Apparatus and method for monitoring predetermined seam characteristics
AssigneeNorth Carolina State University
InventorsTimothy G. Clapp, Kimberly J. Titus, Adam B. Davis
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Abstract
A sewn seam monitoring system for evaluating selected characteristics of seam formed from a plurality of fabric plies is disclosed comprising a vertically displaceable wheel for compressing and monitoring the thickness of a seam being sewn as the seam passes therebeneath and a transducer operatively connected to the wheel to measure vertical movement and generate a signal corresponding to the vertical displacement of the wheel. Computer means is electrically connected to the transducer for analyzing the seam being sewn to detect any defects therein sensed by the wheel when in compressing contact with the seam passing therebeneath.
Claims29
A seam monitoring system for evaluating seams formed by stitching together a plurality of elements of sheet material, and comprising:
- (a) quality sensing means for continuously compressing and monitoring the quality of a seam, said quality sensing means being positioned so that a seam moving in the direction of its longitudinal axis passes continuously beneath said quality sensing means;
- and
- (b) computer means electrically connected to said quality sensing means for analyzing the seam to detect predetermined characteristics thereof.
In combination with a sewing machine of the type adapted to stitch together seams, a seam quality monitoring system comprising:
- (a) quality sensing means for continuously compressing and monitoring the quality of a seam being sewn, said quality sensing means being positioned so that a seam moving in the direction of its longitudinal axis passes continuously beneath said quality sensing means, said quality sensing means comprising a vertically movable wheel adapted to move from an inoperative mode above the sewn seam to an operative mode in contact with the sewn seam therebeneath, a transducer operatively connected to said wheel to measure vertical movement of said wheel, and means for urging said wheel against the sewn seam passing therebeneath;
- and
- (b) computer means electrically connected to said quality sensing means for analyzing the seam being sewn to detect predetermined characteristics thereof sensed by said wheel when in its operative mode in contact with the sewn seam passing therebeneath.
A method for monitoring predetermined characteristics of a seam with a monitoring system wherein said seam is formed by stitching together a plurality of elements of sheet material, comprising the steps of:
- (a) moving a seam in the direction of its longitudinal axis so that it passes continuously beneath a vertically displaceable roller;
- (b) urging the vertically displaceable roller against the seam and compressing the seam as the seam passes continuously therebeneath;
- (c) detecting the vertical displacement of said roller as the seam passes continuously therebeneath and continuously generating a signal corresponding thereto;
- and
- (d) analyzing said signal with computer means to continuously detect predetermined characteristics along the length of the seam.
A method for monitoring the quality of a stitched seam from a sewing machine with a quality monitoring system mounted thereto wherein said sewing machine is of the type adapted to stitch together seams, comprising the steps of:
- (a) moving a seam in the direction of its longitudinal axis so that it passes continuously beneath a vertically displaceable roller;
- (b) urging the vertically movable roller against the seam being sewn and compressing the seam as the sewn seam continuously passes therebeneath;
- (c) detecting the vertical movement of said roller as the sewn seam passes continuously therebeneath with a linear variable differential transducer (LVDT) and generating a signal from said LVDT corresponding thereto;
- and
- (d) analyzing said signal from said LVDT with computer means to continuously detect any defects along the length of the sewn seam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.