Sewing Line Operator Assignment Using Skill and Physical Condition Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sewing management systems do not account for operator-related information such as sewing skill and physical condition, which limits the improvement of sewing quality and production efficiency in sewing lines.

Innovation Solution

A sewing management system that includes a sewing device transmitting production management information, a terminal detecting physical condition information, and a management device estimating sewing skill and production capacity based on this information to optimize personnel assignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If production management information is accumulated in recording medium for each sewing work or sewing machine, then productivity of production management is improved, but operator-related information including sewing skill and physical condition information is not captured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproductivity of production managementVSAvoidoperator-related information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines production management information (sewing work data, machine operation data) with operator-related information (skill level, physical condition) into a unified management system. The management device integrates data from both the recording medium and terminal devices to create a comprehensive operator evaluation system that considers both production metrics and human factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The management device serves multiple functions: it manages production management information, collects operator-related information from terminals, evaluates sewing skill based on production data, and assesses physical condition based on terminal data. This multi-functional approach allows the system to address both production management efficiency and operator capability assessment simultaneously.

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

2Productivity

If sewing management system tracks production management information only, then production management efficiency is improved, but sewing quality and production efficiency in sewing line cannot be fully optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction management efficiencyVSAvoidsewing quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes feedback loops where production management information is continuously collected and analyzed to evaluate operator sewing skill. This evaluation feedback is then used to optimize personnel assignment in the sewing line, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves both production efficiency and sewing quality based on actual performance data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters used for operator evaluation from purely production-based metrics to a composite assessment that includes both production management information (output volume, efficiency) and operator-specific parameters (sewing skill level, physical condition). This parameter expansion enables more accurate matching of operators to tasks that require specific skill levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If operator evaluation is based only on production management information, then management simplicity is maintained, but accurate assessment of production capacity is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanagement simplicityVSAvoidproduction capacity assessment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary collection and organization of both production management information and operator-related information before conducting the actual evaluation. Terminals pre-collect data on operator physical condition and skill characteristics, while the management device pre-processes production management data, so that when evaluation is needed, all necessary information is already prepared and integrated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The management device acts as an intermediary that automatically integrates and processes both production management information and operator-related information. This intermediary function simplifies the evaluation process by automatically matching operators with appropriate tasks based on comprehensive criteria, eliminating the need for manual assessment while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3859070B1Sewing management system and sewing management method
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 JUKI CORP
  • EP3859070B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3859070B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3859070B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The sewing management system (1) includes a sewing machine (9) that performs sewing on a sewing line (SL), a management server (8) that manages various information on the sewing line (SL), and a wearable terminal (10) that detects physical condition management information of an operator (OP) on the sewing line (SL). The sewing machine (9) transmits production management information, including identification information of the operator (OP) who perform sewing operations on the sewing line (SL) and operation information of the main unit of the device, to the management server (8). The management server (8) estimates a sewing skill of the operator (OP) based on the production management information and estimates the production capacity of the operator (OP) based on the physical condition management information.