Adaptive Fabric Folding End-Effector for Customized Garment Production
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The garment industry faces challenges in efficiently folding fabric parts for customized garments due to the limitations of existing automatic folding systems, which are often fixed and not adaptable to various fabric shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive fabric folding system that includes a turnover device, fold line adjuster, pleat generator, and fold line fixing device, allowing for the precise adjustment and fixing of fold lines and pleats on fabric parts, regardless of their shape or size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fixed fixtures or clamps are used for fabric folding, then folding precision for specific garment types is improved, but adaptability to various fabric shapes and sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a robotic manipulator with dynamic positioning capabilities that can adjust the fold line position and angle in real-time based on fabric characteristics. The end-effector system includes adjustable components that can dynamically adapt to different fabric shapes, sizes, and materials, replacing fixed fixtures with controllable mechanical systems that respond to sensor feedback and programming.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual folding methods are used, then adaptability to customized garments is improved, but labor intensity and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect fabric properties, dimensions, and desired fold configurations. The robotic manipulator autonomously adjusts parameters and executes folding operations without human intervention, while the end-effector self-regulates pressure and positioning based on real-time feedback from force sensors and vision systems.
3Productivity
If industrial folding machines with fixed geometries are used, then productivity for mass production is improved, but flexibility for customized garments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic manipulator with programmable end-effector serves as a universal folding system that can handle multiple garment types, sizes, and styles through software configuration rather than physical retooling. The system integrates vision systems, sensors, and adjustable mechanical components that enable a single device to perform various folding operations for both mass production and customized garments.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive fabric folding system and methods for folding a subject fabric article are provided. The system includes a turnover device; a fold line adjuster configured to adjust a fold line of the subject fabric article; a pleat generator; and a fold line fixing device. The pleat generator includes an adjustor adjusting a width of a pleat of the subject fabric article and a fabric feeding device. The turnover device is configured to flip a margin of the subject fabric article delimited by a preset fold line. The fold line adjuster is configured such that a lateral movement of the guiding portion changes a width of margin of the subject fabric article that engages with a curved surface of the turnover device to alter the fold line. The pleat generator is configured to create and regulate widths of pleats while moving the subject fabric article.