SHUTTLE OVERVIEW

The standard mill tool changer has the name "umbrella tool changer" because its shape is almost the same as an umbrella. The umbrella tool changer has these primary systems:

• shuttle assembly [1]
• carousel assembly [2]

During tool changes, the shuttle assembly [1] moves the carousel assembly [2] to the spindle [3].

SHUTTLE MECHANISM

The shuttle assembly has four wheels [2] on tracks that connect to a plate. The I/O PCB (input/output PCB) sends 160 V dc to supply power to the shuttle-assembly motor [1]. This motor [1] turns the clutch-arm assembly [3] that pushes the shuttle in or out. The clutch-arm assembly [3] has a "slip-clutch" [4] on the motor shaft.

The slip-clutch [4] lets the motor continue to turn when these incidents occur:

• The arm goes farther than its travel limit.
• The shuttle assembly hits something that prevents its movement.

SHUTTLE SENSORS

The shuttle assembly has two proximity sensors [1]. These sensors tell the control the position of the tool changer.

Note: The location of the proximity sensors [1] is different on a 10-pocket tool changer.

To see the status of the tool changer, push DIAGNOSTIC to go to the diagnostics page. Go to the I/O tab.

MOTORS

This SMTC has two servo motors, one servo motor [1] drives the double arm cambox with a coupler [2]; second servo motor [3] drives the carousel via spur gear [4] and has a brake to hold the carousel in position when servos are off.

CAMBOX

The cambox is powered by a servo motor, which drives an internal gear connected to a cam. As the cam rotates, its profile guides the movement of cam followers that track along its surface. This motion is then transferred to the double arm shaft, causing it to move downward and rotate to clear the tool changer and the spindle.

SENSORS

There are six sensors in the SMTC.

• ARM AT ORIGIN [1] sensor is used during ZERO RETURN to establish the home position for the double arm.
• ARM AT CLAMP/UNCLAMP [2] sensor is used during a tool change to confirm that double arm is under the spindle and its safe to unclamp the tool.
• ARM AT STOP [3] sensor is there to stop the motion of the double arm during a tool change and wait for the Tool Release Piston (TRP) to clamp/unclamp.
• TOOL ONE IN POSITION [4] sensor is used during ZERO RETURN to establish the home position for the carousel.
• POCKET DOWN [5] is there confirm that the tool pocket in the DOWN position.
• POCKET UP [6] sensor is there to confirm that the tool pocket is in the UP position.

TOOL POCKET SLIDE

Tool pocket slide function is to tilt the tool pocket UP/DOWN during a tool change and it actuated with an air cylinder.

The air cylinder [1] pushes the tipping link [2] down, so the carousel could be rotated. When the desired tool pocket [3] is in position, the bearing [4] engages the tipping link. The air cylinder then pulls the tipping link up with the bearing still engaged which forces the tool pocket to tilt down. When the tool from the pocket is transferred into the spindle and the double arm is back at it's HOME position the air cylinder pushes the tipping link down and the carousel is safe to rotate again now.

NOTE: There is a trip flag [5] attached to the back of the tipping link. When the air cylinder pushes the tipping link down, POCKET UP sensor [6] is activated. When the air cylinder pulls the tipping link up the POCKET DOWN

LUBRICATION

There is an automatic lubrication line [1] that lubricates carousel spur gear. This line is connected to the way lube system which means that the spur gear gets lubricated every time the way lube system is exercised.

There is also a manual lubrication required as a part of routine maintenance on some of the components.

• Clean and lubricate the SMTC output shaft cap [2] with the Mobilgrease CM-P to prevent the double arm plungers from wearing out.
• Clean and lubricate the tool pocket plungers [3] and the pivot pin [4] with the Red -I grease.
• Clean and lubricate the track [5] on the carousel housing that the tool pocket rollers ride on with the Red-I grease.

ALIGNMENT

When aligning the SMTC to the spindle,

• Loosen the bolts [1] that secure the SMTC housing to the mount [2] and turn the eccentric adjuster [3] to move the SMTC in the Y direction.
• To move the SMTC in the X direction loosen the bolts [4] that secure the mount [2] to the column casting and place the shims [5] between the mount and the column casting.

 NOTE: To move the SMTC towards the spindle in the X axis direction place the shims next to the rear bolts. To move the SMTC away from the spindle place the shims next to the front bolts.

NOTE: There is no alignment of the cambox to the carousel on this SMTC.

This document covers the Track Tool Changers such as the 120 Pocket Side Mount Tool Changer. 

MOTORS

This SMTC system is equipped with two servo motors. The first servo motor actuates the double-arm cambox via a coupler, enabling precise and coordinated movement. The second servo motor drives the carousel mechanism through a spur gear connected to a sprocket to turn the pockets around the track. 

CAMBOX

The cambox is powered by a servo motor, which drives an internal gear connected to a cam. As the cam rotates, its profile guides the movement of cam followers that track along its surface. This motion is then transferred to the double arm shaft, causing it to move downward and rotate to clear the tool changer and the spindle.

SENSORS

There are four sensors in the Track SMTC.

• TOOL ONE IN POSITION [1] sensor is used during ZERO RETURN to establish the home position for the carousel.
• POCKET DOWN [2] is there confirm that the tool pocket in the DOWN position.
• POCKET UP [3] sensor is there to confirm that the tool pocket is in the UP position.
• ARM AT CLAMP/UNCLAMP and ARM AT ORIGIN[4] sensor is used during a tool change to confirm that double arm is under the spindle and its safe to unclamp the tool or that the double arm is at its origin position. This is based off of one proximity switch and the control.

TOOL POCKET SLIDE

Tool pocket slide function is to tilt the tool pocket UP/DOWN during a tool change and it actuated with an air cylinder.

The air cylinder [1] pushes the tipping link [2] down, so the carousel could be rotated. When the desired tool pocket [3] is in position, the bearing [4] engages the tipping link. The air cylinder then pulls the tipping link up with the bearing still engaged which forces the tool pocket to tilt down. When the tool from the pocket is transferred into the spindle and the double arm is back at it's HOME position the air cylinder pushes the tipping link down and the carousel is safe to rotate again now.

NOTE: There is a trip flag [5] attached to the back of the tipping link. When the air cylinder pushes the tipping link down, POCKET UP sensor [6] is activated. When the air cylinder pulls the tipping link up the POCKET DOWN

LUBRICATION

There is an automatic lubrication line [1] that lubricates carousel spur gear. This line is connected to the way lube system which means that the spur gear gets lubricated every time the way lube system is exercised.

There is also a manual lubrication required as a part of routine maintenance on some of the components.

• Clean and lubricate the SMTC output shaft cap [2] with the Mobilgrease CM-P to prevent the double arm plungers from wearing out.
• Clean and lubricate the tool pocket plungers [3] and the pivot pin [4] with the Red -I grease.
• Clean and lubricate the track [5] on the carousel housing that the tool pocket rollers ride on with the Red-I grease.

ALIGNMENT FOR VMC

When aligning the SMTC to the spindle,

• Loosen the bolts [1] that secure the SMTC housing to the mount [2] and turn the eccentric adjuster [3] to move the SMTC in the Y direction.
• To move the SMTC in the X direction loosen the bolts [4] that secure the mount [2] to the column casting and place the shims [5] between the mount and the column casting.

 NOTE: To move the SMTC towards the spindle in the X axis direction place the shims next to the rear bolts. To move the SMTC away from the spindle place the shims next to the front bolts.

NOTE: There is no alignment of the cambox to the carousel on this SMTC.