Method for optimizing a textile production process

Abstract

Method for optimizing a textile production process, which consists in manufacturing a fabric on a weaving machine, wherein the characteristics of the fabric and/or fabric-determining elements are visualized on a machine screen by means of at least one image.

1 . A method of optimizing a textile producing process carried out on an automated weaving machine including a sand roll and an on-loom fabric inspection system that cooperates in the weaving process, comprising: 
 locating a fabric observation element of the on-loom fabric inspection system below the sand roll.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said weaving machine includes a cloth roll within a chassis of the weaving machine beyond the sand roll relative to a direction of travel of fabric formed on the weaving machine, and including carrying out inspection of the fabric by said inspection system between the sand roll and the cloth roll.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , including directing the formed fabric beyond the sand roll downwardly to another location in the direction of fabric travel, and carrying out inspection of the fabric by said inspection system between the sand roll and the location to which the fabric travels.  
   
   
       4 . A method for optimizing a textile producing process utilizing one or more devices associated with a machine carrying out the production process, including carrying out an identification and/or verification procedure and applying at least one identification element to at least one of the devices to enable electronic identification and/or verification of such device.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the identification elements are selected to be operable wirelessly.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 4 , carrying out electronic identification and/or verification using said identification element for the follow-up of data related to and/or commanding said device to which said at least one identification element has been applied.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein a device is a person, and including carrying out electronic identification and/or verification relative to such person.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , including providing said person with a personalized identification element.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 4 , including using the enabled identification and/or verification for a purpose selected from the group consisting of: 
 representing selected data at a device which as been identified and/or verified as a function of the identity of such device;    commanding selected machine functions and/or auxiliary accessories and devices that are peripheral to the machine as a function of the identity of a device that has been identified and/or verified;    granting personalized access rights to selected parts of a device which has been identified and/or verified;    enabling a personalized communication with a person present at a device which has been identified and/or verified; and    carrying out follow-up interventions related to the machine.    
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 4 , including carrying out an identification and/or verification procedure with respect to items selected from the group consisting of: 
 other devices cooperating with a device to which an identification element has been applied;    products supplied to a device to which an identification element has been applied; and    products transported off from a device to which an identification element has been applied.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said textile production process is carried out on a a weaving machine, and wherein said devices are peripheral to the weaving machine, comprising carrying out the identification and/or verification procedure with respect to such weaving machine and/or with respect to said devices that are peripheral to the weaving machine.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the identification and/or verification procedure is carried out with respect to one or more devices selected from the group consisting of: 
 bobbins;    warp beam;    cloth roll;    cleaning installation; and    spare parts.    
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein with respect to bobbins, the identification and/or verification procedure is used in a procedure selected from the group consisting of: 
 identifying each bobbin to verify the bobbin against data related to the article to be woven;    generating a signal related to a need to supply new bobbins to the machine, taking into account any remaining weaving time and/or bobbin length;    following up stop ciphers as a function of the identified bobbins;    adapting weft transport from the bobbins as a function of bobbin diameter, including deducing said diameter for each identified bobbin during weaving;    identifying bobbins contained in a bobbin rack to be used by the weaving machine and verifying that the data related to said bobbins on a bobbin rack correspond to data related to an article to be woven on the weaving machine for which the bobbins are intended; and    using the identification data to control a weaving process according to a weft pattern that is determined as a function of the weft thread kind carried by the bobbins.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein bobbin identification and/or verification is carried out using identification elements applied to and carried by the bobbins, and detectors arranged to cooperate with said identification elements that are provided in pins of a bobbin rack carrying such bobbins.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein with respect to warp beams, the identification and/or verification procedure is used in a procedure selected from the group consisting of: 
 correlating the identified warp beam and the warp threads carried thereon with data related to an article to be woven on a weaving machine for which the warp beam is intended; and    obtaining the history of the identified warp beam and using such history during weaving on the weaving machine using the warp beam.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein with respect to a cloth roll, the identification and/or verification procedure is used in a procedure selected from the group: 
 providing data related to a cloth roll using the identification element applied to the cloth roll;    providing data related to a cloth roll by applying an identification element to the cloth roll by an automated device;    providing data related to a cloth roll by applying an identification element thereto in response at least in part to an automatic detection of a fault in the fabric on the cloth roll;    providing data related to a cloth roll by applying an identification element thereto that has been programmed at a weaving machine location or otherwise provided with information specific to the respective cloth roll on which the identification element has been applied;    providing data related to a cloth roll by applying an identification element thereto that includes visually recognizable information;    providing data related to a cloth roll upon doffing of the roll from a weaving machine, the last-recited data selected to be useful for logistic purposes related to the doffed cloth roll;    providing data related to the cloth roll by applying a plurality of identification elements along the length of the cloth on the cloth roll, each element having a preselected purpose related to the cloth roll;    providing and transmitting data related to a repair to be made to the cloth on the cloth roll; and    providing and transmitting data related to the location of a repairable fault on the cloth on the cloth roll to thereby enable automatic indexing of the cloth to a repair location for the fault.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein with respect to cleaning installations, the identification and/or verification procedure is used in a procedure selected from the group consisting of: 
 following up on the frequency of cleaning operations performed by a cleaning installation;    following up on the frequency of cleaning operations, and/or the frequency with which a cleaning installation passes along at least a weaving machine, and correlating the weaving machine stops and/or detections of faults by a fabric inspection system to said frequency; and    determining whether the cleaning installation is switched on at the time it passes along a weaving machine.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein with respect to spare parts, the enabled identification and/or verification is used in a procedure for following up on spare parts consumption per weaving machine or per weaving machine operator.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the identification and/or verification of a first machine device is carried out by a second device located proximate to the first device.  
   
   
       20 . A method for optimizing a textile production process carried out on an automated weaving machine optionally including peripheral devices, comprising establishing communication between the weaving machine and optionally the peripheral device and a portable computer wherein the portable computer serves as a data carrier for machine data.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 20 , including using a data interface between the weaving machine and optionally the peripheral devices, and the portable computer such that data may be transmitted from the weaving machine and/or the peripheral devices, such data selected from the group consisting of: 
 machine settings;    weaving patterns;    software updates; and    production data.    
   
   
       22 . A method for optimizing a textile production processes carried out using a plurality of automated weaving machines comprising: 
 connecting the weaving machines to a central server using a network, said server being programmed to contain information related to standard weaving machine settings for different articles to be woven, including expected variations that will or may be used in the processes for weaving such articles, and    by means of the server, comparing settings of all weaving machines connected to the network to a standard setting for a respective article to be woven on a each respective weaving machine, including selectively transmitting to individual weaving machines connected to the network deviations from the standard settings as desired or required with respect to articles being woven on the respective weaving machines, and/or carrying out an automatic intervention at a weaving machine connected to the network as a function of selected deviations.    
   
   
       23 . A method for optimizing a textile production process, comprising manufacturing textile products on a plurality of different textile machines, and exchanging data between the respective textile machines.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the step of exchanging data is carried out directly without the use of a server.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the data are transmitted by a command initiated at or by one of the group consisting of: the textile machine, the operator of the machine, and another textile machine among the plurality of textile machines.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein data transmission is enabled by establishing each textile machine as a node within an ethernet network and providing each weaving machine with its own IP address.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the data exchanged is selected from the group consisting of: machine settings, weaving patterns in the case of weaving machines constituting the textile machines, complete or partial versions of machine software, and access control lists.  
   
   
       28 . A method for optimizing a textile production process using textile production machines with or without peripheral devices, comprising using a machine terminal associated with each textile production machine as a user interface as part of a maintenance management system.  
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 28 , including arranging the user interface to establish communication between the textile producing machines and a database containing data related to parts for the textile producing machines.  
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the communication established is related to functions selected from the group consisting of: 
 calling from the terminal of a machine a history of actions performed in the past in respect to the machine;    automatically transmitting data upon initiation of an intervention at a machine enabling identification of the machine;    identifying at the terminal spare parts for a machine by reference to an online catalog of spare parts for the machine;    consulting a local stock;    starting an order; and    naming the degree of urgency upon ordering.    
   
   
       31 . A method of optimizing a textile production process involving making identical or similar textiles on a plurality of textile producing machines, comprising: detecting control values and settings on the plurality of machines; establishing an automatic exchange of data as a dialogue between the plurality of machines; and, in response to the dialogue, optimizing the control of at least one of the machines.  
   
   
       32 . A method of optimizing a textile production process involving weaving one or more fabrics on a plurality of weaving machines, comprising establishing a communication between each weaving machine, or between a weaving machine of the plurality of weaving machines and one or more other systems, by means of a portable telephone system that cooperates with a public telephone network.  
   
   
       33 . A method of optimizing a textile production process involving weaving one or more fabrics on one or more weaving machines, comprising: 
 using digital photographic equipment associated with each of said one or more weaving machines to capture image data; and    communicating such image data to a location away from the weaving machine via a communication system.    
   
   
       34 . A method according to  claim 33 , wherein the digital image data are transmitted via a communication system selected from the group consisting of: 
 a telephone network;    a weaving mill network;    a weaving mill server; and    the internet.    
   
   
       35 . A method for optimizing a textile production process involving weaving textiles using a plurality of automated weaving machines in a weaving mill, comprising: 
 using sensors on the weaving machines to detect and measure ambient factors related to the environment of the weaving machines;    taking follow-up action in response to detected and measured ambient factors related to the environment of the weaving machines.    
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein at least temperature and relative humidity are included among the detected and measured ambient factors.  
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 35 , including taking the follow-up action in response to the detected and measured ambient factors via a central system, including initiating a control function correlated to the detected and measured ambient factors via the central system, such control function including influencing the detected and measured ambient factors in a manner advantageous for the textile production process.  
   
   
       38 . A method of optimizing a textile production process using a weaving machine under the control of a weaving machine operator, comprising: 
 communicating to the weaving machine operator information contained in an instruction manual relating to the operation and use of the machine, said communication being carried out using visual images or audible voice communications through a visual imaging device or voice technology located on or proximate the weaving machine.    
   
   
       39 . A method of optimizing a textile production process involving an automated weaving machine having an information screen associated therewith, comprising generating and displaying on the screen an image representing a characteristic of the tension of a weft thread and/or a characteristic of the tension of a warp thread being used in the weaving process.  
   
   
       40 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the weaving machine has a main shaft and a shed forming device, and the characteristic for the tension of a weft and/or warp thread is provided as a function selected from the group consisting of: 
 the main shaft position;    the position of a weft thread brake element;    the position of a rapier in the case of a rapier weaving machine; and    the position of the shed forming device of the weaving machine.    
   
   
       41 . A method for optimizing a textile weaving process carried out on an automated weaving machine, said weaving machine including a sand roll, and wherein the weaving machine includes an on-loom fabric inspection system that cooperates in the weaving process comprising: 
 displaying on a visual image display screen associated with the weaving machine a representation of one or more conditions detected by said fabric inspection system; and    locating a fabric observation element of the on-loom fabric inspection system below the sand roll.    
   
   
       42 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein said weaving machine includes a cloth roll within a chassis of the weaving machine beyond the sand roll relative to a direction of travel of fabric formed on the weaving machine, and including carrying out inspection of the fabric by said inspection system between the sand roll and the cloth roll.  
   
   
       43 . The method according to  claim 41 , including directing the formed fabric beyond the sand roll downwardly to another location in the direction of fabric travel, and carrying out inspection of the fabric by said inspection system between the sand roll and the location to which the fabric travels.