Tool number auto increment

[sliptonic]

in my mind this scenario is not common in practice, at least not at machines with automatic tool changer...

I know different setups - which shows that they at least exist: They have similar machines with the same clamping system and the tools are indeed exchanged between the machines. The tools are stored on a trolley and moved to the appropriate machine.

Yes. Exactly the scenario I saw at two shop locally. They have a paper 'setup report' that the operator uses to set up the machine before a run. Part of it lists the tools and which slots (toolnumbers) to load them in to the ATC.

If a shop runs a small number of parts or parts of a very similar type, they probably run like herbk describes. But if they run a wide variety of parts/materials or specialized tools, then setting up the machine is job #1.