Multi-stage optimum design of magazine type automatic tool changer arm

To enhance machining efficiency, tool change time has to be reduced. Thus, for an automatic tool changer attached to a machining center, the tool change time is to be reduced. Also the automatic tool changer is a main part of the machining center as a driving source. The static attributes of the automatic tool changer using the commercial code, ANSYS Workbench V12, were tried to interpret. And the optimum design of automatic tool changer arm was proposed by performing the multi-stage optimum design. The shape optimization of the automatic tool changer was proposed and the result was verified to obtain acceptable improvements. It is possible to obtain an optimized model in which the maximum deformation, maximum stress, and mass are reduced by 10.46%, 12.89% and 9.26%, respectively, compared with those of the initial model. Also, the results between conventional method by the design of experiments and proposed method by the multi-stage optimum design method were compared.