CNC Tool Magazine

Tool magazine

CNC Tool Magazine for Reliable Automatic Tool Changing

Drake supplies CNC tool magazine systems for vertical and horizontal machining centers where reliable tool storage, accurate indexing and efficient automatic tool changing are required. Our range includes disc tool magazines, chain type tool magazines, hat type tool magazines and hydraulic tool magazine configurations for different machine layouts and production requirements.

Available configurations cover common tool interfaces including BT30, BT40, BT50, CAT, DIN and HSK, with different tool capacities, tool diameters and allowable tool weights. Whether you are building a new CNC machine, replacing an existing ATC magazine or sourcing a tool magazine for machine-tool production, our technical team can help match the configuration to your spindle, machine layout and tool-change requirements.

Need help selecting the right CNC tool magazine?
Send us your machine model, spindle taper, required number of tools and installation drawing/photo. We will recommend a suitable configuration.

Key Components of a Tool Magazine:

Carousel or Tool Changer:

This component stores and positions cutting tools. During tool change operations, it rotates to present the required tool to the spindle.

The number of tools that can be stored in the carousel varies based on the machine size and manufacturer, ranging from 10 to 200 tools.

Tool Holder or Chuck:

The tool holder serves as the interface between cutting tools and the spindle, firmly securing the tool in place during the machining process.

Clamping Arm or Tool Change Arm:

Responsible for picking up tools and positioning them into the spindle or tool holder, ensuring a secure fixture to prevent any movement during processing.

Controller:

The controller acts as the brain behind the tool change operation sequence, receiving commands from the machine's CNC program.

It coordinates the rotation of the carousel, clamps the required tool, moves it to the desired position, and releases it into the spindle or tool holder.

Carousel Type Tool Magazine:

Typically, it can store 16 to 24 tools, and the entire magazine moves to the spindle during tool changes.

The magazine rotates when the spindle moves up, allowing the tool on the spindle to enter the magazine slot.

Once the tool to be changed is directly below the spindle, the spindle moves down, and the tool enters the spindle taper hole.

After clamping, the magazine returns to its original position.

Inverter Type Vertical Disc Tool Magazine:

Commonly used in small vertical machining machines.

The disc magazine, also known as the "disc magazine," has a smaller capacity, usually holding two to thirty tools.

Tool exchange is executed with Auto Tools Change (ATC).

Tool magazine types and features

Choose the Right CNC Tool Magazine

Different machining centers require different combinations of tool capacity, holder specification, tool weight and installation arrangement. Use the following guide as a starting point for selection.

Tool Magazine Type	Typical Tool Interface	Available Capacity	Key Advantage	Suitable Requirement
Radial Disc Tool Magazine	BT40 / CAT40 / DIN40 / HSK63	40T / 60T	High-capacity disc design with random tool management	Machining centers requiring more tools with fast magazine indexing
Vertical Disc Tool Magazine	BT40 / BT50 / CAT / DIN / HSK	16T–32T	Compact disc arrangement with multiple spindle-interface options	Vertical machining center configurations
Chain Type Tool Magazine	BT50 / CAT50 / DIN50 / HSK100	40T / 60T	Higher capacity and support for heavier tools	Heavy machining and high-tool-capacity applications
Hat Type Tool Magazine	BT30 / BT40 / BT50 / CAT / DIN / HSK	8T–24T	Simple structure and flexible capacity options	CNC machines requiring compact, economical tool storage

Drake's current product specifications show maximum tool weights ranging from 5 kg on some hat-type configurations to 25 kg on the hydraulic chain magazine, so the selection should be based on the actual tool set rather than station count alone.

What to Consider When Selecting an ATC Tool Magazine

Choosing an ATC tool magazine should start with the machine configuration rather than simply selecting the largest tool capacity.

1. Spindle and Tool Holder Interface

Confirm the spindle taper and holder standard first. Drake tool magazine configurations currently cover BT30, BT40, BT50, CAT30/CAT40/CAT50, DIN and HSK specifications, depending on magazine type.

2. Required Tool Capacity

Choose enough stations for the machining process without unnecessarily increasing magazine size. Available configurations range from compact 8-tool hat magazines to 40T and 60T high-capacity disc or chain magazines.

3. Maximum Tool Diameter and Weight

Large face mills, boring tools and heavy tool assemblies may require additional pocket clearance and higher allowable tool weight. Always confirm both the maximum tool diameter and the maximum loaded tool weight before ordering.

4. Tool Change Speed

Tool-change performance varies by magazine structure. For example, the current Radial Disc Tool Magazine specification lists a 1.3-second tool change time, while the hydraulic chain swing-arm configuration lists approximately 3 seconds ATC, so this parameter should be confirmed according to the selected model rather than stated as one universal value.

5. Machine Layout and Installation

Installation direction, magazine position, spindle center height and available machine space all affect the final configuration. Where a mounting bracket or interface must match a specific machine structure, provide drawings or photos before production.

Why Source CNC Tool Magazines from Drake?

A tool magazine is not simply a storage rack. Correct matching between the spindle, tool holder, magazine pocket, indexing mechanism and machine structure directly affects whether the ATC system can operate reliably.

Drake supplies machine-tool accessories and machining-center components and supports OEM and ODM requirements. Our product range includes CNC tool magazines as well as related machine-tool accessories, allowing machine builders, equipment integrators and replacement-parts buyers to discuss the complete machine interface with one technical team. The company also presents production and inspection equipment including grinding equipment and coordinate-measuring equipment on its factory pages.

Multiple Tool Magazine Configurations

Choose from disc, vertical disc, radial disc, chain, hydraulic and hat-type configurations according to machine structure and tool capacity.

Support for Common Tool Standards

Options are available for BT, CAT, DIN and HSK tool-holder systems across different magazine series.

Replacement and New-Machine Projects

For replacement projects, send the existing magazine specification, machine model and installation photos. For new machine development, drawings and required ATC parameters can be used for configuration confirmation.

OEM & ODM Support

Drake states that OEM and ODM services are available for its machine-tool accessory business, which makes this point suitable to emphasize for machine manufacturers and industrial distributors.

Technical Selection Support

Instead of asking buyers to determine every parameter themselves, the inquiry process should focus on machine compatibility first and model selection second.

CNC Tool Magazine FAQ

What tool capacities are available?

Drake offers multiple tool magazine configurations ranging from compact 8-tool systems to 40T and 60T magazines. Exact capacity depends on the magazine structure and tool-holder specification.

Can you supply BT40 and BT50 tool magazines?

Yes. Different series are available for BT40 and BT50 applications, with CAT, DIN and HSK options also available on selected models.

Which is better, a disc or chain type tool magazine?

The correct choice depends mainly on required tool capacity, tool size and weight, installation space and tool-change requirements. Disc magazines are suitable for many medium-capacity configurations, while chain designs are commonly selected when more tool positions or heavier tools must be accommodated.

Can you help replace an existing CNC tool magazine?

Yes. For replacement selection, send the machine model, existing magazine nameplate, spindle/tool-holder specification, installation dimensions and photos. This helps reduce the risk of selecting a magazine that cannot match the original machine interface.

Is the mounting bracket included?

The bracket is not included by default on every configuration. Where a bracket is required, it can be confirmed according to the machine model and installation layout.

How fast is the tool change?

Tool-change time depends on the magazine type and ATC mechanism. It should therefore be confirmed against the selected model rather than using one standard value for the entire product category.

Do you support OEM or customized tool magazine requirements?

Yes. OEM and ODM services are available for machine-tool accessory projects. Please provide drawings, interface requirements and operating parameters for technical evaluation.

Not Sure Which Tool Magazine Fits Your CNC Machine?

Choosing the wrong tool capacity, taper specification or installation structure can create unnecessary modification work during machine assembly.

Send Drake your machine model, spindle specification, required tool capacity and installation drawing or photos. Our team will help you identify a suitable CNC tool magazine and confirm key technical parameters before quotation.

Get a Tool Magazine Recommendation

Add.: Yaoguan, WuJin District, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China 213000

Contact Person: Joanna Zhou

Mobile/Whatsapp/Wechat: +8613815018181

Tel: +86 519 8385 6060

Skype: zhou.joanna9

Email: joanna@drakecn.com

Web: https://www.drake-machinery.com

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