Method for cutting belt-like member, and apparatus therefor

A belt member cutting apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of strip members by cutting a belt member in a length direction of the belt member, the cutting apparatus comprising an image pick-up device, a cutter, and a control device,

• the image pick-up device configured to obtain a captured image of a cross section of one end in a length direction of a belt member having embedded therein a plurality of reinforcement cords arranged in parallel to each other and a weft thread intersecting the reinforcement cords,
• the control device comprising:
• a position detecting unit configured to detect a position in a width direction of the belt member of an image of each of the reinforcement cords appearing in the cross section, the image being captured by the image pick-up device, and to set detection numbers representing an arrangement order of the reinforcement cords from a first edge in the width direction of the belt member;
• an interval calculating unit configured to calculate an interval L between the reinforcement cords for which the detection numbers of the reinforcement cords are adjacent to each other;
• an actual number setting unit configured to set an actual number that is obtained by correcting, depending on a ratio of the interval L to an average cord interval Lm between the adjacent reinforcement cords, a larger detection number of the detection numbers of the reinforcement cords for which the detection numbers are adjacent to each other such that the larger detection number is made larger;
• and
• a cutting position determining unit configured to determine a cutting position in the width direction of the belt member using the actual number, such that the number of the reinforcement cords included in a strip member made from the belt member is a set number;
• the cutter being controlled by the control device to cut the belt member at the determined cutting position.