Two-layer disk-type tool magazine for CNC machines
A rotating disk tool magazine designed to hold two vertical layers of tool sleeves for a CNC machine. It stacks an upper and lower ring of sleeve chucks on a shared disk base, with a central long bolt and a pressing ring clamping the assembly; intended for machine shops and OEMs that fit tool changers to milling or machining centers. The device organizes more tools in the same radial footprint and interfaces to the machine via a bolted magazine base and supports.
(57) What the patent covered
The main independent claim covers a bolted-on disk magazine assembly with a U-shaped mag base and paired supports, a tool disk base carrying two axially separated layers of tool sleeve chucks separated by a partition sleeve, upper and lower sleeve bases with clamping jaws each holding individual tool sleeves, and a central tool disk pressing ring fastened by a long bolt that passes through the upper chuck, partition sleeve and lower chuck to clamp the stack.
The distinctive part: Packing two concentric axial layers of tool sleeve chucks on one disk base and clamping them together with a central long bolt and pressing ring to increase tool capacity within a standard disk footprint.
Novelty 3/5. Stacking multiple axial rows of sleeve holders onto a rotating disk is a straightforward extension of common single-layer disk magazines, so this is a clever improvement rather than a wholly new class of changer.
Making it
CNC-machined or cast/machined steel parts for the disk and supports, stamped and hardened chucks and jaws, assembly with bolts and possibly press-fit or threaded partition sleeve; surface hardening or plating on wear parts.
Materials: machined or cast steel (disk base, supports, bolts), hardened steel sleeve chucks and clamping jaws, aluminum or steel magazine base, bronze or polymer partition sleeve (likely), fasteners (high‑strength bolts)
Manufacturability 4/5. Multiple simple metal parts (disk, supports, sleeves, bolts) with moderate machining and heat treatment; requires jigs for concentric alignment and assembly but no electronics or precision beyond standard machine-shop capability.
Is anyone buying?
Comparable products are on sale; this exact design wasn't found. Multiple vendors offer disc-type tool magazines (including two-layer/double-disc configurations); US distributors exist; information often lists capabilities and interfaces but not explicit pricing online.
- HYDEX Disk Type Tool Magazine · HYDEX (global distributor network; pages show disk-type magazine for CNC centers)
- CNC Tool Magazine (Disc Type) - Drake Machinery · Drake Machinery (U.S. distributor / catalog listing for tool magazines, including disc-style options)
- Z-565 Disc Tool Magazine · Zubler USA (industrial tool magazine with disc-based changers; mentions multi-disc configurations)
This demand check was run with a web search in the week of Oct 5, 2026. Listings change often, so treat it as a starting point for your own research.
Who buys it: CNC machine tool builders, retrofitters, and job shops adding higher-capacity tool magazines
Before you make it
We didn't find any related continuation or divisional patents still in force, although that doesn't rule out design patents, trademarks or unrelated patents covering the same product.
Practical issues include ensuring runout and concentricity with two stacked layers, wear on clamping jaws, and compatibility with the machine’s automatic tool changer interface; the patent has lapsed but the description is specific to this structural clamping arrangement.
Owners occasionally revive lapsed patents (about 1.5% are), and this page is a research lead rather than legal advice, so get a freedom-to-operate opinion before you manufacture anything.