• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.710-715
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• 2010

This study developed an automatic tool change system of the SMA-based tool clamping device for applications of micro-machine tools. This paper first describes clamping and unclamping procedures of the automatic tool change system and its basic configuration. Second, it presents fabrication techniques of components, such as a heating/cooling system and a tool loader. Finally, it describes automatic tool change test conducted with a prototype in which the fabrication techniques of components were employed. As the results of the test, times needed for clamping and unclamping operations were estimated to 18(s) and 8(s) respectively. The experimental results confirm that the proposed automatic tool change system can be sucessfully applied to micro-machine tools.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.9-14
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• 2007

In this paper, a rotating tool clamping device was developed based on a shape memory alloy(SMA) and its feasibility as a tool holder was experimentally explored. The SMA-based device was able to alter clamping to unclamping through temperature control within 1 second. The means and repeatability(${\sigma}$) of the tool clamping force were 185.5N and 6N respectively and its drifts were less than 3% for an hour. Considering the temperature hysteresis of the SMA-based tool clamping device, it is necessary to heat the SMA ring to around $50^{\circ}C$ after tool change to obtain more clamping force.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2008

This paper presents the construction of micro tool clamping device using a Ni-Ti shape memory alloy(SMA) ring. Clamping force of the device is produced by elastic force of the SMA reverted to its original shape in normal temperature. Phase transformation of the SMA was realized by temperature control using a peltier element. Prototype of the SMA tool clamping device was fabricated and examined its clamping force and clamping/unclamping operation.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.70-75
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• 2008

This paper describes a tool-clamping/unclamping mechanism for application of a micro-spindle. The mechanism is based on one-way shape memory effect and interference-fit. The corresponding mathematical models and a few considerable design parameters are mentioned in this paper. Especially, necessary conditions for the clamping and unclamping operation are investigated through finite element analysis. The analysis results show that the differences between the diametral deformations of the tool holder in high temperature and that in low temperature are increased according to amounts of the interference. Thus the less interference between the tool-holder and the ring, the less tolerance to allow the clamping and unclamping operation because the inner diameter of the tool holder in high temperature should be smaller than the diameter of the tool shank, and that in low temperature should be larger than the diameter of the tool shank. In addition, the design for maximization of clamping force are investigated based on finite element analysis. The results show that the more amounts of the interference, the more clamping force. As the result, the interference should be considered as a important factor to maximize the tool clamping force.