CNC TOOL MAGAZINE

Types of Tool Magazines in CNC Machining Centers

In an automatic tool changer, the tool magazine is one of the most important components. The tool magazine is used to store processing tools and auxiliary tools. Its capacity, layout and specific structure have a great influence on the design of CNC machine tools.

Tool magazine form According to the capacity of the tool magazine and the way of taking out the tool, the tool magazine can be designed in various forms. Common forms are as follows.

1)Disc-Type Tool Magazine
The disc-type tool magazine is commonly found in small to medium-sized vertical and horizontal machining centers. It has a compact structure and typically holds between 20 to 30 tools. The tool change process requires cooperation with an automatic tool changer (ATC). The disc-type tool magazine features precise indexing and fast tool-changing speeds, making it highly efficient for medium-scale machining needs. Its primary advantage lies in the ability to perform automatic tool changes, increasing productivity.

2)Umbrella-Type Tool Magazine
In the umbrella-type tool magazine, the entire tool magazine moves toward the spindle during the tool change process. When the tool on the spindle enters the tool magazine's slot, the spindle withdraws, and the tool magazine then rotates to the next tool position. This type of tool magazine has a simple structure and is cost-effective. It is widely used in precision engraving centers, drilling and tapping centers, and other light or small CNC machines. The main benefits of the umbrella-type tool magazine are its simplicity and reliability, making it suitable for scenarios where tool change speed and tool capacity are not as critical.

3)Chain-Type Tool Magazine
The chain-type tool magazine offers a much larger tool capacity, typically holding more than 20 tools, with some models capable of holding over 120 tools. During tool change, a chain system moves the target tool to the changeover position, and a robot arm then performs the tool change on the spindle. This type of tool magazine uses motor-driven and mechanical cam structures, offering quick tool changes, high stability, and reliable performance. Although the manufacturing cost is relatively high, the chain-type tool magazine is widely used in large machining centers, such as gantry-style CNC machines. It is especially suited for large CNC machines that require continuous, high-volume production.

4)Carousel-Type Tool Magazine

The carousel-type tool magazine is widely used in small to medium-sized vertical and horizontal CNC machining centers. Depending on the model, it can store from 8 up to 50 tools, offering a compact solution for efficient tool management.

During a tool change, the magazine aligns with the spindle. The magazine rotates as the spindle moves upward, allowing the tool currently on the spindle to enter the magazine slot. Once the desired tool is positioned directly beneath the spindle, the spindle moves downward, engaging the tool in the spindle taper. After the tool is securely clamped, the magazine returns to its original position, ready for the next tool change.

5) Other magazines

There are many forms of tool magazines, and it is worth mentioning the grid box tool magazine. Single-sided type, due to the inflexible layout, the tool magazine is usually placed on the workbench, and its application is seldom. Multi-faceted type , in order to reduce the tool change time, the tool change manipulator usually takes out the tool to be replaced in advance by using the time of the previous tool to process the workpiece (the equipped CNC system should have this function).

CNC TOOL MAGAZINE Supplier 

Wuxi Fagor Technology Co., Ltd. is a professional supplier specializing in the production, testing and sales of high-quality, high-precision CNC machine tools, with professional technical support, good after-sales service and competitive prices. In addition to CNC TOOL MAGAZINE, the products also include gantry machining centers, vertical machining centers, etc.