Method and system for automatic cutting of fabric

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for automatic cutting of fabric are laborious, imprecise, and prone to downtime due to the need for manual positioning and alignment of the fabric lay with respect to the cutting area, which can lead to safety issues and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses marking spatial points on the fabric, detects these marks to determine the position and orientation, and automatically adjusts the cutting window for precise cutting, reducing the need for manual repositioning and minimizing downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual positioning and alignment of fabric lay is performed, then cutting precision can be maintained, but processing time increases and productivity decreases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated vision system using cameras and image processing algorithms. The system automatically detects fabric edges, calculates alignment deviations, and guides the cutting head through software control, eliminating the need for manual measurement and positioning while maintaining cutting precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-positioning by automatically detecting fabric characteristics through vision sensors and autonomously adjusting cutting parameters. The computer-controlled cutting head self-corrects its position based on real-time fabric detection, without requiring operator intervention for alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual alignment checks are performed using laser beams, then fabric positioning accuracy improves, but processing downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidprocessing downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vision system operates continuously during the cutting process, constantly monitoring fabric position and making real-time adjustments. Unlike intermittent manual checks with laser beams, the automated system maintains continuous feedback and correction, eliminating stopping time while preserving positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual laser alignment process with an automated vision-based measurement system. Multiple cameras capture fabric position data continuously, and computer algorithms process this information to maintain accurate positioning without requiring manual intervention or process interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If operator performs manual fabric lay adjustment, then cutting window alignment improves, but job safety risks increase due to heavy loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting window alignmentVSAvoidjob safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual fabric handling and positioning with automated mechanical systems. The computer-controlled cutting head and vision-guided positioning mechanism eliminate the need for operators to physically adjust heavy fabric lays, thereby maintaining alignment precision while removing safety hazards associated with manual handling of heavy materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3529412B1Method and system for automatic cutting of fabric
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 MORGAN TECNICA SPA
  • EP3529412B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3529412B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c
  • EP3529412B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method and relative system (1) for automatic cutting of fabric, comprising : - providing at least one piece (3) of fabric; - marking the piece with a marking (7) representative of at least two spatial points (8, 9) on the piece; - detecting the marking (7) and, through the detected marking, determining the position and the orientation of the piece (3) with respect to a reference system (X, Y); - automatically cutting the piece (3) as a function of the determined position and orientation.