Many modern CNC-machining-centres have a single or double pickup tool changing position in addition to the available tool changers.

There can be several reasons for this:

• On 5-axis machines a large saw blade is often used. This would block several tool positions in a normal disc tool changer or linear tool changer or would have a too large diameter for many changers and could therefore not be used.
• Machines with C-axis can sometimes use quite large aggregates. Here, too, these could block several tool positions or not even fit into the normal tool changer due to their dimensions.
• Some machines are equipped with optional accessories, such as a chip deflector, which does not have a common tool interface but a manufacturer's own solution, e.g. so that it can be changed in addition to the tool. There is then also a separate changing position for this.