US 4,941,183 AGranted

Method and apparatus for optimizing the cutting of material

AssigneeDurkopp System Technik GmbH

InventorsWolfgang Bruder, Klaus Biervert

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Abstract

Three embodiments of methods and apparatus according to the invention are each capable of optimizing the cutting of material in accordance with a plurality of templates or predetermined shapes. The method steps required to be carried out manually are greatly simplified. The degree of utilization of the material for a given intended pattern of cutting is determined objectively before cutting to minimize waste, and the degree of utilization is weighed against the subjective feeling of the operator as to the suitability of the specific portions of the workpiece material proposed to be cut. In cutting patterned materials, it is assured that the respective patterning on each piece to be cut out is selected, in a simple manner, to provide for predetermined uniform transitions between the different individual pieces in the finished product, for instance an article of clothing.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of optimizing the cutting out of pieces of material having predetermined shapes from a workpiece such as leather, patterned fabric or the like, comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing reduced-scale templates corresponding to the shapes of the pieces to be cut out;
(b) placing the templates on a projection device and projecting images of the templates onto the material to be cut, such that images of the templates appear on the workpiece and have the full size of the pieces to be cut out;
(c) then, manually positioning the templates on the projection device while observing their images projected onto the workpiece, to optimize the positioning of the templates, giving due consideration to the imperfections and structural features of the particular workpiece to be cut, and selecting a final position of the templates;
(d) generating digital template data representative of the shape of each individual template and its position on the projection device;
(e) calculating the total area of the cut pieces on the basis of the digital template data;
(f) comparing the total area of the cut pieces with the total area of the workpiece and thereby determining a degree of utilization of the workpiece material;
(g) if said degree of utilization is substantially optimal, generating a start command for causing a cutting device to carry out the cutting according to the template images on the workpiece;
(h) if said degree of utilization is not substantially optimal, repeating steps (b)-(g).

5 more elements

A method for optimizing the cutting out of pieces of material having predetermined shapes from a workpiece such as leather, patterned fabric or the like, comprising the steps of:

(a) generating digital shape data representative of the shapes of the pieces to be cut out and the surface area of said shapes and storing said shape data in a computer;
(b) preparing reduced-scale templates corresponding to said shapes of the pieces to be cut out;
(c) placing the templates on a projection device and projecting images of the templates onto the material to be cut, such that images of the templates appear on the workpiece and have the full size of the pieces to be cut out;
(d) manually positioning the templates on the light table while observing their images projected onto the workpiece, to optimize the positioning of the templates, giving due consideration to the imperfections and structural features of the particular workpiece to be cut, and selecting a final position of the templates;
(e) detecting which said templates are present on the projection device and their positions, generating digital template data representative thereof and entering said template data into a computer;
(f) feeding digital workpiece data representative of the total area of the workpiece into the computer;
(g) employing the computer to associate the digital template data with the digital shape data and calculate the ratio of the total area of the cut pieces to the area of the workpiece, thereby determining a degree of utilization of the workpiece material;
(h) if said degree of utilization is substantially optimal, generating a start command for causing a cutting device to carry out the cutting according to the template images on the workpiece;
(i) if said degree of utilization is not substantially optimal, repeating steps (c)-(h).

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/070,902Filed 8 Jul 1987
Priority: DE 36271106 Aug 1986
Granted: 10 Jul 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G06K 11/00
Methods or arrangements for graph-reading or for converting the pattern of mechanical
A41H 3/007
Patterns for cutting-out; Methods of drafting or marking-out such patterns, e.g. on the cloth: methods of drafting or marking-out patterns using…
C14B 5/00
Clicking, perforating, or cutting leather
G06Q 10/043
Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem":…