GB2130411A

GB2130411A - Testing of jacquard cards

Info

Publication number: GB2130411A
Application number: GB08330904A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eberhard Witzschel; Wolfgang Mattes
Original assignee: Halbmond Teppiche Veb
Current assignee: Halbmond Teppiche Veb
Priority date: 1982-11-18
Filing date: 1983-11-18
Publication date: 1984-05-31
Also published as: GB8330904D0; DE3333753A1; JPS59106540A; FR2536427A1

Abstract

In a method of testing Jacquard cards for the accuracy of the punched holes and the pattern information coded therein the data contained on a standard card (7) is stored (5); the Jacquard card strip (1) to be tested is read and the pattern data is stored (4); the memory contents are compared with a nominal value (19) which is based on a specific test algorithm (20) and the result of the error test is optically and/or acoustically signalled and the stored content of pattern data is represented strip by strip via a print mechanism or monitor (11). The invention may be used where Jacquard card controlled textile machines are used for the production of patterned products. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Testing of jacquard cards The invention relates to a method and a device for testing Jacquard cards for accuracy of the punched holes and the pattern information coded therein. The invention finds application in textile machines controlled by Jacquard cards and used for the production of patterned products, and in particular though not exclusively in the carpet industry.

The Jacquard cards used in the textile industry for the production of patterned products are provided with coded pattern information in the form of punched holes, which are manually or automatically cut into the Jacquard card strips using a known card punching technique. This can lead to errors which are necessarily evident in the pattern design on production of the goods. The finished Jacquard cards must therefore be tested for the accuracy of the punched holes.

Methods and devices for testing Jacquard cards are known, in which the punched information of the Jacquard card is optically reproduced on a surface of projection and missing or extra locations are shown by two-colour reproduction. Reproduction takes place in this respect in the form of columns and evaluation is carried out visually.

Further methods are based on manual counting of the punched hole locations and comparison with a test algorithm or the master pattern.

These methods are extremely time consuming, in particular with products having 4 or 5 frames. In addition, testing is manual if complicated drawing-in and patterning operations are used in the machines for surface formation. This activity is very boring and easily leads to tiredness on the part of the test personnel which in turn leads to defects being missed, which defects are then reproduced in the pattern design of the goods and consequently lead to quality defects.

The object of the invention is to automate the process of testing Jacquard cards and to develop a method and associated device which enables the punched hole locations in the Jacquard strip to be automatically compared with a nominal value and the test result to be supplied immediately to the operator.

According to the invention there is provided a method of testing Jacquard cards, wherein data contained on a standard card which contains the association of the hole positions with one another and the requirements for the possible hole positions in a Jacquard card strip, is transferred in an electronically readable form, stored and supplied to a test device; a nominal value is established, which value is based on a specific test algorithm; this nominal value is supplied to the test device; the Jacquard card strip is supplied to the test device, scanned and read; and each pattern datum contained in the Jacquard card strip is stored and the stored card content of the Jacquard card strip to be tested is compared with the nominal value in accordance with the stored association of the hole positions of the standard card or an electronically readable stored pattern datum is supplied to the test device instead of the nominal value input, which datum is compared with the punched pattern data of the Jacquard card strip; the result of the defect testing is signalled optically and/or acoustically and the stored content of pattern data is simultaneously supplied to a print mechanism or monitor and represented strip by strip, wherein each frame or each colour is represented by differing, suitably contrasting symbols or each frame is represented by a colour.

The information contained on a blank card which contains the association of the punched hole locations with one another and the requirements of the possible punched hole positions in a Jacquard card strip, is transferred in an electronically readable form, stored and supplied to a test device. This leads to the provision of a nominal value based on a specific test algorithm. This is supplied to the test device. The Jacquard card strip to be tested is supplied to the test device, scanned and read and all the data contained in the Jacquard card strip is compared, in accordance with the stored association of the punched hole positions of the standard card with the nominal value and the result of the test for defects is optically and/or acoustically signalled.

Instead of the nominal value input, electronically readable stored pattern information may be supplied to the test device, which information is compared with the punched pattern information of the Jacquard card strip. In order to detect errors of the 'colour confusion' type, a print mechanism or monitor is supplied, simultaneously to the error indication, with the stored pattern information content and reproduces this card by card, each frame or each colour being differentiated by symbols which differ greatly and contrast suitably with one another or each frame being represented by a colour. The entire pattern may therefore be displayed.

The information contained on the blank card is advantageously stored in an addressed manner either individually or in columns. In the case of individually addressed pattern information the nominal value in the case of positive card cutting is preferably equal to one hole per warp direction and in the case of negative card cutting is equal to the number of frames per warp direction - 1, and in the case of addressing in columns the nominal value is equal to the number of possible pattern data per column divided by the number of frames.

The test algorithm is suitably based on the fact that one of the colour groups (frames) forms a pattern at any point and the remaining colour groups do not form a pattern (dead pole).

The Jacquard card strip to be tested is preferably scanned in this respect in a photoelectric manner.

Preferably the stored content of the Jacquard card strip is compared with respect to each of its warp directions or in columns with the nominal value and if there is conformity with the nominal value the test sequence is completed and then stopped, and if there is not conformity with the nominal value the test sequence is stopped and the defect is indicated and after location of the defect the respective defective warp direction or the respective defective column is digitally indicated and/orthe colour in the associated warp direction, which forms the pattern is displayed.

The invention is preferably carried out using electronic data processing components, such as microprocessors for controlling the method and ROM and RAM circuits as memory units, by means of a device comprising in outline a scanning unit with a memory register connected downstream, a fixed value memory and a working memory. Plug-in cassettes with PROM circuits are used for the fixed value memory and RAM circuits are used for the working memory. In this respect the fixed value memory is used to store the data contained on the standard card and the working memory is used to store the data content of the Jacquard cards. The working store is connected with the storage register of the scanning unit and the fixed value memory. In addition, a test circuit is provided and connected with the working memory and also with a warp direction display.A colour display and a print mechanism or monitor is connected between the working memory and the test circuit. In addition, the test circuit is provided with a sequence control which undertakes both the control of the card reading and comparison sequence and the control of the ROM access and the test sequence.

The scanning unit which is designed to scan the Jacquard card strips in columns, preferably comprises a lamp and phototransistor line and a movably disposed scanning slide. A reference bar provided with holes is fastened to the scanning slide in order to indicate the columns of the Jacquard card strip, which bar is scanned photoelectrically parallel to the columns. In addition an adjustmentforthe relative position of the reference bar and the front peg hole of the Jacquard card strip is provided. A lamp and a phototransistor are associated in each case with each row of holes of the Jacquard card strip and the row of holes of the reference bar.

In order to ensure reliable scanning it is advisable forthe holes in the reference bar to be smaller than the holes in the Jacquard card strip and in this respect the reference bar comprises as many holes as there are possible columns of holes in the Jacquard card strip, each hole of the reference bar being associated with a column of holes in the Jacquard card strip.

Use is advantageously made for the test circuit of a 4-bit binary counter with nominal value setting and an error flip-flop connected in series, of a threefigure decimal counter display and of a five-figure shift register with series-connected display lamps for the colour display.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a block diagram of a device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the scanning unit; Figure 3 is a side view of the scanning unit.

As shown in Figure 1, use is made, for the testing of Jacquard card strips 1, for example in the carpet industry, of a test device 2 which consists in outline of a scanning unit 3 with a series-connected memory register 4, a fixed value memory 5 and a working memory 6. The working memory 6 is in this respect connected with the memory register 4, the scanning unit 3 and the fixed value memory 5. Use is made, for the fixed value memory 5, of plug-in cassettes with PROM circuits, in which the data contained on a standard or test Jacquard card 7 is stored. Programming of the fixed value ROM memory 5 is carried out by means of a programme routine on a computer with a punch and a commercial programming appliance such that the data on the standard card 7 is transferred to punched tape and this punched tape data is stored in the cassettes with PROM circuits.

Use is made, for the working memory 6, of a RAM arrangement which is connected with a test circuit 8 and which comprises a 4-bit binary counter with nominal value setting and a series-connected error flip-flop. The test circuit 8 is connected with a warp direction indicator 9 comprising a three-figure decimal counter with a series-connected display. Between the working memory 6 and the test circuit 8 there is a colour indicator 10 which consists of a five-figure shift register with series-connected display lamps, and which is connected with a print mechanism or a monitor 11, for example a Daro needle printer 1156 or a colour monitor, which is controlled via an interface connection (not shown), for the graphical representation of the pattern data content.In addition, the test device 2 is provided with a sequence control 12 which undertakes both the control of the card reading and comparison sequence and the control of the ROM access and the test sequence.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the scanning unit 3 which comprises a line of lamps and phototransistors 13 and a movable arranged scanning slide 14, on which slide there is fastened a reference bar 15 provided with holes and there is provided an adjustment 16, each row of holes of the reference bar 15, as can be seen from Figure 3, being associated in each case with a lamp 17 and a phototransistor 18.

A nominal value 19 is establised and set on the operating console of the test device 2 before testing ofthe individual Jacquard card strips 1. This nominal value 19 is based on a test algorithm 20 in such a way that in the case, for example, of most carpet weaves, one of the colour groups (frames) forms a pattern at any point and the remaining colour groups do not form a pattern (dead pole), i.e. that in the case of a correct card each warp direction must contain a constant number of holes such that as a result of counting of the holes in each warp direction and the comparison with the nominal value 19 which has been set the required defect testing is carried out.

The nominal value 19 is, for example, in the case of individually addressed pattern data and positive card cutting equal to one hole per warp direction and in the case of negative card cutting equal to the number of frames per warp direction - 1. In the case of addressing in columns the nominal value 19 is equal to the number of possible pattern data per column divided by the number of frames.

The Jacquard card strip 1 to be tested is inserted in the scanning unit 3 of the test device 2. In this respect care must be taken to ensure that correct positioning is obtained in the front peg hole of the Jacquard card strip 1 by means of the adjustment 16 provided on the scanning slide 14. By means of the manual actuation of the scanning slide 14 the Jacquard card strip 1 is passed through the line of lamps and phototransistors 13 and photoelectrically scanned. The perforated reference bar 15 is scanned simultaneously with the columns of holes of the Jacquard card strip 1, the start command being triggered simultaneously by this bar. The start command causes the transfer of the pattern data of the Jacquard card strip 1 into the memory register 4 and from there to the working RAM memory 6.

Testing begins after termination of scanning. In this respect the association of the individual lifters in the frames of the material is recalled in terms of warp direction from the fixed value ROM memory 5, for which plug-in cassettes with PROM circuits are used and in which the data contained on the standard card 7, relating to which hole positions of the card strip belong to a warp direction, are stored, this association being supplied together with the stored content of the Jacquard card strip 1 to the working memory 5 of the test circuit 8. The test circuit 8 counts the number of holes per warp direction and compares it with the nominal value 19 set on the operating panel of the test device 2. In this way the required error testing is carried out. When the nominal and the actual values correspond, the following warp direction is tested.If there is a descrepancy, an acoustic signal is emitted, an error lamp is illuminated and the test sequence is stopped. The defective warp direction is simultaneously digitally displayed in the warp direction indicator 9 connected to the test circuit 8. In addition, it is possible, simultaneously with the warp direction display 9, to show the colours in the associated warp direction which form a pattern in the colour display 10. This enables a visual comparison with the master. The test sequence may then be manually restarted and runs until the following defect or the last warp direction to be tested is reached. At the end of testing the tested Jacquard card strip 1 is taken from the scanning unit 3 and replaced by the following card strip.Simul taneouslyto the colour display 10, the stored content of pattern data on the Jacquard card strip 1 is simultaneously supplied from the working memory 6 to the print mechanism or monitor 11 and reproduced strip by strip, as a result of which the entire stored pattern may be represented. In the case of the Daro 1156 needle printer, which enables 178 print positions per line, it is possible to suitably show a strip of 880 Jacquard cards for a five-frame double carpet with 168 warp directions. Suitably contrasting letters or symbols are selected from the set of characters for this purpose and are matched up, each frame or each colour being associated with a symbol. In the case of display using the colour monitor, each frame is associated with a colour.This graphical representation of the stored content of pattern data enables errors of the "colour confusion" type to be detected, as a result of which complete error testing is ensured.

As a result of the high frequency of the control, it is not possible to insert the Jacquard card strip 1 manually at a faster rate than the electronics can follow. This enables a high operating speed.

This test device enables testing to be adapted to different types of operation and is itself provided with devices for self-testing, service and testing of the PROM cassettes. The test device may be adapted to all card formats and Jacquard devices as a result of exchange of the PROM circuits in the form of plug-in cassettes.

The method of the invention and its associated device for testing Jacquard cards enables both rapid testing of Jacquard card strips for the presence and absence of defects and an accurate display and representation of all the errors. It simultaneously provides for a considerable reduction in the time required for manual testing and avoids the monotony of this operating process.

Claims

1. A method of testing Jacquard cards, wherein data contained on a standard card which contains the association of the hole positions with one another and the requirements for the possible hole positions in a Jacquard card strip, is transferred in an electronically readable form, stored and supplied to a test device; a nominal value is established, which value is based on a specific test algorithm; this nominal value is supplied to the test device; the Jacquard card strip is supplied to the test device, scanned and read; and each pattern datum contained in the Jacquard card strip is stored and the stored card content of the Jacquard card strip to be tested is compared with the nominal value in accordance with the stored association of the hole positions of the standard card or an electronically readable stored pattern datum is supplied to the test device instead of the nominal value input, which datum is compared with the punched pattern data of the Jacquard card strip; the result of the defect testing is signalled optically and/or acoustically and the stored content of pattern data is simultaneously supplied to a print mechanism or monitor and represented strip by strip, wherein each frame or each colour is represented by differing, suitably contrasting symbols or each frame is represented by a colour.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data contained on the standard card is stored such that it may be addressed individually or in columns.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the nominal value is equal, in the case of individually addressed pattern data and positive card cutting, to one hole per warp direction and is equal, in the case of negative card cutting, to the number of frames per warp direction - 1 and the nominal value is equal, in the case of addressing in columns, to the number Jof possible pattern data per column divided by the riumber of frames.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the test algorithm is based on the fact that one of the colour groups (frames) forms a pattern at any point and that the remaining colour groups do not form a pattern (dead pole).

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the Jacquard card strip to be tested is photoelectrically scanned.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stored content of the Jacquard card strip to be tested is compared warp direction by warp direction or in columns with the respective nominal value and if it conforms with the nominal value the test sequence is completed and then stopped, and in that if it does not conform with the nominal value the test sequence is stopped and the error is indicated and in that after location of the error the respective defective warp direction or the respective defective column is digitally displayed and/or the colour in the associated warp direction, which forms a pattern, is displayed.

7. A device for carrying out the method of claim 1, using electronic data processing components, such as microprocessors, for controlling the method and ROM and RAM circuits as memory units, wherein the test device consists in outline of a scanning unit with a series-connected memory register, a fixed value memory, for which plug-in cassettes with PROM circuits are used and a working memory in the form of RAM circuits which is connected with the memory register of the scanning unit and the fixed value memory; the working memory is connected with a test circuit and the latter is connected with a warp direction indicator; a colour display and a print mechanism or monitor is connected between the working memory and the test circuit; and the test device is provided with sequential control.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the scanning unit comprises a lamp and phototransistor line and a movably disposed scanning slide, on which a reference bar provided with holes is fastened and an adjustment is provided, wherein each row of holes of the Jacquard card strip and the row of holes of the reference bar is associated in each case with a lamp and a phototransistor.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the holes in the reference bar are smaller than the holes in the Jacquard card strip and the reference bar comprises as many holes as there are possible columns of holes in the Jacquard card strip, wherein each hole of the reference bar is associated with a column of holes in the Jacquard card strip.

10. A device as claimed in claim 7, claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the test circuit comprises a 4-bit binary counter with a nornlnal value setting and a series-connnected error flip-flop; the warp direction indicator comprises a three-figure decimal counter with a series-connected display; and the colour indicator comprises a five-figure shift register with a series-connected display lamps.

11. A method of testing Jacquard cards substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A device for testing Jacquard cards substan- tially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.