Robot Arm and Self-Propelled Rack for Garment Printing Automation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Direct-to-garment (DTG) printing is a labor-intensive process that requires significant human effort for managing garments through multiple processing stages, limiting efficiency and scalability.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled garment rack system that automates the handling of garments, using a robotic system with ibex-horn shaped arms to load and unload garments from the rack to a printer and dryer, reducing human intervention and increasing processing speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual handling of garments is used in DTG printing, then flexibility in operating machines is maintained, but labor intensity and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidautomation level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The garment rack is equipped with self-propulsion capabilities, allowing it to autonomously navigate to different printing stations without manual intervention. The rack can independently position itself for loading garments into printers and for drying operations, eliminating the need for operators to physically move heavy racks while maintaining continuous workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical handling of garments is replaced with an automated robotic arm that performs picking, placing, and manipulation of garments on the rack. The robotic system uses sensors and control algorithms to autonomously handle garments, substituting human operators in repetitive tasks and enabling continuous operation without breaks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple processing stages are implemented for DTG printing, then print quality is improved, but the process becomes more complex and space-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple processing stages including printing and drying are integrated into a unified automated workflow. The garment rack serves as a central hub that coordinates with both printing stations and drying stations, merging these functions into a seamless process where garments automatically transition between stages without manual intervention, reducing overall system complexity despite multiple processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The garment rack is designed as a multi-functional platform that can interface with different types of printing machines and drying equipment. It features standardized loading/unloading mechanisms and positioning systems that can adapt to various processing stages, allowing the same rack structure to serve multiple purposes throughout the production line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240391704A1Robot assisted direct to garment printing

Publication Date: 2024.11.28 ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING INC

AI summary

Garments are placed on a self-propelled rack and shuttled to a robot which manages interaction of the garments with a printer. A self-propelled rack holds multiple garments, such as t-shirts. A robot removes a garment from the rack and loads the garment into a printer. After printing, the robot removes the garment from the printer and returns the printed garment to the rack. The robot comprises a robotic system that includes an arm having a curved member similar in shape to a bicycle handlebar or an ibex horn. The rack moves the printed garments through a dryer to effect drying of the garments.