Towel fabric cutting machine

Abstract

To provide a towel fabric cutting machine which can efficiently cut a cutting region that receives the influence of deformation of fabric even when it is originally assumed that the fabric is linearly cut.SOLUTION: A towel fabric cutting machine 1 cuts a cutting region 2a in a width direction vertical to a sheet surface of a drawing set with a difference of a weave texture while feeding long towel fabric 2 in a longitudinal direction being a lateral direction of the drawing. The cutting region 2a is recognized in image processing by imaging the towel fabric 2 between a support part 5a of a support member 5 and a clamper 4. The cutting by a cutter 7 is performed along a cutting line 2b generated in the recognized cutting region 2a. The cutting region 2a becomes an intermediate portion of a portion where supporting and holding are stably performed with the support part 5a and the clamper 4. Since the supporting and holding are not performed in this portion, the cutting along the generated cutting line 2b can be quickly performed at a low cost and the cutting efficiency can be increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a towel fabric cutting machine that cuts a long towel fabric along a cutting area in the width direction set according to the difference in weave.

Background Art

[0002] Towel fabric for obtaining rectangular towel products is woven as a long material on a loom capable of pile weaving. In this loom, plain weaving is also possible, and the cutting area to be separated for individual towel products is woven with only warp threads without weft threads, or with fewer weft threads. Although the cutting area is originally assumed to be cut linearly in the weft direction, after the woven towel fabric undergoes various post-processing steps such as washing, it deforms due to bending and distortion, and if it is cut linearly, there is a risk of cutting outside the cutting area. The deformed cutting area needs to be cut manually. Techniques for correcting the deformation of the towel fabric and cutting the cutting area linearly have been known conventionally (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Document 1 corrects the boundary between pile weaving and plain weaving to be linear based on the step difference in thickness and cuts the hem as a cutting area at a predetermined distance from this boundary linearly. Patent Document 2 corrects linearly while inserting the tip of a comb-tooth member into the longitudinal thread portion with fewer weft threads of the towel fabric as the cutting area, removes the comb-tooth member, and cuts the cutting area linearly.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Even if the cutting of the towel fabric is to be corrected linearly as in Patent Documents 1 and 2, whether the correction is possible depends on the fabric, and the versatility is low.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a towel fabric cutting machine that can efficiently cut a cutting region affected by deformation of the fabric even if it is originally assumed to be cut linearly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a towel fabric cutting machine that cuts a cutting region in the width direction set according to the difference in texture while feeding a long towel fabric in the longitudinal direction. A gripper that is movable between the feed source side and the feed destination side of the towel fabric and has a gripping portion for gripping the tip of the towel fabric. The gripper grips the towel fabric on the feed source side and then moves to the feed destination side to draw out the towel fabric. A clamper provided on the feed source side of the towel fabric, capable of holding the feed source side of the towel fabric drawn out by the gripper up to a recognition region preset as a range for recognizing the cutting region. A support member having a support portion that supports the towel fabric drawn out by the gripper on the feed destination side of the recognition region, keeping the towel fabric between the portion supported by the support portion and the clamper in a non-supported state and allowing the gripper to pass to the feed source side of the support portion. Recognition means for imaging the recognition region of the towel fabric held by the clamper and supported by the support portion, recognizing the cutting region by image processing, and generating a cutting line in the recognized cutting region. A cutter for cutting the towel fabric held by the clamper and supported by the support portion along the cutting line generated by the recognition means. A towel fabric cutting machine characterized by including the above.

[0007] The present invention further includes detection means for detecting a pre-detection region that becomes at least a part of the recognition region from the towel fabric on the feed source side of the position held by the clamper. The gripper draws out the towel fabric so that the pre-detection area detected by the detection means reaches near the support portion of the support material beyond the clamper. It is characterized by this.

[0008] Further, in the present invention, a receiving member for receiving the leading end on the feed source side of the towel fabric that hangs down after being cut by the cutter is provided below the feed destination side of the clamper. It is characterized by this.

[0009] Also, in the present invention, the support material A plurality of plate-shaped members extending in the longitudinal direction are arranged at intervals in the width direction, The support portion is formed at the leading end on the feed destination side, The gripper At least the portion that grips the leading end of the towel fabric from below among the gripping portions has a comb-like shape in the width direction, The tooth portions of the comb teeth correspond to the positions of the intervals between the support materials, and the cut portions of the comb teeth correspond to the positions of the respective plate-shaped support materials, and passage to the feed source side from the support portion is allowed. It is characterized by this.

[0010] Also, in the present invention, the support material is plate-shaped and extends in the width direction, supports the towel fabric at the support portion on the leading end side, and swings around an axis extending in the width direction on the base end side to switch between supporting the towel fabric and allowing the gripper to pass through for retraction. It is characterized by this.

[0011] Also, in the present invention, the recognition means and the cutter are attached to different positions of a gantry movable in the longitudinal direction, and the imaging and the cutting are switched by the movement of the gantry to the recognition area. The support material is attached near the leading end on the feed destination side of the gantry. It is characterized by this.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for cutting a long towel fabric, which cuts a widthwise cutting area set according to a difference in weave while feeding the long towel fabric in the longitudinal direction. Grip and pull out the leading end on the feeding side of the towel fabric with a gripper. Hold the feeding side of the towel fabric drawn to a recognition area preset to include the cutting area with a clamper. The gripper grips the tip Towel fabric by , A portion that is on the feed source side rather than the tip side and on the feed destination side rather than the recognition region is made only from the lower side with the upper side left open Contact to Supported by the support part of the support material while allowing the support portion to allow the gripper to pass through, The towel fabric held by the clamper and supported by the support part of the support material so that the lower side is in a state without support is imaged in the recognition area, and the cutting area is recognized by image processing. A cutting line is generated in the recognized cutting area. The towel fabric is cut along the generated cutting line. The gripper that has released the feeding side of the cut towel fabric pass the support portion of the support material and at the feed source side rather than the support portion is brought close to the clamper that holds the feeding side of the towel fabric, next and the leading end on the feeding side of the towel fabric to be cut is gripped. A method for cutting a towel fabric, characterized by the above.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the cutting area set in the towel fabric is recognized by image processing by imaging the recognition area of the towel fabric between the support part of the support material and the clamper. Cutting by the cutter is automatically performed along the cutting line generated in the recognized cutting area. The recognition area is between the parts where the support and holding are performed by the support part of the support material and the clamper, and can be kept stable from imaging to cutting. The cutting area in the middle of this part is in a floating state without direct support or holding, so the cutter receives less resistance. Since the support part supports the towel fabric at a position close to the clamper, stable cutting can be performed quickly, and the cutting efficiency can be improved.

[0014] According to the present invention, since at least a part of the cutting area is detected in advance on the feeding source side rather than the position where the clamper holds the towel fabric, the towel fabric can be pulled out by the gripper to an appropriate position on the feeding destination side from the clamper. With appropriate pulling out of the towel fabric, cutting along the cutting line generated based on the recognition of the cutting area by image processing can be performed reliably and efficiently.

[0015] According to the present invention, the receiving member can receive the towel fabric that hangs down even after cutting along the cutting line, so that the gripper can surely grip the tip portion of the towel fabric to be cut next.

[0016] According to the present invention, since the tooth portions of the comb teeth pass between the plate-shaped support members and the support members pass through the cut portions of the comb teeth, the support members can allow the gripper to pass without retracting, and a mechanism required for the retraction of the support members can be made unnecessary.

[0017] According to the present invention, the support member supports the towel fabric on the plate-shaped tip side and switches between support and retraction by swinging, so that the gripper can pass through when switching to retraction.

[0018] According to the present invention, since the support member moves along with the movement of the gantry, the support portion of the support member that supports the towel fabric also moves, and the towel fabric can be supported while being stretched.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the recognition area set to include the cutting area with the towel fabric pulled out from the clamper side to the feeding destination side by the gripper is located in a range where it is in a floating state in the air due to stable holding and support by the clamper and the support portion of the support member. The cutting line for cutting the cutting area is generated in the cutting area recognized by imaging this portion, so that cutting can be performed quickly and efficiently.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, Figures 1 to 6 relate to the configuration and operation of the towel fabric cutting machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figures 7 and 8 relate to the configuration and operation of the support material 35 used in the towel fabric cutting machine 31 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Corresponding parts in each figure are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted. For the sake of convenience in explanation, parts not described in the figure to be explained may be referred to by the reference numerals described in other figures.

Examples

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front configuration of a towel fabric cutting machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a planar arrangement state of the main part of FIG. 1. The towel fabric cutting machine 1 automatically cuts a long towel fabric 2 while feeding it in the longitudinal direction which is the horizontal direction in the figure, and cuts an automatically cut region 2a in the width direction set according to the difference in the weave. The towel fabric cutting machine 1 includes a gripper 3, a clamper 4, a support member 5, a recognition means 6, and a cutter 7. The gripper 3 includes a gripping part 3a and a driving part 3b. The gripping part 3a can be switched between a closed state and an open state in which the towel fabric 2 can be gripped or released by the opening and closing drive by the driving part 3b. The gripper 3 is movable in the longitudinal direction between the feed source side and the feed destination side of the towel fabric 2, and can pull out the towel fabric by moving to the feed destination side after gripping the tip of the towel fabric 2. The clamper 4 is provided on the feed source side of the towel fabric 2, and includes a holding part 4a that can hold the feed source side of the towel fabric 2 drawn to a recognition region preset to include the cutting region 2a by the gripper 3, and a driving part 4b that drives the holding part 4a to open and close. The holding of the towel fabric 2 by the clamper 4 is preferably lightly performed even during the pulling by the gripper 3 in order to apply tension to the towel fabric 2 and reduce slack. As shown in FIG. 2, the gripping part 3a has a comb-like shape, and the upper side of the holding part 4a is flat. The lower side of the holding part 4a has a comb-like shape, and a receiving member 14 is located on the feed destination side at a position corresponding to the cut portion between the teeth. The lower side of the holding part 4a may be flat.

[0023] The entire towel fabric cutting machine 1 is supported by a frame 8 and installed on the floor surface. The front member 9a and the rear member 9b are provided at the upper part of the frame 8. The gripper 3 is supported by the front member 9a and the rear member 9b and moves in the longitudinal direction. The support member 5, the recognition means 6, and the cutter 7 are mounted on a gantry 10 that is supported by the front member 9a and the rear member 9b and is movable in the longitudinal direction. The gantry 10 is covered with a feed source side cover 11. The feed destination side cover 12 provided on the feed destination side can cover the gripper 3 that is moving toward the feed destination side. A detection means 13 is provided on the feed source side of the holding portion 4a of the clamper 4. The detection means 13 detects, for example, with the vicinity of the middle in the width direction as the detection target 13a, as a pre-detection area 2f as shown in FIG. 6, when passing through a part that is at least a part of the cutting area 2a. The gantry 10 also mounts a receiving member 14. The towel fabric 2 is stored in a fabric tank 20 in a state of being folded long, etc., and is drawn out through a spreading roller 21 up to the clamper 4 and later. The spreading roller 21 has a wire 21a spirally wound around its outer peripheral surface, the spiral direction being opposite between the front side and the back side from the center in the width direction, and while rotating in a direction to return the towel fabric 2 to the fabric tank 20, the towel fabric 2 can be expanded in the width direction. The towel fabric 2 cut by the cutter 7 falls from the feed source side onto the elevating table 22, and by opening the gripping portion 3a of the gripper 3 to release the tip portion, it moves onto the elevating table 22. The towel fabric 2 is laminated on the elevating table 22 by repeating the cutting. The elevating table 22 is initially set to a height so that the drop is appropriate, and is controlled to sink with the lamination of the towel fabric 2.

[0024] The support member 5 is formed by bending a plate material extending in the width direction so that the cross-sectional shape is generally L-shaped as shown in the figure. The support portion 5a on the tip side of the support member 5 can support the towel fabric 2 drawn by the gripper 3 while contacting the bottom side of the fabric on the feed destination side rather than the recognition region. The support member 5 is supported by a swing shaft 5b on the base end side and swings. The swing shaft 5b is supported by the gantry 10 so as to extend in the width direction. The swing of the support member 5 switches between a support state and a retracted state. The support state is stably performed by the portion supported by the support portion 5a and the portion held by the clamper 4, and the intermediate towel fabric 2 during this period is kept in a non-supported state. Switching to the retracted state enables the support member 5 to move away from the towel fabric 2 and retract when the gripper 3 passes. The support member 5 requires a contact portion with the towel fabric 2, and the shape may be other shapes such as a round bar. The switching between support and retraction is not limited to swinging, and may also be lifting and lowering, etc. The recognition means 6 includes a light source 6a and a light receiving sensor 6b extending in the width direction, images the recognition region of the towel fabric 2 in a linear one-dimensional manner, and also includes a processing unit that recognizes the cutting region 2a by two-dimensional image processing accompanying scanning and generates a cutting line 2b in the cutting region 2a. The cutter 7 cuts the towel fabric 2 with the outer periphery of the rotating round blade 7a, can move in the width direction with the moving portion 7b, and also includes a control unit that cuts along the cutting line 2b. Since the moving portion 7b is mounted on the gantry 10 that moves in the feed direction, the round blade 7a can move in the feed direction and the width direction. Due to the nature of the towel fabric 2, the cutting region 2a may be recognized in a deformed state such as bending as shown in FIG. 2, but cutting along the cutting line 2b generated for the recognized cutting region 2a becomes possible. The cutter 7 can also be made controllable about an axis in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the rotation axis of the round blade 7a. In that case, the cutting line 2b can be cut smoothly.

[0025] Figures 3, 4, and 5 show the operation of the main part of the towel fabric cutting machine 1. Except for the cutting shown in Fig. 5(b), the illustration of the cutter 7 may be omitted. Fig. 3(a) shows a state where the gripper 3 opens the gripping part 3a and approaches the clamper 4 for the first cutting or the next cutting after repeated cutting. On the side of the clamper 4, the tip of the towel fabric 2 hangs down from the tip of the closed clamper 4 and is received by the sheet-like receiving member 14 protruding toward the feeding destination side. The support member 5 is switched to a retracted state by swinging around the swing shaft 5b so that the support part 5a does not interfere with the opened gripping part 3a when the gripper 3 approaches and passes through. Fig. 3(b) shows a state where the gripper 3 approaches the position to receive the tip part of the towel fabric 2 from the side of the clamper 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the gripping part 3a is comb-tooth shaped, and can be approached to the side of the clamper 4 until the receiving member 14 enters the notch part between the teeth.

[0026] Fig. 4(a) shows a state where the gripping part 3a of the gripper 3 closes in Fig. 3(b) to grip the tip of the towel fabric 2, the holding part 4a of the clamper 4 opens, and the gripper 3 moves toward the feeding destination side. The holding part 4a can also be kept closed to lightly hold the towel fabric 2. The towel fabric 2 is drawn out through the clamper 4. The detection means 13 provided on the feeding source side of the holding part 4a of the clamper 4 optically detects, for example, non-contact, the passage of the pre-detection area 2f. The drawing out of the towel fabric 2 is performed until the detected pre-detection area 2f reaches near the position supported by the support part 5a of the support member 5 beyond the holding part 4a of the clamper 4. Fig. 4(b) shows a state where the drawing out of the towel fabric 2 is completed. The holding part 4a of the clamper 4 closes, and the support member 5 is switched to a state of supporting the towel fabric 2 with the support part 5a. A slit is provided at the position where the receiving member 14 passes near the support part 5a of the support member 5 so that there is no obstacle to the switching between support and retraction even if the receiving member 14 exists. When the support by the support member 5 is performed during the drawing out of the towel fabric 2, the fabric can be extended by the contact of the support part 5a.

[0027] Fig. 5(a) shows a state in which the gantry 10 is moved to the feed destination side and the cutting area 2a is recognized by the recognition means 6. The recognition means 6 detects, for example, light emitted from a linear light source 6a extending in the width direction upward with a linear light receiving sensor 6b below, and images an image of the recognition area including the cutting area 2a by scanning as the gantry 10 moves to the feed destination side. The light transmission direction can also be reversed up and down. The scanning for recognizing the cutting area 2a can also be performed by stopping the recognition means 6 and pulling out the towel fabric 2 by the gripper 3. For example, in Fig. 4(a), scanning is performed by the movement of the gantry 10 after the gripper 3 has moved to the feed destination side, but the gripper 3 is temporarily stopped in the middle. As shown in Fig. 5(a), when the recognition means 6 has moved to a position where it can image the surface of the towel fabric 2 by the movement of the gantry 10, if the gantry 10 is stopped and the pulling out by the gripper 3 is resumed, scanning is also possible. The recognition means 6 can also use a camera that can directly image the cutting area 2a as a two-dimensional image, and in that case scanning is not required. Fig. 5(b) shows a state in which, after the scanning is completed, the gantry 10 is moved to the feed source side, the imaging is switched to cutting, and cutting is performed along the cutting line 2b with the round blade 7a of the cutter 7. The receiving member 14 is provided at a position where it does not interfere with the round blade 7a. The longitudinal movement of the round blade 7a is performed by the movement of the gantry 10. The moving part 7b moves in the width direction with respect to the gantry 10. The cutting by the round blade 7a is performed while the gantry 10 moves in the feed direction along the cutting line 2b generated in accordance with the recognized cutting area 2a while the moving part 7b moves in one direction in the width direction. If the next cutting is performed when the cutter 7 that has reached one side in the width direction is moved to the other side, the cutting efficiency can be increased. Although the cutter 7 cuts from above the towel fabric 2, it may also cut from below. In this case, the support by the support part 5a of the support member 5 may be performed from above the towel fabric 2. Further, the support member 5 may be attached to the frame 8 so as not to move together with the gantry 10. Since the support part 5a of the present embodiment moves with the movement of the gantry 10, the towel fabric 2 can also be supported while being extended during this movement. The recognition means 6 can also be provided on the cutter 7 at a position where the cutting area 2a can be imaged prior to cutting, and the cutting by the cutter 7 may be performed while recognizing the cutting area 2a and controlling the cutting position.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows an example of the towel fabric 2 in which the cutting region 2a is curved. The towel fabric 2 has a pile woven portion 2c as a main part, and a plain woven portion 2d is provided at an end of a portion to be cut in the longitudinal direction that is sent from the top to the bottom of the figure. The cutting line 2b is generated in the cutting region 2a that extends in the width direction with no or few weft threads. The cutting region 2a is strip-shaped, the longitudinal direction is the width of the strip, and the cutting line 2b is set in the middle of the strip. Both sides in the width direction of the towel fabric 2 are overlapped to form side edge portions 2e called ears, so the thickness increases and it becomes difficult to extend. By making the gripping portion 3a comb-shaped and using a rubber material or the like for the holding portion 4a, while gripping and holding the thick side edge portion 2e, it is possible to effectively grip and hold the thin plain woven portion 2d as well. However, since the middle portion in the width direction is easier to extend than the side edge portion 2e, if the holding is strengthened when pulling out the towel fabric 2 from the holding portion 4a of the clamper 4, the cutting region 2a may easily curve with the center in the width direction toward the feeding destination side. If it is not held by the holding portion 4a, it becomes difficult to curve, but the towel fabric 2 easily sags due to gravity in the middle in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, according to the characteristics of the towel fabric 2, the degree of holding when pulling out from the holding portion 4a is adjusted. The recognition region 2g is set based on experience considering deformations such as the curvature and sag of the cutting region 2a so that the deformed cutting region 2a is included. Since the cutting region 2a is recognized by image processing from such a recognition region 2g and cut along the cutting line 2b generated in the cutting region 2a, it is possible to cut appropriately even if the cutting region 2a is deformed.

[0029] The cutting area 2a is recognized in the recognition area 2g of the towel fabric 2 between the support portion 5a of the support material 5 and the clamper 4, and is cut by the cutter 7. If the cutting area 2a protrudes from the recognition area 2g, for example, when the deformation of the towel fabric 2 is larger than expected, it stops as an error. The cutting area 2a is the portion between the portion supported by the support portion 5a and the portion held by the clamper 4. Since support and holding are not performed on this portion, it is consumed by cutting and has a large resistance during cutting. Compared with the case of supporting with a mat, conveyor belt, etc., it can be performed at low cost and quickly, and the cutting efficiency can be increased. Since the cutting area 2a has fewer weft threads, its light transmittance and breathability increase. Therefore, the detection means 13 may detect the pre-detection area 2f based on the difference. As shown in the figure, if the cutting area 2a is curved in the feeding direction, the pre-detection area 2f is detected prior to the entire cutting area 2a. However, if the deformation state is different, other portions of the cutting area 2a may precede. Therefore, the recognition area 2g may be determined in consideration of the position of the pre-detection area 2g and the tendency of deformation of the towel fabric 2. Instead of detecting the pre-detection area 2f of the cutting area 2a, the feeding amount of the towel fabric 2 may be controlled. However, it is necessary to widen the range of the recognition area 2g imaged by the recognition means 6 in consideration of the distortion, elongation, and contraction of the towel fabric 2, which may increase the burden of image processing.

Example

[0030] Fig. 7(a) shows the configuration of the support member 35 used in the towel fabric cutting machine 31 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and Fig. 7(b) shows the operation of the main part of the towel fabric cutting machine 31. The support member 35 is formed of a metal plate such as iron and is used in place of the support member 5 and the receiving member 14 of Embodiment 1. That is, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the support member 35 is a plate-like member extending in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of sheets are arranged at intervals in the width direction. The tip of the support member 35 on the feed side is warped upward to form a support portion 35a. The side on the feed source side of the support portion 35a becomes a receiving portion 35b having the same function as the receiving member 14, and the support member and the receiving member are integrated. Fig. 7(b) shows an operation corresponding to Fig. 3(b), and allows the gripper 3 to pass to the feed source side of the support portion 35a with respect to the comb-shaped gripping portion 3a of the gripper 3. Since the gripping portion 3a grips the tip of the towel fabric 2 by closing from the state of being open up and down, it is sufficient that at least the lower side of the gripping portion 3a has a comb shape and can pass through the support member 35.

[0031] Figs. 8(a) and 8(b) respectively show operations corresponding to Figs. 4(a) and 5(b). The operations of Figs. 4(b) and 5(a) during this period are also performed in the same manner except for the difference from the combination of the support member 35 and the support member 5 and the receiving member 14. In particular, in Embodiment 2 shown in Fig. 8(b) and in Embodiment 1 shown in Fig. 5(b), supporting the towel fabric 2 by the support portion 35a or the support portion 5a during cutting by the cutter 7 shortens the distance from the clamper 4, enables stable cutting to be performed quickly, and improves the cutting efficiency. Even without the support by the support portions 5a and 35a, the towel fabric 2 is suspended in the long section between the clamper 4 and the gripper 3, so even if cutting without support is possible, it becomes difficult to cut accurately due to slack. Increasing the tension to eliminate the slack also becomes difficult when the section is long. Even when the support member is not retracted as in this embodiment, the support member and the receiving member may not be integrated and may be provided separately. For example, a plate material extending in the width direction may be erected in the same manner as the support member 5 of Embodiment 1, and the tip may be made comb-shaped so that the gripping portion 3a of the gripper 3 can pass through.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0032] 1,31 Towel fabric cutting machine 2 Towel fabric 2a Cutting area 2b Cutting line 2f Pre-detection area 2g Recognition area 3 Gripper 3a Holding part 4 Clamper 4a Holding part 5,35 Support material 5a,35a Support part 5b Swing axis 6 Recognition means 7 Cutter 10 Stand 13 Detection means 14 Receiving member 35b Receiving part

Claims

1. In a towel fabric cutting machine for cutting a long towel fabric while feeding it in the longitudinal direction and cutting a cutting region in the width direction set according to the difference in weave pattern, a gripper that is movable between the feed source side and the feed destination side of the towel fabric and has a gripping portion for gripping the leading end of the towel fabric, and the gripper grips the towel fabric on the feed source side and then moves to the feed destination side to draw out the towel fabric; a clamper provided on the feed source side of the towel fabric and capable of holding the feed source side of the towel fabric drawn out by the gripper up to a recognition region preset as a range for recognizing the cutting region; a support member having a support portion for supporting the towel fabric drawn out by the gripper on the feed destination side of the recognition region, keeping the towel fabric between the portion supported by the support portion and the clamper in a non-supported state, and allowing the gripper to pass to the feed source side of the support portion; recognition means for imaging the recognition region of the towel fabric held by the clamper and supported by the support portion, recognizing the cutting region by image processing, and generating a cutting line in the recognized cutting region; and a cutter for cutting the towel fabric held by the clamper and supported by the support portion along the cutting line generated by the recognition means. A towel fabric cutting machine, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The towel fabric cutting machine further includes detection means for detecting a pre-detection region that becomes at least a part of the cutting region from the towel fabric on the feed source side of the position held by the clamper, and the gripper draws out the towel fabric so that the pre-detection region detected by the detection means reaches near the support portion of the support member beyond the clamper. The towel fabric cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. A receiving member for receiving the leading end of the feed source side of the towel fabric that hangs down after being cut by the cutter is provided below the feed destination side of the clamper. The towel fabric cutting machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. The support member has a plurality of plate-like members extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged at intervals in the width direction, and the support portion is formed at the leading end on the feed destination side, and the gripper has at least a portion for gripping the leading end of the towel fabric from below in the gripping portion formed in a comb-like shape in the width direction, and the tooth portions of the comb teeth correspond to the positions of the intervals between the support members, and the cut portions of the comb teeth correspond to the positions of the respective plate-like support members, allowing passage to the feed source side of the support portion. The towel fabric cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that...

5. The support member is in the form of a plate extending in the width direction, supports the towel fabric at the support portion on the tip side, and swings around an axis extending in the width direction on the base end side to switch between supporting the towel fabric and retracting to allow the gripper to pass through. The towel fabric cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that...

6. The recognition means and the cutter are attached to different positions of a gantry movable in the longitudinal direction, and the imaging and the cutting are switched by the movement of the gantry to the recognition area. The support member is attached near the tip on the feed destination side of the gantry. The towel fabric cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that...

7. In a towel fabric cutting method for cutting a long towel fabric while feeding it in the longitudinal direction and cutting a cutting area in the width direction set according to the difference in weave, Grip and pull out the tip on the feed destination side of the towel fabric with a gripper. Hold the feed source side of the towel fabric pulled out to a recognition area preset to include the cutting area with a clamper. Support the portion of the towel fabric gripped by the gripper that is on the feed source side of the tip and on the feed destination side of the recognition area with the support portion of a support member that contacts from only the lower side with the upper side open, and make the support portion allow the gripper to pass through. Image the recognition area of the towel fabric held by the clamper and supported by the support portion of the support member with the lower side unsupported, and recognize the cutting area by image processing. Generate a cutting line in the recognized cutting area. Cut the towel fabric along the generated cutting line. Pass the gripper that has released the feed destination side of the cut towel fabric through the support portion of the support member, approach the clamper that holds the feed source side of the towel fabric on the feed source side of the support portion, and grip the tip on the feed destination side of the next towel fabric to be cut. A towel fabric cutting method, characterized in that...

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