Stocker and cutting machine

Abstract

To enable a user to house a workpiece in a housing part of a stocker easily.SOLUTION: A stocker 200 houses a workpiece 5 in a cutting machine 100 which cuts the workpiece 5. The stocker 200 includes: a stocker body 201; and a housing part 210 which is disposed within the stocker body 201 and houses one workpiece 5. The housing part 210 has: a passage opening 211 which is open to a predetermined opening direction and through which the workpiece 5 passes; a passage 213 which communicates with the passage opening 211 and through which the workpiece 5 that has passed through the passage opening 211 passes; and a placement part 215 which is provided below the passage 213 and whose position is fixed when the workpiece 5 is placed thereon.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stocker and a cutting machine. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cutting machine that cuts a workpiece to be cut into a desired shape. This cutting machine includes a storage device, a cutting device, a transport device, and a control device. The storage device has a stocker that can store multiple disk-shaped workpieces with adapters attached. The cutting device cuts the workpieces. The transport device holds the adapter and transports the workpieces from the storage device to the cutting device. The control device transports and cuts the workpieces in accordance with a processing program.

[0003] The stocker of the storage device has a storage section that stores one workpiece. The stocker is provided with a plurality of storage sections, so that the stocker can store a plurality of workpieces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-170230 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, a user manually places workpieces in and removes them from the storage section of a stocker. In the cutting machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, the workpiece is accommodated in the storage section by fitting it into the storage section. Therefore, when placing the workpiece in the storage section, the user needs to exert force to fit the workpiece. Also, when removing the workpiece that has been fitted in the storage section, the user needs to exert force to pull out the workpiece. It is preferable for a user to be able to place workpieces in the storage section more easily.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to provide a storage unit and a cutting machine that can easily store workpieces when a user manually stores the workpieces in the storage section of the storage unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The stocker according to the present invention is a stocker for storing workpieces in a cutting machine that cuts workpieces. The stocker includes a stocker main body and a storage section disposed within the stocker main body and storing one workpiece. The storage section has a passing opening, a passage, and a placing section. The passing opening opens in a predetermined opening direction, through which the workpiece passes. The passage communicates with the passing opening, through which the workpiece passes after passing through the passing opening. The placing section is provided below the passage, and the workpiece is placed thereon and fixed in position.

[0008] According to the stocker, when a user manually places a workpiece in the storage section, the user inserts the workpiece into the storage section through the passage opening of the storage section while holding the workpiece with their hand. At this time, the workpiece passes through the passage opening and passes through a passage in the storage section. Then, while the workpiece is passing through the passage, the user releases their hand from the workpiece. This causes the workpiece to move downward and be fixed in place on the placement section. Therefore, the user can place the workpiece in the storage section with less force than before. Therefore, the user can easily place the workpiece in the storage section manually. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a stocker and a cutting machine that allow a user to easily store workpieces in the storage section of the stocker when the workpieces are manually stored therein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a cutting machine according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a workpiece to which an adapter is attached. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the workpiece to which the adapter is attached. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the partition wall as seen from the left, and is a schematic diagram showing how the stocker moves from the storage area to the processing area. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a stocker body of the stocker. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a right side view showing the stocker, illustrating the state in which the stocker is placed in the storage area. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a right side view showing the stocker, illustrating a state in which the stocker body of the stocker is placed in the processing area. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing one storage section. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing a state in which a workpiece is accommodated in one accommodation section. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the accommodation section, showing a state in which no workpiece is accommodated in the accommodation section; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a right side view schematically showing the second lower wall of the accommodation section, illustrating a state in which the workpiece is sliding on the inclined surface. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the accommodation section, showing a state in which a workpiece is accommodated in the accommodation section; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, a stocker and a cutting machine equipped with the stocker according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described here are not intended to particularly limit the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cutting machine 100 according to this embodiment. The symbols F, Rr, L, R, U, and D in the drawings represent the front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom of the cutting machine 100, respectively. The cutting machine 100 is disposed in an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system. Here, the X-axis direction D1 is the front-to-back direction. In this embodiment, the X-axis direction D1 is inclined at a predetermined angle from the horizontal. However, the X-axis direction D1 may be horizontal. The Y-axis direction D2 is the left-to-right direction. The Z-axis direction D3 is the up-to-down direction. In this embodiment, the Z-axis direction D3 is inclined at a predetermined angle from the vertical. However, the Z-axis direction D3 may be vertical. Note that the above-described directions are merely defined for the sake of convenience and do not limit the installation mode of the cutting machine 100 or the present invention.

[0013] In this embodiment, the cutting machine 100 cuts a workpiece 5 (see FIG. 2 ) to produce an object. Here, the type of object is not particularly limited, but an example is a dental crown prosthesis. Examples of dental crown prostheses include inlays, crowns, and bridges. In this embodiment, the cutting machine 100 is used in the dental field, and produces a dental crown prosthesis from the workpiece 5. However, the field in which the cutting machine 100 is used is not limited to the dental field.

[0014] 2 and 3 are a plan view and a front view, respectively, of the workpiece 5 to which the adapter 6 is attached. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the workpiece 5 has a plate shape extending in the X-axis direction D1 and the Y-axis direction D2. Here, the workpiece 5 has a disk shape. The workpiece 5 is formed from a variety of materials, such as zirconia, wax, polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA), hybrid resin, PEEK (polyether ether ketone resin), and gypsum. When zirconia is used as the material of the workpiece 5, for example, semi-sintered zirconia is used. However, the shape and material of the workpiece 5 are not particularly limited.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, the cutting machine 100 includes a case body 10. The case body 10 is box-shaped and has a space inside.

[0016] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the partition wall 15 as seen from the left, and is a schematic diagram showing how the stocker 200 moves from the storage area AR1 to the processing area AR2. As shown in FIG. 4, the case body 10 is formed with a storage area AR1 and a processing area AR2. The storage area AR1 is an area where a user stores the workpiece 5 in a storage section 210 of the stocker 200, which will be described later. For example, the user holds the workpiece 5 with their hand and manually stores the workpiece 5 in the storage section 210 in the storage area AR1.

[0017] The processing area AR2 is an area where the cutting machine 100 cuts the workpiece 5. Here, the workpiece 5 stored in the stocker 200 in the storage area AR1 is moved to the processing area AR2, and the workpiece 5 is cut in the processing area AR2.

[0018] In this embodiment, the storage area AR1 and the processing area AR2 are arranged side by side in the Z-axis direction D3. Specifically, the storage area AR1 is arranged above the processing area AR2. However, the positional relationship between the storage area AR1 and the processing area AR2 is not particularly limited. For example, the storage area AR1 may be arranged side by side with the processing area AR2 in the X-axis direction D1, or may be arranged side by side with the processing area AR2 in the Y-axis direction D2.

[0019] In this embodiment, the cutting machine 100 is provided with a partition wall 15. The partition wall 15 separates the storage area AR1 and the processing area AR2. The partition wall 15 is disposed between the storage area AR1 and the processing area AR2. Here, the partition wall 15 is plate-shaped and extends in the X-axis direction D1 and the Y-axis direction D2. In this embodiment, a passing hole 16 is formed in the partition wall 15. The passing hole 16 is a hole through which the stocker 200 passes. Here, the passing hole 16 is a hole that penetrates the partition wall 15 in the Z-axis direction D3 and opens toward the Z-axis direction D3. The storage area AR1 and the processing area AR2 are in communication with each other through the passing hole 16.

[0020] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an opening 11 is formed in the case body 10 in the storage area AR1. The opening 11 opens forward in the X-axis direction D1. In this embodiment, the forward direction in the X-axis direction D1 is an example of a predetermined opening direction. Here, the case body 10 is provided with a door 12 that can freely open and close the opening 11. For example, the left end of the door 12 is supported by the case body 10. The door 12 is configured to be rotatable about the left end as an axis, and by rotating about the left end as an axis, the opening 11 can be opened and closed.

[0021] In this embodiment, although not shown, a mechanism used to cut the workpiece 5 is disposed in the processing area AR2. Here, the processing area AR2 is provided with a clamp that holds the workpiece 5 and a spindle having a tool gripping portion that grips a rod-shaped processing tool with a cutting tool at its tip. The spindle rotates the processing tool around the central axis of the processing tool. In this embodiment, the spindle and the clamp are configured to be movable relative to each other in three dimensions in the processing area AR2. In the processing area AR2, the relative positional relationship between the spindle and the clamp is changed, and the processing tool gripped by the tool gripping portion of the spindle is brought into contact with a desired portion of the workpiece 5 gripped by the clamp to cut the workpiece 5 into a desired shape.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the stocker body 201 of the stocker 200. FIGS. 6 and 7 are right side views showing the stocker 200. FIG. 6 shows the stocker 200 arranged in the accommodation area AR1, and FIG. 7 shows the stocker body 201 of the stocker 200 arranged in the processing area AR2. As shown in FIG. 5, the cutting machine 100 includes the stocker 200. The stocker 200 accommodates the workpieces 5 in the cutting machine 100 that cuts the workpieces 5. The stocker 200 can accommodate multiple workpieces 5. In this embodiment, the stocker 200 can accommodate six workpieces 5, but the number of workpieces 5 accommodated in the stocker 200 is not particularly limited. In FIG. 5, four workpieces 5 are accommodated in the stocker 200.

[0023] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , the stocker 200 includes a stocker main body 201, a stocker cover 202, and a storage section 210. The stocker main body 201 has an internal space and is open to the front and rear. The stocker main body 201 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the Z-axis direction D3. However, the shape of the stocker main body 201 is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 6 , the stocker cover 202 covers the stocker main body 201. In this embodiment, the stocker cover 202 has an internal space and is open at least downward. Here, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the stocker main body 201 is configured to be movable in the Z-axis direction D3 relative to the stocker cover 202. For example, when the stocker main body 201 is disposed within the stocker cover 202, the stocker main body 201 is configured to be movable downward. When the stocker main body 201 moves downward, it passes through the lower opening of the stocker cover 202.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5 , the storage sections 210 store workpieces 5. Here, one workpiece 5 is stored in one storage section 210. The storage sections 210 are arranged in the stocker main body 201. In this embodiment, multiple storage sections 210 are arranged in the stocker main body 201. The number of storage sections 210 is not particularly limited. Here, there are six storage sections 210. The multiple storage sections 210 are arranged side by side in the Z-axis direction D3. The multiple storage sections 210 are arranged in a straight line extending in the Z-axis direction D3 from the storage area AR1 toward the processing area AR2. Therefore, in the stocker 200, the multiple workpieces 5 are stored side by side in the Z-axis direction D3. In the stocker 200, the multiple workpieces 5 are arranged in a straight line extending in the Z-axis direction D3. The configuration of the storage sections 210 will be described later.

[0025] In this embodiment, the stocker 200 is configured to be movable between the storage area AR1 and the processing area AR2. Specifically, the stocker main body 201 and the storage section 210 of the stocker 200 are configured to be movable between the storage area AR1 and the processing area AR2. The stocker cover 202 is disposed in the storage area AR1 and does not move to the processing area AR2. In the following description, the movement of the stocker 200 means that the stocker main body 201 and the storage section 210 move.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 6, the cutting machine 100 is equipped with a movement mechanism 300. The movement mechanism 300 moves the stocker 200 between the accommodation area AR1 and the processing area AR2. Here, the movement mechanism 300 is configured to move the stocker 200 in the Z-axis direction D3. As shown in Fig. 4, the stocker 200 passes through the passage hole 16 of the partition wall 15 when moving between the accommodation area AR1 and the processing area AR2.

[0027] The configuration of the moving mechanism 300 is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 7 , the moving mechanism 300 includes a guide rail 301 and a drive motor 303. The guide rail 301 extends in the Z-axis direction D3. Here, when the stocker 200 is placed in the storage area AR1, the guide rail 301 is disposed in a portion of the case body 10 other than the direction from the stocker 200 toward the opening 11 (here, the forward direction). In this embodiment, the guide rails 301 are disposed as a pair on both the left and right sides of the stocker 200. More specifically, the guide rails 301 are disposed on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of the stocker cover 202 so as to be disposed on the left and right sides of the stocker body 201. Note that FIG. 7 shows the left guide rail 301, and the right guide rail 301 is omitted. The guide rails 301 are disposed in the storage area AR1. The stocker body 201 is engaged with the pair of guide rails 301.

[0028] In this embodiment, a ball screw 305 extending in the Z-axis direction D3 is provided at the rear of the stocker main body 201. The ball screw 305 is fixed to the stocker cover 202 and engages with the stocker main body 201. A nut 302 provided on the stocker main body 201 is threadedly engaged with the ball screw 305. The nut 302 is fixed to an upper part of the rear surface of the stocker main body 201. A slide hole 204 (see FIG. 8) extending in the Z-axis direction D3 is formed in the rear surface of the stocker cover 202. The nut 302 is fixed to the stocker main body 201 through the slide hole 204. As shown in FIG. 6, a drive motor 303 is connected to the ball screw 305. When the drive motor 303 is driven, the ball screw 305 rotates about its central axis, and the stocker main body 201 moves along the guide rail 301 in the Z-axis direction D3. As the stocker main body 201 moves in the Z-axis direction D3, the storage section 210 moves in the Z-axis direction D3. In this way, the stocker main body 201 and the storage section 210 move between the storage area AR1 and the processing area AR2.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the storage section 210 of the stocker 200 will be described in detail. As described above, as shown in Fig. 5, the stocker main body 201 has a plurality of storage sections 210 (six storage sections 210 in this example) arranged side by side in the Z-axis direction D3. Each storage section 210 stores one workpiece 5. In this embodiment, the plurality of storage sections 210 have the same configuration, size, etc.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a front view schematically showing one storage section 210. FIG. 9 is a front view, corresponding to FIG. 8, schematically showing a state in which a workpiece 5 is stored in one storage section 210. FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing the storage section 210, illustrating a state in which no workpiece 5 is stored in the storage section 210. FIG. 11 is a right side view schematically showing the second lower wall 226 of the storage section 210, illustrating a state in which the workpiece 5 is sliding on the inclined surface 240. FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing the storage section 210, illustrating a state in which the workpiece 5 is stored in the storage section 210.

[0031] 10, the accommodation section 210 has a passage opening 211, a passage 213, and a placement section 215. The passage opening 211 is a section through which the workpiece 5 passes. The passage opening 211 opens toward a predetermined opening direction. Here, the opening direction is the front side in the X-axis direction D1. That is, the passage opening 211 opens toward the front.

[0032] 8, the storage section 210 has a first upper wall 221, a second upper wall 222, a first lower wall 225, and a second lower wall 226. The first upper wall 221 forms the upper left portion of the storage section 210. The second upper wall 222 forms the upper right portion of the storage section 210. Here, the first upper wall 221 and the second upper wall 222 are arranged spaced apart in the Y-axis direction D2.

[0033] The first lower wall 225 constitutes the front and lower left portion of the storage section 210. The first lower wall 225 faces the first upper wall 221 in the Z-axis direction D3 and is spaced apart from the first upper wall 221 in the Z-axis direction D3. The first lower wall 225 is disposed below (directly below, in this case) the first upper wall 221. The second lower wall 226 constitutes the front and lower right portion of the storage section 210. The second lower wall 226 faces the second upper wall 222 in the Z-axis direction D3 and is spaced apart from the second upper wall 222 in the Z-axis direction D3. The second lower wall 226 is disposed below (directly below, in this case) the second upper wall 222. Here, the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226 are disposed spaced apart in the Y-axis direction D2.

[0034] In this embodiment, the passing opening 211 is an opening surrounded by a first upper wall 221, a second upper wall 222, a first lower wall 225, and a second lower wall 226. Here, the first upper wall 221 constitutes the upper left end of the passing opening 211. The second upper wall 222 constitutes the upper right end of the passing opening 211. The first lower wall 225 constitutes the lower left end of the passing opening 211. The second lower wall 226 constitutes the lower right end of the passing opening 211.

[0035] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , an adapter 6 is attached to the workpiece 5. As shown in FIG. 9 , the workpiece 5 is accommodated in the accommodation section 210 with the adapter 6 attached. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 , a circular fitting hole 6a is formed in the adapter 6. The workpiece 5 is attached to the adapter 6 by fitting (e.g., approximately fitting) into the fitting hole 6a. Herein, the adapter 6 is pressed down onto the workpiece 5, whereby the workpiece 5 is inserted into and fixed in the fitting hole 6a. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the term "workpiece 5" refers to the adapter 6 inclusive. The left, right, upper, and lower parts of the workpiece 5 refer to the left, right, upper, and lower parts including the adapter 6 when the adapter 6 is attached to the workpiece 5. Therefore, when the left, right, upper, and lower parts of the workpiece 5 are referred to, the left, right, upper, and lower parts may each be part of the adapter 6.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the workpiece 5 has a left end 5a, a right end 5b, a first portion 5c, and a second portion 5d. The left end 5a and the right end 5b are aligned in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2). The first portion 5c and the second portion 5d are aligned in the up-down direction (here, the Z-axis direction D3). Here, the portion of the workpiece 5 that protrudes upward beyond the left end 5a and the right end 5b is referred to as the first portion 5c. In this embodiment, the first portion 5c is the upper portion of the adapter 6. The portion of the workpiece 5 that protrudes downward beyond the left end 5a and the right end 5b is referred to as the second portion 5d. In this embodiment, the second portion 5d is the lower portion of the adapter 6. Here, the left end 5a is the portion of the workpiece 5 that protrudes leftward beyond the first portion 5c and the second portion 5d. The right end 5b is the portion of the workpiece 5 that protrudes rightward beyond the first portion 5c and the second portion 5d. Here, the left end 5a is the left end of the adapter 6. The right end 5b is the right end of the adapter 6. Note that the terms left, right, top, bottom, front, and rear of the workpiece 5 refer to the left, right, top, bottom, front, and rear of the workpiece 5 when the workpiece 5 is placed in an appropriate orientation relative to the storage section 210.

[0037] 3 and 8, when the workpiece 5 passes through the passage opening 211 of the storage section 210, the left end 5a of the workpiece 5 passes between the first upper wall 221 and the first lower wall 225. At this time, the right end 5b of the workpiece 5 passes between the second upper wall 222 and the second lower wall 226. Furthermore, when the workpiece 5 passes through the passage opening 211, a first portion 5c of the workpiece 5 passes between the first upper wall 221 and the second upper wall 222, and a second portion 5d of the workpiece 5 passes between the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226.

[0038] 8, in this embodiment, a first distance D11 in the Z-axis direction D3 between the first upper wall 221 and the first lower wall 225 is different from a second distance D12 in the Z-axis direction D3 between the second upper wall 222 and the second lower wall 226. Here, the first distance D11 is shorter than the second distance D12. Here, the height of the lower end of the first upper wall 221 is different from the height of the lower end of the second upper wall 222. More specifically, the lower end of the first upper wall 221 is positioned higher than the lower end of the second upper wall 222. The height of the upper end of the first lower wall 225 is the same as the height of the upper end of the second lower wall 226.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first length L11 in the Z-axis direction D3 of the left end 5a of the workpiece 5 is different from the second length L12 in the Z-axis direction D3 of the right end 5b of the workpiece 5. Here, the first length L11 is shorter than the second length L12. The positions in the Z-axis direction D3 of the lower ends of the left end 5a and the right end 5b of the workpiece 5 are the same. The positions in the Z-axis direction D3 of the upper ends of the left end 5a and the right end 5b are different. Here, the upper end of the left end 5a is located lower than the upper end of the right end 5b. Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the first length L11 is less than the first distance D11. The second length L12 is less than the second distance D12. Therefore, when the workpiece 5 is passed through the passage opening 211, the left end 5a of the workpiece 5 can pass between the first upper wall 221 and the first lower wall 225, and the right end 5b of the workpiece 5 can pass between the second upper wall 222 and the second lower wall 226.

[0040] In this embodiment, the longer of the first length L11 and the second length L12 (here, the second length L12 of the right end portion 5b) is longer than the shorter of the first distance D11 and the second distance D12 (here, the first distance D11 between the first upper wall 221 and the first lower wall 225). Therefore, if the workpiece 5 is to be inserted into the passing opening 211 in a left-right reversed orientation, the right end portion 5b of the workpiece 5 abuts against the first upper wall 221 and the first lower wall 225, and the right end portion 5b cannot pass between the first upper wall 221 and the first lower wall 225. This makes it possible to prevent the workpiece 5 from passing through the passing opening 211 in a left-right reversed orientation.

[0041] The first distance D11 may be longer than the second distance D12. In this case, the first length L11 of the left end 5a of the workpiece 5 is preferably longer than the second length L12 of the right end 5b. In this case, the first length L11 is preferably longer than the second distance D12. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the workpiece 5 from passing through the passage opening 211 in an inverted orientation.

[0042] 8, in the present embodiment, a first left-right distance D13 in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2) between the first upper wall 221 and the second upper wall 222 is different from a second left-right distance D14 in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2) between the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226. Here, the first left-right distance D13 refers to the distance in the Y-axis direction D2 between the first upper wall 221 and the second upper wall 222 through which the first portion 5c of the workpiece 5 passes. Similarly, the second left-right distance D14 refers to the distance in the Y-axis direction D2 between the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226 through which the second portion 5d of the workpiece 5 passes. Here, the first left-right distance D13 is longer than the second left-right distance D14. 3, a first left-right length L13 in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2) of the first portion 5c of the workpiece 5 is different from a second left-right length L14 in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2) of the second portion 5d of the workpiece 5. Here, the first left-right length L13 is longer than the second left-right length L14.

[0043] 3 and 8, the first left-right length L13 is less than the first left-right distance D13. The second left-right length L14 is less than the second left-right distance D14. Therefore, when the workpiece 5 passes through the passage opening 211, the first portion 5c of the workpiece 5 can pass between the first upper wall 221 and the second upper wall 222, and the second portion 5d of the workpiece 5 can pass between the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226.

[0044] In this embodiment, the longer of the first left-right length L13 and the second left-right length L14 (here, the first left-right length L13 of the first portion 5c) is longer than the shorter of the first left-right distance D13 and the second left-right distance D14 (here, the second left-right distance D14 between the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226). Therefore, if the workpiece 5 is to be inserted into the passing opening 211 in an inverted orientation, the first portion 5c of the workpiece 5 abuts against the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226, and the first portion 5c cannot pass between the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226. This makes it possible to prevent the workpiece 5 from passing through the passing opening 211 in an inverted orientation.

[0045] The first left-right distance D13 may be shorter than the second left-right distance D14. In this case, the first left-right length L13 of the first portion 5c of the workpiece 5 may be shorter than the second left-right length L14 of the second portion 5d. In this case, the second left-right length L14 may be longer than the first left-right distance D13. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the workpiece 5 from passing through the passage opening 211 in an inverted orientation.

[0046] 11 , the passage 213 is a passage through which the workpiece 5 passes after passing through the passage opening 211. The passage 213 is in communication with the passage opening 211. Here, the passage 213 is disposed behind the passage opening 211. The passage 213 extends rearward from the passage opening 211.

[0047] The placing section 215 is a section within the accommodation section 210 on which the workpiece 5 is placed and fixed. The positions of the workpiece 5 in the X-axis direction D1 and the Y-axis direction D2 are fixed on the placing section 215. As shown in FIG. 11 , the placing section 215 is disposed below the passage 213 and behind the passage opening 211. Therefore, the workpiece 5 that has passed through the passage 213 moves downward due to its own weight, and is supported by the placing section 215, so that the positions of the workpiece 5 in the X-axis direction D1 and the Y-axis direction D2 are fixed.

[0048] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , the mounting portion 215 has a first mounting member 231 and a second mounting member 232. The first mounting member 231 is disposed behind the first lower wall 225 and extends in the front-rear direction (here, the X-axis direction D1). A left end 5a (see FIG. 3 ) of the workpiece 5 is mounted on the first mounting member 231. The second mounting member 232 is disposed alongside the first mounting member 231 in the Y-axis direction D2 and is disposed to the right of the first mounting member 231 in this embodiment. The second mounting member 232 is disposed behind the second lower wall 226 and extends in the front-rear direction (here, the X-axis direction D1). A right end 5b (see FIG. 3 ) of the workpiece 5 is mounted on the second mounting member 232.

[0049] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11 , the storage section 210 has an inclined surface 240. The inclined surface 240 is a surface that guides the workpiece 5 that has passed through the passing opening 211 toward the placement section 215, and is in contact with the lower surface of the workpiece 5. The inclined surface 240 is disposed below the passage 213 (more specifically, below the front part of the passage 213). The inclined surface 240 is also disposed closer to the passing opening 211 than the placement section 215. The inclined surface 240 is disposed between the passing opening 211 and the placement section 215. The inclined surface 240 slopes downward as it moves away from the passing opening 211, in other words, as it moves from the passing opening 211 toward the placement section 215.

[0050] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , the inclined surface 240 has a first inclined surface 241 and a second inclined surface 242. The first inclined surface 241 is capable of contacting one end (here, the left end 5a) of the workpiece 5 in the width direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2). The first inclined surface 241 is formed on the upper surface of the first lower wall 225. The first inclined surface 241 slopes downward from the front end to the rear end of the first lower wall 225 (in other words, the first mounting member 231). The second inclined surface 242 is disposed to the right of the first inclined surface 241. The second inclined surface 242 is capable of contacting the other end (here, the right end 5b) of the workpiece 5 in the width direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2). The second inclined surface 242 is formed on the upper surface of the second lower wall 226. The second inclined surface 242 is inclined downward from the front end to the rear end of the second lower wall 226 (in other words, toward the second mounting member 232).

[0051] 10, the accommodation section 210 has a positioning mechanism 217. The positioning mechanism 217 determines the position of the workpiece 5 on the placement section 215. Here, the positioning mechanism 217 determines the position of the workpiece 5 in the X-axis direction D1 and the Y-axis direction D2 relative to the placement section 215, and restricts movement of the workpiece 5 in the X-axis direction D1 and the Y-axis direction D2.

[0052] The configuration of the positioning mechanism 217 is not particularly limited. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the workpiece 5 has a recess 7 recessed inward from the end in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2). The recess 7 is formed in the adapter 6 of the workpiece 5 and is located at the front of the workpiece 5. Here, the recess 7 has a first recess 7a and a second recess 7b. The first recess 7a is formed at the left end 5a of the workpiece 5 and recessed inward (to the right here) from the left end. The second recess 7b is formed at the right end 5b of the workpiece 5 and recessed inward (to the left here) from the right end.

[0053] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 , the positioning mechanism 217 has a protrusion 260. As shown in FIG. 12 , the protrusion 260 fits into the recess 7 of the workpiece 5. Here, the protrusion 260 has a first protrusion 261 and a second protrusion 262. The first protrusion 261 and the second protrusion 262 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2). Here, the first protrusion 261 is formed on the first lower wall 225, and the second protrusion 262 is formed on the second lower wall 226. More specifically, the first protrusion 261 protrudes rightward from the first lower wall 225, that is, toward the second lower wall 226. The second protrusion 262 protrudes leftward from the second lower wall 226, that is, toward the first lower wall 225. The first convex portion 261 is disposed below at least a portion of the first inclined surface 241, and the second convex portion 262 is disposed below at least a portion of the second inclined surface 242. Here, when the workpiece 5 is placed on the placement portion 215, the first convex portion 261 fits into the first recessed portion 7a of the workpiece 5. Also, the second convex portion 262 fits into the second recessed portion 7b of the workpiece 5. This restricts movement of the workpiece 5 in the X-axis direction D1 and the Y-axis direction D2 relative to the placement portion 215, and fixes its position.

[0054] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 , the stocker 200 includes a stopper wall 270. The stopper wall 270 prevents the workpiece 5 from moving rearward from the placement portion 215. The stopper wall 270 is disposed on the opposite side of the passage opening 211 from the placement portion 215 of the storage portion 210. Here, the stopper wall 270 is disposed rearward from the placement portion 215. As shown in FIG. 7 , the stopper wall 270 is not provided on the stocker main body 201, but on the stocker cover 202. Therefore, the stopper wall 270 is not configured to move between the storage area AR1 and the processing area AR2 together with the stocker main body 201 and the storage portion 210, but is disposed in the storage area AR1.

[0055] Here, the stopper wall 270 forms the rear surface of the stocker cover 202 and extends in the Y-axis direction D2 and the Z-axis direction D3. In the storage area AR1, when the stocker main body 201 is covered with the stocker cover 202, the stopper wall 270 is disposed behind the storage sections 210, as shown in FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, a single common stopper wall 270 corresponds to multiple storage sections 210. The stopper wall 270 extends in the Z-axis direction D3 so as to span the multiple storage sections 210. Here, the length of the stopper wall 270 in the Z-axis direction D3 is longer than the distance from the uppermost storage section 210 to the lowermost storage section 210. In this embodiment, when the workpiece 5 is stored in the storage section 210 in the storage area AR1, the workpiece 5 abuts against the stopper wall 270 when it attempts to move rearward from the placement section 215. Therefore, the workpiece 5 is placed on the placement portion 215 without moving rearward from the placement portion 215.

[0056] The configuration of the stocker 200 according to this embodiment has been described above. Here, when a user manually stores workpieces 5 in the storage section 210 of the stocker 200, the user first places the stocker 200 in the storage area AR1, as shown in FIG. 6 . Then, as shown in FIG. 1 , the user operates the door 12 supported by the case body 10 to open the opening 11. This makes the storage section 210 of the stocker 200 accessible from the front. In this state, in the storage area AR1, the user grasps the workpiece 5 with their hand and inserts it into the passage opening 211. The workpiece 5 inserted into the passage opening 211 passes through the passage 213, sliding along the inclined surface 240 toward the placement section 215, as shown in FIG. 11 . Then, due to the weight of the workpiece 5, the workpiece 5 moves toward the placement section 215 and is placed on the placement section 215.

[0057] If the workpiece 5 sliding down the inclined surface 240 climbs over the placement portion 215 and attempts to move rearward beyond the placement portion 215, the workpiece 5 will come into contact with the stopper wall 270, as shown in Fig. 12, and the rearward movement will be restricted. When the workpiece 5 is placed on the placement portion 215, the convex portion 260 of the positioning mechanism 217 fits into the concave portion 7 of the workpiece 5. This determines the position of the workpiece 5 relative to the placement portion 215.

[0058] When a user removes the workpiece 5 from the storage section 210, the user first grasps the front portion of the workpiece 5 stored in the storage section 210 with their hand. Then, the user moves the workpiece 5 above the placement section 215. At this time, the engagement between the convex portion 260 of the positioning mechanism 217 and the concave portion 7 of the workpiece 5 is released. Then, the user pulls the workpiece 5 toward themselves. At this time, for example, the user pulls the workpiece 5 obliquely upward along the inclined surface 240 until the workpiece 5 abuts against the first upper wall 221 and the second upper wall 222. After the workpiece 5 abuts against the first upper wall 221 and the second upper wall 222, the user passes the workpiece 5 through the passage opening 211, thereby removing the workpiece 5 from the storage section 210.

[0059] As described above, in this embodiment, the cutting machine 100 cuts the workpiece 5. As shown in FIG. 5 , the cutting machine 100 includes a stocker 200. The stocker 200 accommodates the workpiece 5. The stocker 200 includes a stocker main body 201 and a storage section 210 that is disposed within the stocker main body 201 and accommodates one workpiece 5. As shown in FIG. 10 , the storage section 210 includes a passing opening 211, a passage 213, and a mounting section 215. The passing opening 211 opens in a predetermined opening direction (here, a forward direction) through which the workpiece 5 passes. The passage 213 communicates with the passing opening 211, and the workpiece 5 that has passed through the passing opening 211 passes through the mounting section 215. The mounting section 215 is provided below the passage 213, and the workpiece 5 is placed thereon and fixed in position. As a result, when a user manually stores the workpiece 5 in the storage section 210, the user inserts the workpiece 5 into the storage section 210 through the passage opening 211 of the storage section 210 while holding the workpiece 5 with their hand. At this time, the workpiece 5 that has passed through the passage opening 211 passes through the passage 213 inside the storage section 210. Then, while the workpiece 5 is passing through the passage 213, the user releases their hand from the workpiece 5. As a result, the workpiece 5 moves downward and is fixed in a state where it is placed on the placement section 215. Therefore, the user can store the workpiece 5 in the storage section 210 with less force than before. Therefore, the user can manually and easily store the workpiece 5 in the storage section 210.

[0060] 11 , the storage section 210 has an inclined surface 240. The inclined surface 240 is disposed below the passage 213 and closer to the passing opening 211 than the placing section 215. The inclined surface 240 is inclined downward as it moves away from the passing opening 211. This allows the workpiece 5 that has passed through the passing opening 211 to easily slide on the inclined surface 240 and move toward the placing section 215.

[0061] In this embodiment, the workpiece 5 is formed in a plate shape. As shown in Fig. 10, the inclined surface 240 has a first inclined surface 241 that can come into contact with one end (here, the left end 5a (see Fig. 3)) of the workpiece 5 in the width direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2), and a second inclined surface 242 that can come into contact with the other end (here, the right end 5b (see Fig. 3)) of the workpiece 5 in the width direction. As a result, both ends of the workpiece 5 in the width direction are supported by the first inclined surface 241 and the second inclined surface 242, so the workpiece 5 can be moved toward the placement part 215 while being stabilized.

[0062] 12, in this embodiment, the stocker 200 is disposed on the opposite side of the placement section 215 of the accommodation section 210 from the passage opening 211, and is provided with a stopper wall 270 against which the workpiece 5 can abut. As a result, even if the workpiece 5 that has passed through the passage opening 211 tries to climb over the placement section 215, the workpiece 5 abuts against the stopper wall 270, thereby restricting its movement. Therefore, the workpiece 5 can be prevented from climbing over the placement section 215.

[0063] 5, in this embodiment, a plurality of storage sections 210 are provided in the stocker main body 201, lined up in the vertical direction (here, the Z-axis direction D3). The stopper wall 270 extends in the vertical direction (here, the Z-axis direction D3) so as to span the plurality of storage sections 210. This makes it possible for one stopper wall 270 to prevent the workpiece 5 from climbing over the placement section 215 in the plurality of storage sections 210.

[0064] 10, the accommodation section 210 has a positioning mechanism 217 that determines the position of the workpiece 5 in the placement section 215. The positioning mechanism 217 allows the workpiece 5 to be placed at an appropriate position in the placement section 215.

[0065] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the workpiece 5 has a recess 7 recessed inward from an end in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2). As shown in Fig. 12, the positioning mechanism 217 has a protrusion 260 that fits into the recess 7. This makes it possible to position the workpiece 5 at an appropriate position on the mounting part 215 by the simple method of fitting the protrusion 260 of the positioning mechanism 217 into the recess 7 of the workpiece 5.

[0066] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the workpiece 5 has a first recess 7a recessed from the left end to the right and a second recess 7b recessed from the right end to the left. As shown in Fig. 12, the positioning mechanism 217 has a first protrusion 261 that fits into the first recess 7a and a second protrusion 262 that fits into the second recess 7b. As a result, at both the left and right ends of the workpiece 5, the first recess 7a fits into the first protrusion 261, and the second recess 7b fits into the second protrusion 262. Therefore, positioning is performed at both the left and right ends of the workpiece 5, allowing the workpiece 5 to be placed in a more appropriate position.

[0067] 8 and 9, the storage section 210 has a first upper wall 221 that constitutes the upper left end of the passage opening 211, a second upper wall 222 that constitutes the upper right end of the passage opening 211, a first lower wall 225 that constitutes the lower left end of the passage opening 211 and faces the first upper wall 221, and a second lower wall 226 that constitutes the lower right end of the passage opening 211 and faces the second upper wall 222. As shown in FIG. 8, a first distance D11 in the vertical direction (here, the Z-axis direction D3) between the first upper wall 221 and the first lower wall 225 is different from a second distance D12 in the Z-axis direction D3 between the second upper wall 222 and the second lower wall 226. As shown in FIG. 3, a first length L11 in the vertical direction (here, the Z-axis direction D3) of the left end 5a of the workpiece 5 is different from a second length L12 in the Z-axis direction D3 of the right end 5b of the workpiece 5. Here, the first length L11 is less than the first distance D11. The second length L12 is less than the second distance D12. The longer of the first length L11 and the second length L12 (here, the second length L12) is longer than the shorter of the first distance D11 and the second distance D12 (here, the first distance D11). Also, the height of the lower end of the first upper wall 221 is different from the height of the lower end of the second upper wall 222. In this way, by setting the relationship between the first distance D11, the second distance D12, the first length L11, and the second length L12 as described above, the workpiece 5 can pass through the passage opening 211 when the orientation of the workpiece 5 is correct. On the other hand, when the workpiece 5 is to be inserted into the passage opening 211 in a left-right reversed orientation, the workpiece 5 abuts against at least one of the first upper wall 221, the second upper wall 222, the first lower wall 225, and the second lower wall 226, and is unable to pass through the passage opening 211. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the workpiece 5 from passing through the passage opening 211 in a left-right reversed orientation.

[0068] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , a first left-right distance D13 in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2) between the first upper wall 221 and the second upper wall 222 is different from a second left-right distance D14 in the Y-axis direction D2 between the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 , the workpiece 5 has a first portion 5c passing between the first upper wall 221 and the second upper wall 222 and a second portion 5d passing between the first lower wall 225 and the second lower wall 226. As shown in FIG. 3 , a first left-right length L13 in the left-right direction (here, the Y-axis direction D2) of the first portion 5c of the workpiece 5 is different from a second left-right length L14 in the Y-axis direction D2 of the second portion 5d of the workpiece 5. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 , the first left-right length L13 is less than the first left-right distance D13. The second left-right length L14 is less than the second left-right distance D14. The longer of the first left-right length L13 and the second left-right length L14 (here, the first left-right length L13) is longer than the shorter of the first left-right distance D13 and the second left-right distance D14 (here, the second left-right distance D14). By setting the relationship between the first left-right distance D13, the second left-right distance D14, the first left-right length L13, and the second left-right length L14 as described above, the workpiece 5 can pass through the passage opening 211 when the orientation of the workpiece 5 is correct. On the other hand, when the workpiece 5 is inserted into the passage opening 211 upside down, the workpiece 5 abuts against at least one of the first upper wall 221, the second upper wall 222, the first lower wall 225, and the second lower wall 226 and cannot pass through the passage opening 211. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the workpiece 5 from passing through the passage opening 211 upside down. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 5 Workpiece 5a Left end 5b Right end 5c Part 1 5d 2nd part 7. Recess 7a First recess 7b Second recess 100 cutting machine 200 Stocker 201 Stocker body 210 Storage unit 211 Passage opening 213 Passage 215 Placement section 217 Positioning mechanism 221 First Upper Wall 222 Second Upper Wall 225 1st lower wall 226 2nd lower wall 240 Slope 241 1st slope 242 Second slope 260 Convex 261 First convex part 262 Second convex part 270 Stopper Wall

Claims

1. A stocker for storing workpieces in a cutting machine for cutting workpieces, The stocker body, a storage section disposed within the stocker body and configured to store one workpiece; Equipped with The storage section is a passage opening that opens in a predetermined opening direction and through which the workpiece passes; a passage communicating with the passage opening and through which the workpiece passes after passing through the passage opening; a placement section provided below the passage, on which a workpiece is placed and whose position is fixed; an inclined surface disposed below the passage and closer to the passage opening than the placement portion, the inclined surface inclining downward as it moves away from the passage opening; A stocker having:

2. The workpiece is formed into a plate shape, The inclined surface is a first inclined surface capable of contacting one end of the workpiece in the width direction; a second inclined surface that can come into contact with the other end of the workpiece in the width direction; 2. The stocker of claim 1, comprising:

3. 3. The stocker according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper wall, which is disposed on the opposite side of the placement section of the accommodation section from the passage opening and against which the workpiece can come into contact.

4. A stocker for storing workpieces in a cutting machine that cuts workpieces, The stocker body, a storage section disposed within the stocker body and configured to store one workpiece; Equipped with The storage section is a passage opening that opens in a predetermined opening direction and through which the workpiece passes; a passage communicating with the passage opening and through which the workpiece passes after passing through the passage opening; a placement section provided below the passage, on which a workpiece is placed and whose position is fixed; and a stopper wall that is disposed on the opposite side of the placement portion of the accommodation portion from the passage opening and that can be contacted by the workpiece; The storage section is provided in plurality in the stocker body, and is arranged in a vertical direction. The stopper wall extends in the vertical direction across the plurality of storage sections.

5. 5. The stocker according to claim 1, wherein the storage section has a positioning mechanism for determining the position of the workpiece in the placement section.

6. The workpiece has a recess recessed inward from the left and right ends, 6. The stocker according to claim 5, wherein the positioning mechanism has a protrusion that fits into the recess.

7. The workpiece is a first recess recessed from the left end to the right; a second recess recessed from the right end to the left; and The positioning mechanism includes: a first protrusion that fits into the first recess; a second protrusion that fits into the second recess; 7. The stocker according to claim 5 or 6, comprising:

8. A stocker for storing workpieces in a cutting machine that cuts workpieces, The stocker body, a storage section disposed within the stocker body and configured to store one workpiece; Equipped with The storage section is a passage opening that opens in a predetermined opening direction and through which the workpiece passes; a passage communicating with the passage opening and through which the workpiece passes after passing through the passage opening; a placement section provided below the passage, on which a workpiece is placed and whose position is fixed; and The storage section is a first upper wall that constitutes an upper left end portion of the passage opening; a second upper wall that constitutes an upper right end portion of the passage opening; a first lower wall that forms a left lower end of the passage opening and faces the first upper wall; a second lower wall that forms a lower right end portion of the passage opening and faces the second upper wall; and a first distance in the vertical direction between the first upper wall and the first lower wall is different from a second distance in the vertical direction between the second upper wall and the second lower wall; a first length in the up-down direction of the left end of the workpiece is different from a second length in the up-down direction of the right end of the workpiece; the first length is less than the first distance; the second length is less than the second distance; The stocker, wherein the longer of the first length and the second length is longer than the shorter of the first distance and the second distance.

9. 9. The stocker according to claim 8, wherein the height of the lower end of the first upper wall is different from the height of the lower end of the second upper wall.

10. A stocker for storing workpieces in a cutting machine that cuts workpieces, The stocker body, a storage section disposed within the stocker body and configured to store one workpiece; Equipped with The storage section is a passage opening that opens in a predetermined opening direction and through which the workpiece passes; a passage communicating with the passage opening and through which the workpiece passes after passing through the passage opening; a placement section provided below the passage, on which a workpiece is placed and whose position is fixed; and The storage section is a first upper wall that constitutes an upper left end portion of the passage opening; a second upper wall that constitutes an upper right end portion of the passage opening; a first lower wall that forms a left lower end of the passage opening and faces the first upper wall; a second lower wall that forms a lower right end portion of the passage opening and faces the second upper wall; and a first left-right distance in the left-right direction between the first upper wall and the second upper wall is different from a second left-right distance in the left-right direction between the first lower wall and the second lower wall, The workpiece is a first portion passing between the first upper wall and the second upper wall; a second portion passing between the first lower wall and the second lower wall; and a first left-right length of the first portion in the left-right direction is different from a second left-right length of the second portion in the left-right direction; the first left-right length is less than the first left-right distance, the second left-right length is less than the second left-right distance, The stocker, wherein the longer of the first left-right length and the second left-right length is longer than the shorter of the first left-right distance and the second left-right distance.

11. A storage device comprising the stocker according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A cutting machine that cuts the workpiece.

Images