Tool magazine
YAMA SEIKI EH5-500
A tool magazine is a storage unit in a machine tool (such as a CNC machining center or lathe) that holds multiple cutting tools, allowing for automatic tool changes during machining operations.
Tool magazines enhance efficiency by reducing manual intervention and enabling complex, multi-step machining processes.
Key Features of a Tool Magazine
1. Types of Tool Magazines:
- Chain-Type Magazine: A continuous loop of tool holders (common in large machining centers)
- Disk-Type (Carousel) Magazine: A rotating circular magazine (common in smaller CNC machines)
- Drum-Type Magazine: A cylindrical storage unit with tools arranged radially
- Matrix Magazine: A grid-based system for high-capacity storage (used in advanced systems)
2. Capacity:
Ranges from 10 to over 300 tools, depending on the machine and application.
3. Tool Changer Mechanism:
- Automatic Tool Changer (ATC): Uses a robotic arm or gripper to swap tools from the magazine to the spindle
- Manual Tool Change: Less common in modern CNC machines but still used in simpler setups
4. Applications:
- CNC milling, turning, drilling, and multitasking machines
- High-mix, low-volume production where multiple tools are needed
- Aerospace, automotive, and precision machining industries
Advantages of a Tool Magazine
- Reduces downtime (automatic tool changes take seconds)
- Increases productivity by enabling uninterrupted machining
- Supports complex operations (multiple tools in one setup)
- Improves precision by minimizing human error in tool changes
