Method for marking references on a flat article and related system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for marking references on flat articles, such as leather, are prone to inaccuracy due to operator dependence, require excessive manual effort, and are inefficient, especially when dealing with complex or thick materials, leading to reduced precision and productivity.

Innovation Solution

An automated system that uses a model with through-openings to detect and replicate the peripheral profiles of both the model and the article, allowing for precise and contactless marking of references, eliminating the need for manual alignment and enabling rapid marking of multiple references with high precision and repeatability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual marking method using cardboard model and marker pen is used, then the marking process is simple and equipment-free, but the marking precision deteriorates due to operator experience dependence and inability to maintain perpendicular pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of marking processVSAvoidmarking precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical marking system (cardboard model + marker pen) with an automated marking system that uses a camera to detect the model's through-openings and a marking device to automatically mark references. This substitution eliminates operator-dependent precision issues while maintaining the simplicity of the overall process.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service marking by automatically detecting the model's through-openings and generating reference marks without requiring operator intervention for each marking action. The automated system performs alignment and marking based on detected features, making the process independent of operator skill level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual alignment and marking of multiple references is performed, then the equipment requirement is minimal, but the working time increases significantly leading to reduced productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidmarking speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual alignment and marking operations with an automated system that uses a camera to detect through-openings and automatically positions and marks references. This substitution dramatically reduces working time while the system remains relatively simple in structure.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of the model's through-openings and pre-calculates the positions of multiple references before executing the marking operation. This allows rapid sequential marking of multiple references without repeated manual alignment, significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If excessive pressure is applied by marker pen on thick or rough leather, then the marking becomes visible, but the marking precision deteriorates and creates difficulty in eliminating imprecise markings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink deposition amountVSAvoidmarking precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical marker pen system with an automated marking device that can precisely control marking parameters. This substitution allows consistent marking quality without the pressure control issues inherent in manual operation, particularly on difficult materials like thick or rough leather.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses camera detection to verify the model's position and orientation before marking, providing feedback that ensures precise alignment. This feedback mechanism prevents imprecise markings from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need for pressure adjustment tricks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of time

If the model is not superposed exactly on the flat article, then the alignment process is faster, but the marking functionality deteriorates due to incorrect reference positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment timeVSAvoidreference positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-alignment by automatically detecting the model's through-openings and calculating the correct positions of references relative to the flat article. This eliminates the need for manual superposition and alignment by the operator, achieving both speed and precision simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual visual alignment with an automated optical detection system that uses a camera to detect through-openings and computationally determines the correct reference positions. This substitution achieves precise positioning without requiring time-consuming manual superposition.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3126532B1Method for marking references on a flat article and related system
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 BRAMAC
  • EP3126532B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3126532B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3126532B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A marking method for marking references (5) on a flat article (3), comprising steps of: predisposing, on a detecting plane (1), a model (2) provided with at least a through-opening (20), the model (2) exhibiting a same peripheral profile as a flat article (3) to be marked; detecting the peripheral profile (P) of the model (2) and storing the peripheral profile (P) in a memory of a processing device; detecting a profile (A) of the through-opening (20) and the relative positioning with respect to a reference system; predisposing the flat article (3) on a marking plane (4); detecting a peripheral profile (B) of the flat article (3) to be marked; replicating the peripheral profile (P) of the model (2) detected on the marking plane (4), in such a way as to superpose it on the peripheral profile (B) of the flat article (3) to be marked; replicating also the profile (A) of the through-opening (20) of the detected model (2) on the marking plane (4), taking account of the relative positioning with respect to a reference system and taking account of the positioning of the peripheral profile (P) of the model (2) with respect to the peripheral profile (B) of the flat article (3); contactless marking of at least a reference (5) on the flat article (3) at the profile (A) of the through-opening (20) which has been replicated.