JP2003511242A - Method and apparatus for treating a surface of a fibrous material using a laser to obtain a worn appearance - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract: A laser (205) based material surface treatment technology that can create new shapes and / or designs for fiber materials. The controller (199) outputs a laser (205) control signal via the drive line (198) and the excitation unit (200). The laser (205) outputs a beam (205) in response to the excitation signal. The duty cycle of the beam (208) of the laser (205) is adjusted sequentially using the shutter (210). This beam (208) is then positioned and zoomed by the laser moving element (215) and the zoom lens assembly (220), respectively, to the material surface platform.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Explanation of related applications]

This application is US Provisional Application No. 60/157, filed October 5, 1999,
Claim the profit of 904.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heretofore, outer garments made of materials such as denim have often been treated as if they were apparently worn. Consumers are demanding to buy used outerwear.

[0003] Currently available techniques for treating such outer garments include mechanical sandblasting with abrasives such as sand, and manual, mechanical, or robotic polishing. The effect is local wear, which is a wear pattern from below the waist to below the knee. Another effect is global wear, which is the wear pattern from under the waist to the cuff. "Whisker" is a term that refers to the wear that occurs along the folds and edges of a product during wear. Yet another wear appearance is a square area imprinted on the back pocket of jeans, simulating the wear pattern caused by bringing a purse into the back pocket. Yet another wear appearance is called "fraying", which is a pattern in which individual threads of cotton fibers are exposed due to the high degree of wear. Such pattern portions may have holes in the denim fiber. As a sandblasting process for local and global wear, sandblasting equipment may be used to wear denim jeans with a wear medium such as sand particles. This process blows sand particles from the sandblasting device onto the pair of jeans. Since there is no regularity in the spatial distribution of this sand, a special appearance occurs in the processing area called "feathering". Wear in this feathered area is around the pattern, for example,
It changes from the thin part along the edge and the top of the pattern to the dark part in the center of the pattern. This unique look may simulate the look of denim jeans that have worn for quite some time.

However, sandblasting has many problems and limitations. For example, the process of spraying a material medium such as sand exposes environmental and health problems. Workers typically need to wear protective equipment and masks to reduce the effects of inhaling sand in the air. This work is considered dangerous and causes a high turnover rate for employees.

Individual operator competence is also important in reducing the scrap rate associated with sandblasting. Due to the importance of this individual operator's ability, there is the additional impact of increasing labor costs for sandblasting operators, which are usually higher than the work rates of other employees in the denim finishing plant. The actual blasting process may occur in a room that is shielded from other areas within the manufacturing facility.

[0006]   Further environmental problems arise during sand cleaning and disposal.

The sandblasting process is a wear process and may cause wear to the sandblasting device. This device often needs to be replaced on an annual basis or more frequently. Of course, this can result in increased capital, maintenance and installation costs.

Also, new designs such as shadow effects along the top or bottom of whiskers are difficult or impossible to obtain with conventional sandblasting processes.

[0009] In all, the sandblasting process may have labor costs, material costs, scrap costs incurred, and cost per pair of jeans due to the required environmental cleaning in excess of $ 1.00. Due to the diversification of processing itself and the diversity of workers, it is difficult to reproduce the exact arrangement of sandblasted patterns from one outer garment to the next.

Sandblasting can also adversely affect the wear and fiber properties of denim jeans due to sand wear on denim. It is not uncommon for sandblasting to reduce denim's wear and fiber strength by as much as 50%. Furthermore, the abrasion and fibrous forces following sandblasting are high due to the inability to control the abrasion process. Some manufacturers need to test the wear and fiber properties of denim in that particular location if the wear is the least likely to pass the wear and fiber strength standards of the apparel company.

Another method of producing a wear look exposes its own problems. For whiskers or after frayed appearance, the manufacturer may decide if the whisker or frayed appearance is applied to denim by hand sanding or, in some cases, by a rotary drill such as the DREMEL® tool. Some are very labor-intensive, expensive and rely on slow hand polishing or sanding processes. In addition to the labor costs associated with such treatments, this hand sanding operation is often associated with defects after washing, in which case the individual whisker sandings on denim may be too small or too large. As a result, the quality of the product deteriorates. Some manufacturers seek to use robotic sanding to avoid these problems: labor at high investment levels and labor with limited flexibility.

Despite the drawbacks mentioned above, sandblasting and abrasion treatment have a wide range of applications, as it requires the market to wear denim that is visually worn.

Agents of the present invention include, for example, US Pat. Nos. 5,990,444, 6,002,099, and 5,
No. 916,961 discloses laser treatment of denim. With these techniques, lasers can be used to obtain the appearance of textiles.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the inventor proposes a new laser polishing device and technique in which specific wear on the fibers and outerwear simulates the appearance.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the energy density of a laser causes the color of the outer garment to change to a degree of change from indigo or black to white or gray. The use of a laser to polish the line is mentioned.
Both the individual scanned lines and the different locations of the laser-processed pattern design can experience energy changes per unit time. Changes in energy density per unit time can be controlled by changing the power, speed, distance, or duty cycle of the laser as the line is polished with respect to the material.

[0016]   Other aspects are also disclosed.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The systems and methods described herein are for producing worn texture on textile materials and / or garments made from the textile materials. The texture of used clothes here means the wear effect, the fluff effect, the scuffing effect, and other effects of clothes and products made from fiber materials, and the appearance of used clothes. For example, the effect of creating a material. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to create a new texture that cannot be produced by the conventional sand plast treatment or friction treatment. this is,
This is possible with the various techniques described in detail below.

The first technique is to use a laser device. Laser light is output to the fiber material. The irradiation energy from the laser device causes burns, holes,
The appearance of the fibrous material can be changed without any other damage. For the basic operation method of irradiating energy from a laser device, see US Pat.
90,444. In the system described here, the effective irradiation energy of the laser device, that is, the energy density per unit time (“EDPUT”)
Can be changed while the laser is forming a line on the material (“during frying”). The line in the text, which may be a straight line or a wavy line, is formed by moving laser light from one end to the other end of the fiber or clothing.

In this application, the concept of effective irradiation energy is first explained. This is the amount of energy that is effectively applied to a given area of the material. The size and shape of the predetermined area do not matter. The "effective irradiation energy" also includes changes in the DEPUT and the scanning linear velocity, output amount, moving velocity, duty cycle, etc. of the laser device. It also includes changing the distance from the laser device to the material for defocusing the laser light so that the EDPUT can be changed as a result. Furthermore, for example, an effective irradiation output in which irradiation is performed a plurality of times by a plurality of paths such as a fixed output amount is also included. As a result, a certain predetermined area is irradiated with more energy than other areas.

Another technical element is a control procedure capable of simulating the fixed random properties of the particle distribution, such as those produced by sandblasting. This method utilizes a user interface program that allows the designer to display information on the interface screen. The pattern on the screen can be transferred onto the material by a laser device. Another feature of this technique is the availability of much higher power laser devices compared to similar conventional systems.

As explained above, the amount of change in the laser output to the fiber material is determined in part based on the effective irradiation energy for the material. This is described in the aforementioned US Pat. No. 5,990,444 as the energy density per unit time of laser for the material. The EDPUT is determined by the laser output amount, the spot size of the laser device with respect to the material, and the scanning speed.

A plurality of lines can be formed in the fiber material by using the laser output of the above laser device. This line can be repeatedly moved in a zigzag shape or a triangular wave shape. With the device of the present invention, the EDPUT level can be changed while scanning the line over the textile material. That is, the EDPUT at a point between at least one end of at least one of the lines has a value different from the EDPUT at any one of the ends. In the control device described above, the EDPUT (output amount, duty cycle, speed, or distance) is controlled to control the EDP.
Controls changes in UT levels.

The EDPUT transmitted to the fiber material can be changed by various methods. The first method is to change the wattage of the laser output, that is, the amount of output, continuously or intermittently. Laser light is light that is reflected back and forth within the cavity of the laser. Since the pumping level of the laser device itself is different for each laser device, the pumping unit 200 may be variable in order to change the output amount of the laser device. That is, in the first method for changing the EDPUT amount of the laser device, the excitation level of the laser is directly controlled by the analog method.

In another EDPUT control method, the actual laser output amount is not changed. Instead, it modifies the effective amount of energy density per time it reaches the fibrous material. Yet another EDPUT control method utilizes duty cycle control. The control drive 198 connected to the excitation unit 200 repeats on and off states at a relatively high speed. It should be noted that the on / off switching speed must be faster than the laser operating speed. With this technique, the laser device 205
It is possible to change the duty cycle of the output of the laser and effectively control the laser device so as to emit different average output amounts. With this laser device,
The duty cycle may be adjusted several times within a very short period of time required to move a distance equivalent to 1 or 2 times the laser beam width within a certain period of time. Since the root mean square value changes with time as if the output amount itself changes, the density of the effective irradiation energy per time can be adjusted by this device.

The laser device may also be equipped with an adjustable blocking device, shown as element 210. A fixed piezoelectric element may be used in this blocking device to open and close the aperture portion through which the laser beam 208 passes. Also, the on / off operation of this mechanical interrupter is performed at a relatively high speed and thus serves as an alternative method of changing the duty cycle of laser applications.

The laser beam is applied to the cloth, and the laser moving element 215 causes the cloth to move in the direction of the cloth. This laser moving element is equipped with a plurality of moving mirrors or other components for changing the irradiation direction of the laser. In this embodiment, the output that controls the scanning speed of the laser can also be generated by the controller. By changing the laser irradiation speed, the EDPUT changes along the line even if the laser output amount is constant.

As another EDPUT changing method, the output size of the laser beam may be changed. FIG. 2 illustrates an electrically controllable zoom lens assembly 120. Since the controller 199 can generate an output signal for changing the relative position of the lens, the spot size can be changed electrically.

As another method, the workbench 230 on which the clothing material is placed may be moved. Also, if the fabric is placed on a curved surface, the laser beam is intentionally defocused (EDPUT is lowered) at the curved portion when the center is accurately focused, and the EDPUT level is lowered. Can be changed.

To further change the EDPUT, there is also a method of performing a plurality of paths, that is, laser scanning in different areas of a certain pattern pattern. In these multi-path areas, higher effective EDPUs are provided if the other laser operating parameters are constant.
That is, T is obtained.

This device is used when trying to reproduce a naturally occurring process. The worn texture formed by conventional laser scribing processes can sometimes be too uniform. In other words, the result is artificially bleached. Therefore, it is a goal of the present invention to form a texture as natural as possible.

US Pat. No. 5,916,461 describes the use of a probability density function to randomly turn a laser device on and off to reproduce the “feathering effect” in a textile material.

It is a matter for development researchers to recognize that if the amount of EDPUT is changed continuously and intermittently in the scanning line of the laser, the effect is further improved. For example, as the laser moves along each line on the material, the change with respect to the fiber material, that is, the amount of wear also changes. By using the device according to the invention, it is possible to completely control the degree of the feathering process. That is, the degree of the feathering process is continuously controlled by changing the EDPUT amount at the desired point of the pattern design. By controlling the feathering process by this method, it is possible to form a texture of used clothes that is close to the real thing.

Accordingly, one feature of this device is that the fiber is scanned with a laser to produce a worn or other desired texture on the fiber material, and the laser is used to color the material. Is to change. In this case, the effective power density of the laser is changed at least once per scan line.

In yet another aspect, it is possible to inspect fabrics that have been commonly sandblasted. This inspection determines different shapes and wear patterns. These patterns are basically not uniform if they occur naturally. The degree of feathering treatment, the degree of change in the material (the degree of fraying), and the edges and upper and lower sides of the pattern design are measured by an inspector directly or by an automatic inspection process. In addition, the state of wear concentration in each area of the pattern design is also measured. In the device of the present invention, the information obtained from this inspection is stored in the memory 195 connected to the controller.
Recorded in. The above information includes geometric information of the wear pattern to be created, and
It contains information about the texture of the part that is actually scanned.

The texture is converted into a prescribed parameter matrix (parameter matrix). The matrix is an EDPUT matrix, an output matrix, a duty cycle matrix, a speed matrix, or the like. From the experimental results, it was revealed by the development researchers that it is possible to change the texture of the fabric in proportion to the amount of irradiation energy by the amount of energy irradiated to a certain area of the specific fiber material per unit time. Has become. Note that this ratio need not be linearly proportional. The change in the texture includes the reproduction of the exposed feeling.

It is also possible to scan another pattern design by using a scanner, a camera or the like. The scanner rates each piece of fabric shown in the figure as denim jeans. With this device, the full resolution of the scanner can be used to evaluate the hue of that portion. It is also possible to prepare a look-up table for the color of a particular material with respect to the EDPUT illuminated, the output, the duty cycle, the speed, the distance, etc. By using this method, the EDPUT in each area of jeans can be set.

By using the above information, it is possible to create a matrix including any of the above parameters. This matrix can be used as information recorded in the memory 195 to drive the controller that operates the laser. This method makes it possible to irradiate different areas of a certain fiber material with different amounts of EDPUT based on information obtained by measuring another material.

As another method, the user may observe the wear pattern and manually input a change value of EDPUT (main force, speed, duty cycle, or distance) according to a change in wear of the pattern. I do not care. By using such a technique, it is possible to reproduce any desired texture, or to create a completely new texture.

With another feature, it is possible to modify the existing texture. First, the texture is scanned as described above to create a matrix. This matrix
The desired part is not modified, and the other parts are modified so as to be changed.

[0040]   Table 1 shows an example of the EDPUT distribution for a given scan line.

[0041]

[Table 1]

From this table, the EDPUT amount is about 0.
It can be seen that it is from 08 watt · second / mm ^{3 to} 0.14 watt · second / mm ³ . In the second scan line, which produces somewhat different wear patterns, the EDPUT amount is from about 0.01 watt · sec / mm ³ to about 0.28 watt · sec / mm ³ . In the third scan line, EDPU
The T amount is about 0.07 watt · sec / mm ³ to about 1.4 watt · sec / mm ³ . Higher EDPUT values in the second half are used in creating more extreme wear patterns such as fraying.

However, the EDPUT value has a width of about 40% in a certain second scanning line, and may change by more than 1000% in another scanning line. Naturally, the minimum change value of 25% and the maximum change value of 2000% of this EDPUT differ in the degree of feathering, and produce completely different wear textures.

Looking at these numbers, it is generally possible to increase the EDPUT by a desired amount. Further, although the present device displays EDPUT changes several times in one scan, EDUPT can be changed any number of times within the scan line. Thus, the control of the EDPUT is unlimited, and variations from a few percent to a few thousand percent can be performed on each scan line and from scan line to scan line.

The cycle time of exposing the wear pattern of the leg part of denim can be shortened to 8 seconds or less at a scanning speed of 50,000 mm / sec if the pattern density is kept constant by using a higher output or duty cycle. Has been observed by development researchers.

[0046]   Table 2 shows the change of EDPUT in each scanning line of different symbols.

[0047]

[Table 2]

If the EDPUT, the output, and the duty cycle of each individual scan line can be changed, the degree of feathering processing can be effectively controlled, and as a result, almost infinite kinds of old clothes texture can be created. Is well known to development researchers. Furthermore, the EDPUT, power, and duty cycle described above can be changed not only in each individual scan line, but also from scan line to scan line. The EDPUT distributions shown in Tables 3 and 4 can be easily realized with almost all of the EDPUT distributions defined other than this.

Table 3 shows a non-uniform pattern having a somewhat symmetrical shape in the center, and Table 4 shows a non-uniform pattern in which the lower left quadrant of the pattern is irradiated with a large amount of energy. As a result, a larger change in the EDPUT pattern occurs, and the worn texture can be reproduced.

[0050]

[Table 3]

[0051]

[Table 4]

By this epoch-making idea, a new “gradation” property is added to the pattern created by laser, which has been characterized only by “black and white” so far. In the conventional laser-processed materials such as wood, plastic, and metal, the design can be created with a constant EDPUT, output, and duty cycle. When denim is subjected to laser processing, a certain EDPUT is adopted for each line to create a pattern, as described in the above-mentioned US patent. Therefore, after washing and exposing, indigo or black (low E
Between DPUT scribe) and white or gray (high EDPUT scribe),
It will be produced in a uniform color tone. However, the technique of continuously or intermittently changing the EDPUT has made it possible to express a shade between indigo and white (after washing) in any part of the design. This shade is adjusted by the degree of wear and wear. Therefore, this shading control technique can also control the degree of wear and feathering.

Furthermore, this new applicability allows the formation of an entirely new texture that could not have been achieved by conventional commercial techniques. In other words, it is possible to create a new texture having a worn texture, a pattern, or a portion in which the shade between white and indigo is changed continuously or intermittently. The technique for continuously or intermittently changing the EDPUT value during laser scribing is as described here.
It can also be applied to the industries of other materials, such as wood, glass, plastic, rubber, cloth, steel, etc., which use a laser for its marking.

As can be seen from the above description, the device of the present invention has a function of more faithfully calculating the texture of used clothes. This calculation can be realized by a control procedure that reproduces a desired characteristic by an on / off technique, a continuous technique, an intermittent technique, or an analog technique. It is possible to achieve the required control rate, but this is the EDP created by the device.
Limited only by UT gray scale characteristics. A general EDPUT profile can be defined imagewise, but it can also be controlled at the exact point where the EDPUT changes during line scribe. This EDPUT profile also contains the required maximum power and duty cycle percentages. For example, a value of 50% can be selected for areas where light wear is desired and a value of 100% for areas where high wear is desired.

We will also clarify new techniques that support apparel designers.
This technique allows a worker to draw a desired shape or geometric pattern of a pattern to be exposed on the denim cloth on a computer screen in order to reproduce the texture of used clothes. In addition, the designer can set the degree of feathering, EDPUT, power, and duty cycle profiles. Also, this setpoint may simply be EDPUT, the maximum percentage of output, duty cycle.

Each effective irradiation output amount is associated with color. Different parts of a certain pattern are drawn in different tones, but in this case, that tone is the maximum output, that is, R, G, B.
Level or grayscale level. In one preferred embodiment, the color is associated with different levels of laser duty cycle control. First, the user draws the shape of the desired design on the computer screen using the mouse. next,
Different colors can be selected for each pattern area. The technique of point and shoot may be adopted for this, and it is also possible to select from the menu or right-click the area and select from the context menu. This click combines different levels of EDPUT / output / duty cycle with different areas of the symbol. The actual output level or duty cycle for a given color may be set by the user or modified by the material.

A particular attrition effect can be created utilizing the screen of the user interface shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a graphical user interface for constructing a design or a part of the design which is a basic design formed on the cloth. The actual pattern 300 is formed from a number of different areas. Outer zone 3
05 is determined by the overall outline of the figure, and 3 of the above-mentioned constituent areas
Areas indicated by 10, 315, 320, etc. are also indicated by contour lines. The same applies to the innermost figure such as 325. Many areas are concentric or semi-concentric, such as with one oval pattern. These areas can also be outlined. An area is formed between each two contour lines. Alternatively, each area may define an individual layer.

FIG. 3 shows a plurality of operation parameters that can be set. These parameters include 330, which sets the speed per second in inches, and 332, which sets the laser scale factor in inches. In addition, 334 which is the scale factor of the design
Can also be set. The dimension of the pattern on the laser can also be set. Reference numeral 338 indicates the moving direction of the laser. Reference numeral 340 indicates a color change, and the length of the boundary line is set at 342. A random sheet may be installed because some random or pseudo-random processing requires a random seed. It also shows common editing functions such as editing, saving, and previewing.

The number 350 is an output profile. The color tone 352 is installed on the left side, and a row of output profiles 354 is shown side by side.

The device is activated by the user selecting the outermost or innermost area shown. Each of these areas can be configured to have a particular output profile by associating a color with an area in color palette 352. This output profile will represent different laser brightness (EDPUT level), ie different wear. For example, bright outer areas such as 310 and 305 are associated with low output duty cycle levels. This creates a lighter texture of used clothing. If a darker area such as 325 is associated with a higher output duty cycle value, a stronger vintage clothing texture can be expressed. 325 shows a design drawn on the knee portion. The different shades of gray (after washing the fabric) are in the mid range between the two extremes. These areas show the color of the design areas, which is a color between indigo and pure white, produced by laser treatment and washing of the fabric. Each of these changes is represented by a color. The above values are stored in either grayscale or full color and recorded as part of the symbol file left.ppx.

The symbol file described above shows output profile information for a particular symbol that is displayed and modifiable via a user interface.

By using another processing feature, it is possible to give a realistic texture to the design. The toolset indicated at 360 is selected to perform these functions. The first tool described here is the blend function. Blending can be performed in pixel units or area units. You can also select the area you want to blend. This blending function calculates the average color of each pixel or area by forming a weighted average of the color of the pixel or area and the color of the adjacent pixel / area, for example 8 adjacent pixels or areas. . The number of pixels forming the weight depends on the result to be represented.

Another tool shown here is the whisker tool. This is used when generating a fuzzing effect. The user can automatically reproduce the fluffing pattern simply by setting the length and the angle of the fluffing. The user may modify it later so that it has a desired shape.

The “particulate” tool is illustrated as part of 360 creating a “particulate-like” look. The process of creating that particle-like appearance gives each pixel and its neighboring pixels a colored vote. The weighting for each vote depends on how long that pixel has held that specified color. The term "long" can, for example, describe the number of image units in an area. Also, although the system refers to tones, grayscale can also be used to glance at the separations.
The part is also marked with other area delimiters, such as cross-section lines, punctuation, etc.

Another tool developed as part of the present invention is the "blaster" tool. In a manner similar to that used by the "spray can" tool, which is supplied with many computer drawing programs for "spraying" specific shades, the blaster tool uses an "incremental intensity" on its texture pattern. To spray. Continuing with this analogy, each time a "drop" from the spray can hit the drawing surface, that pixel or area that is hit by the drop adopts that shade that is sprayed. Pixels to which the blaster tool has applied an incremental intensity of droplets will have the tonal level incremented to the next higher level. The tool produces one effect, depending on the amount of time the shock spends "electrically blasting" any area. The longer the time of the electric blast, the more pixels are colored by the effect, and thus the greater the impact.

The blaster tool can also be used in intensity removal mode. In this mode, the applied pixel has changed its tonal level to the next lower intensity level.

Any pattern pattern formed by natural wear can be accurately simulated by using the blaster. In addition, the tool can be automated to automatically draw curves that simulate certain common features, such as whiskers, pocket wear patterns and ladder patterns that appear along the seams of worn jeans.

The “Cancel” function can cancel one or many functions if the user does not like the effect. This makes it possible, for example, to try different sprays or other effects, with good results. Otherwise, the operation is canceled.

This system can produce many different effects. Communication of design pattern parameters from the design computer to the laser control computer may be used to develop an efficient system. Numerous formats have been developed for computer windowing, generation and transmission of graphic images. The formats for these files allow for more advanced stages of image complexity (eg, tone) over and above that required for this purpose, and thus provide more information and detail than is required for this purpose. Tend to provide.

A new file format called TBF (TechnoBlast Format) communicates exactly these parameters needed to convert the desired image into laser control commands.

The files in the “TBF” format may be in the matrix bitmap format. Each value represents the power level / impact cycle / EDPUT for each pixel in the image, along with other control values. This file format therefore contains at least one value that indicates the amount of effective energy applied to the pixels associated with each pixel or group of pixels manipulated as an EDPUT value or one unit.

Since the information can be stored pixel by pixel, the writing laser can write either horizontally or vertically, or based on the same information, any other information about the matter. You can write in the direction. The writing direction can be selected by the drawing direction 38. Assuming horizontal writing, the image is sliced into pixel wide pieces. The slice 370 shows one of these pixel-wide fragments in exaggerated form.
However, these pixels are not drawn to scale, and in fact,
It should be appreciated that the actual pixels can be of any desired size. It should be noted that each pixel, such as 372, 374, may have a different EDPUT value associated with it. The EDPUT value is changed as the laser scans from pixel to pixel.

Many different types of sham parts can be created using this system. The following is described merely as an example of these spoofed parts. It should be understood that other effects can be easily created. Any of these sham parts can be obtained in any of the ways described in this application, i.e. allowing a special image intended to be used in changing the shade of a woven fabric. Can be used, or by scanning the actual garment, and by utilizing the results of the scanning to form the information used in changing tones.

FIG. 4 shows the local worn-out portion of each denim leg extending somewhat below the waist belt to slightly below the knee. The shades of the worn-out look (after washing) range from white or gray with a very dark area of the knee shown as 402 to the top of the knee shown as 404,
Along the bottom and both sides, it varies from black to indigo (areas of less intense color).

FIG. 5 shows a back portion of denim, for example an alternative spoof portion intended for use in the hip area. Again, this part is substantially oval shaped, but with some worn parts in the middle 502 and a less worn part towards the end 504.

FIG. 6 shows that from the white or gray in the very strong and dark area along the center and length of the design pattern to the indigo color along the top, bottom and both ends of the design pattern or It shows the general area from the waist band to the ends of the legs that looks like worn, with the color of the area that looks like worn (after washing) in the range up to black.

FIG. 6 also shows the general part from the waist band on the back to the ends of the legs that looks like worn, in which the color tone of the part that looks like worn is a pattern design. The area varies from white or gray in the high-intensity area of to the indigo and black along the top, bottom and both ends of the pattern.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a portion of a whisker that appears to be worn by multiple lines that are about 1/8 inch to about 2 inches wide and 1 to 14 inches long. The color tone of the design pattern changes from white or gray in the central portion of the design pattern to indigo or black along both ends of the design pattern. The worn-out look of the whisker can line both the front and back areas of the denim jeans and may include one or several squares.

The frayed-looking portions of the knees along the bottom of the front and back legs, the back hip area or any other area of the denim jeans are shown in FIGS. The EDPUT is large enough to fray the denim so that individual sewing threads are exposed or actual holes are made in the denim.

This indicates that the material is to be drilled, the undesired '4 above.
It is contrary to the '44 patent. However, this particular "fraying" effect is controllable, so that the EDPUT is intentionally damaged in the desired way.
Is fully supplied.

A square worn pattern design of about 2 inches by 4 inches along the back pocket of denim was used to simulate the wear caused by using a wallet in the back pocket, and the tone of the design pattern was changed. White or gray along the perimeter of the square, and indigo, blue or black in the center. FIG. 11 shows a TechnoBlast pattern image created in this type of sham portion.

Any or all of these sham parts are combined into a single image. This composite image will then be used to apply the laser.
This represents an additional benefit of this system. In previous systems, different processes were used to achieve different effects. For example, conventional sandblasting methods are used to create localized wear on the front and back denim legs.
Whiskers were created using hand sanding work, when individual workers created various whisker patterns. A hand sanding drill is used for the part that appears to be frayed. However, in this system, multiple effects are all included in the same file. For example, FIG. 12 shows a composite file containing the effects shown above. The additional effect of whiskers being shaded is illustrated as 1202 in FIG. Just above or below the whisker, one piece is colored white. This indicates that the area is not lasered so that the area is denim blue after washing. The whiskers themselves can be of different tones to produce different feathering effects. This technique creates a shade effect that is considered quite desirable for whiskers.

Prior systems of this type were of the type intended to mark materials, using relatively low power lasers, eg 25-100 Watts. Marking Laser graphic images and textual texts have been used to form on plastic, wood, steel and glass. Another type of laser, called a laser cutter, is typically, for example, 250-250.
It shows even higher power, such as 0 watts. One issue noted by the inventors is the cycle time for applying a worn design pattern. If a low power laser is used, its cycle time is on the order of minutes for each application.

For this application, a much higher power laser, for example 250 watts or more, more preferably 500 watts or more, and most preferably 100 watts.
The use of lasers with power levels of 0 watts or higher is described. For example, the cycle time to wear denim jeans can be a few minutes with a 50 watt laser typically used for marking. A 500 watt laser can produce the same pattern in a few seconds. However,
The 500 watt laser has typically been used only for cutting operations. It is expected that these high power lasers will inadvertently damage the material. However, by adjusting the EDPUT, higher power lasers can be safely used.

As one specific example, the inventors used 500 watts to illuminate the wear pattern on the front and back portions in 15 seconds compared to 2 minutes in the sandblasting process. The laser could be used. It is also contemplated to use a 2500 watt laser for that area of application, which would further reduce the cycle time.

Additional development was done during the initial trial with a high power laser. One notable problem is that at the beginning of drawing a single line, the desired level of power or duty cycle is higher than needed and is referred to as overshoot in the present application, which is possible. There is a nature. The physical nature of the laser process is that the "inertia" of the power changes its power or duty factor to that desired higher power when it changes from a lower level power or duty factor to a higher level power or duty factor. Or it may cause the shock coefficient to go too far from the beginning. This may cause an initial over-visible impact on the denim target. This effect is most powerful when the laser is actually switched from off (zero power) to on. The effect on denim is even more pronounced when higher power lasers, for example 500 watts or more, are used.

Boundary solving methods are used to overcome this problem. The desired pattern design is given a "boundary" area. The laser power is as high as possible without producing any visible effect on the denim or other clothing material,
Set to the value x. Its laser power is brought to a position outside the boundary. Since the laser has a power value of x, this causes no visible change. The effective power level is increased if the laser beam enters the desired visible impact area. The effective power value is increased less at that point in time because the increase is increased from x to the desired value and not from 0 to the desired value. By such a method, overshoot due to the first laser-on is reduced.

Another important feature noted by this application is based on the pattern-based lines / lines drawn by the laser, as well as the direction-based interference of the stitching lines of the material. Certain undesired "interferometric patterns" will be created by the interaction between the laser writing characteristics, the frequency of the laser and the directional characteristics of the material. These directional properties can include any aspect of the material that is asymmetrical, and in particular, cutting, adding, or
Twill can be included. This effect changes as the fabric or the drawing direction rotates. When it is desired to minimize the effect, the effect is minimized by orienting the material so that the scan line is 90 degrees with respect to the cut, add or twill. However, some of the interferometric patterns themselves create a very interesting glamor part of denim jeans, and it may be desirable. Therefore, one aspect of this system includes the step of accounting for the effects of interactions between laser scanning and material orientation properties.

Therefore, another parameter of this system requires a texture pattern with the orientation of the material to be placed in a particular direction. This can also be controlled by using control 338 to change the drawing direction. In another embodiment, a camera vision system is used that is oriented to face the material and to automatically detect the directional properties of the material. These properties are then entered into the computer and used as one parameter of the operation.

As mentioned previously, it is highly desirable to avoid artificial or elaborate sham parts when attempting to simulate natural wear. Therefore, it is useful for the human eye to minimize its chance of perceiving any regularity in the laser-generated pattern design. One approach to achieve this is to allow the user to specify the power level at the design stage, however, it does exactly what the power changes between two randomly chosen adjacent values. The point is exactly generated. It seems that this feature is not always desirable. Therefore, randomization of power level changes is one option the user may choose.

Higher power lasers can operate faster and therefore benefit from more automation processes. The conveyor system shown in FIG. 1 supplies denim jeans 100 on either form 102. Denim jeans are introduced into the laser horizontally. The laser then paints a section that looks like worn out, after which a second piece of jeans, illustrated as 110, is held behind it, which is also introduced for subsequent processing. After treating the batch of jeans in this manner, they are removed from the formwork and flipped over to the same or different lasers to depict the worn-out look on the back. FIG. 1 illustrates an in-line material processing system that includes an in-line laundry device 120, such as a brush shampoo system, and a removal device, such as a wet vacuum device 130. Commercially available and available rug cleaning systems can be used, for example components obtained from Rug Doctor ^™ , or similar shampoo / vacuum device combinations to create the desired effect with the in-line system. You can

FIG. 1 shows a linear path conveyor system. However, carousel type conveyors are contemplated.

One alternative system is illustrated in FIG. Jeans 1300 has 13
It is located on one formwork, shown as 02. The formwork is holding the jeans in any way, for example, using clips on the inside shown as 1304, 1306. These clips are held in place on the formwork. Each of the forms also has a rotating rod 1 connected to the rotor 1310.
308 is included. Jeans are carried along a conveyor 1312 containing at least two of these rotors, the second being shown as 1315. First
At location 1, the jeans are in contact with the first laser 1320. This laser produces, as side 1, a worn-out-looking part on the front of the jeans. After doing so, the rotor 1308 is lifted and the jeans are flipped to side 2. Subsequently, the side surface 2 comes into contact with the second laser 1330 which draws as if worn. The jeans are removed from the formwork after treatment and a new piece of untreated jeans is applied to the formwork. This system uses two lasers to draw a single laser, the front side of one or more jeans, and then flip all jeans over to the other side. It should be understood that it can be used by drawing. In one automated system, it is possible to detect whether the front or back is being presented, for example by taking an image of the garment to look for a label or barcode on the jeans. The camera vision system can then focus on a specific area of the jeans, such as the waistband,
Also, the laser scan can be easily adjusted each time to ensure proper placement of the image on the denim.

FIG. 14 illustrates yet another system. The jeans are held from both sides by, for example, clipping the inside of the pocket where the least denim treatment is done to a specific location on the clip area. Other clip areas are also possible. The material handling system carries the denim through the clip area, for example, by a single wire that is constantly moving.

Alternatively, one formwork of that type illustrated in FIG. 13 can be used as a self-supporting conveyor system. In this embodiment, dual lasers are used, one on top to delineate a worn-looking appearance on top surface 1400 of the jeans, and another laser 1420 on the bottom, jeans 140.
Draw a part that looks like worn on the bottom surface of 5. Any free-standing conveyor can be used for this. For example, this could also be done with clothes suspended on a vertical suspension system. Different formwork shapes are also possible.

Different types of worn-looking parts can be obtained depending on the type of formwork used. The garment that the laser draws on the garment is a relatively flat piece of clothing that is relatively flat, such as that used in the dry cleaning industry, with a typical metal formwork obtained from sandblasting. A worn-out sham-like part similar to the one created is created. However, the use of an air-filled balloon-type formwork, as used in some denim finishing plants, creates a somewhat different, worn-out look. The balloon is inflated inside the legs of the denim pants to allow the fibers to spread. Jeans wrap around the formwork like a concave shape when depicted.

The inventors particularly mention that the invention has produced benefits in the production of denim jeans with a whisker pattern design that simulates creases along the thigh and knee areas. Denim manufacturers have tried numerous methods to produce the desired whisker pattern. Many have acknowledged that only the hand-sanding process can truly accept producing legitimate, worn-looking parts of whiskers. This process is labor intensive and its whisker pattern quality is the technical skill of the worker who sands whiskers over denim. As expected, there is considerable variability among workers. Some workers use too much pressure, and some workers use too little pressure, so the quality of the final product is very variable.

However, we were able to accurately reproduce any desired whisker pattern using the new technique of varying EDPUT along individual drawn lines. Furthermore, a typical whisker pattern can be applied to denim jeans in seconds according to the invention, compared to minutes by hand sanding operation.
The quality of the whisker patterns produced from this system is consistent from one denim jeans to another due to the precision of the laser delineation process. Therefore, the yield is expected to be significantly higher in the present invention when compared to the hand sanding operation.

Although only a few embodiments are disclosed, other modifications are possible and are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. For example, marking elements that are other marking elements than lasers are contemplated.

[0100]   The above and other aspects are described in detail by the following accompanying drawings.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a laser system.

FIG. 2 shows a controllable laser system.

FIG. 3 shows a control screen for a specified wear appearance.

FIG. 4 shows a control screen with different wear appearances specified.

FIG. 5 shows a control screen with different wear appearances specified.

FIG. 6 shows a control screen with different wear appearances specified.

FIG. 7 shows a control screen with different wear appearances specified.

FIG. 8 shows a control screen with different wear appearances specified.

FIG. 9 shows a control screen with different wear appearances specified.

FIG. 10 shows a control screen with different wear appearances specified.

FIG. 11 shows a control screen with different wear appearances specified.

FIG. 12 shows a control screen with different wear appearances specified.

FIG. 13 shows a material supply system with automatic turnover.

FIG. 14 illustrates a dual sided laser material delivery system.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 12, 2002 (2002.6.12)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Title of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Title of Invention] that processes the surface of the fiber material using a laser in order to obtain the wear appearance method and apparatus

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Claims]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Contents of correction]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 11

[Fig. 12]

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FIG. 14

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ , CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, K E, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG , ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, C A, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM , DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, K E, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS , LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, R U, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM , TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW F-term (reference) 2H045 DA22                 3B154 AA02 AB31 BA51 BB19 BB58                       BC47 BF22 CA22 CA32 CA33                       DA13                 4E068 AH00 CA01 CA02 CB02 CD06                       CD07 CE03 DA00 DB08

Claims (179)

[Claims] 1. A pattern pattern formed on a fibrous material that represents different degrees of variation of the fibrous material at different locations, the different degrees of variation including at least a plurality of different levels of variation. And a step of generating a visible display representing the design pattern. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the patterned pattern has valid, applied power density information enabled by the modified laser. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the applied power density level is
A method characterized in that it comprises information relating to different parts of the pattern design individually and changing the energy density applied by the laser per unit time. 4. A step of using a laser to scan lines defining the pattern design on an outer garment, wherein the laser is controlled by the pattern design to relate different lines generated for the pattern design. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying energy, wherein at least one of the lines has a different effective energy applied on a single line. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the visible display has a plurality of different portions, each of the portions being controllable on the visible display to be viewed differently on the visible display. The method further comprising an accept command on a user interface for generating the degree of change. 6. Converting the portion to scan a desired height line, and using a laser to generate a desired effective energy applied based on the pattern pattern, along the scan line. Further comprising the step of producing a desired output having at least one of its scan lines having a different effective energy applied at the central portion as compared to either end thereof. The method of claim 5, wherein 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the scan line is a horizontal scan line. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the scan lines are vertical scan lines or angled scan lines. 9. The method of claim 6, wherein using the laser comprises:
A method comprising varying the effective power output of a line during line scanning. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein altering the effective power comprises controlling power level via duty cycle control. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the duty cycle control step turns the laser on and off at a particular rate in a pulsed manner. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the duty cycle control step blocks and unblocks the laser output at a particular rate. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the modifying step comprises modifying the spot size of the beam. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the defining step includes a step of inspecting an existing outer garment to determine a wear design pattern, and a step of forming the design pattern based on the inspection. A method characterized by the following. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming step comprises the step of automatically forming the pattern design. 16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the inspecting step uses a scanner to determine the color content of a portion of the material and automatically sets the color content to a value indicative of the applied effective energy. A method comprising the step of converting to. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the converting step comprises using a look-up table to change the color content to the value indicative of applied effective energy. how to. 18. The method further comprises the steps of using the design pattern to control a laser having a total power of 500 watts or more, and using the laser to form the design pattern on an outer garment. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that 19. The method further comprises controlling the laser having a total power of 1000 watts or more using the design pattern, and using the laser to form the pattern design on the outer garment. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that 20. The method of claim 4, wherein the power of the laser varies at a rate of at least 25% during a single scan line of the laser. 21. The method of claim 4, wherein the applied effective energy varies at least every 25% during a single scan line of the laser. 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the defining step comprises the step of determining a desired shape of the pattern portion and painting color content for the shape being displayed. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the color content represents a degree of wear to a designated area on the outer garment. 24. The method according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of parameters related to a part of the pattern design are defined, which is a part between the two parameters, and each part can be changed separately. The method, further comprising the step of defining something. 25. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of defining an effect of each part of the pattern design. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the effect is a blending function that calculates an average color for each pixel based on the color of the pixel and the color of adjacent pixels. . 27. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pattern pattern is a whisker pattern pattern. 28. The method of claim 25, wherein the effect is a particulate appearance in which different colors can have different votes. 29. The method of claim 25, wherein the effect is a spray appearance. 30. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pattern pattern is a pattern pattern on a specific portion of the outer garment on the outer garment, that is, at a position from below the waist to below the knee on the outer garment. how to. 31. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pattern design is a wear pattern appearance of a wear sheet on an outer garment. 32. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pattern design is an ellipse having a shape having a plurality of core portions. 33. The method of claim 1, wherein the pattern has an actual hole or exposed fiber having a pattern of frayed areas formed by laser polishing using the specified parameter. How to characterize. 34. The method of claim 1, comprising forming a plurality of power levels for a plurality of scan lines to form the pattern design, each power level being applicable. The method further comprising the step of being represented by a percentage of maximum power. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein at least one of the scan lines has overshoot protection. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the overshoot protection is
In the area outside the desired area to change the image, the effective applied power level is set low enough to prevent changes to the material to which the laser is applied to reach the area of desired change A method for applying an effective applied power level specified up to and means for increasing the power at the desired modification area to a level at which a modified portion of the material is formed. 37. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of defining the direction of the mesh lines of the material as part of the display. 38. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of passing an outer garment along a conveyor, and a step of using a laser to laser-process the effect based on the information in the pattern pattern. The method described. 39. Laser processing a first pattern pattern on a first side of a material on the conveyor to automatically change the material to expose the second side to a laser, then
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of automatically lasering another texture pattern different from the first texture pattern on the second side of the material. 40. The method of claim 34, wherein at least a portion of the laser treatment is performed at a level of effective applied power that does not unnecessarily damage the material. 41. Effective applied power for a plurality of scan lines of a laser element.
Storing information about levels, wherein at least a plurality of said scan lines have varying levels of effective applied power within a single scan line, and using a laser to process said material, Controlling the scan line of the laser to have a controlled energy density per unit time that depends on the effective applied power level. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein at least a plurality of the effective applied power levels are values that do not unnecessarily damage the material. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein at least a plurality of the effective applied power levels are values that cause holes in the material to intentionally fray. 44. The method of claim 41, wherein the file exhibits a simulated wear effect for generating wear shores. 45. The method of claim 41, wherein the information indicates a simulated whisker effect. 46. The method of claim 41, wherein at least some of the information indicates a simulated fraying effect. 47. The method of claim 41, wherein the outer garment is a denim outer garment. 48. The method of claim 41, wherein the laser has an output power of 500 watts or greater. 49. The method of claim 41, wherein the laser has an output power of 1000 watts or greater. 50. The method according to claim 41, wherein the pattern design is an elliptical pattern design. 51. The method of claim 41, wherein controlling the effective applied power level is performed by controlling the duty cycle of the laser, thereby effecting the amount of power provided by the laser. A method characterized by controlling in a pulsed manner. 52. The method of claim 51, wherein controlling the duty cycle comprises turning a laser on and off at a specified rate. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the designated rate is rapid with respect to laser movement. 54. The method of claim 51, wherein controlling the duty cycle selectively blocks and unblocks the output of the laser, thereby controlling the amount of effective power provided by the laser. A method comprising :. 55. The method of claim 41, comprising changing EDPUT by changing the speed of movement of the laser. 56. The method of claim 41, wherein altering the effective applied power level comprises altering the output size of the laser beam output from the laser. 57. Featuring the step of feathering the edges of the pattern by varying the power level of the image at the edges to create more gradation effect changes at the edges. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein 58. The method of claim 41, wherein the information comprises an indication of an area and an indication of the effective applied power level applied to the area according to a particular format. 59. An apparatus comprising a computer controlled laser, said laser impinging on a surface modified by said laser and having an output controlled by a computer file, said computer controlled laser. A laser produces the output beam having a controlled effective applied power level for being applied to the area, and the computer file is configured such that the effective applied power level is at least 3 within a single scan line. An apparatus having at least a plurality of scan lines varying in at least three different values. 60. The device of claim 59, wherein the laser has a power output of 500 watts or greater. 61. The device of claim 59, wherein the laser has a power output of 1000 watts or greater. 62. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the effective applied power level is selected for a particular fiber material to be laser treated and at least one of the effective applied levels in the computer file. One is to change the appearance of the fibrous material without unnecessarily burning, perforating or damaging the fibrous material. 63. The apparatus of claim 62, wherein at least one of the effective applied power levels in the computer file causes combustion of the material, exposing fibers in the material. And the device. 64. The device of claim 62, comprising an in-line shampoo element for shampooing and shampooing operations on the laser-lasered outer garment. 65. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the effective applied power level of the laser is modified by turning the laser on and off at a specified duty cycle. 66. Further comprising an adjustable shutter for modulating the output of the laser and a control element for turning the shutter on and off based on the computer file to adjust the effective applied power level. 60. The device of claim 59, characterized in that 67. The apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the shutter is a piezoelectric element. 68. The apparatus according to claim 66, wherein the shutter is a mechanical shutter. 69. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the effective applied power level varies to at least five different values within at least a plurality of scan lines of the laser. 70. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the effective applied power level varies between a minimum value and a maximum value, the maximum value being at least the minimum value.
A device characterized by being 125%. 71. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the effective applied power level varies between a minimum value and a maximum value, the maximum value being at least the minimum value.
A device characterized by a doubling. 72. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the pattern design has a feathering portion at the edge of the pattern design in which a change in effective applied power level gradually changes its effect. A device characterized by. 73. Further comprising a control console having a user interface,
60. The user interface of claim 59, wherein the user interface graphically displays a pattern pattern to be lasered, the pattern pattern having differently highlighted areas for different effective applied power levels. apparatus. 74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the differently highlighted areas have different colors. 75. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the computer file comprises a plurality of information portions, each of the information portions associated with a particular area on the image representing the outer garment to be modified. An apparatus having information indicating effective applied power level information to the laser. 76. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the differently highlighted areas comprise different gray scales. 77. The apparatus of claim 74, further comprising a look-up table that stores a relationship between an effect on the material and a duty cycle of operation of the laser to effect the effect. 78. The apparatus according to claim 74, further comprising an editing tool that enables editing of the pattern design. 79. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the memory stores a simulated wear pattern design. 80. The apparatus according to claim 59, wherein the pattern design stores a simulated whisker pattern. 81. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the pattern design stores the perforated pattern design through denim of the type that exposes the fibers of the denim. 82. A controllable laser controllable by a computer file to produce an output on a desired area, the laser having a maximum output power of 500 watts or more, and a duty cycle of the output of the laser. The control information for adjusting and controlling the effective applied energy applied to the area to a desired amount is stored, and the information about the desired energy density per unit time is given to the laser controllable to the area. An apparatus comprising the computer file for: 83. The apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the laser is controlled for scanning within a line and the plurality of lines have different effective application areas for each area. 84. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein the effective applied energy is
A device characterized by varying to at least three different values within a single scan line. 85. The apparatus of claim 82, wherein at least some of the effective applied energy is set to a particular value for the material in the area,
An apparatus thereby characterized by changing the wear or collar of the material without unnecessarily damaging the material. 86. The apparatus according to claim 82, wherein at least some of the effective applied energy produces desired perforations through effects in the material. 87. Further comprising a terminal for imparting an image of a simulated pattern graphic to be applied to the material, the image having differently displayed areas to represent different effective applied energies. Claim 82 characterized in that
The device according to. 88. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the displayed area comprises differently colored areas. 89. The apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the displayed areas comprise different gray scales. 90. The apparatus of claim 82, further comprising a duty cycle controller that provides on / off control for the laser. 91. The apparatus of claim 82, further comprising a duty cycle controller having a shutter that is selectively opened and closed at the output of the laser. 92. The apparatus of claim 87, wherein the stored pattern design has a plurality of concentric ellipse areas. 93. A method of treating an outer garment, the method comprising: obtaining a first outer garment having the appearance necessary to make a replica; and using an electronic device to different areas of the first outer garment. , And automatically determining from the color level a fixed amount of effective applied energy of the laser energy that needs to be applied to each of the areas to make a replica of the color level. And forming a computer file representing the fixed amount of laser power that needs to be applied to each of the areas and making a replica of the different areas of the first outer garment. . 94. A method of controlling a laser using the computer file to mark a second outer garment in a method of making a replica of a color pattern overlying the first outer garment. 94. The method of claim 93, characterized by: 95. The method of claim 94, wherein the laser marks the second garment by using the computer file to polish a plurality of lines on the second garment. A method characterized by the following. 96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein at least a plurality of the lines define an effective applied energy that varies within each of a plurality of single scan lines. 97. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the effective applied energy is
An apparatus, characterized in that within said plurality of lines, it changes to at least three different values. 98. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the converting step uses a table storing a correspondence between a specified color and a specified effective applied energy. An apparatus comprising the step of determining 99. The method of claim 94, further comprising storing information in a lookup table and using the information to determine the effective applied energy for each of the areas. 100. The method of claim 94, wherein the use of the laser adjusts the effective power output of the laser within a single scan line at a speed that is rapid relative to the speed of travel of the laser. And then adjusting the effective applied energy by adjusting the duty cycle of the output of the laser. 101. The method of claim 100, wherein the duty cycle control comprises turning a laser on and off at a specified rate. 102. The method of claim 100, wherein the duty cycle control comprises selectively blocking or unblocking the output of the laser. 103. The method of claim 94, wherein the laser has an output power of 500 watts or greater. 104. A graphic showing the computer file to a user
94. The method of claim 93, further comprising displaying an image and editing the computer foul by allowing the user to edit the graphic image. 105. The method of claim 104, wherein different areas of the computer file have different displays showing different amounts of power applied to the areas. 106. The method of claim 95, further comprising the step of allowing the direction of line polishing by the laser to be determined. 107. Determining information indicating a desired polishing pattern to be formed on the outer garment, each of a plurality of desired wear areas in the memory, and an effective applied power used in combination with a designated laser. Storing a relationship and generating the polishing level; accessing the relationship using the information indicating the desired polishing pattern to determine the effective applied power; the effective applied power and the desired pattern. A step of forming a computer file using a pattern, the computer file displaying an area and displaying information for causing the designated laser to apply the effective applied power in the area. And a step of having. 108. The method of claim 107, wherein the effective applied power is
A method of displaying the duty cycle of the laser. 109. A step of presenting a graphical representation of the computer file to a user, wherein different representations in different areas of the image represent different polishing amounts, and wherein the user displays the graphical representation. 108. The method of claim 107, further comprising: 110. The method of claim 109, wherein the indicia comprises different colors, each color being associated with a specified power level and at the same time with a specified degree of polish. A method characterized by. 111. The method of claim 107, further comprising applying a desired effective applied power level to a desired outer garment using a laser. 112. The method of claim 111, wherein the use of the laser comprises the step of defining a line traced by the laser in scanning the image, wherein at least a plurality of the lines are within a designated line. A method characterized by having an effective applied power that varies with. 113. The method of claim 112, wherein at least a plurality of the lines have an effective applied power that varies at least three values within a scan range of the lines. 114. The method of claim 112, wherein the use of the laser comprises adjusting the duty cycle of the laser to change the amount of effective applied power applied. 115. Defining a desired color change pattern pattern to be formed on an outer garment by selecting a plurality of areas on a display, and defining a color associated with each of a plurality of wear levels. Associating a wear level with each of the plurality of areas by selecting a color associated with each of the plurality of areas, and storing a computer file indicating the selection. 116. The method of claim 115, further comprising making the display editable to change color and shape. 117. The method of claim 116, wherein the computer file specifies information used to form control data for a laser to polish a line on a desired outer garment, at least a plurality of. Wherein the line of specifies a varying energy density per unit time within a single scan line. 118. The method of claim 117, wherein at least a plurality of lines have an energy density per unit time having at least three values within the designated lines. 119. The method of claim 118, wherein the highest of the three values is at least 1.25 times the lowest of the three values. 120. The method of claim 116, wherein the editing step comprises applying wear using a spray tool. 121. The method of claim 116, wherein the editing step comprises reducing the resolution of the image. 122. The method of claim 115, further comprising the step of storing in memory a relationship between each color and a fixed amount of applied energy representative of the color. 123. The method of claim 116, wherein the use of the laser comprises controlling the effective applied power applied to the area by controlling the duty cycle of the laser. Method. 124. The method of claim 123, wherein the duty cycle is controlled by selectively blocking and unblocking the output of the laser. 125. The method of claim 123, wherein the duty cycle is controlled by turning the laser on and off. 126. Defining an image of a portion of a whisker that represents an image of a color change to the material caused by wrinkles in the material; and using a laser to simulate the appearance of the whisker on the material. And a method comprising: 127. The method of claim 126, wherein the whisker portion comprises a plurality of lines representing the wrinkles. 128. The method of claim 127, wherein each of the whiskers comprises:
A method which is between 1/8 and 2 inches of a width of 1 inch and between 1 and 10 inches in length. 129. The method of claim 126, wherein each of the lines has a different color centered along its top, bottom, toward its edge. 130. The method of claim 126, wherein the forming step enables a user to form a desired whisker appearance on the user interface, and the image of the user interface for controlling the laser. A method comprising the step of converting to a computer file used in. 131. The method of claim 126, wherein the whisker forming step comprises forming a patterned pattern using a laser having a maximum output power of 500 watts or greater. 132. The method of claim 131, wherein the patterned pattern is formed in a manner that does not unnecessarily damage the material. 133. A method of treating outer garments, the method comprising: defining a desired pattern design to be formed on the outer garment; generating a computer file showing the pattern design; and having a maximum output power of 500 watts or more. The laser has a computer
A method comprising: polishing a desired pattern pattern on the outer garment using a file; and using the laser for 30 seconds or less to form the entire pattern pattern. 134. The method of claim 133, further comprising controlling the effective output power of the laser by controlling the duty cycle of operation of the laser. 135. A method of forming a pattern design on an outer garment, the method comprising: determining a pattern design formed on the outer garment; and an effect of the directional characteristic of the material on the formed pattern design. A method comprising the steps of: determining and designating both the pattern design and the directional characteristic. 136. The method of claim 135, wherein the step of designating comprises a computer file representing each area and an effective power output associated with each area.
And a method of forming a level. 137. The method of claim 136, further comprising using the computer file to control a controllable laser to create a material-related effect. 138. A method of treating outer garments, the method comprising: obtaining a first outer garment having a desired appearance produced as a replica; and selecting a different area of a plurality of different areas of the first outer garment. Determining a color level, and determining a certain amount of effective applied energy out of the laser energy required to be applied to each of the areas from the color level to produce a replica of the color level And a step of forming a computer file having a plurality of area displays,
Each said area representation representing the said certain amount of laser power that needs to be applied to each of said areas and making a replica of said different area of said first outer garment. And how to. 139. further comprising controlling the laser using the computer file to mark a second outerwear in a manner to create a replica of a colored pattern design on the first outerwear. 138. The method of claim 138, wherein. 140. The method of claim 138, wherein the laser marks the second garment by using the computer file to polish a plurality of lines on the second garment. A method characterized by the following. 141. The apparatus of claim 140, wherein at least a plurality of said lines define an effective applied energy that varies within each of a plurality of scanned single lines. 142. The method of claim 138, further comprising storing information in a look-up table and using the information to determine the effective applied energy for each of the areas. Method. 143. Further comprising the steps of displaying a graphic image showing the computer file to a user, and editing the computer file by allowing the user to edit the graphic image. 138. The method of claim 138, comprising: 144. defining an image of a whisker portion representing an image of a color change to the material caused by wrinkles in the material;
Forming a computer file representing at least a plurality of areas and laser information for the areas, the information for the areas causing the laser to form a specified color change of material within the areas. And a step of: 145. The method of claim 144, further comprising applying the computer file to a laser to simulate the appearance of the whisker portion on the material. 146. The method of claim 144, wherein the whisker portion comprises a plurality of lines representing the wrinkles, each line being one-eighth to one-half of an inch wide.
The method is between inches and is between 1 and 10 inches in length. 147. The method of claim 144, wherein each of said lines is a different color centered along its top, bottom, toward its edge. 148. Defining a pattern pattern formed on a fibrous material, the pattern pattern representing different degrees of wear of the fiber material at different locations, the at least first area having no wear, Generating a computer-readable file showing a pattern design, and controlling the laser to form the pattern design by first controlling a laser with the file, greater than zero,
The first less than a threshold below the visible change made to the textile material
Generating an effective output power within an area and increasing the effective output power at a boundary between the first area and another area outside the first area. 149. Defining a texture pattern formed on a fibrous material, the texture pattern representing a plurality of portions, each portion having a separately controllable amount of change; Different degrees of change having at least a plurality of different levels of change, and randomly setting the exact points at which the degrees of change actually delimit between two adjacent levels; A method comprising: forming a computer-readable file showing the pattern pattern and information about the degree of change, and having the randomly set boundary. 150. The method of claim 149, wherein the information about the degree of change is information about the effective applied power level for the laser and the file contains the information related to position information. A method of having. 151. The method of claim 150, further comprising applying the effective power level at a designated location represented by the location information using a laser. 152. Defining a texture pattern formed on a fibrous material, the texture pattern having different colors representing different degrees of variation of the fibrous material at different locations, the different variation of The degree has at least a plurality of different change levels, each change level being incremented on the pattern pattern by defining a step associated with the effective applied energy applied to said position, and drop size and trajectory. Defining a tool capable of spraying the concentration, determining the position applied by the drop, and adjusting the color level of the position based on the hit so that the effective applied energy is adjusted by the hit A method comprising the steps of: 153. The method of claim 152, wherein the color is one of full color or gray scale. 154. The method of claim 152, wherein the location is a pixel. 155. The method of claim 152, wherein the adjusting step comprises the step of incrementing the color level at the location to the next higher color level. 156. The method of claim 152, wherein the effective applied energy is energy density per unit time, laser output duty cycle, laser travel speed, laser distance, or multiple laser paths. A method characterized by being one of them. 157. The method of claim 152, wherein the adjusting step comprises incrementing the color level at the location to the next lower color level. 158. A method of imparting a visible effect to a material, comprising the step of changing the effective applied power from the laser to the material by performing multiple laser scan passes along a particular segment of the pattern. And each of said passes is performed at a constant power, velocity, and laser distance, but the combination of the plurality of scans comprises the step of applying a varying effective applied power in the material. Method. 159. The method of claim 158, wherein the altering step defines a file having different levels of effective applied energy, and the file is used to perform a number of operations in each of a plurality of areas. A method comprising controlling the path. 160. The method of claim 159, wherein the area is a pixel. 161. The method of claim 2, wherein the effective applied energy is one of energy density per unit time, duty cycle of laser output, laser travel speed, or laser distance. A method characterized by the following. 162. The method of claim 41, wherein the effective applied energy is energy density per unit time, laser power level, laser output duty cycle, laser travel speed, or laser distance. A method characterized by being one of them. 163. The method of claim 93, wherein the effective applied energy is energy density per unit time, laser power level, laser output duty cycle, laser travel speed, or laser distance. A method characterized by being one of them. 164. The method of claim 107, wherein the effective applied energy is one of energy density per unit time, laser power level, laser output duty cycle, laser travel speed, or laser distance. A method characterized by being one of them. 165. The method of claim 150, wherein the effective applied energy is energy density per unit time, laser power level, laser output duty cycle, laser travel speed, or laser distance. A method characterized by being one of them. 166. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the effective applied energy is an energy density per unit time, a laser power level, a laser output duty cycle, a laser travel speed, or a laser distance. A method characterized by being one of them. 167. The method of claim 82, wherein the effective applied energy is an energy density per unit time, a laser power level, a laser output duty cycle, a laser travel speed, or a laser distance. A method characterized by being one of them. 168. Displaying a matrix of numerical values, each numerical value comprising the step of representing a fixed amount of effective applied power applied to each area defined by each element of the matrix. File format to use. 169. The format of claim 168, wherein each element of the matrix is bitmapped. 170. The format of claim 168, wherein each number is at least one of a power level, a duty cycle, and / or an energy density per unit time for each of the areas. Characteristic format. 171. The format of claim 168, wherein each area is a pixel. 172. The format of claim 168, wherein the format has a numerical value that indicates which direction the laser scanning should be performed. 173. A step of displaying a matrix of numerical values, each numerical value representing a fixed amount of effective applied power applied to each area defined by each element of the matrix; and laser scanning. And a control value for the laser indicating direction. 174. The format of claim 173, wherein the direction is one of horizontal or vertical scanning. 175. A process for identifying a special image intended to be used to change the color of a fiber fiber, the image having areas of different tinting, which represent different levels of color change for said fiber fiber. And controlling the laser using the image to make the color change of the fiber fiber. 176. The method of claim 175, wherein the file has a level of effective applied energy associated with the color change level. 177. The method of claim 176, wherein the effective applied energy is one of energy density per unit time, laser power level, laser output duty cycle, laser travel speed, or laser distance. A method characterized by being one of. 178. The method of claim 175, wherein the file has a separate effective applied energy value for each pixel of the image. 179. A file format comprising a matrix of numerical values, each numerical value having a numerical value associated with an area and indicating a laser throughput to be performed by the laser, the matrix of numerical values representing the laser. A file format characterized by gathering and forming information that can be used for use to form whiskers on a material, said whiskers representing color changes to the material caused by wrinkles in the material.