Container storage add-on for bare workpiece stocker

A container storage add-on for a bare workpiece stocker, the bare workpiece stocker accepting containers having workpieces stored therein at a loading station, and storing the bare workpieces to a bare workpiece storage chamber, wherein the loading station is at a front side of the bare workpiece stocker, wherein the loading station is configured to be manually accessed by an operator, the container storage add-on comprising

• a container storage chamber comprising a plurality of container storage compartments for storing a plurality of said containers, the container storage compartments arranged in an x-y array with transport pathways between the container storage compartments,
• wherein the container storage chamber comprises a first outside side, wherein the first outside side is configured to be coupled to a second outside side of the bare workpiece stocker, wherein the second outside side of the bare workpiece stocker is different than the front side,
• wherein the x-y array defines an x-y plane,
• wherein the container storage compartments have at least one side facing a transport pathway of the transport pathways,
• wherein the transport pathways are sufficiently large to accommodate movements of a container of the plurality of containers,
• wherein the transport pathways are connected to enable the container to travel to any container storage compartment of the container storage compartments;
• an x-y mechanism coupled to the container storage chamber;
• a robot arm comprising an end handle for supporting the container, the robot arm comprising an extending mechanism for extending the end handle in a z-direction, wherein the z-direction is a direction not in the x-y plane, wherein the end handle is configured to be extended beyond the first outside side, passing the second outside side to an inside of the bare workpiece stocker,
• wherein the robot arm is extended for picking or for placing the container at a station of the bare workpiece stocker,
• wherein the robot arm is coupled to the x-y mechanism to move the container supported at the end handle along the transport pathways to a container storage compartment of the container storage compartments,
• wherein the container storage add-on enables storage of empty containers after the workpieces stored therein have been transferred to be stored in the bare workpiece stocker, and
• wherein the container storage add-on enables supplying of empty containers to the loading station to hold bare workpieces retrieved from the bare workpiece stocker.

A bare workpiece stocker comprising

• a bare workpiece storage for storing bare workpieces;
• a loading station for accepting a workpiece container having workpieces stored therein, wherein the loading station is at a front side of the bare workpiece stocker, wherein the loading station is configured to be manually accessed by an operator;
• a transfer mechanism interfacing the bare workpiece storage and the loading station, the transfer mechanism transferring workpieces between the bare workpiece storage and the workpiece container in the loading station;
• a container storage buffer interfacing with the loading station for supplying to or storing empty containers from the loading station,
• wherein the container storage buffer enables storage of empty containers after the workpieces stored therein have been transferred to be stored in the bare workpiece stocker, and
• wherein the container storage buffer enables supplying of empty containers to the loading station to hold bare workpieces retrieved from the bare workpiece stocker,
• wherein the container storage buffer comprises a first side, wherein the first side is coupled to a second side of the bare workpiece stocker, wherein the second side of the bare workpiece stocker is different than the front side of the bare workpiece stocker,
• wherein the container storage buffer comprises
• a container storage chamber comprising a plurality of container storage compartments, the plurality of container storage compartments arranged in an x-y array with transport pathways between the plurality of container storage compartments,
• wherein the x-y array defines an x-y plane,
• wherein the plurality of container storage compartments have at least one side facing a transport pathway of the transport pathways,
• wherein the transport pathways are sufficiently large to accommodate movements of the workpiece container,
• wherein the transport pathways are connected to enable the workpiece container to travel to any container storage compartment of the plurality of container storage compartments;
• an x-y mechanism coupled to the container storage chamber;
• a robot arm comprising an end handle for supporting the workpiece container, the robot arm comprising an extending mechanism for extending the end handle in a z-direction, wherein the z-direction is a direction not in the x-y plane, wherein the end handle is configured to be extended beyond the first side, passing the second side to an inside of the bare workpiece stocker,
• wherein the robot arm is extended for picking or for placing the workpiece container at the loading station,
• wherein the robot arm is coupled to the x-y mechanism to move the workpiece container supported at the end handle along the transport pathways to a container storage compartment of the plurality of storage compartments.