# US 11,027,390 B2 · Machine tool system and stocker

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- Number: US 11,027,390 B2
- Document ID: US11027390B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/285,402
- Filed: 2019-02-26
- Published: 2019-08-29
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-02-28
- Assignees: Okuma Corporation
- Applicants: OKUMA Corporation
- Inventors: Hiroyuki Sugiura; Yosuke Ichigi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027390B2

## CPC

- B23Q 11/0891: {arranged between the working area and the operator}
- B23P 23/02: Machine tools for performing different machining operations (lathes, e.g. capstan lathes, B23B; combined horizontal boring and milling machines B23B39/02)
- B23Q 7/04: by means of grippers {(B23Q7/1494 takes precedence)}
- B23Q 7/046: {Handling workpieces or tools}
- B23Q 37/00: Metal-working machines, or constructional combinations thereof, built-up from units designed so that at least some of the units can form parts of different machines or combinations; Units therefor in so far as the feature of interchangeability is important (features relating to particular metal-working operations, see the relevant subclass, e.g. B23P23/00)
- B25J 9/1694: {characterised by use of sensors other than normal servo-feedback from position, speed or acceleration sensors, perception control, multi-sensor controlled systems, sensor fusion}
- B25J 19/06: Safety devices
- E06B 11/02: Gates; Doors
- B23Q: DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING (tools of the kind used in lathes or boring machines B23B27/00); MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
- B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q)
- B25J: MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES ({manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; manipulators used in cleaning hollow articles B08B9/04}; manipulators associated with rolling mills B21B39/20; manipulators associated with forging machines B21J13/10; {manipulators associated with picking-up and placing mechanisms B23P19/007}; means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00; {vehicles with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members B62D57/02, B62D57/032; devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials between conveyors B65G47/90, B65G47/91; manipulators with gripping or holding means for transferring packages B65H67/065}; cranes B66C; {manipulators used in the protection or supervision of pipe-line installations F17D5/00; walking equipment adapted for nuclear steam-generators F22B37/006}; manipulators specially adapted for, or associated with, nuclear reactors G21C; {apparatus used for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor H10P72/50})
- E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00)

## Abstract

A machine tool system includes a machine tool having a processing chamber covered by a cover and a door for covering or uncovering an opening formed on the cover; a stocker for being removably mounted on the machine tool to thereby define a storage space outside the processing chamber; and a robot having a movement range spanning the storage space and the processing chamber when the stocker is mounted on the machine tool. In the machine tool mentioned above, the stocker includes a safety fence that defines, in cooperation with the outer surface of the machine tool, a protective space when the stocker is mounted on the machine tool. The protective space is a space for accommodating the storage space.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A machine tool system comprising:
a machine tool including a processing chamber and a door, the processing chamber being covered by a cover having a door opening, the door for covering or uncovering the door opening;
a stocker for being removably mounted on the machine tool, positioned outside the processing chamber, encircled in three peripheral directions each by a protective member which is a fence or a wall, and having a stocker opening in a remaining one peripheral direction; and
a robot,
wherein
when the stocker is mounted on the machine tool, a storage space encircled by the protective member is in communication with the processing chamber through the stocker opening and the door opening, and ends of the protective member positioned at both sides of the stocker opening are positioned in proximity of or come in contact with the cover to an extent to prevent entrance of a human, and when the stocker is mounted on the machine tool, the robot moves in a movement range that spans the storage space and the processing chamber.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The machine tool system according to claim 1, wherein
the door opening is defined on a front side of the machine tool,
the storage space is positioned in front of the door opening when the stocker is mounted on the machine tool, and
the protective member covers at least a front side, a right side, and a left side of the storage space.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The machine tool system according to claim 1, wherein
the machine tool further comprises an input device for receiving at least an instruction that instructs to drive the robot, and
the input device is provided outside the processing chamber and the storage space.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The machine tool system according to claim 1, further comprising:
a robot controller for controlling driving of the robot;
a door sensor for detecting whether the door is open or closed; and
a stocker sensor for detecting whether or not the stocker is mounted on the machine tool,
wherein
the robot controller determines, based on a result of detection by the door sensor and a result of detection by the stocker sensor, whether or not to restrict an operation of the robot.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The machine tool system according to claim 1, wherein the robot is installed inside the processing chamber.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The machine tool system according to claim 1, wherein the robot is installed in the stocker.

### Claim 7

A stocker positioned outside a processing chamber provided to a machine tool, wherein
the stocker is removable relative to the machine tool, is encircled in three peripheral directions each by a protective member which is a fence or a wall, and has a stocker opening in a remaining one peripheral direction, and
when the stocker is mounted on the machine tool, a storage space encircled by the protective member is in communication with the processing chamber through the stocker opening and the door opening, and ends of the protective member positioned at both sides of the stocker opening are positioned in proximity of or come in contact with the cover to an extent to prevent entrance of a part of a human body.