Research on the automatic tool changer system of the machining center

ZHENG Xin-wu， ZHANG Ming-zhong， LI Chun-mu， LI Yin， CHEN Yong-ming
（Department of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering， Xiamen University， Xiamen 361005，China）

Abstract： The automatic tool changer（ATC），which includes a magazine，a tool changer and a control system，is one of the key components of the machining center（MC）. General issues of the ATC，however，are its slowness and low stability during tool changes and the complexity of control system programming. To solve those problems，one type of software and its internal PLC technology were investigated. Based on an analysis of the fundamental structure and operating principle of the ATC system and a research of the control procedure of the "disc with arm"-type ATC，the PLC program and macro programs combined with ServoWorks CNC technology were developed. Finally，it was shown that the newly designed control system can complete the whole process of changing tools in 4 to 6 seconds on the YY-1060 vertical MC. The results indicate that the process is rapid，accurate and reliable enough to completely meet the practical requirements.
Key words： machining center（MC）； automatic tool changer（ATC）； programmable logic controller（PLC）