Pleat Shape Imaging Evaluation for Consistent Pleated Body Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The adjustment of manufacturing conditions for machining a sheet-shaped material into a pleated body depends heavily on the subjective judgment of skilled personnel, lacking objective evaluation methods for pleat shape and performance assessment.
Innovation Solution
An evaluation method that extracts feature amounts from image data of the pleated body using a computer-based system, allowing for objective evaluation of pleat shape by comparing these features against predetermined references, and incorporating machine learning to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subjective visual observation by skilled personnel is used to adjust manufacturing conditions, then manufacturing experience and intuition can be utilized, but objectivity and consistency in evaluation are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/subjective visual observation system with an optical imaging system coupled with image processing algorithms. A camera captures images of the pleated body, and computer vision techniques automatically extract and evaluate pleat shape parameters, eliminating reliance on human visual judgment while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image data as an intermediary between the pleated body and the evaluation process. The imaging system captures visual information, which is then processed through algorithms to extract feature amounts (pleat pitch, height, symmetry), serving as an objective mediator that translates physical pleat characteristics into measurable data.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual visual evaluation of pleat shape is performed, then simple evaluation processes are maintained, but manufacturing precision and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous evaluation by integrating the imaging and measurement system into the manufacturing process. The camera continuously captures images of pleated bodies, and the system automatically processes these images to evaluate pleat shape parameters, allowing for real-time quality control without interrupting production flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation system performs self-assessment by automatically capturing images, extracting feature amounts, and determining whether pleat shapes meet specifications without requiring human intervention. The system evaluates its own manufacturing output autonomously, reducing dependency on skilled personnel for quality assessment.
3Reliability
If feature amounts are extracted and compared with predetermined references, then objective evaluation is achieved, but evaluation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the evaluation process into distinct components: image capture, feature amount extraction (pleat pitch, height, coupling portion length, bending degree, symmetry), and comparison with predetermined references. Each segment handles a specific task, making the overall complex evaluation process manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the physical pleat shape into multiple quantifiable parameters (feature amounts) such as pleat pitch, pleat height, coupling portion length, bending degree, and symmetry. By converting geometric characteristics into measurable parameters, the system enables objective comparison with predetermined reference values for each parameter.
4Measurement precision
If machine learning is incorporated to enhance evaluation accuracy, then evaluation precision is improved, but system complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the correspondence between feature amounts and pleat shape characteristics through machine learning training. The system learns the relationship between extracted features and actual pleat geometry in advance, enabling accurate evaluation without requiring complex real-time computations during production.
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided a method for evaluating a pleat shape capable of objectively evaluating a pleat shape of a pleated body, and a method for manufacturing a pleated body. A method for evaluating a pleat shape of a pleated body (20) obtained by machining a sheet-shaped material (30) into a pleat shape includes an extraction step of extracting a feature amount related to the pleat shape from image data (56) of the pleated body (20), and an evaluation step of evaluating the pleat shape based on the feature amount extracted in the extraction step.