Design and Fabrication of Tool Changer Using Geneva Mechanism

The tool changing mechanism is a vital component of CNC machines as it helps in the automation of the manufacturing process. The Geneva mechanism is a widely used mechanism for tool changing due to its simplicity, reliability, and ease of maintenance. In this paper, a tool changer mechanism using the Geneva mechanism is designed and prototyped. The prototype was fabricated using a CO2 laser cutter and a 3D printing machine, while pins and bushes were 3D printed, and the remaining parts were laser cut using acrylic sheets. The prototype was then assembled and evaluated to determine its efficiency as a tool changing mechanism in CNC machines. The results showed that the Geneva mechanism is a reliable and efficient mechanism for tool changing in CNC machines. However, it also has limitations, such as the number of tools it can accommodate and the complexity of the design for accommodating more tools. Overall, the tool changer mechanism using the Geneva mechanism is a viable option for automating the tool changing process in CNC machines.