Natural Leather Trimming with Optical Defect Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing natural leather processing methods are inefficient, costly, and prone to errors, with manual trimming leading to lengthy processing times, high waste, and continuous production stoppages due to uneven thickness and defects.

Innovation Solution

A natural leather trimming machine equipped with an ironing device, detection unit, and cutting means that uses video cameras and laser sources to automate the detection and precise cutting of leather defects, ensuring uniform thickness and edge quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual trimming is used to remove defects from leather edges, then defect elimination is achieved, but processing time increases significantly and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect elimination qualityVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical trimming with an automated system that uses video cameras for detection and a laser source for marking/trimming. The control unit automatically processes camera images to identify defects and generates trimming paths, eliminating the need for manual inspection and trimming operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting defects, determining trimming paths, and executing trimming operations without human intervention. The machine autonomously identifies edge defects, calculates optimal cutting paths, and performs trimming while the leather moves through the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual verification and trimming of leather edges is performed, then defect identification is achieved, but continuous production is interrupted due to work cycle mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect detection accuracyVSAvoidproduction stoppage time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves continuous operation by synchronizing the trimming machine's work cycle with the shaving machine's faster cycle. The automated detection and trimming system operates continuously as leather passes through, eliminating the stoppages required for manual verification and trimming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and path planning while the leather is still in transit through the system. Video cameras capture images, the control unit processes them to identify defects and generate trimming paths, and the laser marks the cutting lines before the leather reaches the trimming zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If manual trimming is used to remove defects, then some defects are eliminated, but processing waste increases due to excessive material removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect removal effectivenessVSAvoidleather waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The automated optical detection system with video cameras provides precise identification of defect locations and boundaries. The control unit calculates optimal trimming paths that remove only the defective portions, enabling much more precise material removal compared to manual trimming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If automated detection and cutting systems are implemented, then processing speed and precision are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrimming speedVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple functions into a unified automated platform: video camera-based defect detection, image processing and path calculation, laser marking, and coordinated movement control. This multi-functional integration achieves high productivity while managing complexity through consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves rapid, precise trimming with reduced waste and costs, allowing continuous production by identifying and correcting defects, thus optimizing leather processing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

detecting, with the video camera, the position of the natural leather

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical imaging: Photography

Implementation Method 2

a laser source (41) configured for emitting a laser beam (411)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS12454729B2Natural leather trimming machine and natural leather conditioning plant

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 TURCHI MAXIMILIAN

AI summary

Described is a natural leather trimming machine including: an ironing device for stretching and removing creases and wrinkles from the leather, cutting means for cutting the leather along at least one cutting line, a detection unit configured to detect the position of the leather, the shape of at least one relative end edge, and the position of any defects close to at least one relative end edge, a plurality of conveyor belts and a first command and control unit configured to determine the cutting coordinates of the leather.