Printable View
(Just a basic CNC theory question...)
Is it possible to have an automatic tool changer on a mill without an automatic drawbar in the mill head?
It so far appears that an auto drawbar is the only way to seat and lock/unlock the tool's conical mating surface, but I do not know. Perhaps there are other ways to do it?
I have an older Bridgeport Boss 5 mill with an Erikson Quick Change 30 Spindle on it. This set up does not use a drawbar, the tool holder is pushed into the taper from a special "nut" on the bottom of the spindle. The nut is tightened to push the holder in and when it come time to remove the tool it is lossend a 1/4 turn to break the tool free from the taper. One could make a tool changer that works in this fashion I suppose.