Deformable thin object spreading device and method

A deformable thin object spreading device for spreading a deformable thin object, comprising:

• first and second clamping units configured to clamp the deformable thin object;
• a moving mechanism configured to move the first and second clamping units;
• an endpoint detecting part configured to detect an endpoint of the deformable thin object, which is disposed farthest away from either a first reference line or a first reference point;
• a hanging member being a plate-shaped member which is supported at a predetermined height position;
• and
• a control part configured to execute:
• a first control of the first clamping unit and the moving mechanism configured to cause the first clamping unit to clamp a first point of the deformable thin object and configured to cause the moving mechanism to move the first clamping unit such that the deformable thin object is hung on the hanging member;
• a second control of the endpoint detecting part configured to detect a first endpoint while the deformable thin object is clamped by the first clamping unit and hung on the hanging member after the first control;
• a third control of the first clamping unit and the moving mechanism configured to cause the clamping unit to clamp the first endpoint of the deformable thin object after the second control, and configured to cause the moving mechanism to move the first clamping unit such that the deformable thin object is hung on the hanging member;
• a fourth control of the endpoint detecting part configured to detect a second endpoint while the deformable thin object is clamped by the first clamping unit and hung on the hanging member after the third control;
• a fifth control of the first and second clamping units and the moving mechanism configured to cause the first and second clamping units to clamp both of the first endpoint and the second endpoint of the deformable thin object after the fourth control;
• a sixth control of the endpoint detecting part configured to detect a third endpoint after the fifth control;
• and
• a seventh control of the first and second clamping units and the moving mechanism configured to cause the first and second clamping units to clamp both of the first endpoint or the second endpoint and the third endpoint of the deformable thin object after the sixth control.