Automatic tool changers, type CTA — HSL from ITI Tooling Co. Inc. are suitable for applications on CNC milling machines, vertical and horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes and multi-tasking machines. CTA-HSL tool exchanger with a compact tool magazine are designed and manufactured to accommodate a high quantity of tool holders in a restricted area and are particularly suitable for use on smaller machine tools.

Each tool changer consists of:

A CTA dual-motion, cam-operated exchanger that performs the high speed and mechanically synchronized movements for grasping, extracting, exchanging and inserting the tools simultaneously between the spindle and the magazine, plus the release of the tool grippers. This entire high speed cycle is operated by one 3-phase, self-braking motor.

A mechanical exchange arm with dual "rapid-release" gripper hands and built-in safety interlocks.

The compact HSL series tool storage magazine, on which all toolholder pockets are hinged to enable a 90 deg. tilt during a tool exchange, are assembled in a moveable track within a support structure designed to gain the optimal utility from the available allotted space on smaller machine tools and is driven via a servo motor. The toolholder tilt unit is pneumatically operated as is the tool taper cleaning head actuated as the used tool is reinserted back into the magazine. A built-in switch system guarantees precise toolholder identification and is used for management of the migrating tools. In addition, a dedicated toolholder to tool pocket identification management system is available upon request.

The main characteristics of these self-contained CTA — HSL tool changers besides the simplicity, reliability and the cleanliness is the high capacity of tools that can be stored in the magazines and the ultra high speed tool exchange cycle itself.

This exchange time varies from 0.6 to 1.2 seconds, depending upon the frame size of unit, the tool weights and the length of the exchange arm.