In some aspects, a sheet metal processing system includes a machine tool with a processing station at which metal sheets can be processed by a processing tool, a tool carrier for receiving a processing tool, a transfer device by which the processing tool can be moved to or from the tool carrier, and a tool change apparatus which, due to a controlled positioning movement, can be arranged in a tool change position. The processing tool is exchangeable between the tool carrier and the transfer device by the tool change apparatus. The positioning movement is controllable on the basis of a position of the transfer device and/or a position of the tool carrier.