Automation and robots have made life easier. With the advancement of technology, industries have started incorporating several automation tools to boost their production capacity. An automatic tool changer is also one of those automation tools that is widely used in the industry. A computerized numerical control, or CNC, machine tool can increase its productivity and tool carrying capacity by using an automatic tool changer, often known as an ATC.
Getting intrigued about knowing more about the automatic tool changers? We have got you covered. In this blog, we are going to discuss every aspect related to automatic tool changers so that you may better understand the types, working, advantages, and applications of using automatic tool changers.
Automatic Tool Changer
A CNC machine's ability to change tools fast without the assistance of a manual operator is improved by an automatic tool changer. By doing this, the ATC significantly lowers downtime on a particular project.
Automatic Tool Changers can also be used to replace worn-out or damaged tools. ATCs are typically utilized to increase a machine's ability to work with many tools at once. Automatic tool changers typically come in two styles: rotary-style and linear-style, and they differ in the number of tools they can hold.
Usually, an automatic tool changer includes:
1. Base
2. Gripper arm
3. Tool holder
4. Support arms
5. Tool Magazines(where the tool are stored)
Types of Automatic Tool Changers
You will observe that there are several types of Automatic Tool Changers. Technically, there are two distinct variations depending on the magazine's shape, i.e., Curved Travel and Straight Travel. Some of them are also designed as rotating holders. However, you can also purchase tool racks that are static and straight. The latter ones express a far better value despite being mechanically much easier. Additionally, the automatic tool changeover can be either horizontal or vertical, depending on how the magazine is positioned.
The Automatic Tool Changer, which is a necessary tool if you want the CNC machine to use multiple tools, can be quite helpful. Simply be sure you select the Automatic Tool Changer that best suits your requirements. When used properly, the ATC may offer amazing value and advantages, and the experience will undoubtedly sparkle. Just give it a shot, and you'll always reap more than wonderful rewards!
Working of An Automatic Tool Changer
The procedure for changing tools is the same, notwithstanding the many types of tool magazines. When the automatic tool changer gets the tool change signal, the spindle suddenly stops rotating and stops precisely at the tool change position, and the tool is discharged. The new tool then goes to the tool change position with the tool magazine and is cleared. The operation of changing tools is finished by clamping the spindle and moving it back to its initial processing position at the same time as the new and old tools are rotated on the spindle and the empty position of the tool magazine respectively.
Advantages of An Automatic Tool Changer
An automatic CNC tool changer offers several noteworthy advantages, such as:
1. The ability to switch between a variety of instruments without a human operator being needed
2. Higher precision
3. Improved effectiveness
4. Lower labor costs
5. Shortened total production time and interruptions
6. Increased capability for storing tools
7. More versatile machines
8. Improved equipment and staff safety
9. Being able to easily switch between larger and heavier tools
10. Increased edge polish as a result of better tooling selection for each procedure
Applications of An Automatic Tool Changer
Machines that removed chips, such as mills and lathes, were the main applications for automatic tool changers. One of these tool changers is also extensively used by sheet metal working gear for automatic tool rearrangement.
If you have to stay close by and watch over your CNC router, one of the particularly time-consuming chores that can severely slow you down is manually completing various tool procedures. In addition to slowing down production, the requirement to manually interrupt processes to switch between tools costs time that may be used more effectively elsewhere.
An automatic tool changer can make a significant difference in this situation. One of the most useful types of automation you can employ in your CNC operation is an automatic tool changer or ATC. It allows you to change tools quickly and without pausing the machine.
It's possible to operate a basic CNC machine with just one tool. Larger numbers of tools can be used to operate more complicated machinery. Nevertheless, an ATC is required for a machine to use more tools. The collection of tools is kept in a magazine, allowing the machine to access a larger selection of them without requiring an operator.
An automatic tool changer typically includes a base, gripper-equipped arms, a tool holder, a support arm, and tool magazines. ATCs can increase a CNC machine's speed, accuracy, and dependability, but they do have limitations. Among these is the requirement that the tools be simple to center, easy for the grabber's arm to grip, and simple to automatically disengage. Tools used in an ATC are typically held by custom tool holders to facilitate this.
Final Thoughts
Automatic Tool Changers, or ATC, is the lifeline of the production industry. These tools have entirely automated the tool-changing procedures and have boosted production. With a comprehensive line of goods for all varieties of CNC machining centers and CNC lathes, Gizin specializes in computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools and automatic tool changers (ATC).
If you are looking for an automatic tool changer supplier to automate your tool change process and boost your production capabilities, then look no further and contact Gizin now.