JPH04246005A - Handling method of magnetic tape - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prolong the operation time of a handling device set up in an automatic warehouse for a magnetic tape. CONSTITUTION:When a new magnetic tape cassette 2' is carried into a warehouse body 1, information on the new magnetic tape cassette 2' is inputted into a computer in advance, and for a while till the new magnetic tape cassette 2' is stored since that time, in the case where a handling device 4 operates at the outside of an area inclusive of a rack position where the cassette 2' is stored, warehousing takes place in succession, but when it operates at the inside of this area, operation of the handling device is stopped.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic tape handling method.

0002

[Prior Art] Magnetic tape for computers is changing from an open type to a compact card cartridge type, and this open type magnetic tape for computers is easy to handle and can be connected to automated warehouses and computers. , there is a tendency to automatically take out the magnetic tape from the shelf, attach it to the computer, take it out from the computer, and store the magnetic tape on the shelf.

0003

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] A magnetic tape handling device (robot) is installed inside the automated warehouse, and it takes out magnetic tape cassettes from the shelves and attaches them to the computer according to instructions from a computer. , taking out magnetic tape cassettes from computers, and storing magnetic tape cassettes on shelves, but these operations are basically based on instructions from the computer and are operated continuously 24 hours a day, so they must be operated continuously.

On the other hand, it is necessary to replenish and replace magnetic tape cassettes, and at this time new magnetic tape cassettes are carried into the automated warehouse. Since contact with the arm, etc. may cause an accident, operation of the handling device is temporarily stopped, and new magnetic tape cassettes are manually transported from the outside to the magnetic tape receiving port of the automated warehouse and placed on a shelf inside the automated warehouse, where they are stored. Therefore, there was a problem in that the handling device could not be operated when new magnetic tapes were added or replaced, which shortened the operating time of the handling device.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a magnetic tape handling method that can prolong the operating time of a handling device.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the magnetic tape handling method of the present invention is such that, when a new magnetic tape cassette is carried into a warehouse, a new magnetic tape cassette is If the handling device is handling outside the area including the shelf position where the new magnetic tape cassette is stored between that time and the time when the new magnetic tape cassette is stored, The system is characterized by the fact that the operation of the handling equipment is stopped when loading and unloading is carried out continuously and handling is performed inside this area.

[0007]

[Operation] The magnetic tape handling method of the present invention is constructed as described above, and before a new magnetic tape cassette is brought into the warehouse, information regarding the new magnetic tape cassette is input into a computer. , if the handling device is handling outside the area including the shelf position where the new magnetic tape cassette is stored between that time and the time the new magnetic tape cassette is stored, continuous loading and unloading shall be performed. If handling equipment is being handled inside this area, operation of the handling equipment shall be stopped.

[0008]

[Example] Next, the magnetic tape handling method of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of the configuration of an automatic warehouse used to implement the magnetic tape handling method of the present invention. There is. Reference numeral 1 denotes a warehouse body, and 2 denotes magnetic tape cassettes, which are objects to be handled. The magnetic tape cassettes 2 are stored in storage shelves provided in multiple rows and stages within the warehouse body 1.

Further, 2' is a new magnetic tape cassette that is carried into the warehouse main body 1 through the door 3 opened from outside the warehouse main body 1, and this magnetic tape cassette 2' is held in a fixed position inside the door 3. be done. 4 is a handling device (robot), 4' is an arm of the handling device 4, and the arm 4' is used to grasp a magnetic tape cassette and attach it to the magnetic tape unit 5, or vice versa. The tape cassette is grasped and taken out from the magnetic tape unit 5.

The arm 2' may be either a telescopic type or a fixed length type, but it can grip any magnetic tape cassette 2 stored in the warehouse main body 1 and horizontally move it to the receiving opening of the magnetic tape unit 5. need to move in the direction. The magnetic tape unit 5 is a new magnetic tape cassette 2.
This is a device that performs magnetic tape drive operations according to instructions from a computer (not shown) after accepting '. Further, 6 is a passage for the handling device (robot) 4.

[0011] An identification barcode reader is attached to the magnetic tape cassettes 2, 2', and the magnetic tape cassettes 2, 2' are affixed to a barcode reader for identification, and the magnetic tape cassettes 2, 2' are affixed to a barcode reader for identification.
It is stored in. Then, in response to an instruction from the computer, the handling device 6 is activated to take out the magnetic tape cassette 2 stored at a predetermined shelf position (address). Furthermore, when a new magnetic tape cassette 2' is carried into the warehouse main body 1, information regarding the new magnetic tape cassette 2' is inputted into the computer in advance, and from that point on, the storage of the new magnetic tape cassette 2' is carried out. If the handling device (robot) 4 is handling outside the area (non-safety area) including the shelf position where the new magnetic tape cassette 2' is stored until the end, the handling device (robot) 4 will continuously take in and take out the magnetic tape cassette 2'. . However, if the handling device 4 is being handled inside this unsafe area, the operation of the handling device 4 is stopped. Note that which shelf position of the magnetic tape cassette 2 is being handled depends on instructions from the computer.

[0012] The non-safety area is set using the handling device 4.
The size of the magnetic tape cassette 2' is determined by considering the length (size) of the arm 4', the size of the box in which the new magnetic tape cassette 2' will be placed, etc. By using the magnetic tape handling method described above, the time during which the handling device 4 is stopped due to the loading of a new magnetic tape cassette 2' is extremely shortened. Next, another embodiment will be described. A locking device is provided in the opening/closing mechanism (not shown) of the door 3, and the other configurations are the same as described above. In this case as well, the information is input into the computer before carrying in a new magnetic tape cassette 2', but at that time, check whether the handling device 4 is handling the magnetic tape cassette 2 in the safe area or not. If the magnetic tape cassette 2' is stopped, the lock device is opened, the door 3 is opened, and a new magnetic tape cassette 2' is carried into the warehouse main body 1. This method ensures the safety of the work when transporting a new magnetic tape cassette 2'.

[0013]

[Effects of the Invention] The magnetic tape handling method of the present invention is constructed as described above, and before a new magnetic tape cassette is brought into the warehouse, information regarding the new magnetic tape cassette is sent to a computer. If the handling device is handling outside the area including the shelf position where the new magnetic tape cassette is stored between that time and the time when the new magnetic tape cassette is stored, When a magnetic tape cassette is loaded or unloaded and handled inside this area, the operation of the handling device is stopped, so there is no need to completely stop the handling device when a new magnetic tape cassette is brought in. This has the effect of extending operating time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view showing an example of the configuration of an automatic warehouse used to implement the magnetic tape handling method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional front view thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Warehouse body 2 Magnetic tape cassette 2' New magnetic tape cassette 3 Door 4 Handling device (robot) 4' Arm 5 of handling device 4 Magnetic tape unit 6 Passage of handling device 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] When a new magnetic tape cassette is brought into the main body of the warehouse, information regarding the new magnetic tape cassette is input into a computer in advance, and from that time until the new magnetic tape cassette is stored. If the handling device is handling outside the area that includes the shelf position where new magnetic tape cassettes are stored, continuous loading and unloading is performed, and if handling is inside this area, the handling device is A magnetic tape handling method characterized by stopping operation of the device.