Sewing management system and sewing management method

The sewing management system addresses the challenge of analyzing defective sewing by collecting and processing defect data to calculate and display defect rates, enabling effective identification and resolution of defect causes.

JP2025075962APending Publication Date: 2025-05-15JUKI CORP

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023187515
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-11-01
Publication Date
2025-05-15

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing sewing management systems lack the capability to efficiently analyze the cause of defective sewing objects, making it difficult to identify and address the underlying issues.

Method used

A sewing management system that includes an input data acquisition unit to collect defect data, a processing unit to calculate defect rates for various evaluation items, and an output unit to display these rates, enabling analysis of defect causes.

Benefits of technology

The system provides valuable data for analyzing the cause of defective sewing, allowing administrators to identify and address issues related to sewing machines, operators, and materials, thereby improving overall sewing quality.

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Abstract

To provide data for analyzing causes of defects of a sewing object.SOLUTION: A sewing management system comprises: an input data acquisition part to acquire input data indicating defects of a plurality of sewing objects sewn by a plurality of operators using a plurality of sewing machines from an input device; a processing part to calculate defect rate for each of a plurality of evaluation items relating to sewing based on the input data; and an output part to output the defect rate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a sewing management system and a sewing management method. [Background technology]

[0002] In the technical field relating to a stitching management system, a stitching management system as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-168056 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The sewing object sewn in the sewing process is inspected in the inspection process. If the sewing object is judged to be defective in the inspection process, it is necessary to analyze the cause of the defect.

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification aims to provide data for analyzing the cause of defects in a sewing object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This specification discloses a sewing management system, which includes an input data acquisition unit that acquires input data indicating defects of a plurality of sewing objects sewn by a plurality of workers using a plurality of sewing machines from an input device, a processing unit that calculates a defect rate for each of a plurality of evaluation items related to sewing based on the input data, and an output unit that outputs the defect rate. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, it is possible to provide data for analyzing the cause of defects in a sewing object. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a sewing management system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing a management controller according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the management device, the sewing machine, and the information terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an information terminal in an inspection process according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an inspection process according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display device that displays the defective locations and the number of defects according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display device that displays correlation data between defective locations, causes of defects, and evaluation items related to sewing according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display device that displays the evaluation items and the defect rate according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present technology will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present technology is not limited to the embodiment. The components of the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined. In addition, some components may not be used.

[0010] [Sewing management system] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a sewing management system 1 according to an embodiment. The sewing management system 1 includes a management device 3 that manages a production process of a sewn product. The production process includes a sewing process in which a sewing object 100 is sewn using a sewing machine 2, and an inspection process in which the sewing object 100 sewn in the sewing process is inspected. The sewing machine 2 is an industrial sewing machine. The sewn product is produced in a production line including the sewing machine 2. A plurality of sewing machines 2 are installed in the production line. The production line is installed in a sewing factory. The sewing machines 2 operate in the sewing factory. The sewing object 100 is sewn by the sewing machine 2, thereby producing a sewn product. In the embodiment, the management device 3 is installed in the sewing factory. Note that the management device 3 may be installed outside the sewing factory.

[0011] In the sewing process, a sewing object 100 is sewn by a sewing machine 2 to produce a sewn product. An example of the sewing object is fabric. An example of the sewn product is clothing.

[0012] A sewing factory is provided with a plurality of types of sewing machines 2 according to the purpose. A sewing factory is provided with a plurality of types of sewing machines 2 corresponding to a plurality of sewing processes for producing sewn products. Examples of the types of sewing machines 2 include a lockstitch sewing machine for sewing together the body, a button sewing machine for attaching buttons to the body, and a pocket sewing machine for attaching pockets to the body. A sewing factory is provided with many types of sewing machines 2. For ease of explanation, three sewing machines 2 are shown in FIG. 1. The first sewing machine 2A is used in the first process for producing the sewn product. The second sewing machine 2B is used in the second process for producing the sewn product. The third sewing machine 2C is used in the third process for producing the sewn product. A sewing factory may be provided with a plurality of sewing machines 2 of one type.

[0013] A manager, workers, and inspectors work in a sewing factory. The manager manages the workers, other managers, and the sewing machine 2. The workers sew the sewing object 100 using the sewing machine 2 in a sewing process. The inspectors inspect the sewing object 100 sewn by the sewing machine 2 in an inspection process. Each of the manager, workers, and inspectors may be considered to be a user of the sewing machine 2. The manager may be one person or multiple people. The workers may be one person or multiple people. For example, one worker may operate multiple sewing machines 2. The inspectors may be one person or multiple people.

[0014] The management device 3 includes a display device 4, an input device 5, and a management controller 6. The display device 4 displays display data. The display device 4 includes a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display. The input device 5 generates input data by being operated by an administrator. The input device 5 may be operated by an operator or worker. The input device 5 includes a touch panel (touch sensor) arranged on the display screen of the display device 4. The input device 5 may be a computer keyboard, a mouse, or a voice input device. The management controller 6 includes a computer system. The management controller 6 includes at least one processor and a main memory that stores a computer program executable by the processor.

[0015] The sewing machine 2 has an operation panel 7 and a sewing machine controller 8. The operation panel 7 generates operation data when operated by an operator. The operation panel 7 includes a touch panel (touch sensor) arranged on the display screen of the display. The sewing machine controller 8 includes a computer system. The sewing machine controller 8 has at least one processor and a main memory that stores a computer program executable by the processor.

[0016] An inspector inspects the sewing object 100 in the inspection process. The inspection of the sewing object 100 includes an intermediate inspection in which the sewing object 100 that has undergone some sewing processes is inspected, and a final inspection in which the sewing object 100 that has undergone all sewing processes is inspected. The inspector carries an information terminal 11. Examples of the information terminal 11 include a tablet terminal or a smartphone.

[0017] The management device 3 is shared by a plurality of sewing machines 2 and information terminals 11 in a sewing factory. The number of management devices 3 is smaller than the number of sewing machines 2. The management device 3 can communicate with each of the sewing machines 2 and the information terminals 11. The management controller 6 of the management device 3 communicates with each of the sewing machine controllers 8 of the sewing machines 2 and the information terminals 11. The management controller 6, the sewing machine controller 8, and the information terminals 11 communicate wirelessly. The management controller 6, the sewing machine controller 8, and the information terminals 11 communicate wirelessly via a local area network (LAN). An example of the wireless LAN is Wifi (registered trademark). The management controller 6, the sewing machine controller 8, and the information terminals 11 may communicate wirelessly via a personal area network (PAN). An example of the wireless PAN is Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0018] The management controller 6 transmits a control command to the sewing machine controller 8 of the sewing machine 2 based on the input data generated by operating the input device 5.

[0019] The sewing machine controller 8 transmits operation data of the sewing machine 2 to the management controller 6. The operation data of the sewing machine 2 includes the operating conditions of the sewing machine 2. The operating conditions of the sewing machine 2 include stitch length, stitch pitch, stitch pattern, feed speed of the sewing object, number of stitches, thread tension, and pressure to press the sewing object. The sewing machine controller 8 monitors the operating conditions of the sewing machine 2. The sewing machine 2 is provided with a sensor that detects the operating conditions of the sewing machine 2. Examples of the sensor include a tension sensor that detects the tension of the thread and a pressure sensor that detects the pressure to press the sewing object. The sewing machine controller 8 can monitor the operating conditions of the sewing machine 2 by acquiring the detection data of the sensor. The sewing machine 2 also has a sewing machine motor for operating the needle bar and the thread take-up. The sewing machine controller 8 can monitor the operating conditions of the sewing machine 2 by acquiring a drive signal of the sewing machine motor. The operation data of the sewing machine 2 also indicates the operation history of the sewing machine 2. The operation history of the sewing machine 2 includes at least one of the operation date and time of the sewing machine 2, the continuous operation time of the sewing machine 2, the cumulative operation time of the sewing machine 2, the type of sewing object sewn by the sewing machine 2, the number of stitches during sewing, error information that occurred in the sewing machine 2, and the operator who operated the sewing machine 2.

[0020] The management controller 6 collects operation data of each of the plurality of sewing machines 2. The management controller 6 causes the display device 4 to display the operation data of each of the plurality of sewing machines 2.

[0021] The inspector operates the input device of the information terminal 11 to input the inspection results of the sewing object 100 to the information terminal 11. The information terminal 11 transmits inspection data indicating the inspection results of the sewing object 100 to the management controller 6.

[0022] The management controller 6 transmits guidance data indicating the inspection items and inspection methods of the sewing object 100 to the information terminal 11. The guidance data is displayed on the display of the information terminal 11. The inspector inspects the sewing object 100 while checking the guidance data displayed on the display.

[0023] [Computer System] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing a management controller 6 according to an embodiment. The management controller 6 includes a computer system 1000. The computer system 1000 includes a processor 1001 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory 1002 including a non-volatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage 1003, and an interface 1004 including an input / output circuit. The functions of the management controller 6 are stored in the storage 1003 as a computer program. The processor 1001 reads the computer program from the storage 1003, expands it in the main memory 1002, and executes processing according to the computer program. The computer program may be distributed to the computer system 1000 via a network.

[0024] Similarly, each of the sewing machine controller 8 and the information terminal 11 includes a computer system having a processor, a main memory, a storage, and an interface.

[0025] [Management device, sewing machine and information terminal] Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a management device 3, a sewing machine 2, and an information terminal 11 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the information terminal 11 includes a terminal controller 12, a display device 13 such as a flat panel display, and an input device 14 such as a touch panel. The input device 14 generates input data by being operated by an inspector. The input device 14 may be operated by a worker or a manager. The terminal controller 12 transmits the input data generated by operating the input device 14 to the management controller 6.

[0026] The management controller 6 includes a defect cause storage unit 61 , an input data acquisition unit 62 , a processing unit 63 , and an output unit 64 .

[0027] The defect cause storage unit 61 stores a plurality of defect items which are items of defect causes of the sewing object 100 sewn by the worker using the sewing machine 2. The defect items indicating the items of the defect causes are determined in advance. In the embodiment, the defect items include a first item indicating that the sewing machine 2 is the defect cause, a second item indicating that the worker is the defect cause, and a third item indicating that the sewing object 100 is the defect cause. The defect cause related to the first item may be considered to be a mechanical defect cause. The defect cause related to the second item may be considered to be an operation defect cause. The defect cause related to the third item may be considered to be a material defect item.

[0028] An example of a cause of a defect related to the first item is an abnormality in the stitches formed on the sewing object 100. Examples of stitch abnormalities include an abnormality called a "skipped stitch", in which the length of at least one stitch becomes longer, an abnormality called a "thread break", in which at least a part of a stitch is lost, and an abnormality called a "lantern thread", in which at least one of the upper thread and the lower thread becomes loose in the sewing object. Defects related to the first item are defects caused by the sewing machine 2, such as poor adjustment or settings of the sewing machine 2.

[0029] An example of a cause of a defect related to the second item is an abnormality in the stitches formed on the sewing object 100. Examples of abnormalities in the stitches are meandering stitches, non-existent stitches, and deviation of stitches from the sewing object 100. Also, an example of a cause of a defect related to the second item is mix-up of the sewing object 100 or mix-up of threads. Defects related to the second item are defects caused by the operator, such as lack of skill or carelessness of the operator.

[0030] An example of a cause of a defect related to the third item is a defect in the sewing object 100 itself. Examples of defects in the sewing object 100 itself are scratches, uneven color, and stains present on the sewing object 100. The defects related to the third item are defects caused by the sewing object 100.

[0031] The input data acquisition unit 62 acquires input data generated by the input device 14 of the information terminal 11 from the information terminal 11. If a defect exists in the sewing object 100, the inspector operates the input device 14 to input that a defect exists in the sewing object 100. The inspector operates the input device 14 to input the cause of the defect. The inspector operates the input device 14 to input the defective part of the sewing object 100. The input data acquisition unit 62 acquires input data indicating the presence of a defect in the sewing object 100 from the information terminal 11. The input data acquisition unit 62 acquires input data indicating the cause of the defect in the sewing object 100 from the information terminal 11. The input data acquisition unit 62 acquires input data indicating the defective part of the sewing object 100 from the information terminal 11.

[0032] The processing unit 63 calculates the defect rate for each of a plurality of evaluation items related to sewing, based on the input data acquired by the input data acquisition unit 62. The evaluation items include at least one of the product number of the sewing object 100, the sewing process, the sewing time (sewing time, sewing time zone), and the worker.

[0033] Further, the processing unit 63 classifies the input data indicating the cause of defect acquired by the input data acquiring unit 62 into a plurality of defect items based on the input data indicating the cause of defect.

[0034] Furthermore, the processing unit 63 counts the number of defects in the same portion of a plurality of sewing objects of the same design, based on the input data indicating the defective portions acquired by the input data acquisition unit 62.

[0035] The output unit 64 outputs the defect rate calculated by the processing unit 63 to the display device 4. The output unit 64 outputs input data indicating the defect causes classified by the processing unit 63 to the display device 4. The output unit 64 outputs the defect points to the display device 4 based on the input data indicating the defect points acquired by the input data acquisition unit 62.

[0036] [Sewing management method] Next, a sewing management method according to the embodiment will be described. As described above, in a sewing factory, a plurality of workers sew a plurality of sewing objects 100 using a plurality of sewing machines 2. In a sewing factory, a plurality of sewing objects 100 having the same design may be sewn sequentially using the sewing machines 2. In the following description, an example will be described in which a plurality of sewing objects 100 having the same design are inspected sequentially in an inspection process. In the following description, the sewing objects 100 are assumed to be fabric for manufacturing T-shirts.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an information terminal 11 in an inspection process according to an embodiment. In the inspection process, an inspector uses the information terminal 11 to inspect the sewing object 100. If a defect exists in the sewing object 100, the inspector operates the input device 14 to input that a defect exists in the sewing object 100. As shown in FIG. 4, a first display screen for inputting a defective part of the sewing object 100 is displayed on the display device 13 of the information terminal 11. The first display screen includes an image of the sewing object 100. The inspector operates the input device 14 to input the defective part of the sewing object 100. The input device 14 includes a touch panel. For example, if a defect exists in the shoulder part of the sewing object 100, the inspector taps the shoulder part of the image of the sewing object 100 displayed on the display device 13.

[0038] After the defective parts of the sewing object 100 have been input, the display screen of the display device 13 transitions from a first display screen for inputting the defective parts to a second display screen for inputting the cause of the defect. The inspector operates the input device 14 to input the cause of the defect of the sewing object 100. A number of defective items are displayed on the display device 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the display device 13 displays the characters "sewing machine" indicating the first item, "operator" indicating the second item, and "sewing object" indicating the third item.

[0039] When the inspector determines that at least one of the following is present in the shoulder portion of the sewing object 100: "skipped stitch," "broken thread," and "loose thread," he or she determines that the cause of the defect is the sewing machine, and taps "sewing machine" on the display device 13. As a result, input data indicating that the cause of the defect is the sewing machine 2 is sent from the terminal controller 12 to the management controller 6.

[0040] When the inspector determines that at least one of the following is present in the shoulder portion of the sewing object 100: meandering of a seam, absence of a seam, and deviation of the seam from the sewing object 100, the inspector determines that the cause of the defect is the worker and taps “Worker” on the display device 13. As a result, input data indicating that the cause of the defect is the worker is sent from the terminal controller 12 to the management controller 6.

[0041] When the inspector determines that at least one of scratches, color unevenness, and stains of the sewing object 100 exists in the shoulder portion of the sewing object 100, he determines that the cause of the defect is the sewing object, and taps "sewing object" on the display device 13. As a result, input data indicating that the cause of the defect is the sewing object is sent from the terminal controller 12 to the management controller 6.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the inspection process according to the embodiment. The inspector operates the input device 14 to input the product number of the sewing object 100 to be inspected, the sewing process through which the sewing object 100 passed, the sewing time (sewing time, sewing time zone) at which the sewing object 100 was sewn, and the worker who sewed the sewing object 100. If the inspection process is performed after the first process, the sewing process through which the sewing object 100 passed is the first process. If the inspection process is performed after the second process or the third process, the sewing process through which the sewing object 100 passed is the second process or the third process. Input data indicating the product number, sewing process, sewing time, and worker of the sewing object 100 are transmitted from the terminal controller 12 to the management controller 6. The input data acquisition unit 62 acquires input data indicating the product number, sewing process, sewing time, and worker of the sewing object 100 (step S1).

[0043] 4, the worker inputs the defective parts of the sewing object 100. The input data indicating the defective parts of the sewing object 100 is transmitted from the terminal controller 12 to the management controller 6. The input data acquisition unit 62 acquires the input data indicating the defective parts of the sewing object 100 (step S2).

[0044] In the embodiment, the input data acquisition unit 62 acquires input data indicating defect locations of each of a plurality of sewing objects 100 of the same design sewn by an operator using the sewing machine 2 from the input device 14. The processing unit 63 counts the number of defects in the same portion of the plurality of sewing objects 100 based on the input data indicating the defect locations (step S3).

[0045] 4, the worker inputs the cause of the defect of the sewing object 100. The input data indicating the cause of the defect of the sewing object 100 is transmitted from the terminal controller 12 to the management controller 6. The input data acquisition unit 62 acquires the input data indicating the cause of the defect of the sewing object 100 (step S4).

[0046] The processing unit 63 classifies the input data indicating the defect causes into each defect item stored in the defect cause storage unit 61 (step S5).

[0047] The processing unit 63 calculates the defect rate for each of a plurality of evaluation items related to sewing, based on the input data indicating the defective portions (step S6).

[0048] The output unit 64 outputs the defect locations acquired in step S2, the number of defects counted in step S3, the defect causes classified in step S5, and the defect rate calculated in step S6 to the display device 4 (step S7).

[0049] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the display device 4 that displays defective locations and the number of defects according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, an image of the sewing object 100 is displayed on the display device 4. The output unit 64 causes the display device to display a first symbol indicating the defective location superimposed on the image of the sewing object 100. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the first symbol is a circular mark. Fig. 6 shows an example in which defective locations have been found in each of the shoulder portions, side portions, and hem portions of the sewing object 100.

[0050] Furthermore, the output unit 64 causes the display device 4 to display a second symbol indicating the number of defects in the same portion of the image of the sewing object 100 superimposed on the image. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the second symbol is numerical data to be superimposed on the first symbol. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the number of defects in the shoulder portion of the sewing object 100 is "1", the number of defects in the side portion is "3", and the number of defects in the hem portion is "4".

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display device 4 displaying correlation data between the defective portion, the cause of the defect, and the evaluation item related to sewing according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the output unit 64 causes the display device 4 to display input data indicating the cause of the defect for each of a plurality of defect items. For example, when input data indicating that the cause of the defect is the sewing machine 2 is transmitted from the terminal controller 12 to the management controller 6, the output unit 64 causes the display device 4 to display that the cause of the defect is the sewing machine 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the output unit 64 causes the display device 4 to display correlation data between the defective portion, the cause of the defect, and the evaluation item related to sewing. As described above, the evaluation item includes at least one of the product number of the sewing object 100, the sewing process, the sewing time, and the worker.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display device 4 displaying the evaluation items and the defect rate according to the embodiment. The processing unit 63 calculates the defect rate for each evaluation item related to sewing based on input data indicating defects of each of the multiple sewing objects 100 sewn by each of the multiple workers using the multiple sewing machines 2. The output unit 64 causes the display device 4 to display the relationship between the evaluation items and the defect rate. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the sewing time (sewing time period) and the defect rate. The output unit 64 may output the relationship between the multiple product numbers and the defect rate for each of the multiple product numbers, may output the relationship between the multiple sewing processes and the defect rate for each of the multiple sewing processes, or may output the relationship between the multiple workers and the defect rate for each of the multiple workers.

[0053] [effect] As described above, according to the embodiment, the sewing management system 1 includes an input data acquisition unit 62 that acquires, from the input device 14, input data indicating defects in each of a plurality of sewing objects 100 sewn by a plurality of workers using a plurality of sewing machines 2, a processing unit 63 that calculates a defect rate for each of a plurality of evaluation items related to sewing based on the input data indicating the defects, and an output unit 64 that outputs the defect rate.

[0054] According to the embodiment, when a defect is found in the inspection process, the defect rate is calculated for each of a plurality of evaluation items and displayed on the display device 4. Since the defect rate indicating the proportion of defective sewing objects 100 among a plurality of sewing objects 100 is calculated, the manager can analyze the cause of defects of the sewing objects 100 based on the calculated defect rate. The defect rate is utilized as useful data when analyzing the cause of defects of the sewing objects 100.

[0055] The evaluation items include at least one of the product number of the sewing object 100, the sewing process, the sewing time, and the worker. This makes it easier for the manager to identify the cause of the defect. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...sewing management system, 2...sewing machine, 2A...first sewing machine, 2B...second sewing machine, 2C...third sewing machine, 3...management device, 4...display device, 5...input device, 6...management controller, 7...operation panel, 8...sewing machine controller, 11...information terminal, 12...terminal controller, 13...display device, 14...input device, 61...defect cause memory unit, input data acquisition unit, 62...input data acquisition unit, 63...processing unit, 64...output unit, 100...sewing object, 1000...computer system, 1001...processor, 1002...main memory, 1003...storage, 1004...interface.

Claims

1. an input data acquisition unit that acquires, from an input device, input data indicating defects of each of a plurality of sewing objects sewn by each of a plurality of workers using a plurality of sewing machines; A processing unit that calculates a defect rate for each of a plurality of evaluation items related to the sewing based on the input data; and an output unit that outputs the defect rate. Sewing management system.

2. The evaluation items include at least one of the product number of the sewing object, the sewing process, the sewing time, and the worker. The sewing management system according to claim 1 .

3. acquiring, from an input device, input data indicating defects of each of a plurality of sewing objects sewn by a plurality of workers using a plurality of sewing machines; Calculating a defect rate for each of a plurality of evaluation items related to the sewing based on the input data; and outputting the defect rate. Sewing management method.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Sewing management system and sewing management method

    JP2020168056A

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