The Technical Trend and Future Development Direction of Machine Tools Automatic Tool Changer by Patent Mapping

Automatic tool changer(ATC) is typically provided to a machine tool to improve the efficiency of the machine tool significantly by saving time in moving, switching, installing and storing tools as well as adjusting a calibrating the machine tool. In this study, technical trend of machine tools automatic tool changer are analyzed by patent mapping. And future development direction of automatic tool changer has suggested. The analysis is carried out by using problem solution map for the applied patent during 2000 and 2010 in USA, Japan, Europe and Korea.