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DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method and a system for tracing the movement of carriages in a work environment between a plurality of stations for processing sewn articles for the assembly of an item of clothing.

In particular, the present invention relates to the management of operating processes usually performed in a factory of sewn articles (trousers, jumpers, shirts, etc.) through various sewing stations.

Currently, in a work environment for sewn articles several processing stations are provided which are normally equipped with a machine for sewing one or more specific parts of the item of clothing. From a cutting room, several pieces are cut from one or more fabrics, which pieces must then be assembled together to create the item of clothing.

For example, such cut pieces may comprise a pocket of a trouser, a front or back quarter of the same trouser, etc.

In industry jargon, the set of such pieces is defined as a bundle of pieces to be sewn together (e.g., 20 pieces, 50 pieces, etc.).

The bundle is loaded on a movement carriage which transports the pieces to be assembled to the various processing stations.

A first station can be used for embroidery, a second for stitching the pockets (there are specific machines for connecting the pockets to other parts of fabric for example to compose trousers), a third for the end hem, and so on until the item is assembled at a last station.

Currently, the movement of the carriage is manual and left to the operators of the different stations or to external operators who, once the processing is finished, bring the carriage to the next station. However, it is often difficult to trace which movements the carriage has performed (except according to the memory of the operators themselves), or whether some operations have been carried out or not or, worse still, whether one carriage has been exchanged for another (as they are very similar). It should also be considered that the bundle is usually cut from a same fabric which may have specific textures or designs which are different from another fabric of the same type.

Consequently, at the end of an operating process, it may occur that not all the pieces loaded on the carriage have been processed because, for example, they have not passed through a processing station (due to forgetfulness or excessive carriage traffic) or that the processes are incomplete or incorrect.

In addition, currently it often occurs that if a processing station is out of use or operates at a reduced rate, queues of carriages waiting for the station to return to use may form, thus creating a slowdown in overall production.

In this situation, the object of the present invention is to realise a method and a system for tracing the movement of the carriages which obviates the above- cited drawbacks.

An object of the present invention is in particular to realise a method and a system for tracing the movement of carriages which can be more efficient and controlled.

Another object of the present invention is to realise a method and a system for tracing the movement of carriages which can facilitate the work of the users operating at the various processing stations.

The indicated objects are substantially attained by a method and a system for tracing the movement of carriages according to what is described in the appended claims.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will more greatly emerge from the detailed description which follows of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a method and a system for tracing the movement of carriages illustrated in the appended drawings, in which: - figure 1 shows, in schematic view, a work environment in which a method and a system for tracing the movement of carriages is implemented;

- figure 2 shows, in schematic view, a work environment in which an embodiment variant of the method and system of figure 1 is implemented; and - figure 3 shows, in schematic view, an enlargement of a part of the work environment depicted in figures 1 and 2.

With reference to the figures mentioned, the reference numeral 1 globally indicates a system 1 for tracing the movement of carriages 2 in a work environment 100 between a plurality of stations 3 for processing sewn articles for the assembly of an item of clothing according to the present invention.

In particular, figure 1 shows an example of a work environment 100 in which there are a plurality of processing stations 3 respectively identified by letters ranging from “A” to Έ” according to the alphabetical order.

Preferably, each processing station 3 comprises, for example, a sewing machine 4 (enlargement of figure 3) and at least one identification and communication module 5. Such identification and communication module 5 is configured to contain information relating to the machine (serial number, type, list of operations for which it is used, etc.) and to communicate with other external devices (user and/or carriage 2). Furthermore, each station 3 also comprises a mobile device 11 associable with the operator assigned to perform a processing and containing a unique operator code 102 (for example bracelet, medals or cards with recognition chips, bar codes, QR codes, NFC, etc.).

In other words, the term "processing station 3” identifies the processing sub- environment comprising the sewing machine 4 and the mobile device 11 associable with the operator.

The identification module 5 is preferably mounted on said sewing machine 4. The communication realised by the module 5 is preferably of the wireless type and, for example, can be realised through Bluetooth® and/or RFID and/or NFC devices and/or anything else not expressly indicated herein. It should also be noted that the module 5 comprises an electronic board and other detectors configured to receive input signals which are processed and associated with an event or call or generation of another executable signal. Such input signals are for example representative of the operator's gestures (for example when an operator knocks the surface of the sewing machine with his hand or claps his hands or other) which are processed by the electronic board and generate special events or signals directed towards the outside of the sewing machine itself.

The system 1 comprises at least one carriage 2 for moving pieces of cut fabric between one processing station 3 and another. Usually the carriage 2 is configured to transport pieces 101 of fabric of the same bundle as explained above.

An electronic unit 6 for the connection to a computer network is mounted on said carriage 2; said electronic unit containing an identification code of the carriage 2 on which it is mounted. Said identification code is representative of the carriage 2 and possibly also of the pieces 101 transported by the carriage 2 itself, for example linked to a customer order.

The module 5 of said first station 3 (“A”) and said electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 are configured to perform a mutual proximity association. In other words, when the electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 and the module 5 of the first station 3 (“A”) are at a distance less than a predefined distance, an association is made between the two which allows the exchange of signals and data.

In particular, the electronic unit 6 of the carriage 2 generates a traceability signal 7 containing information relating to the transit of the carriage 2 having said identification code at said first station 3 (“A”). For example, the traceability signal 7 is representative of the data relating to the fact that the carriage 2 with a certain identification code is located at said first station 3 (“A”).

Preferably, the unit 6 is configured to verify, as a result of said association, if said carriage 2 has reached the correct processing station 3 on the basis of a comparison with a predefined order of processing operations to be performed on said pieces 101 through corresponding processing stations 3. If said verification defines that the association is correct, a first processing operation is performed on said pieces 101 through said first station 3 ("A").

If instead said carriage 2 has reached an incorrect processing station 3, an error signal is generated by said electronic unit 6 provided on said carriage 2. Furthermore, the electronic unit 6 of the carriage 2 is configured to generate an indication signal 8 containing information relating to a second station 3 (“B”) at which to move the pieces 101 on the carriage 2 at the end of the processing performed at the first station 3 (“A”).

Preferably, said pieces are moved towards said second station 3 (“B”) through the same carriage 2 or a second carriage 2 comprising the same features as the carriage 2 (in this case the invention envisages providing at least two carriages).

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in figure 2, two of said carriages 2a, 2b are provided, on which said pieces are arranged. Such carriages 2 are both moved towards the first station 3 (“A”) to perform said first processing operation. Preferably, one of said two carriages 2a, 2b or a third carriage 2c is used to load the pieces 101 following the processing operation performed in the first station 3 (“A”).

Such procedure can then be repeated for any station subsequent to the first according to said predefined order of operations to be performed. Furthermore, the traceability signal 7 contains information relating to the dwell time in which said association between said module 5 of said first station 3 (“A”) and said electronic connection unit 6 is maintained, so as to be able to trace the time the carriage 2 is stopped at the first station 3 (“A”).

Preferably, the contents of such an indication signal 8 and/or the traceability signal 7 are displayed on a screen 9 mounted on the carriage 2 and connected to the electronic connection unit 6. In this way, the operator 102 can advantageously see the indications for the subsequent movement of the carriage 2 or other information useful for the correct performance of the assembly process of the items of clothing.

The screen 9 may advantageously be an e-ink type screen 9, or also of other types such as LCD, LED or other still not expressly mentioned herein. On such screen 9, the unit 6 can display other information such as the job order number, the number of pieces which form the bundle and/or other information related to the traceability of the carriage 2.

It should be noted that the electronic connection unit 6 is configured to forward said traceability signal 7 and/or said indication signal 8 to the computer network so that it can be shared in the work environment 100. Such computer network is preferably wireless and can be a local area network or the internet. In particular, the system 1 comprises a general control unit 10 for the management of the work environment 100 operatively connected to each processing station 3 and to said electronic connection unit 6 of each carriage 2 through said computer network. The general management control unit 10 is configured to receive said traceability and/or connection signals and to forward control signals to said electronic unit 6 for connecting each carriage 2 and/or to each processing station 3 containing commands to be executed.

For example, if the general management control unit 10 detects that a processing station 3 is inaccessible, it can send a management signal to the carriage 2 so that the inaccessible processing station 3 is bypassed and no carriage 2 queues are created at such station 3.

Furthermore, the control unit 10 contains a database of said predefined order of operations to be performed on said pieces 101 in order to perform the above verification.

The system 1 further comprises the mobile device 11 (e.g., a bracelet) associated with the operator 102 containing said unique operator code 102 and configured to associate with the electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 and/or with the module 5 of the processing station 3. In this way, the general management control unit 10 is configured to also detect, through the computer network, which operator 102 is operating on a given machine and on a given carriage 2.

In other words, the electronic unit 6 is further configured to perform the association of said module 5 of said first station 3 (“A”) through the association of said electronic unit 6 for connecting the carriage 2 with said module 5 mounted on said sewing machine 4 and with said mobile device 11 so as to identify a processing sub-environment comprising the sewing machine 4, the mobile device 11 associated with the operator and the carriage 2 which has transported the pieces to be processed. Furthermore, the general management control unit 10 is configured to detect, through the computer network, which processing sub-environment is operating on the fabric pieces 101 at a given station 3.

Advantageously, the general management control unit 10 is configured to perform a plurality of data crossings for statistical and/or organisational purposes of the work processes. For example, it is possible to know how long a carriage 2 has remained at a specific station 3, which operator 102 has worked on it, etc.

It should be noted that the electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2, the identification module 5 of the station 3, the user's mobile device 11 preferably comprise a proximity communication module 5 having a reading antenna which allows automatic association as long as the parts are located within a certain distance from each other.

For example, when a carriage 2 approaches a station 3, the association between the electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 and the identification module 5 of the station 3 takes place automatically by proximity.

Similarly, when the electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2, the identification module 5 of the station 3, the user's mobile device 11 exceed a certain distance from each other, a dissociation takes place.

The association and dissociation are recorded in the electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 and/or in the identification module 5 of the station 3 and/or in the general control unit 10 and, preferably, these activities are inserted in the traceability signal 7.

Advantageously, in order to avoid association errors between the electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 and the identification module 5 of the station 3, given the vicinity to the machines 4 to each other, the method envisages that the association step of said module 5 of said machine 4 to the electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 is performed according to the following sub steps:

- initially the user's mobile device 11 is associated with the machine 4 so as to form a user-machine group;

- subsequently, the user's mobile device 11 is associated with the electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 so as to complete the man-machine association with the carriage 2 to form a new man- machine-carriage association. Similar operations are performed, in reverse, in the dissociation step.

In addition, the general management control unit 10 is configured to detect the operating status of the processing stations 3 which can be, for example:

- operative and free station;

- operative but occupied station; - inoperative station.

If said second station 3 (“B”) at which it is envisaged to move said fabric pieces 101 as a result of said first processing is a station with an inoperative or occupied status, said general management control unit 10 is configured to modify said indication signal 8 to identify a second alternative station 3 (“B”) at which to move said fabric pieces 101 as a result of said first processing as a function of said predefined order of operations to be performed.

In this way it is advantageously possible to avoid queues or process slowdowns.

It should also be noted that, in a possible embodiment of the present invention, the carriages 2 are of self-guided movement and are controlled by the general control unit 10. In other words, the general control unit 10 sends a signal to the carriages 2 to move them automatically according to a predefined order of operations to be performed on said pieces and following the reception of the traceability and/or connection signals by each carriage 2 and/or station 3.

It should also be noted that the carriages can comprise on-board keys for various functions of the carriage itself (e.g., turning on lights or other items). In detail, the unit 6 is configured to receive commands from said keys and to perform operations.

Furthermore, each carriage 2 comprises a rechargeable battery connected to said electronic unit 6 to power it. If the carriage 2 is self-guided, said battery can also power the motor for moving the carriage itself. In this case, at one or more stations 3 a battery charging station can be provided, used to charge the battery of the carriage 2 during the dwelling of the same at said station 3.

A further object of the present invention is a method for tracing the movement of carriages 2 in a work environment 100 between a plurality of stations 3 for processing sewn articles for the assembly of an item of clothing. The method is directly derived from what is disclosed above in relation to the system 1 to which full reference is made hereinbelow.

In detail, the method comprises the steps of providing at least one carriage 2 for moving pieces 101 of cut fabric between one processing station 3 and another. Subsequently, the method envisages providing the electronic unit 6 for the connection to the computer network on the carriage 2. Such electronic unit 6 contains an identification code of the carriage 2 on which it is mounted. The carriage 2 is then moved to a first processing station 3 ("A") equipped with an identification and communication module 5.

At that point, an association is performed, by proximity, between said module 5 of said first station 3 (“A”) and said electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 and/or between said user's mobile device 11 and the unit 6 (preferably in the order indicated above). Said electronic unit 6 then generates a traceability signal 7 containing information relating to the transit of the carriage 2 having said identification code at said first station 3 (“A”).

The method envisages verifying the correctness of the association based on a predefined order of operations to be performed in relation to the pieces 102 loaded on a given carriage.

In addition, the indication signal 8 is generated, through said electronic unit 6, containing information relating to a second station 3 (“B”) at which to move the pieces 102 at the end of the processing performed at the first station 3 (“A”) through the same carriage 2 or a second carriage 2 having the same features as the carriage 2.

In particular, the step of performing an association between said module 5 of said first station 3 (“A”) and said electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 occurs by virtue of the approach of the carriage 2 relative to the station 3 (“A”) within a predefined range of distance so as to define an automatic association. Furthermore, a step is envisaged of dissociating said electronic connection unit 6 of the carriage 2 from said module 5 of said first station 3 ("A") by virtue of the distancing of the carriage 2 relative to the first station 3 ("A") beyond a predefined range of distance so as to define an automatic dissociation.

In particular, the method envisages that the step of performing the association of said module 5 of said first station 3 (“A”) is performed through the association of said electronic unit 6 connecting the carriage 2 with said module 5 mounted on said sewing machine 4 and with said mobile device 11 so as to identify a processing sub-environment comprising the sewing machine 4, the mobile device 11 associated with the operator and the carriage 2 which has transported the pieces to be processed.

The general management control unit 10 is configured to detect, through the computer network, which processing sub-environment is operating on the fabric pieces 101 at a given station 3.

Preferably, the method also envisages a step of detecting the operating status of the processing stations 3. If said second station 3 (“B”) at which to move said fabric pieces 101 as a result of said first processing operation is a station with an inoperative or occupied status, the method envisages modifying said indication signal 8 to identify a second alternative station 3 (“B”) at which to move said fabric pieces 101 as a result of said first processing as a function of said predefined order of operations to be performed. According to one aspect of the present invention, the carriage 2 comprises the screen 9