CUTTING BLADE STOCK APPARATUS

There is provided a cutting blade stock apparatus that stocks multiple cutting blades used for cutting of a workpiece. The cutting blade stock apparatus includes a case placement stage at which a case capable of housing the cutting blade is placed, a case conveying unit that conveys the case placed at the case placement stage, a shelf that supports and stocks the case conveyed by the case conveying unit, a case identification information reading unit that reads case identification information given to the case, a case opening unit that opens the case, a cutting blade conveying unit that carries out the cutting blade from the case opened by the case opening unit, and an input interface to which information that specifies the cutting blade to be carried out by the cutting blade conveying unit is input.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cutting blade stock apparatus that stocks multiple cutting blades used for cutting of a workpiece.

Description of the Related Art

Device chips including a device are manufactured by dividing a wafer in which multiple devices are formed to dice the wafer into individual pieces. Further, a package substrate is obtained by mounting multiple device chips on a base substrate and coating the mounted device chips with a sealing material (mold resin) composed of a resin. Package devices including multiple device chips made into a package are manufactured by dividing this package substrate to dice it into individual pieces. The device chips and the package devices are incorporated into various pieces of electronic equipment such as mobile phones and personal computers.

A cutting apparatus is used for the dividing of a workpiece such as the wafer or the package substrate (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-open No. H11-77461). The cutting apparatus includes a chuck table that holds the workpiece and a cutting unit that executes cutting processing for the workpiece. A spindle is incorporated in the cutting unit and an annular cutting blade is mounted on a tip part of the spindle. The workpiece is cut and divided by holding the workpiece by the chuck table and causing the cutting blade to cut into the workpiece while rotating the cutting blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cutting blade mounted in the cutting apparatus is replaced by another cutting blade at a predetermined timing. For example, the kind of cutting blade used for cutting of a workpiece is selected according to the kind of workpiece and a processing condition. Thus, replacement of the cutting blade is executed every time the kind of workpiece or the processing condition is changed. Further, the cutting blade gradually wears due to cutting of the workpiece. Therefore, when the amount of wear of the cutting blade exceeds a certain amount, the cutting blade that has been used is replaced by a cutting blade as a new product.

Cutting blades for replacement are collectively stocked at a predetermined storage site such as a storeroom. Moreover, at the time of replacement of the cutting blade, a worker selects and takes out the cutting blade suitable for the kind of workpiece and the processing condition at the storage site of the cutting blades, and mounts the cutting blade in the cutting apparatus. However, a large number of kinds of cutting blades are stored at the storage site and complicated inventory management is necessary. Further, when many kinds of cutting blades are stocked at the storage site, there is a possibility that the worker selects an incorrect kind of cutting blade when taking out a predetermined cutting blade from the storage site. In this case, processing of a workpiece is executed with an unintended kind of cutting blade and troubles such as processing failure and breakage of the cutting blade possibly occur.

The present invention is what is made in view of such a problem, and intends to provide a cutting blade stock apparatus that allows simplification of management of cutting blades.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cutting blade stock apparatus that stocks a plurality of cutting blades used for cutting of a workpiece. The cutting blade stock apparatus includes a case placement stage at which a case capable of housing the cutting blade is placed, a case conveying unit that conveys the case placed at the case placement stage, a shelf that supports and stocks the case conveyed by the case conveying unit, a case identification information reading unit that reads case identification information given to the case, a case opening unit that opens the case, a cutting blade conveying unit that carries out the cutting blade from the case opened by the case opening unit, and an input interface to which information that specifies the cutting blade to be carried out by the cutting blade conveying unit is input.

Preferably, the case conveying unit includes a belt conveyor, a case moving part that moves the case placed at the case placement stage to the belt conveyor, a temporary placement region in which the case conveyed by the belt conveyor is temporarily placed, and a case conveying part that conveys the case temporarily placed in the temporary placement region to the shelf. Further, preferably, the case identification information reading unit is mounted on the case conveying part.

Moreover, preferably, the cutting blade conveying unit carries in the cutting blade that has been used. Further, preferably, the cutting blade conveying unit carries in the cutting blade that has been used through a conveyance port. Moreover, preferably, the cutting blade conveying unit carries out the specified cutting blade through the conveyance port.

Further, preferably, the cutting blade stock apparatus further includes a blade identification information reading unit that reads blade identification information given to the cutting blade.

Moreover, preferably, the cutting blade stock apparatus includes a plurality of the case placement stages. Further, preferably, the case is allowed to be placed at an optional position in the case placement stage.

Moreover, preferably, the cutting blade stock apparatus further includes a plurality of dedicated case placement stages at which a predetermined kind of the case is placed and a display part. The display part indicates the dedicated case placement stage at which the case is to be placed on a basis of the case identification information. Further, preferably, the display part is a display or an indicator light.

When the information that specifies the cutting blade is input, the cutting blade stock apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention carries out the specified cutting blade from the case stocked on the shelf. Thus, the worker does not need to search for and pick up the specific cutting blade from a large number of cutting blades by oneself. Due to this, management of the cutting blades is simplified and a mistake in taking the cutting blade is prevented, so that the occurrence of processing failure and breakage of the cutting blade due to processing of the workpiece by the incorrect cutting blade can be avoided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a configuration example of a cutting blade stock apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating a cutting blade stock apparatus (cutting blade stocker)2. The cutting blade stock apparatus2houses and stocks multiple cutting blades that are processing tools used for cutting of a workpiece. InFIG.1, an X-axis direction (front-rear direction, first horizontal direction) and a Y-axis direction (left-right direction, second horizontal direction) are directions perpendicular to each other. Further, a Z-axis direction (height direction, vertical direction, upward-downward direction) is the direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Moreover, a θ-direction is equivalent to a rotation direction that is parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and is around the Z-axis direction as the rotation axis.

The cutting blade stock apparatus2includes a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped cover (casing)4that houses the respective constituent elements that configure the cutting blade stock apparatus2. A conveyance port4athrough which the cutting blade passes at the time of carrying-in and carrying-out of the cutting blade is made on the upper surface side of the cover4. However, there is no limit on the position of the conveyance port4aand the conveyance port4amay be made in the front face, the back surface, or a side surface of the cover4, for example.

On the front face side of the cover4, multiple case placement stages (case housing shelves)6in which cases that can house the cutting blade are placed are disposed. The case placement stages6are drawer-type housing parts formed into a rectangular parallelepiped box shape, for example, and are housed in the cover4slidably along the X-axis direction. The case placement stages6are disposed at multiple stages at predetermined intervals along the height direction of the cover4(Z-axis direction). Although the case placement stages6at three stages are illustrated inFIG.1, there is no limit on the number of stages of the case placement stage6. The worker withdraws the case placement stage6and places and houses the case that houses the cutting blade in the case placement stage6.

FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating a case (blade case)11that can house a cutting blade21. The case11includes a columnar container13that houses the cutting blade21and a lid15that closes the container13. A circular columnar housing part13athat opens on the upper surface side of the container13is made inside the container13. Further, a recess part13bsupported at the time of conveyance of the case11is made at a lower part of the container13. The recess part13bis annularly formed along the circumferential direction of the container13in such a manner as to enter the center side from the outer circumferential surface of the container13. The lid15is formed into a circular disc shape corresponding to the diameter of the container13and is mounted on the upper surface side of the container13. When the lid15is mounted on the container13, the housing part13ais covered and closed.

The cutting blade21with an annular shape is housed in the case11. The cutting blade21is a processing tool used for cutting of a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer or resin package substrate and is used when cutting processing is executed for the workpiece by cutting apparatus. Specifically, the cutting apparatus includes a chuck table (holding table) that holds the workpiece and a cutting unit that executes cutting processing for the workpiece. A spindle is incorporated in the cutting unit and the cutting blade21is mounted on a tip part of the spindle. The workpiece is cut and divided by holding the workpiece by the chuck table and causing the cutting blade21to cut into the workpiece while rotating the cutting blade21.

The cutting blade21mounted in the cutting apparatus is replaced by another cutting blade21at a predetermined timing. For example, the kind of cutting blade21used for cutting of the workpiece is selected according to the kind of workpiece and a processing condition. Thus, replacement of the cutting blade21is executed every time the kind of workpiece or the processing condition is changed. Further, the cutting blade21gradually wears due to cutting of the workpiece. Therefore, when the amount of wear of the cutting blade21exceeds a certain amount, the cutting blade21that has been used is replaced by the cutting blade21as a new product.

For example, the cutting blade21is a cutting blade of a hub type (hub blade) including a hub base23with a circular disc shape and an annular cutting edge25formed along the outer circumferential edge of the hub base23. The hub base23is an annular component composed of a metal such as an aluminum alloy and a circular through-hole23athat penetrates the hub base23in the thickness direction is made at a central part of the hub base23. Further, an annular projection part23bthat protrudes from the front surface of the hub base23is disposed on the front surface side of the hub base23. The projection part23bis formed concentrically with the hub base23in a region between the outer circumferential edge of the hub base23and the through-hole23a. The cutting edge25is formed to protrude outward in the radial direction of the hub base23from the outer circumferential edge of the hub base23. For example, the cutting edge25includes electroformed abrasive grains containing abrasive grains composed of diamond, cubic boron nitride (cBN), or the like and a bond such as a nickel plating layer that fixes the abrasive grains. However, the material and the grain diameter of the abrasive grains and the material of the bond are selected as appropriate according to specifications of the cutting blade21. The cutting blade21may be a cutting blade of a washer type (washer blade). The washer blade includes only an annular cutting edge containing abrasive grains and a bond that fixes the abrasive grains. For example, diamond is used as the abrasive grains and a resin bond, metal bond, or vitrified bond is used as the bond.

The container13is formed in such a manner that the diameter of the housing part13ais larger than the diameter of the cutting blade21. Further, multiple (for example, 10) cutting blades21are housed in the housing part13aof the container13in an overlapped manner. Moreover, the cutting blade21is prevented from accidentally going out of the container13by closing the container13in which multiple cutting blades21are housed by the lid15.

FIG.3is a perspective view illustrating the cutting blade stock apparatus2in the state in which the cases11are placed in the case placement stage6. The case placement stage6is formed with a size that allows housing of multiple cases11. After putting the cutting blades21in the case11(seeFIG.2), the worker withdraws the predetermined case placement stage6and houses the case11in the case placement stage6. This restocks the cutting blade stock apparatus2with the cutting blades21. The case placement stage6supports the multiple cases11by a flat support surface and does not include a partition that segments the inside of the case placement stage6into multiple regions in which the individual cases11are placed. Thus, the case11can be placed at an optional position in the case placement stage6and the worker does not need to position the case11to a specific place in the case placement stage6. Due to this, placement work of the case11is simplified.

An input interface8to which various kinds of information are input is disposed on the front face side of the cover4. For example, the input interface8includes a display of a touch panel system. In this case, an operation screen for inputting information to the cutting blade stock apparatus2is displayed on the input interface8and the operator can input information to the cutting blade stock apparatus2by touch operation of the input interface8. The display of the touch panel system functions also as a display part (display unit, display device) that displays various kinds of information. That is, the display of the touch panel system is equivalent to a unit in which the input interface8and the display part are integrated. The display part displays information relating to the cutting blade stock apparatus2and information relating to the cutting blade21stocked in the cutting blade stock apparatus2. However, the input interface8and the display part may be installed independently of each other. For example, it is also possible to use a display other than the display of the touch panel system as the display part and use input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard disposed independently of the display separately as the input interface8.

Further, the cutting blade stock apparatus2includes a controller (control unit, control part, control device)10that controls the cutting blade stock apparatus2. The controller10is connected to the respective constituent elements that configure the cutting blade stock apparatus2. For example, the controller10includes a computer. Specifically, the controller10includes processors such as a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU) and memories such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The controller10controls operation of the cutting blade stock apparatus2by outputting a control signal to constituent elements of the cutting blade stock apparatus2.

InFIG.1andFIG.3, blocks indicating the functional configuration of the controller10are illustrated. Specifically, the controller10includes a processing section12that processes information input to the controller10, a storing section14that stores information (data, program, and so forth) used for processing by the processing section12, and a transmitting-receiving section16that executes transmission and reception of information to and from the external of the controller10. The transmitting-receiving section16is connected to another device (processing apparatus, control device, or the like) in a wired or wireless manner and functions as an input interface to which information is input from the other device.

When the cutting blade21is newly mounted in the cutting apparatus or when the cutting blade21that is mounted in the cutting apparatus and has been used is replaced by the cutting blade21that has not been used (cutting blade21as a new product), the worker inputs information that specifies the predetermined cutting blade21stocked in the cutting blade stock apparatus2to the input interface8or the transmitting-receiving section16. Then, the cutting blade stock apparatus2carries out the specified cutting blade21from the conveyance port4a. This allows the worker to immediately obtain the desired cutting blade21.

Next, details of the cutting blade stock apparatus2will be described. First, specific configuration and operation for stocking the cases11in the cutting blade stock apparatus2will be described.FIG.4is a perspective view illustrating constituent elements of the cutting blade stock apparatus2. For convenience of explanation, the cover4and the input interface8are illustrated by dashed lines and only one stage of the case placement stage6is illustrated inFIG.4.

The cutting blade stock apparatus2includes a case conveying unit20that conveys the case11placed in the case placement stage6. The case conveying unit20includes a case transferring part22that transfers the case11placed (housed) in the case placement stage6to the outside of the case placement stage6and a case conveying part42that conveys the case11transferred by the case transferring part22to a shelf80to be described later.

FIG.5Ais a perspective view illustrating the case transferring part22. The case transferring part22includes a belt conveyor24, a case moving part30that moves the cases11placed in the case placement stage6to the belt conveyor24, and a temporary placement region36in which the case11conveyed by the belt conveyor24is temporarily placed. The belt conveyor24is installed on a lateral side of the case placement stage6and includes a strip-shaped belt26formed in a closed loop manner and a pair of pulleys28that support the belt26. The pair of pulleys28are disposed separately from each other in the X-axis direction. Further, a rotational drive source (not illustrated) such as a motor that rotates the pulley is coupled to each of the pair of pulleys28. The belt26is wound around the pair of pulleys28and is disposed along the X-axis direction. The case moving part30includes a columnar guide rail32disposed along the Y-axis direction and a moving component34mounted on the guide rail32. For example, the moving component34is formed into a column shape and is disposed along the X-axis direction. Further, the moving component34is slidably mounted on the guide rail32with the interposition of a movement mechanism (not illustrated) that moves the moving component34along the Y-axis direction. As the movement mechanism, a movement mechanism of a ball screw system or an air cylinder can be used.

When the case placement stage6in which multiple cases11are placed has been set in the cover4(seeFIG.1), the guide rail32and the moving component34enter the inside of the case placement stage6. At this time, the moving component34is disposed at an initial position to be along the inner wall of the case placement stage6located on the opposite side to the belt conveyor24.

FIG.5Bis a perspective view illustrating the case transferring part22that transfers the cases11. When the case placement stage6has been set, the belt conveyor24and the case moving part30operate. Specifically, the pair of pulleys28rotate and the upper layer of the belt26moves in the X-axis direction from the front side toward the rear side. Moreover, the moving component34moves toward the side of the belt conveyor24along the Y-axis direction. When the belt conveyor24and the case moving part30operate, the multiple cases11placed in the case placement stage6are pushed out by the moving component34. This causes the multiple cases11to be disposed on the belt26through an opening6amade in a side surface of the case placement stage6. The length of the moving component34is adjusted as appropriate to allow all cases11placed in the case placement stage6to be pushed out to the belt conveyor24. For example, the length of the moving component34is set equal to or larger than the depth (length in the X-axis direction) of the case placement stage6. Then, after the cases11are pushed out from the case placement stage6, the moving component34returns to the initial position. The multiple cases11disposed on the belt26are transferred to the rear side by the belt conveyor24and are temporarily placed in the temporary placement region36. For example, a restraining component38that supports and restrains the case11is disposed at a rear end part of the belt conveyor24. The case11carried by the belt conveyor24gets contact with the restraining component38and stops at the temporary placement region36. Further, a sensor40(seeFIG.5A) that senses the case11is disposed on the restraining component38. For example, an optical sensor or a switch (touch switch, press button, or the like) is used as the sensor40. The belt conveyor24stops when the case11has gotten close to or contact with the sensor40and the sensor40has sensed the case11.

While the moving component34is not disposed at the initial position (seeFIG.5A), the case placement stage6is locked in the state in which it is housed in the cover4, and opening and closing (movement in the X-axis direction) of the case placement stage6are limited. This can prevent the occurrence of the situation in which the case placement stage6moves in the middle of movement of the cases11from the case placement stage6to the belt conveyor24and the transfer of the cases11is inhibited. Whether or not the moving component34is disposed at the initial position is sensed by a sensor (not illustrated) included in the case moving part30, for example.

Moreover, the case transferring part22may have a function of placing, on the case placement stage6again, the case11placed on the belt conveyor24and the case11that sticks out from the opening6aof the case placement stage6. For example, the case transferring part22includes a case re-moving part (not illustrated) that returns the case11onto the case placement stage6on the lateral side of the belt conveyor24on the opposite side to the case placement stage6. For example, the case re-moving part is configured similarly to the case moving part30and includes a columnar re-moving component that pushes back, onto the case placement stage6, the case11placed on the belt conveyor24and the case11that sticks out from the opening6aof the case placement stage6. Further, the case11is pushed back onto the case placement stage6by the re-moving component immediately before the case placement stage6is opened or closed. This can prevent the case11from being left alone on the belt conveyor24.

In this manner, the cases11placed (housed) in the case placement stage6are transferred to the temporary placement region36. Thereafter, the cases11temporarily placed in the temporary placement region36are conveyed one by one by the case conveying part42(seeFIG.4).

FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating the case conveying part42. The case conveying part42includes a movement mechanism44and a holding unit70that holds the case11. The movement mechanism44includes an X-axis movement mechanism46and a Z-axis movement mechanism58and moves the holding unit70along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

The X-axis movement mechanism46includes a support base48with a flat plate shape and a pair of X-axis guide rails50disposed along the X-axis direction on the upper surface of the support base48. An X-axis moving plate52with a flat plate shape is mounted on the pair of X-axis guide rails50slidably along the X-axis guide rails50. A nut part (not illustrated) is disposed on the back surface (lower surface) side of the X-axis moving plate52. An X-axis ball screw54disposed along the X-axis direction between the pair of X-axis guide rails50is screwed to this nut part. Moreover, an X-axis pulse motor56that rotates the X-axis ball screw54is coupled to an end part of the X-axis ball screw54. When the X-axis ball screw54is rotated by the X-axis pulse motor56, the X-axis moving plate52moves in the X-axis direction along the X-axis guide rails50.

The Z-axis movement mechanism58includes a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped support structure60disposed on the upper surface of the X-axis moving plate52. The support structure60is disposed along the Z-axis direction and a pair of Z-axis guide rails62are disposed along the Z-axis direction on the front surface (front face) side of the support structure60. Further, a Z-axis moving plate64with a flat plate shape is mounted on the pair of Z-axis guide rails62slidably along the Z-axis guide rails62. A nut part (not illustrated) is disposed on the back surface (back face) side of the Z-axis moving plate64. A Z-axis ball screw66disposed along the Z-axis direction between the pair of Z-axis guide rails62is screwed to this nut part. Moreover, a Z-axis pulse motor68that rotates the Z-axis ball screw66is coupled to an end part of the Z-axis ball screw66. When the Z-axis ball screw66is rotated by the Z-axis pulse motor68, the Z-axis moving plate64moves in the Z-axis direction along the Z-axis guide rails62.

In the above, the case in which the X-axis movement mechanism46and the Z-axis movement mechanism58are movement mechanisms of a ball screw system has been described. However, there is no limit on the kind of X-axis movement mechanism46and Z-axis movement mechanism58. For example, the X-axis movement mechanism46and the Z-axis movement mechanism58may each include an endless belt (timing belt) stretched between a drive pulley and a driven pulley. In this case, the X-axis moving plate52is fixed to the belt of the X-axis movement mechanism46and the position of the X-axis moving plate52in the X-axis direction is controlled through movement of the belt. Further, the Z-axis moving plate64is fixed to the belt of the Z-axis movement mechanism58and the position of the Z-axis moving plate64in the Z-axis direction is controlled through movement of the belt.

The holding unit70is coupled to the movement mechanism44. The holding unit70moves along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction by the movement mechanism44in the state in which the holding unit70holds the case11(seeFIG.7). Specifically, when the X-axis moving plate52is moved by the X-axis movement mechanism46, the holding unit70moves (advances and retreats) along the X-axis direction. Moreover, when the Z-axis moving plate64is moved by the Z-axis movement mechanism58, the holding unit70moves (rises and lowers) along the Z-axis direction.

FIG.7is a perspective view illustrating the holding unit70. The holding unit70includes a moving part (moving block)72mounted on the Z-axis moving plate64. The moving part72is coupled to the Z-axis moving plate64with the interposition of a Y-axis movement mechanism (not illustrated). The Y-axis movement mechanism is a movement mechanism of a ball screw system, for example, and a nut part (not illustrated) disposed on the moving part72is screwed to a ball screw of the Y-axis movement mechanism. When the Y-axis movement mechanism is actuated, the moving part72moves along the Y-axis direction. A rotating part (rotating block)74is mounted on the lower surface side of a front end part of the moving part72. The rotating part74is coupled to the moving part72with the interposition of a rotation mechanism (not illustrated). The rotation mechanism is a motor incorporated in the moving part72, for example, and the rotating part74is fixed to an output shaft (rotating shaft) of the rotation mechanism. When the rotation mechanism is actuated, the rotating part74rotates in the θ-direction. A holding part (holding component)76that holds the case11is fixed to the lower surface side of the rotating part74. For example, the holding part76is formed into a flat plate shape and is fixed to protrude forward from a lower end part of the rotating part74. A front end part of the holding part76bifurcates to configure a pair of support parts76athat support the case11. When the pair of support parts76aare inserted into the recess part13bformed in the container13of the case11, the case11is held by the pair of support parts76a.

As described above, the holding part76is coupled to the movement mechanism44with the interposition of the rotating part74and the moving part72. Thus, the holding part76can move along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction by the X-axis movement mechanism46, the Y-axis movement mechanism, and the Z-axis movement mechanism58and can rotate in the θ-direction by the rotation mechanism. This makes it possible to position the holding part76to an optional position at an optional angle.

The case11temporarily placed in the temporary placement region36(seeFIG.5B) is conveyed by the case conveying part42. Specifically, first, the holding part76is disposed on the rear side of the case placement stage6(seeFIG.5B). Further, the holding part76rotates and the pair of support parts76aare disposed to face the case11temporarily placed in the temporary placement region36in the Y-axis direction. Next, the holding part76moves toward the side of the case11along the Y-axis direction and the pair of support parts76aare inserted into the recess part13bof the case11. This causes the temporarily-placed case11to be held by the holding part76. Thereafter, the holding part76that holds the case11moves along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction and rotates in the θ-direction to convey the case11to the shelf80(seeFIG.4) disposed inside the cover4.

The case11is given identification information indicating the kind of case11(case identification information). Specifically, as illustrated inFIG.7, a tag17is disposed on the case11. The tag17includes the case identification information assigned according to the kind of cutting blade21(seeFIG.2) housed in the case11. For example, a barcode or two-dimensional code including the case identification information is given to the case11as the tag17. However, there is no limit on the kind of tag17as long as identification of the case11is possible. For example, the tag17may be an integrated circuit (IC) tag or radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag including the case identification information.

Moreover, a reading unit (case identification information reading unit)78that reads the case identification information given to the case11is mounted on the case conveying unit20. For example, the reading unit78is mounted on a tip part of the moving part72included in the holding unit70as illustrated inFIG.7. The reading unit78recognizes the tag17and reads the case identification information in the state in which the case11is held by the holding part76. The kind of reading unit78is selected as appropriate according to the kind of tag17. For example, when the tag17is a barcode or two-dimensional code, a barcode reader or two-dimensional code reader is used as the reading unit78. Further, when the tag17is an IC tag or RFID tag, an IC reader or RFID reader is used as the reading unit78. The reading unit78may be disposed on a constituent element other than the case conveying unit20as long as the case identification information can be read. However, when the reading unit78is mounted on the case conveying unit20, the case identification information can be read in conveyance of the case11and therefore the work efficiency improves.

FIG.8is a perspective view illustrating the shelves80. The shelves80are stock pedestals that support and stock the cases11conveyed by the case conveying unit20(seeFIG.4). The multiple shelves80are arranged in the Z-axis direction along an inner wall of the cover4(seeFIG.4). Although only one stage of the shelf80is illustrated as a representative example inFIG.4, actually the shelves80at multiple stages are disposed as illustrated inFIG.8.

The shelf80includes a support pedestal82that supports the cases11. The support pedestal82is a plate-shaped component formed into a rectangular shape (strip shape) and is disposed with the length direction along the X-axis direction. The upper surface of the support pedestal82is a flat surface substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (XY-plane) and configures a support surface82athat supports the cases11. Further, multiple protrusions (projection parts)84are fixed to the side of the support surface82aof the support pedestal82. The multiple protrusions84are arranged at predetermined intervals along the length direction of the support pedestal82and the interval between the protrusions84is larger than the diameter of the case11. On the lower surface side of the case11, a groove (recess part) into which the protrusion84is inserted is formed (not illustrated). When the case11is disposed on the support pedestal82in such a manner as to overlap with the protrusion84, the protrusion84is inserted into the groove of the case11and the case11is fixed.

Case carrying-out regions86in which the predetermined case11is placed are disposed at rear end parts of the support pedestals82. In the case carrying-out regions86, multiple rollers88are disposed to be juxtaposed. For example, an empty case11in which the cutting blade21is not housed or the case11filled with the cutting blades21that have been used is placed in the case carrying-out region86. Moreover, when the case11is placed in the case carrying-out region86, the multiple rollers88rotate due to the self-weight of the case11and the case11is carried out to the outside of the cover4through a conveyance port4bof the cover4. The carried-out case11is stocked in a collecting unit180to be described later and is collected. The specific case11specified by the worker may be placed in the case carrying-out region86.

The case11temporarily placed in the temporary placement region36(seeFIG.5B) is conveyed to the shelf80by the case conveying part42(seeFIG.6). Moreover, while the case11is conveyed from the temporary placement region36to the shelf80, the case identification information included in the tag17(seeFIG.7) given to the case11is read by the reading unit78. Then, the case identification information is input from the reading unit78to the controller10(seeFIG.4).

The controller10stores the case identification information input from the reading unit78in the storing section14together with the storage site of the case11. Specifically, the storage site of the case11from which the case identification information has been read is decided by the processing section12and the processing section12associates the case identification information with information indicating the storage site of the case11(case storage site information) and stores them in the storing section14. For example, the case storage site information includes a sign indicating the specific shelf80(number of the shelf80or the like) and a sign indicating a specific position in the shelf80(number of the protrusion84or the like). Further, the processing section12outputs a control signal to the case conveying part42and controls the case conveying part42to cause the case11to be conveyed to a site specified by the case storage site information. Due to this, the case11is stored at a predetermined position on the predetermined shelf80. In addition, the case identification information and the case storage site information are recorded in the controller10.

In this manner, the case11with which the case placement stage6is restocked by the worker is stocked on the shelf80. Moreover, when the worker specifies the predetermined cutting blade21, the cutting blade stock apparatus2takes out the specified cutting blade21from the case11stocked on the shelf80and carries out it to the outside of the cutting blade stock apparatus2.

Next, specific configuration and operation for carrying out the predetermined cutting blade21from the cutting blade stock apparatus2will be described. As illustrated inFIG.4, the cutting blade stock apparatus2includes case opening units90that open the case11and a cutting blade conveying unit110that carries out the cutting blade21from the case11opened by the case opening unit90.

FIG.9is a perspective view illustrating the case opening units90and the cutting blade conveying unit110. InFIG.9, two sets of the case opening unit90and one set of the cutting blade conveying unit110are illustrated. However, the cutting blade stock apparatus2may include one set or three sets or more of the case opening unit90and may include two sets or more of the cutting blade conveying unit110.

The case opening unit90includes a support pedestal92that supports the case11and an opening-closing unit94that opens and closes the lid15of the case11. The support pedestal92is a component that can support the case11and is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example. The upper surface of the support pedestal92is a flat surface substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (XY-plane) and configures a support surface that supports the case11. The opening-closing unit94is disposed above the support pedestal92. The opening-closing unit94includes a circular columnar support shaft96and a circular disc-shaped support component98fixed to a lower end part of the support shaft96. Multiple clamps (grasping claws)100that grasp the lid15of the case11are disposed at an outer circumferential part of the support component98. For example, three clamps100are disposed at substantially equal intervals (120° intervals) along the circumferential direction of the support component98. A raising-lowering mechanism (not illustrated) that moves (raises and lowers) the opening-closing unit94along the Z-axis direction is coupled to the support shaft96. As the raising-lowering mechanism, for example, an air cylinder or a movement mechanism of a ball screw system is used. Further, to each of the clamps100, an actuator (not illustrated) that moves a tip part of the clamp100along the radial direction of the support component98is coupled.

The cutting blade conveying unit110is disposed on the front side of the opening-closing unit94. The cutting blade conveying unit110includes a first conveying part120that executes taking-out and putting of the cutting blade21from and in the case11and conveyance of the cutting blade21and an identifying unit130that identifies the cutting blade21.

The first conveying part120includes a circular columnar support shaft122and a circular disc-shaped support component124fixed to a lower end part of the support shaft122. Multiple clamps (grasping claws)126that grasp the cutting blade21are disposed at an outer circumferential part of the support component124. For example, three clamps126are disposed at substantially equal intervals (120° intervals) along the circumferential direction of the support component124. A movement mechanism (not illustrated) that moves the first conveying part120along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction is coupled to the support shaft122. As the movement mechanism, for example, a movement mechanism of a ball screw system is used. Further, to each of the clamps126, an actuator (not illustrated) that moves a tip part of the clamp126along the radial direction of the support component124is coupled.

The identifying unit130includes a support pedestal132that supports the cutting blade21and a reading unit (blade identification information reading unit)134that reads blade identification information. The support pedestal132is a component that can support the cutting blade21and is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example. The upper surface of the support pedestal132is a flat surface substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (XY-plane) and configures a support surface that supports the cutting blade21. The reading unit134is disposed below the support pedestal132and reads the blade identification information given to the cutting blade21. The blade identification information is identification information indicating the kind of cutting blade21and is given to the hub base23(seeFIG.2) of the cutting blade21as a tab, for example. Examples of the kind of tab are similar to those of the tag17(FIG.7) given to the case11. For example, the support pedestal132is composed of a transparent body such as quartz glass, borosilicate glass, sapphire, calcium fluoride, lithium fluoride, or magnesium fluoride. Moreover, the reading unit134reads the blade identification information given to the cutting blade21through the support pedestal132.

However, a through-hole that penetrates the support pedestal132in the thickness direction may be made in the support pedestal132. In this case, the reading unit134can read the blade identification information through the through-hole of the support pedestal132and therefore there is no limit on the material of the support pedestal132. Further, an annular illuminator (not illustrated) may be disposed on the support pedestal132. In this case, an outer circumferential part of the cutting blade21is supported by the annular illuminator. Turning on the illuminator to illuminate the cutting blade21makes reading of the blade identification information by the reading unit134easy.

A second conveying part140, a third conveying part150, and a fourth conveying part160that convey the cutting blade21are disposed on the front side of the identifying unit130. The second conveying part140transfers the cutting blade21conveyed from the identifying unit130by the first conveying part120. The third conveying part150carries out the cutting blade21to the external of the cutting blade stock apparatus2. The fourth conveying part160executes handing-over of the cutting blade21between the second conveying part140and the third conveying part150.

Specifically, the second conveying part140includes a support pedestal142and a transferring part144that transfers the cutting blade21. The support pedestal142is a plate-shaped component formed into a rectangular shape (strip shape) and is disposed with the length direction along the Y-axis direction. The upper surface of the support pedestal142is a flat surface substantially parallel to the horizontal plane (XY-plane) and the transferring part144is mounted on the upper surface side of the support pedestal142slidably along the support pedestal142. A movement mechanism (not illustrated) that moves the transferring part144along the length direction of the support pedestal142(Y-axis direction) is coupled to the transferring part144. The transferring part144is formed into a rectangular shape, for example, and supports the cutting blade21. A circular columnar protrusion (projection part)144athat projects from the surface of the transferring part144is disposed at a central part of the transferring part144. When the cutting blade21is disposed on the transferring part144, the protrusion144ais inserted into the through-hole23a(seeFIG.2) of the cutting blade21. This prevents a positional shift of the cutting blade21.

The third conveying part150includes a support pedestal152and a transferring part154that transfers the cutting blade21. The support pedestal152is a plate-shaped component formed into a rectangular shape (strip shape) and is disposed with the length direction along the Z-axis direction. A side surface of the support pedestal152is a flat surface substantially parallel to the YZ-plane and the transferring part154is mounted on the side surface side of the support pedestal152slidably along the support pedestal152. A movement mechanism (not illustrated) that moves the transferring part154along the length direction of the support pedestal152(Z-axis direction) is coupled to the transferring part154. The transferring part154is formed into a rectangular shape, for example, and supports the cutting blade21. A circular columnar protrusion (projection part)154athat projects from the surface of the transferring part154is disposed at a central part of the transferring part154. When the cutting blade21is brought close to the transferring part154, the protrusion154ais inserted into the through-hole23a(seeFIG.2) of the cutting blade21. This causes the cutting blade21to be supported by the transferring part154.

The fourth conveying part160includes a housing162with a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A circular columnar rotating shaft164disposed along the X-axis direction is housed in the housing162. A tip part (one end part) of the rotating shaft164is exposed from the housing162. Moreover, a rotational drive source (not illustrated) such as a motor housed in the housing162is coupled to a base end part (the other end part) of the rotating shaft164. When the rotational drive source is actuated, the rotating shaft164rotates in both directions around a rotation axis substantially parallel to the X-axis direction. A support component166is fixed to the tip part of the rotating shaft164. The support component166is formed into a rectangular shape, for example, and is disposed substantially in parallel to the YZ-plane. Further, a pair of blade holding units168A and168B that hold the cutting blade21are mounted on both end parts of the support component166. The blade holding units168A and168B each include a circular columnar holding part170and multiple clamps (grasping claws)172mounted on an outer circumferential part of the holding part170. For example, three clamps172are disposed at substantially equal intervals (120° intervals) along the circumferential direction of the holding part170. However, there is no limit on the number of clamps172. A movement mechanism (not illustrated) that moves the fourth conveying part160along the X-axis direction is coupled to the fourth conveying part160. As the movement mechanism, for example, a movement mechanism of a ball screw system is used. Moreover, to each of the clamps172, an actuator (not illustrated) that moves a tip part of the clamp172along the radial direction of the holding part170is coupled.

When the cutting blade21is carried out from the cutting blade stock apparatus2, first, a worker inputs information that specifies the cutting blade21to be carried out by the cutting blade conveying unit110to the input interface8or the transmitting-receiving section16of the controller10illustrated inFIG.4. Thereupon, the processing section12of the controller10accesses the storing section14and identifies the position of the shelf80on which the case11that houses the specified cutting blade21is stored. Then, the processing section12outputs a control signal to the case conveying part42to cause the case11stored at the identified position to be conveyed to the case opening unit90. Then, the case11is opened by the case opening unit90and the cutting blade21is taken out from the case11and is carried out from the cutting blade stock apparatus2through the conveyance port4aby the cutting blade conveying unit110. This allows the worker to rapidly obtain the desired cutting blade21without executing work of searching for the specific cutting blade21from a large number of cutting blades21.

Next, operation of the case opening unit90and the cutting blade conveying unit110at the time of carrying-out of the cutting blade21will be described with reference toFIG.10toFIG.15. In the following, as one example, description will be made about the case in which the cutting blade21that has not been used (new product) (cutting blade21A) is carried out from the cutting blade stock apparatus2and the cutting blade21that has been used (cutting blade21B) is carried in to the cutting blade stock apparatus2.

FIG.10is a perspective view illustrating the case opening units90and the cutting blade conveying unit110when the cutting blade21A is taken out from the case11. As described above, when the predetermined cutting blade21A is specified by a worker, the case11that houses the cutting blade21A is conveyed onto the support pedestal92of the case opening unit90. Then, a lower part of the case11is fixed to the support pedestal92by a fixing mechanism (not illustrated) such as a clamp disposed on the support pedestal92.

Subsequently, the opening-closing unit94lowers and the multiple clamps100grasp an outer circumferential part of the lid15of the case11. Thereafter, the opening-closing unit94rises in the state in which it holds the lid15. As a result, the lid15is separated from the container13and the case11is opened. This makes it possible to take out the cutting blade21A housed in the case11.

Next, the first conveying part120is positioned directly above the opened case11. Then, the first conveying part120lowers and enters the inside of the container13and the lower surface side of the support component124gets contact with the cutting blade21A housed in the container13. Further, the multiple clamps126move toward the center side of the support component124and grasp the outer circumferential surface of the projection part23b(seeFIG.2) of the cutting blade21A. Thereafter, the first conveying part120rises and the cutting blade21A is taken out from the container13.

Subsequently, the first conveying part120that holds the cutting blade21A is disposed directly above the support pedestal132of the identifying unit130. Then, the first conveying part120lowers and the cutting blade21A is placed on the support pedestal132. In this state, the multiple clamps126move outward in the radial direction of the support component124and the grasping of the cutting blade21A by the multiple clamps126is released. This causes the cutting blade21A to be supported by the support pedestal132.

Next, the blade identification information given to the cutting blade21A is read by the reading unit134. For example, a tag including the blade identification information is given to the cutting blade21A. Moreover, the reading unit134reads the blade identification information from the tag and outputs it to the controller10(seeFIG.4). The controller10determines whether or not the cutting blade21A is the predetermined kind of cutting blade specified by the worker by comparing information on the cutting blade input to the input interface8or the transmitting-receiving section16of the controller10by the worker and the blade identification information read by the reading unit134. Through this, a final check about whether or not the kind of cutting blade21A is correct is executed before the carrying-out of the cutting blade21A. At this time, the read blade identification information may be displayed on the input interface8(display).

Further, in the case of executing carrying-in of the cutting blade21B concurrently with the carrying-out of the cutting blade21A, the cutting blade21B is set on the transferring part154of the third conveying part150. Then, the transferring part154passes through the conveyance port4a(seeFIG.4) of the cover4and lowers along the support pedestal152to be disposed at a lower end part of the support pedestal152. Through this, the cutting blade21B is carried in to the cutting blade stock apparatus2through the conveyance port4a. Then, the cutting blade21B is positioned to face the blade holding unit168B.

FIG.11is a perspective view illustrating the case opening units90and the cutting blade conveying unit110when the cutting blade21A is conveyed to the second conveying part140. After the reading of the blade identification information and the determination about whether the cutting blade21A is correct or incorrect are executed, the cutting blade21A is conveyed from the support pedestal132onto the transferring part144of the second conveying part140by the first conveying part120. At this time, the protrusion144aof the transferring part144is inserted into the through-hole23a(seeFIG.2) of the cutting blade21A.

FIG.12is a perspective view illustrating the case opening units90and the cutting blade conveying unit110when the transferring part144of the second conveying part140is erected. A rotational drive source (not illustrated) such as a motor that rotates the transferring part144around a rotation axis substantially parallel to the Y-axis direction is coupled to the transferring part144. When the rotational drive source is actuated, the transferring part144is switched from the lying state (support state, seeFIG.11) to the erected state (transfer state, seeFIG.12) and the cutting blade21A is disposed along the YZ-plane.

FIG.13is a perspective view illustrating the case opening units90and the cutting blade conveying unit110when the cutting blade21A is transferred. When the transferring part144that supports the cutting blade21A has been switched from the support state to the transfer state, the transferring part144slides along the support pedestal142and the cutting blade21A is transferred from one end side (side of the identifying unit130) of the support pedestal142to the other end side (side of the third conveying part150and the fourth conveying part160). As a result, the cutting blade21A is positioned to face the blade holding unit168A.

FIG.14is a perspective view illustrating the case opening units90and the cutting blade conveying unit110when handing-over of the cutting blades21A and21B is executed. When the cutting blades21A and21B have been positioned in front of the blade holding units168A and168B, respectively, the fourth conveying part160moves toward the side of the transferring parts144and154along the X-axis direction. This causes tip parts of the blade holding units168A and168B to get contact with the cutting blades21A and21B, respectively.

Next, the multiple clamps172included in the blade holding units168A and168B move toward the center side of the holding part170. Due to this, the outer circumferential surface of the projection part23b(seeFIG.2) of the cutting blade21A is grasped by the clamps172of the blade holding unit168A. Moreover, the outer circumferential surface of the projection part23b(seeFIG.2) of the cutting blade21B is grasped by the clamps172of the blade holding unit168B.

Subsequently, the fourth conveying part160moves along the X-axis direction to separate from the transferring parts144and154. This removes the cutting blades21A and21B from the transferring parts144and154. Thereafter, the rotating shaft164rotates by 180° and the positions of the cutting blades21A and21B are interchanged. Due to this, the cutting blade21A that has not been used faces the transferring part154of the third conveying part150and the cutting blade21B that has been used faces the transferring part144of the second conveying part140.

Next, the fourth conveying part160moves toward the side of the transferring parts144and154along the X-axis direction. Due to this, the protrusion154aof the transferring part154is inserted into the through-hole23a(seeFIG.2) of the cutting blade21A and the protrusion144aof the transferring part144is inserted into the through-hole23a(seeFIG.2) of the cutting blade21B. Further, the multiple clamps172included in the blade holding units168A and168B move outward in the radial direction of the holding part170. This releases the grasping of the cutting blades21A and21B by the multiple clamps172. As a result, the cutting blade21A that has not been used is held by the transferring part154of the third conveying part150and the cutting blade21B that has been used is held by the transferring part144of the second conveying part140.

FIG.15is a perspective view illustrating the case opening units90and the cutting blade conveying unit110when the cutting blade21A is carried out. When the cutting blade21A that has not been used has been supported by the transferring part154, the transferring part154rises along the support pedestal152and the cutting blade21A is carried out to the outside of the cover4through the conveyance port4a(seeFIG.4). This allows the worker to obtain the cutting blade21A specified by oneself.

Moreover, when the cutting blade21B that has been used has been supported by the transferring part144, the transferring part144slides along the support pedestal142and moves toward the side of the identifying unit130and is switched from the erected state (transfer state) to the lying state (support state). Subsequently, the cutting blade21B is held by the first conveying part120and is conveyed to the identifying unit130. Then, the blade identification information given to the cutting blade21B is read by the reading unit134and is output to the controller10. This causes the kind of the carried-in cutting blade21B to be recognized by the controller10.

Next, the controller10outputs a control signal to the case conveying part42(seeFIG.4and so forth) and conveys the case11in which the cutting blade21B should be housed from the shelf80to the support pedestal92of the case opening unit90. Further, the lid15is removed from the container13by the opening-closing unit94and the case11is opened. The cutting blade21B is held by the first conveying part120and is housed in the case11in the opened state. Moreover, when the cutting blade21B has been housed in the case11, the lid15is closed by the case opening unit90. Then, the case11that houses the cutting blade21B is conveyed to a predetermined position on the predetermined shelf80by the case conveying part42(seeFIG.4and so forth).

In this manner, the carrying-out of the cutting blade21A from the cutting blade stock apparatus2and the carrying-in of the cutting blade21B to the cutting blade stock apparatus2are executed. When carrying-in and carrying-out of the cutting blade21are repeated, part of the cases11becomes the empty state in which the cutting blade21is not housed or is filled with the cutting blades21that have been used in some cases. Such a case11may be carried out to the outside of the cutting blade stock apparatus2and be collected by a worker.

FIG.16is a perspective view illustrating the collecting units180disposed on the cutting blade stock apparatus2. The collecting units180are mounted on an outer wall of the cover4and collect the case11(the empty case11, the case11filled with the cutting blades21that have been used, or the like) discharged from the conveyance port4bof the cover4. For example, the same number of collecting units180as the shelves80(seeFIG.8) are disposed and are coupled to the shelves80through the conveyance ports4b. However, there is no limit on the number of stages of the collecting units180.

The collecting units180each include a columnar support pedestal182and multiple circular columnar rollers184supported by the support pedestal182. The rollers184are disposed with the length direction along the Y-axis direction, and are arranged at substantially equal intervals along the length direction of the support pedestal182. Further, restraining components186that support and restrain the case11are disposed at front end parts of the support pedestals182. The support pedestals182are disposed along the XZ-plane and are slightly inclined with respect to the X-axis direction in such a manner that the front end side (side of the restraining component186) is positioned on the lower side relative to the rear end side (conveyance port4bside).

When the empty case11that does not house the cutting blade21or the case11filled with the cutting blades21that have been used exists in the cutting blade stock apparatus2, such a case11is placed in the case carrying-out region86(seeFIG.8) of the shelf80by the case conveying part42(seeFIG.4). Moreover, the specific case11specified by a worker is placed in the case carrying-out region86in some cases. When the case11has been placed in the case carrying-out region86, the rollers88rotate and the case11is transferred to the collecting unit180through the conveyance port4b. Then, as illustrated inFIG.16, the case11is transferred to the front end side of the support pedestal182by rotation of the rollers184and is restrained by the restraining component186. Through this, the cases11are accumulated in the collecting unit180and the worker can collectively collect the cases11at a predetermined timing.

A conveyance path to convey the cutting blade21may be disposed over the cover4of the cutting blade stock apparatus2. The conveyance path is installed to span to the cutting blade stock apparatus2and cutting apparatus that cuts a workpiece by the cutting blade21stocked in the cutting blade stock apparatus2. Further, the cutting blade21is conveyed on the conveyance path by an unattended conveying vehicle that can be remotely operated.

Specifically, when the cutting blade21is mounted in the cutting apparatus, the cutting blade21A (see FIG. that has been specified by a worker and been carried out from the cutting blade stock apparatus2is mounted on the conveying vehicle. Then, the conveying vehicle travels on the conveyance path and moves to above the cutting apparatus and passes the cutting blade21to the cutting apparatus. Through this, the conveyance of the cutting blade21A from the cutting blade stock apparatus2to the cutting apparatus is automatically executed. On the other hand, when the cutting blade21mounted in the cutting apparatus is collected, the cutting blade21removed from the cutting apparatus is mounted on the conveying vehicle. Then, the conveying vehicle travels on the conveyance path and moves to above the cutting blade stock apparatus2and passes the cutting blade21B (seeFIG.10) to the cutting blade stock apparatus2through the conveyance port4aof the cover4. Through this, the conveyance of the cutting blade21B to the cutting blade stock apparatus2is automatically executed.

As above, when information that specifies the cutting blade21is input, the cutting blade stock apparatus2according to the present embodiment carries out the specified cutting blade21from the case11stocked on the shelf80. Thus, the worker does not need to search for and pick up the specific cutting blade21from a large number of cutting blades21by oneself. Due to this, management of the cutting blades21is simplified and a mistake in taking the cutting blade21is prevented, so that the occurrence of processing failure and breakage of the cutting blade due to processing of a workpiece by the incorrect cutting blade21can be avoided.

Part of the multiple case placement stages6included in the cutting blade stock apparatus2may be dedicated case placement stages6in which only a predetermined kind of case11(predetermined kind of cutting blade21) is placed. Modification examples of the cutting blade stock apparatus2including the dedicated case placement stages6are illustrated inFIG.17andFIG.18.

FIG.17is a front view illustrating a cutting blade stock apparatus2A equivalent to a first modification example of the cutting blade stock apparatus2. The cutting blade stock apparatus2A includes a reading unit (case identification information reading unit)200that reads the case identification information given to the case11. The reading unit200is installed outside the cover4and reads the case identification information of the case11before placement (housing) in the case placement stage6. The kind, functions, and so forth of the reading unit200are similar to those of the reading unit78(FIG.7).

Further, the cutting blade stock apparatus2A includes dedicated case placement stages (dedicated case housing shelves)6A and6B. The dedicated case placement stages6A and6B are each equivalent to the dedicated case placement stage6in which only a predetermined kind of case11is placed. For example, the dedicated case placement stage6A houses only the case11classified into kind A and the dedicated case placement stage6B houses only the case11classified into kind B. Stage indication parts202indicating the kind of case placement stage are disposed on the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B or the periphery thereof. For example, characters, symbols, figures, or the like indicating the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B are given to the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B or the periphery thereof as the stage indication parts202.FIG.17illustrates an example in which alphabets “A” and “B” that represent the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B, respectively, are given to the left side of the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B.

When the case11is stocked in the cutting blade stock apparatus2A, first, a worker causes the reading unit200to read the case identification information included in the tag17(seeFIG.7) given to the case11. Then, the reading unit200outputs the case identification information to the controller10.

In the controller10, the kinds of cases11that should be stocked in the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B are stored in advance. Then, the controller10determines whether or not the case11should be stocked in the dedicated case placement stage6A or6B on the basis of the case identification information input from the reading unit200, and causes a display part to display the determination result. For example, when the case11should be housed in the dedicated case placement stage6A, information indicating the dedicated case placement stage6A (for example, alphabet “A”) is displayed on a display of a touch panel system that functions as the input interface8and the display part. In this case, the worker opens the dedicated case placement stage6A and places the case11in the dedicated case placement stage6A. Thereby, the case11is stocked in the dedicated case placement stage6A.

On the other hand, when the cutting blade21stored in the cutting blade stock apparatus2A is used, the worker inputs the kind of the desired cutting blade21to the input interface8. Then, the controller10determines whether or not the case11that houses the input kind of cutting blade21is stocked in the dedicated case placement stage6A or6B, and causes the display part to display the determination result. For example, when the case11that houses the cutting blade21specified by the worker is stocked in the dedicated case placement stage6A, information indicating the dedicated case placement stage6A (for example, alphabet “A”) is displayed on the display of the touch panel system. In this case, the worker opens the dedicated case placement stage6A and takes out the case11. This allows the worker to rapidly obtain the desired cutting blade21from the cutting blade stock apparatus2A.

FIG.18is a front view illustrating a cutting blade stock apparatus2B equivalent to a second modification example of the cutting blade stock apparatus2. The cutting blade stock apparatus2B includes the reading unit200and the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B similarly to the cutting blade stock apparatus2A. Display parts204indicating that the dedicated case placement stage6A or6B is specified (selected) are mounted on the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B or the periphery thereof. For example, indicator lights such as light emitting diode (LED) lamps are used as the display parts204.FIG.18illustrates an example in which the display part204is mounted on each of the front faces of the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B.

When the case11is stocked in the cutting blade stock apparatus2B, first, a worker causes the reading unit200to read the case identification information included in the tag17(seeFIG.7) given to the case11. Then, the reading unit200outputs the case identification information to the controller10.

In the controller10, the kinds of cases11that should be stocked in the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B are stored in advance. Then, the controller10determines whether or not the case11should be stocked in the dedicated case placement stage6A or6B on the basis of the case identification information input from the reading unit200, and turns on the display part204according to the determination result. For example, when the case11should be housed in the dedicated case placement stage6A, the display part204disposed on the dedicated case placement stage6A or the periphery thereof is turned on. In this case, the worker opens the dedicated case placement stage6A and places the case11in the dedicated case placement stage6A. Thereby, the case11is stocked in the dedicated case placement stage6A.

On the other hand, when the cutting blade21is taken out from the cutting blade stock apparatus2B, the worker inputs the kind of the desired cutting blade21to the input interface8. Then, the controller10determines whether or not the case11that houses the input kind of cutting blade21is stocked in the dedicated case placement stage6A or6B, and turns on the display part204according to the determination result. For example, when the case11that houses the cutting blade21specified by the worker is stocked in the dedicated case placement stage6A, the display part204disposed on the dedicated case placement stage6A or the periphery thereof is turned on. In this case, the worker opens the dedicated case placement stage6A and takes out the case11. This allows the worker to rapidly obtain the desired cutting blade21from the cutting blade stock apparatus2B.

Configurations and functions of the pieces of cutting blade stock apparatus2A and2B regarding which description is omitted in the above are similar to those of the cutting blade stock apparatus2. For example, when the case11should not be stocked in the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B, a worker stocks the case11in the case placement stage6. Further, when the case11that houses the cutting blade21specified by a worker is not stocked in the dedicated case placement stages6A and6B, the cutting blade stock apparatus2A or2B carries out the cutting blade21by operation similar to that of the cutting blade stock apparatus2.

Besides, structures, methods, and so forth according to the above-described embodiment can be carried out with appropriate changes without departing from the range of the object of the present invention.