Web Unwinding Monitoring Using Optical Irregularity Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surveillance methods for handling processes of wound materials, such as plastic films, are inadequate in accuracy and reliability due to unknown winding parameters and fluctuating foil thickness, leading to inaccuracies in determining errors and their causes.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring process that records irregularities in the handling of rail materials, correlates them with running parameters, and stores this data in a database to improve error detection and cause analysis, using detection units like cameras and measurement systems to track parameters like length and torque during processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If timestamp-based monitoring is used to track production progress, then time recording is simple, but measurement precision of error position is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime recording simplicityVSAvoiderror position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical timestamp-based tracking system with an optical detection system that uses cameras and image processing to precisely locate errors on the web material. Instead of relying on time stamps alone, the system captures images of the web material at the moment of error detection and processes these images to determine the exact position, thereby substituting a low-precision mechanical timing system with a high-precision optical measurement system.

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

2Quantity of substance

If film thickness is measured to calculate winding diameter, then thickness information is available, but manufacturing precision is compromised by fluctuating thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm thickness measurementVSAvoidwinding diameter accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using image processing of the web material's visual characteristics (such as pattern recognition or feature detection) rather than directly relying on thickness measurements to determine position. This intermediary method bypasses the problem of fluctuating thickness affecting diameter calculations, as it uses visual features that remain consistent despite thickness variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If air inclusions are present in the winding, then winding process is simpler, but measurement precision of data position is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinding process simplicityVSAvoiddata position determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates the relevant visual features from the web material images that are independent of physical defects like air inclusions. By focusing on features such as printed patterns, markings, or structural elements that remain consistent despite the presence of air pockets, the system determines position accuracy without being affected by manufacturing imperfections in the winding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3392172B1Method for monitoring an unwinding process, unwinding device and unwind system
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER GMBH
  • EP3392172B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3392172B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4e
  • EP3392172B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5c

AI summary

The invention relates to a monitoring method (100) for monitoring an unwinding process of an unwinding device (2), comprising the following steps: - At least partial unwinding (101) of a web material (11) from a reel (10), - Detection (102) of at least one irregularity (12) of the web material (11) and/or the unwinding process. Furthermore, the invention relates to an unwinding device (2) for carrying out an unwinding process and an unwinding system (5) for carrying out an unwinding process.