Production line workflow and parts transport arrangement

A transport method using a transport apparatus comprising:

• a first main transport path for transporting a workpiece;
• a plurality of first subsidiary transport paths disposed crossing said first main transport path, said first subsidiary transport path transporting the workpiece;
• a first stocker disposed at each cross point between said first main transport path and each of said first subsidiary transport paths, said first stocker transferring the workpiece to and from said first main transport path and a corresponding first subsidiary transport path and temporarily stocking the workpiece;
• and
• a plurality of first processing apparatuses disposed corresponding to each of said first subsidiary transport paths, said first processing apparatus receiving the workpiece transported on a corresponding first subsidiary transport path, processing the workpiece, and returning the workpiece to the corresponding first subsidiary transport path,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• managing one or a plurality of first stockers corresponding to a same first subsidiary transport path as a first stocker group and storing an allowable vacant number which is the number of workpieces capable of being stocked in each of the first stockers belonging to the first stocker group, subtracted by the number of workpiece presently in stock;
• and
• determining from the stored allowable vacant number whether the workpiece can be transported from one stocker group to another stocker group.

A transport system comprising:

• a first main transport path for transporting a workpiece;
• a plurality of first subsidiary transport paths disposed crossing said first main transport path, said first subsidiary transport path transporting the workpiece;
• a first stocker disposed at each cross point between said first main transport path and each of said first subsidiary transport paths, said first stocker transferring the workpiece to and from said first main transport path and a corresponding first subsidiary transport path and temporarily stocking the workpiece;
• a plurality of first processing apparatuses disposed corresponding to each of said first subsidiary transport paths, said first processing apparatus receiving the workpiece transported on a corresponding first subsidiary transport path, processing the workpiece, and returning the workpiece to the corresponding first subsidiary transport path;
• a building having a first floor and a second floor, said first main transport path, said plurality of first subsidiary transport paths, said plurality of first stockers and said plurality of first processing apparatuses being installed on the first flower;
• a second main transport path, a plurality of second subsidiary transport paths, a plurality of second stockers and a plurality of second processing apparatuses, respectively installed on the second floor, each of said second subsidiary transport paths being disposed crossing said second main transport path, each of said plurality of second stockers being disposed at each cross point between said second main transport path and each of said second subsidiary transport paths, and transferring the workpiece to and from said second main transport path and a corresponding second subsidiary transport path, each of said plurality of second processing apparatuses disposed corresponding to one of said second subsidiary transport paths, said second processing apparatus receiving the workpiece transported on a corresponding second subsidiary transport path, processing the workpiece, and returning the workpiece to the corresponding second subsidiary transport path;
• and
• first inter-floor transport means for transporting the workpiece between one of said first main transport path, said plurality of first subsidiary transport paths and said plurality of first stockers and one of said second main transport path, said plurality of second subsidiary transport paths and said plurality of second stockers.

A transport apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of transport paths for transporting a workpiece;
• a stocker disposed in correspondence with each of said plurality of transport paths, said stocker transporting the workpiece to and from a corresponding transport path and temporarily stocking the workpiece;
• a connection path interconnecting two stockers for transporting the workpiece between the two stockers, said connection path being disposed so that the workpiece in one stocker can be transported to all of other stockers via one or two or more of said connection path, said transport paths and said stockers;
• and
• a plurality of processing apparatuses disposed corresponding to each of said transport paths, said processing apparatus receiving the workpiece transported on a corresponding transport path, processing the workpiece, and returning the workpiece to the corresponding transport path.

A transport apparatus comprising:

• a stocker for defining a space in which gas is circulated;
• and
• a plurality of processing apparatuses coupled to said stocker for processing a workpiece,
• wherein:
• in said stocker, a plurality of stock storage sites for stocking the workpiece and a plurality of transfer storage sites provided for each of said processing apparatuses for transferring the workpiece to and from a corresponding processing apparatus are reserved, and said stocker having transport means in an inner space thereof for transporting the workpiece from the stock storage site to another stock storage site or the transfer storage site, or from the transfer storage site to another transfer storage site or the stock storage site;
• and
• each of said processing apparatuses receives the workpiece stored in a corresponding transfer storage site, processes the received workpiece, and return the processed workpiece to the corresponding transfer storage site.

A transport apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of stockers for defining a space in which gas is circulated;
• a plurality of processing apparatuses coupled to each of said stockers for processing a workpiece;
• and
• a connection path for connecting two stockers among said plurality of stockers, said connection path defining a space communicating with spaces of corresponding stockers and transferring the workpiece between the corresponding stockers,
• wherein:
• in said stocker, a plurality of ones of storage sites among a plurality of stock storage sites and a plurality of transfer storage sites are reserved, the stock storage site stocking the workpiece and the transfer storage site being provided for each of said processing apparatuses for transferring the workpiece to and from a corresponding processing apparatus, and said stocker having transport means provided in each of said connection paths for transporting the workpiece from one storage site among an in/out-stock storage site capable of transferring the workpiece to and from a corresponding connection path, the plurality of stock storage sites and transfer storage sites, to another storage site;
• and
• each of said processing apparatuses receives the workpiece stored in a corresponding transfer storage site, processes the received workpiece, and return the processed workpiece to the corresponding transfer storage site.