EP2328729A1

EP2328729A1 - Method for cutting flat material in accordance with cutting patterns

Info

Publication number: EP2328729A1
Application number: EP09744096A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Harald Rauscher; Christine Herter
Original assignee: Topcut Bullmer GmbH
Current assignee: Topcut Bullmer GmbH
Priority date: 2008-09-30
Filing date: 2009-09-30
Publication date: 2011-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-30
Also published as: DE102008049791A1; WO2010054889A1; EP2328729B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cutting flat material in accordance with cutting patterns, in particular limp flexible flat material such as fabric with a repeating pattern. In the method, an alignment, or “matching” is carried out, wherein selected characteristic points of the individual cut parts of a cutting pattern that take the repeating pattern into account are used. In establishing the cutting pattern, not only are the characteristic points selected, but said points are also evaluated with regard to significance and mutual dependency. The alignment is first done with regard to the point of maximum value and thereafter in stepwise fashion one after the other with regard to the respective point of next highest value, optionally taking into account a hierarchical, tree-like structure. This allows an automatic, programmably-controlled approach to the respective point to be aligned and allows an evaluation to be made as to the necessity of an alignment.

Description

Method for the cutting-edge cutting of flat material

The invention relates to a method for cutting pattern-appropriate cutting of sheet material in particular limp flat material such as fabric having patterns in rapport

For non-patterned fabrics, this is typically laid out in one or more layers and then cut to size according to a pre-determined pattern. In this case, typically a computer-controlled cutting device is used wherein the computer is programmed according to the previously tested cutting pattern.

Problems occur when the fabrics are patterned, for example

Have striped pattern or check pattern. Here, it is absolutely necessary to arrange the individual blank parts of the pattern in the pattern so that the pattern is present in a predetermined position in the individual blank parts, in particular those edges of Zuschnittteileα, which must be sewn together later. Even slight deviations are visually perceived as unattractive.

When determining the pattern to be determined beforehand, therefore, it is already important to take into account the design of the pattern and in particular its repeat. Furthermore, the material to be cut is carefully laid out and smoothed on a delivery table. Typically, a so-called needling occurs, which occurs in particular when the patterned material is arranged in multiple layers, in order to prevent changes in position during transport of the laid out good from the delivery table to the further procedures, in particular to the cutting table. The needling is then simplified when it is done according to the prior unpublished German patent application 102007 018 782.5

However, even with very careful laying out and needles, it can still happen that cut pieces do not fit together in a measure that is still perceptible to the eye. To overcome this problem it is common to one

Align, a so-called match, perform. In this case, the laid-out and optionally needled material is examined on a matching table (matchiαg table), whether the pattern associated with the previously defined pattern and the pattern which results when cutting according to the previously defined pattern actually coincides in the arrangement of the pattern in a considered blank part. It has been found that very particular selected characteristic sparks, typically lying on the edge of a blank, are characteristic of whether a mismatch in the position of the pattern on the actual blank relative to the position of the pattern in the blank portion contained in the predetermined pattern in the final product are annoying to the eye or not, that is, it is sufficient to determine whether the position of the pattern in the cutting part predetermined by the cutting pattern and the position of the pattern in the executed actual blank part at this point match. If this is not the case, the position of the blank part in the pattern must be corrected before da. Well, where the mismatch has been detected, then actually cut. This process is called Matching. If this alignment has taken place, the still smoothed and needled out is fed to a cutting table, and the cutting of this material is carried out by means of a cutting pattern corrected with regard to the matching process. In practice, the characteristic points, called matching points, locally, that is announced at the alignment table a worker who then carried out starting from the characteristic points for the various characteristic points the necessary alignment, so determines deviation and assess an appropriate correction. It remains typical to the knowledge of the worker reserved, in which order he works off the individual characteristic points, if necessary, a blank part as an essential part (master part) be given. The worker therefore requires an extremely high level of qualification and requires a considerable amount of time for high-quality end products to stir the alignment. In particular, when the pattern of the pattern is relatively small, great care is required.

This alignment process has thus far been extremely expensive.

Based on this, it is therefore an object of the present invention, the

To improve the alignment process with regard to the time required and / or with regard to the quality requirements of the workers involved.

The object is achieved in a method by the features of claim 1. The invention is further developed by the features of the dependent claims. The invention further relates to a computer program and a Computcrprogrammprodiikt for the execution of the method. The invention is initially based on the knowledge that it is possible to determine already when determining the pattern which points are selected characteristic points taking into account the repeat of the pattern. In addition, it can already be determined when determining the pattern whether alignment with respect to a determination of the characteristic points has an influence on the position of other characteristic points and it would be necessary to carry out their alignment. That is, the selected characteristic points can already be evaluated in terms of their importance and interdependence already in the determination of the pattern. In this case, a characteristic point will result that has the highest valence, the alignment thus has influence on all other cut parts and their characteristic points. It can be determined already in the determination of the pattern and the corresponding selected characteristic points, whether in the case of a deviation of the result in the point from the theoretical point contained in the pattern, a correction in the longitudinal direction, a correction in Queπichtung or a correction in both longitudinal As well as in the transverse direction is required in order to achieve the final goal, namely the pattern matching of the various blank parts after cutting.

In particular, if the pattern has a plurality of cut parts, a hierarchical depiction of the characteristic selected points representing one another will result.

By means of the method according to the invention, it is possible, starting from the programmed and previously defined pattern of the characteristic points, to approach the sequence indicated by the valence in a controlled manner and to display there, preferably optically, the corresponding point on the designed product. The worker can then determine in a simple manner on site, whether the characteristic point in the pattern in the pattern pattern of the pattern pattern deviates from the existing existing in the actual good point. In the given case, the worker causes a corresponding correction of the deviation, ie a corresponding correction in the programmed pattern, whereupon then the next selected selected point is automatically marked, and so on. It is particularly simple if the designed material in the area of a marked point is optically detected and displayed as an image, for example with the aid of a camera and a corresponding image of the arrangement of the pattern in the blank part, as is actually desired, so that the worker only an image match by moving the various images must perform and by pressing a button or mouse operation after production of Match triggers the correction step. With high expenditure on equipment, it is even possible to automatically detect and correct a corresponding deviation by image processing.

Once all the selected characteristic points have been "processed" in sequence, that is to say the corresponding alignment has taken place, the program instructions of a cutting program created on the basis of the previously determined pattern of cuts can be corrected accordingly and can be adjusted after the output aligned with the previously defined pattern has been moved out conveyed to the cutting device and cut accordingly.

The extent of moving the Zuscluüttteile in the pattern are limited insofar as individual blank pieces in their arrangement in the actual running pattern cutting the arrangement of other blank parts within predetermined tolerances may not cut. It is therefore convenient to associate a surrounding boundary with each of the blank sections within which such movement of the blank section may occur. A typical influencing variable is the repeat of the pattern. A repetition of the entire alignment process will offer itself before the alignment process is recognized as not feasible and appropriate alarm is given.

The implementation of the method is then simplified if the display table, alignment table and cutting table have a common conveyor, as has already been proposed in the earlier unpublished German patent application 102007 018781.7. Then mistakes that may occur during the transfer from one transport device to the other or when transferring from one table to another, can be disregarded. It is only necessary to consider a reference point during laying, aligning and cutting in order to stop the planar cut on the alignment table or on the trimming table during the transport process and to trigger the next steps (alignment or trimming). Optionally, this can even be done via a Taktstcuerung the transport movement of the common conveyor belt.

The correct alignment procedure can be carried out programmatically, the program interactively executing, if necessary, the marking of the individual characteristic points and the detection of deviations and thus the determination of the corresponding corrections. The invention also relates to a computer program product containing such a program.

It can be seen that by judging the valence of the characteristic selected radio signals, they can be approached one after another in the correct order without the assistance of a worker, and the order of determination of a deviation can be judged without the assistance of the worker and taken into account in the correction. Thus, there is a significant saving in terms of both the qualification of the operator (unless a fully automatic implementation is performed) and the time actually required to initiate the necessary corrections. Although the correction in a low-valued function already has to account for a correction to be made at a higher-valued characteristic point, it is convenient to store each deviation and then supply all the stored arrays to the cutting program at the cutting table, since the corrections are only for the one currently being designed Apply well and be completely different on the next designed item, even if it is the same item with the same pattern and pattern.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a particular embodiment.

1 shows schematically in plan the allocation of a Auslegetisches, a Ausrichttisches and a cutting table and a Abräumberciches, Fig. 2 a prepared according to a predetermined pattern cutting pattern including boundary areas and including characteristic selected points in individual blank parts of the pattern and Fig. 3 schematically the Assess the importance and interdependence of the various points selected in a hierarchical structure.

Fig. 1 shows the typical structure of an arrangement by means of which the method according to the invention can be carried out, that is, by means of the sheet material, in particular bvegeschlaffes sheet material such as fabric having pattern in the repeat, can be tailored to cut pattern.

The arrangement has a delivery table 1. On the Auslegetisch 1 the flat Good one or more layers is designed in a conventional manner is the good limp it may be necessary to smooth out. If the good bears a pattern in the repeat, it must be ensured when laying out that the laying takes place stress-free, in particular in order to avoid distortion of the repeat. In the case of multi-layer design, care must also be taken to ensure that the patterns in the different layers are completely identical. This is generally fixed by so-called needling. A fixation of one or more layers can also be done by means of negative pressure in a conventional manner.

This designed cut is to be cut to a cutting table 3 according to a predetermined pattern 2 determined by a designer, for example. The predetermined pattern 2 is typically fed to a computer 4, which converts the cutting lines of the pattern 2 into control commands, which in turn are fed to a cutting device S of the cutting table 3 and cause them to extend the corresponding cutting operations when the material to be cut on the table surface 6 of the cutting table 3 is in a predetermined Refercnzlage. The cutting table 3 has a bridge 7 which is movable along the table surface 6 and which carries a cutting head 8 which is movable along the bridge 7 and thus transversely to the table surface 6. Depending on the cutting tool used, the cutting tool which is arranged on the cutting head 8 may also be dτeh.bar. This is especially the case when the cutting tool carries an oscillating or rotating knife. This is basically known and commercially available in many implementations.

When determining the previously determined pattern 2, individual blank parts 21, 22,..., 26 (as an example) are provided in a specific arrangement and predetermined position relative to one another. If the sheet to be cut has patterns in the repeat as provided in the present invention, the mutual arrangement and positional relationship of the various blank pieces 21 to 26 in the predetermined pattern 2 takes this pattern and its repeat into account. This means that the mutual arrangement of the blank parts 21 to 26 in

Accordance has been made with the pattern of the pattern in the material to be cut, in order to achieve the desired effect of the Bendprodukt.

When determining the pattern 2, however, an ideally designed material with an ideal pattern is required. In practice, neither is an ideal design, despite the utmost care, of the good possible nor will the pattern in the designed good match its ideal course. If the material located on the cutting table 3 were cut exclusively according to the previously defined pattern 2, then in particular at those points where For the final product, different blanks border one another, deviations in the pattern are visible and corresponding products would no longer be available on the market.

In order to eliminate this, a so-called matching is performed, aligning or adjusting the position of the various blank parts 21 to 26 with their theoretical ideal course of the pattern with respect to the actually running pattern in the outlined pattern. As explained above, conventionally, extremely high experience is required to perform this alignment operation.

According to the prior art and in accordance with the invention, an alignment table 10 is provided between the delivery table 1 and the cutting table 3 for this purpose. A worker determines, for each blank portion 21 to 26 of the pre-determined pattern 2, whether the pattern of the pattern at the corresponding corresponding location coincides with the actual pattern of the pattern in the laid item, judging whether this could be critical to the quality of the final product and, when a deviation is considered critical, causes the corresponding blank portion to be virtually moved relative to the other blank portions until the pattern matches the pattern in that blank portion with the pattern of the pattern at the laid out item. It may be a longitudinal and / or transverse movement of the corresponding blank part, and optionally also a rotation. It is also important to ensure that despite all corrective movements, all cut parts are still in the cuttable area and do not interfere with each other, such as overlap or the like. It turns out that this is extremely time-consuming and requires high qualification of the entrusted worker. The resulting due to this alignment process corrected arrangements of the blank parts to each other within the pattern are reported as corrections to the computer 4 again, which then changes the cutting program for this good.

It has already been found that there are selected characteristic features in the individual blank parts that take into account the repeat of the pattern, which are typically close to the edges and typically characterize the critical points at which even slight deviations in the pattern are disturbing in the end product. The worker has thus traditionally paid attention to these characteristic points in determining the necessary corrective movements. But even then, the time required is extremely large and continues to require a lot of experience. Any action that simplifies and accelerates the work of the Werkis is therefore desirable.

The inventors have now found that the aforementioned characteristic

Points can already be determined in the development of the pattern 2 and have further found that there are hierarchical dependencies, that is, there are blank parts in which a change in the arrangement of another blank part also makes a change in their arrangement necessary, and such where this is not necessary. Thus, a valence can be assigned to each of these characteristic points. Furthermore, there is a point of highest significance, in which a correction movement has an influence on all other cut parts, but whose arrangement is not influenced by corrective movements of the other blank parts. Typically, this point of highest significance is assigned to a blank part referred to in practice as a master part. This will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG.

FIG. 2 shows in plan view an exemplary cutting pattern 2 with blank parts 21 to 26 (based on the schematic illustration according to FIG. 1). The cut contour profile of the individual blanks can be assigned to parts of a blazer wherein blank part 21 corresponds to a front part, blank part 22 to a side part, blank part 23 to a sleeve part, blank part 24 to a back part, blank part 25 to another sleeve part and cut part 26 to a further part uncritical with respect to the pattern profile. The front part is probably the most visually important part and is therefore defined in advance as a master part with two characteristic points Fl and F2. In the other blank parts 22 to 25 further characteristic points are defined. It turns out that they have certain dependencies on the pattern available here, with respect to the pattern. In the case of the cutting pattern 2 presented here, it is determined that the blank 21 as such is determinative of the course of the pattern in all other blank parts, that, on the other hand, the arrangement in the cutting pattern 2 itself can remain unchanged. All other characteristic points have certain dependencies. The position of the characteristic point S1 depends on the position of the characteristic point F1 such that both points must show the same pattern course. If the blank part 22 is moved such that the characteristic point S1 has the same pattern as the characteristic point F1, the corresponding definition defines another characteristic point S2 in the same blank part, the position of the pattern again being at this characteristic point S2 Influence on the position of a characteristic point B2 in the back part, cutout 24, has, why now this blank part 24 must be moved in its position, so that at the points S2 and B2 is a same pattern course.

Characteristic points on the two sleeve parts, points P1 and M1, in turn depend on a different characteristic point F2 contained in the master part or blank part 21. Here it is necessary that at these points in each case the same pattern course is present. Finally, in the back part a further characteristic point B1 is defined, which typically has the least significance and defines a correction movement transversely to the Ltagserstreckung without changing the point B2.

Of course, more or other characteristic points may be present. From the above, a Hieiaichische interdependence, even in the form einet Baumstruktiα, as shown schematically in Fig. 3, and further in this hierarchical structure, only the permissible correction movements at the respective characteristic points are still defined.

In addition, FIG. 2 shows, for the various blank parts, a surrounding defined boundary region, for example, within which a correction movement may take place. This border region typically corresponds to a repeat and protects the procedure from the fact that the correction movements move the respective blank parts in such a way that they extend beyond the area defined by the border of the pattern 2 and that adjacent blank sections could then overlap one another.

This evaluation of the individual blank parts and their characteristic points makes it possible to simplify the work of the worker on the alignment table 10 substantially. The worker is given the order of the points to be assessed. He has only the appropriate points to approach, judge and trigger the corresponding correction operations.

At the same time, the worker can be further supported automatically to a considerable extent. As shown in Fig. 1, and the alignment table 10 has a bridge 11 which is movable along the table 10 and a marking head 12 which is transversely to the bridge 1 1 movable. This can be based on the previously defined Cutting patterns 2 predetermined characteristic points and their order of execution of the marking head 12 controlled by the valence of the calculator 4 controlled on the aligned on the alignment table 10 Good mark the characteristic point is the maximum value of the characteristic points that are not yet processed. This marking is preferably done optically by a spot of light, a crosshair or the like on the laid-out cut. The worker can now recognize directly or with the aid of a camera associated with the marking head 12, for example on a screen 13, whether the point marked by the marking head 12 coincides with the corresponding pattern profile on the laid out cut. The deviation can be measured directly and supplied as a value to the computer or can be determined virtually for example by means of a cursor on the screen 13 and communicated to the computer 4. The computer 4 determines from the transmitted. Deviation the necessary corrections which are then to be carried out in the cutting program. Subsequently, with respect to the other to be marked characteristic

Points proceeded in the same way so that the computer 4 change the corresponding cutting program due to the deviations determined and thus required correction movements. Since these corrective movements apply exclusively to the respective designed good being considered, the ideal cutting program predetermined per se by the previously defined pattern 2 is not changed, but the execution of the cutting program is correspondingly corrected. It is therefore expedient to buffer all deviations and to make the corrections only when the Good to be cut is located on the cutting table 3 am on the table surface 6 in the predetermined position for cutting.

It can be seen that, for the purpose of simplifying his work, both the illustration of the pattern in the area of the characteristic point and the theoretical course according to the previously determined pattern 2 and the corresponding area of the laid product on the screen 13 are shown next to one another and optionally also one above the other Can be made available. In this block-like representation of the pattern of the pattern is taken into account.

It is also conceivable to provide an image processing program by means of which a deviation can be determined automatically and the correction requirement can be determined and communicated to the computer 4. However, such image processing programs must be relatively time-consuming and expensive at present costly, especially if the contrasts in the pattern are not too big.

After completion of the alignment process, that is, when the least significant point has been processed (B1 works of the tree of FIG. 3 and the pattern 2 according to Figure 2), the material to be cut from the alignment table 10 to the already explained cutting table. 3 promoted, and as soon as the Out on the cutting table 3 has reached a reference position, the cutting process is triggered. After completion of the cutting process, the now cut material is a Abräumtisch 15 supplied by the cut blank parts then removed in a conventional manner and fed to a further processing and is also removed from the cut waste.

In the promotion of the laid good from the Auslegetisch 1 to the alignment table 10 on the one hand and in promoting the aligned good from the alignment table 10 to the cutting table 3 on the other hand, there may be small additional errors at transfer points. These are avoided if the tables are assigned a common conveyor. The common conveyor can also be associated with a suction device, as it is known per se. It is also possible that the arrangement at the Auslegetisch by means of which is needled, in a conventional manner in such a way that it is integrated in the conveyor The Applicant has already proposed appropriate approaches, as indicated above The application of the invention is, however not beschrantt

In principle, it is also possible to apply, align and cut on a single table surface, but then the productivity is extremely reduced.

It also shows that the above-described alignment process can be controlled by the computer 4, possibly interactively with the cooperation of the worker at Ausriclittisch 10. This makes it possible to provide a computer program for the computer 4 is available, which causes the computer the described procedure runs largely programmatically

The invention thus also relates to a computer program product containing this program, thus enabling a computer 4 to perform the method. As mentioned, the method is executable with single-layer and multi-layered good. For multi-ply good as mentioned is a requirement that the same pattern with the same rapport is present. It should be noted that the invention is applicable even if there are different repeats in the layers, but the repeat lengths and repeat widths must then be in an integer ratio.

Claims

claims

Anspruch [en] A process for the gradual cutting of sheet material, in particular flat material such as cloth, which has a pattern in the repeat, where the product is optionally laid out smoothing, the position of the pattern in the predetermined pattern with the box of the

Pattern is compared in the laid out good, using selected pattern of the pattern taking into account the repeat of the pattern parts of the cut pattern, detected deviations of the selected radio in the predetermined pattern of the corresponding point in the laid Good and cut the designed Good by means of a cutting device is controlled according to the predetermined cutting pattern, wherein prior to cutting, a correction of the mutual arrangement of the individual cut parts to be cut from this good with respect to the predetermined cutting pattern is carried out on the basis of the detected deviations, characterized in that in determining the Pattern whose selected points are evaluated in terms of their meaning and interdependence and that the detection of the deviations initially carried out in terms of the point of highest significance The detection of the deviations with respect to the point having the next highest significance is then carried out step by step, taking account of a correction resulting from previously detected points.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that when determining the selected points is further determined whether a deviation triggers me in the transverse direction, only in the longitudinal direction or in both transverse and longitudinal direction of the laid good a corresponding correction.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each blank part in the pattern is assigned a surrounding boundary area in the determination of the pattern, which takes into account the repeat and within the corrections of the arrangement of the respective blank part are feasible.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that is marked for detecting a deviation of the respective respective point in the pattern against the laid Good, which is determined due to the actual position of the laid good corresponding corresponding actual point and then the deviation is determined.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that is optically marked by a light spot, a crosshairs image or the like is adjusted over the laid Good.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that an image is taken on a screen of the area of the laid good around the marked point, an image of the selected point corresponding to the selected point on the same screen, the deviation is automatically detected and the Corresponding correction is carried out automatically.

7. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a picture is taken on a screen of the area of the laid good around the marked point including this and an operator detects the deviation and triggers the corresponding correction, such as by actuating a cursor such that on the screen, the image of the marked point to the associated point of the laid good is at least virtually moved.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the material designed on a belt-like transport device Auslegetisch, optionally smoothed and needled, with a reference point is set on Good, the designed good then with the help of the transport a transferred and held there, after which using the reference point, the implementation of the comparison, the detection of deviations and the corrections are carried out, the designed material is then transferred by means of the transport device to a cutting table having a belt-like transport device and held there and possibly fixed in position over its entire surface, after which using the reference point and the results of comparison, detection of deviations and determination of the corrections for this good a Schαeideinrichtung for cutting the goods is driven in accordance with the previously defined pattern, and then, with the help of the transport device, the cut Good is conveyed away.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the Auslegetisch, alignment table and cutting table have a common transport device.

10. The method according to claim 8 and 9, characterized in that the cutting table a Abräumtisch is arranged downstream, which may also have the common transport device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, if the evaluation of the selected points in terms of their meaning and interdependence results in a tree-like structure with multiple branches, the stepwise detection of deviations takes place in a predetermined order of branches.

12. The method according to any one of claims] to 11, characterized in that each detected deviation is stored and the stored deviation is used to determine the respective required correction in the control of the cutting device.

A computer program which, when executed on a computer, causes a device for pattern-conforming cutting of sheet material, in particular flat material such as cloth having pattern in the repeat, to perform the method according to one of claims 1 to 12 optionally interactively ,

14. Computer program product containing the program recorded according to claim 13.