Patent ID: 11919093
Assignee: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
Field: Machine tools (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  G | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A machined tool comprising:
a plurality of modules, having a workpiece holder means for holding a workpiece, for performing a predetermined processing on the workpiece; and
a control unit for controlling the predetermined processing of the plurality of the modules, wherein
the predetermined processing includes receiving the workpiece, holding the workpiece on the workpiece holder means, processing the workpiece by a tool of a tool stand, and transferring the workpiece to a next process step,
the plurality of the modules comprises:
a first module that is movable in a first direction and is immovable in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and
two second modules that are movable in the first direction and the second direction and are located at a same side opposite to the fixed module in the first direction, wherein the two second modules have a respective longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axes of the two second modules being parallel to each other along the first direction,

the control unit is configured to determine, based on the predetermined processing, one of the two second modules to be moved to a facing position where the one of the two second modules faces the first module in the first direction, allow only the one of the two second modules to be moved to the facing position the fixed module, by restricting, and restrict a movement of the other one of the two second modules, and
the control unit is further configured to control movements of the plurality of the modules so that, when each of the two second modules receives a movement command from the control unit for moving to the facing position and the predetermined processing under cooperation of the first module and the one of the two second modules has been completed, restriction of the movement of the other one of the two second modules to the facing position is released.