Cutting Machine Optical Sensor Registration Mark Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting machines are inefficient in quickly processing cutting jobs, detecting object positions, and minimizing waste, especially when handling objects with graphic designs and registration marks.

Innovation Solution

A cutting machine equipped with an optical sensor unit and a computing unit that selectively determines a subset of registration marks to define a cutting path, allowing for faster object detection and reduced waste by moving the optical sensor unit to strategically chosen registration marks for accurate cutting path definition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If all registration marks are detected to ensure high cutting accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased detection time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting accuracyVSAvoidcutting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the work surface into multiple zones and selectively detects registration marks only in relevant zones based on the object's position and the cutting path requirements. This segmentation approach reduces the total number of registration marks that need to be detected while maintaining sufficient cutting accuracy for each specific cutting task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different detection strategies to different areas of the work surface. Instead of uniformly detecting all registration marks across the entire surface, the system adapts the detection scope locally based on where the object is positioned and where cutting operations are needed, optimizing the balance between accuracy and speed for each local region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the optical sensor unit detects all registration marks across the entire work surface, then object position detection accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended detection duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject position detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary detection of object position using a limited set of registration marks before final cutting operations. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly establish initial object positioning and planning information, reducing the need for comprehensive detection of all registration marks and thereby minimizing detection time while maintaining sufficient positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial detection by selecting only the necessary subset of registration marks required for accurate object positioning and cutting path definition. Rather than detecting all registration marks on the work surface, the system performs partial detection focused on critical areas, achieving sufficient measurement precision with reduced detection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If a comprehensive detection of registration marks is performed for each object, then cutting path definition accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to more complex detection and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting path definition accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal detection approach where the optical sensor unit and processing system are designed to handle multiple objects and various cutting scenarios using the same core detection mechanism. By establishing zone-based detection rules and reusable processing algorithms, the system maintains high cutting path definition accuracy across different objects without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes detection parameters such as the number of registration marks to detect, detection zones, and processing depth based on specific cutting requirements. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than always performing comprehensive detection, the system maintains high cutting path accuracy while reducing unnecessary computational and hardware complexity for each detection task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enables faster cutting job execution, precise object positioning, and reduced waste by optimizing the detection of registration marks and cutting path definition, improving the overall efficiency and accuracy of the cutting process.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor unit, e.g. B. a camera, by means of which positions of the registration marks can be determined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photography

Data Source

PatentEP3488983B1Cutting machine
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 ZUND SYSTTECHN
  • EP3488983B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3488983B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3488983B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Cutting machine (1) for cutting objects (40) with a flat surface having a graphic design with a plurality of optical registration marks (42), comprising a work surface (10) for receiving at least one object, a work assembly (12) movably arranged above the work surface and comprising at least one cutting device for cutting the object, and an optical sensor unit oriented towards the work surface. A computing unit for controlling the cutting machine comprises a circuit and program code for evaluating sensor data from the optical sensor unit, recognizing registration marks of the at least one object based on sensor data from the optical sensor unit, deriving the positions of the registration marks, and defining a cutting path for the cutting device according to at least one stored job and based on the determined positions of the registration marks.