Laser Textile Marking Machine with Camera-Based Position Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser machines for treating textiles face challenges in accurately marking garments due to creases and irregularities, leading to incorrect placement and time-consuming adjustments, resulting in suboptimal marking and quality control.

Innovation Solution

A laser machine equipped with a camera and image processing module that identifies and calculates the position and angle of the textile, adjusts laser instructions, and performs quality control using image recognition software and 3D scanning, allowing for automatic marking and precise positioning without manual adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a light projector is used to guide garment placement, then the marking area can be defined, but the garment placement precision deteriorates due to creases and irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking precisionVSAvoidgarment placement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical light projector guidance system with an optical recognition system (camera 102, 103) that automatically detects garment position and contours. The control unit 51 processes images to identify garment placement and adjusts laser instructions accordingly, eliminating the need for manual alignment with projected guides.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the garment to be placed naturally without precise manual positioning. The camera captures the actual garment position, the control unit analyzes the image to determine placement accuracy, and automatically adjusts the laser marking instructions to compensate for any deviations, making the system adapt to the garment rather than requiring the garment to conform to a fixed template.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of garment position is performed, then placement accuracy can be improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegarment placement precisionVSAvoidmarking speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing an image of the garment placement before the laser marking begins. The control unit 51 processes this image to determine the actual garment position and calculates the necessary adjustments to the laser instructions in advance, so that when the laser starts marking, the corrected path is already prepared, eliminating any delay during the marking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using the camera 102, 103 to continuously monitor garment placement and providing this information to the control unit 51. The control unit compares the actual placement with the intended placement and automatically adjusts the laser marking instructions based on this feedback, ensuring high precision without requiring manual intervention or slowing down the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If the system adapts to each garment's unique position and dimensions, then marking accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by designing a single integrated setup that handles multiple functions: the camera 102, 103 serves both to capture garment placement and to measure focal distance; the control unit 51 performs both image processing and laser instruction adjustment; the same hardware configuration works for different garment types, sizes, and materials without requiring physical reconfiguration, reducing overall system complexity despite the sophisticated processing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple functions into unified components. The camera system simultaneously performs garment recognition, position detection, and focal distance measurement. The control unit integrates image processing, position calculation, and laser parameter adjustment in a single processing chain. This consolidation reduces the number of separate devices and interfaces needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high marking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 machine ensures accurate and efficient marking of various garments by adapting to their unique dimensions and positions, reducing human error and speeding up the process while enhancing quality control through automated recognition and precise laser control.

Implementation Method 1

at least one camera (102, 103) arranged so as to take an image of said placement surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the laser device causes the laser to strike the garment, such that the laser produces a marked and/or bleached and/or worn and/or burnt and/or cut effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 3

the laser device causes the laser to strike the garment, such that the laser produces a marked and/or bleached and/or worn and/or burnt and/or cut effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP4428283A1Laser machine for treating textiles
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 MACSA ID
  • EP4428283A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4428283A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4428283A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Machine (1) for treating textiles which comprises a placement surface (20) for a textile (40) to be treated, a laser device (100) arranged for marking over said surface and a control device (50) for said laser device (100) which comprises a series of stored instructions corresponding to the path to be followed by the laser for the textile (40) to be treated, whereby the machine (1) further comprises at least one camera (102, 103) arranged so as to take an image of the placement surface (20) and an image processing module configured to identify the textile (40) to be treated on said placement surface (20) and to calculate the position and angle of said textile (40) with respect to a stored position of said textile (40), and said image processing module being connected to the control device (50), in such a way that the control device (50) is configured to modify the series of instructions on the basis of the aforementioned position and angle data determined by said image processing module.