with a capacity up to 400 tools also work pieces can be stored on the rack.
 III. Advantages of the tools magazines.

By having tools magazine and Automatic tools changer we can save a lot of time, have higher production rates,
speed, accuracy , reduce labor cost , increase safety , increase system flexibility , heavy and large multi-tools
can easily be handled and eliminate operator interference.

Resources

1. http://www.nitc.ac.in/dept/me/jagadeesha/Tool_Engineering_and_Design/CHAPTER12.pdf
2. http://www.ignou.ac.in/upload/Unit-5-57.pdf
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_tool_changer
4. http://www.shopbottools.com/mproducts/AutomaticToolChanger.htm
5. http://www.scribd.com/doc/51698181/Automatic-Tool-Changer#scribd
6. Course Lectures by Prof Dr. Atef Afifi