Automated fabric picking

Aspects of automated fabric picking are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a textile cutter including a tabletop upon which textile panels can be cut out from a textile sheet, a textile panel picker, and a computing device. The textile panel picker includes a flexible transport tube, a transport tube transfer arm to position the flexible transport tube over the tabletop and the textile panels, a textile hopper to collect the textile panels, and a pneumatic pump assembly to evacuate air from the textile hopper and through the flexible transport tube. The computing device identifies and tracks the textile panels on the tabletop, directs the transport tube transfer arm to position the flexible transport tube over the textile panels, and directs the pneumatic pump assembly to generate suction to pull the textile panels through the flexible transport tube and into the textile hopper.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/970,874, filed Dec. 16, 2015, titled “On Demand Apparel Manufacturing” (“the '874 application”) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/970,840, filed Dec. 16, 2015, titled “On Demand Apparel Panel Cutting” (“the '840 application”), the entire disclosure of each of which related applications is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/069,855, filed on Mar. 14, 2016, titled “Continuous Feed Fabric Cutting”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/069,867, filed on Mar. 14, 2016, titled “Organized Assembly Instruction Printing and Referencing”, the entire disclosure of each of which related applications is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The apparel manufacturing, retailing, and fitting industries include a diverse range of parties, such as designers, fabric manufacturers, apparel cutting and sewing workers, apparel retailers, tailors, and cleaners. The apparel manufacturing industry relies upon various resources, processes, and equipment to produce finished garments, accessories, footwear, etc. Generally, a process to manufacture a garment includes garment design, fabric production and/or printing, and panel cutting and sewing. Although automation has been applied to many apparel manufacturing processes, workers are still heavily relied upon to cut, pick, and sew together pieces of fabric to produce finished garments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of automated fabric picking using a system and method for printing, cutting, and assembling textile products are described herein. In one embodiment, the system includes a textile printer that prints patterns for textile panels on a textile sheet, a textile cutter including a tabletop upon which the textile panels can be cut out from the textile sheet, a textile panel picker to pick the textile panels off the tabletop, a textile production line, and a computing device that coordinates the operations of the system.

In one example, the computing environment is configured to receive one or more orders to purchase textile products, where each textile product is formed of one or more panels or pieces of fabric defined in a tech pack. The computing environment arranges the panels for the textile products onto a textile panel template for printing on a textile sheet using the textile printer. The panels can include print patterns, graphics, or other print features based on the designs for the textile products. Once the features for the panels are printed onto a textile sheet by the textile printer, the computing device directs the textile cutter to cut the textile panels out from the textile sheet.

Before the cut-out textile panels can be assembled on the textile production line, they are placed into one or more totes using the textile panel picker. The textile panel picker embodiments described herein facilitate the automated picking of cut-out textile panels off the textile cutter. The textile panel picker includes a flexible transport tube, a transport tube transfer arm to position the flexible transport tube over the tabletop of the textile cutter, a textile hopper to collect the textile panels, and a pneumatic pump assembly to evacuate air from the textile hopper and through the flexible transport tube. The computing device identifies and tracks the textile panels on the tabletop by capturing images of them on the tabletop, for example, and directs the transport tube transfer arm to position the flexible transport tube over the textile panels. The computing device also directs the pneumatic pump assembly to generate suction to pull one or more of the textile panels through the flexible transport tube and into the textile hopper.

As the textile panels are pulled through the flexible transport tube and into the textile hopper, the computing device can also coordinate the movement of one or more totes along a conveyor line, for example, and open the textile hopper at the appropriate time to drop the textile panels into the totes. In turn, the totes can be routed along a system of conveyor belts to various assembly stations where the textile panels can be assembled into finished textile products.

Automated fabric picking using the textile panel picker described herein can be more reliable than other ways of picking textile panels. Additionally, the textile panel picker can pick textile panels with less chances of damaging them as compared to other mechanical picking structures. Overall, the concepts described herein facilitate the automated manufacturing of various types of textile products by providing an automated, reliable, and careful way to pick and collect various sizes, shapes, and types of textile panels for assembly into finished textile products.

Before turning to the figures, it is noted that the embodiments are not limited to the manufacture of any particular type(s) of textile, fabric, or clothing products from any particular type(s) of materials. Instead, the concepts described herein can be applied to the manufacture of a wide array of products, including clothing or fabric products, accessories (e.g., scarves, gloves, hats, bags, belts, etc.), footwear, bedding, curtains, towels, etc., in a wide variety of materials, including but not limited to paper, plastic, leather, rubber, and other materials. Thus, references to panels, sheets, textile panels, and textile sheets, among other terms, are not intended to be limiting as to the types of materials that can be printed upon, cut, and picked using the concepts described herein.

Turning to the figures,FIG. 1illustrates a networked environment100for automated panel printing, cutting, and picking. The networked environment100includes a computing environment110, a network150, and one or more client devices160. At facility170, the networked environment100also includes a textile printer172, a textile dryer174, a textile cutter176, a textile panel picker177, and a textile production line178.

The locations of the computing environment110, the client devices160, and the facility170are representative inFIG. 1, and the embodiments can be organized and/or distributed in other ways than that shown. For example, the computing environment110can be geographically located, in part or in its entirety, at the facility170. Alternatively, the computing environment110can be geographically dislocated from the facility170while controlling and/or directing the operation of certain equipment in the facility170via the network150, including one or more of the textile printer172, a textile dryer174, a textile cutter176, a textile panel picker177, and a textile production line178. In either case, the network150can facilitate two-way data and control communications between the computing environment110and certain equipment in the facility170.

The computing environment110includes an apparel manufacturing data store120, a print engine132, a cut engine134, and an assembly engine136. In the networked environment100, the computing environment110is configured to direct certain textile printing, cutting, picking, and assembly processes at the facility170through communications with and control of one or more of the textile printer172, textile dryer174, textile cutter176, textile panel picker177, and textile production line178via the network150.

The computing environment110is configured to collect orders for products, such as products that incorporate textile, paper, plastic, leather, rubber, and/or other materials, from the client device160. The orders can be received over time via the network150in the form of (or along with) tech packs180, for example. Once received, the orders can be stored in the apparel manufacturing data store120for further processing by the computing environment110. The tech packs180can be embodied as various types of digital files, such as job definition format (JDF) or other types of files that define instructions to manufacture one or more textile products at the facility170, for example, among other facilities. The tech packs180can specify one or more fabrics, one or more panels (e.g., pieces of fabric that can be sewn together into textile products, items of apparel, etc.), fabric colors, print patterns, or graphics, fabric weaves, naps, knits, or embroidery patterns, product assembly instructions, fastener locations and/or specifications, product quantities, price and/or cost limitations or requests, and other specifications of textile or other products to be manufactured.

Once received, the print engine132of the computing environment110is configured to aggregate or collect orders defined in one or more of the tech packs180. After the orders are aggregated, the print engine132generates one or more textile panel templates190including various arrangements of panels192for the products in the orders. Any number of panels192can be defined in the textile panel templates190along with print patterns and other features related to the panels192. The textile panel templates190comprise computer-readable files that define computer-readable instructions for the textile printer172to print certain panel outlines, print patterns, and other features on one or more textile sheets. Once the panels192are printed on a textile sheet, the cut engine134of the computing environment110can instruct the textile cutter176to cut the panels192out from the textile sheet.

After the panels192are cut out from the textile sheet using the textile cutter176, the assembly engine136is configured to identify and track the cut-out panels192or pieces of fabric as they are moved along a tabletop of the textile cutter176. The assembly engine136also directs the textile panel picker177to pick or pull those panels192off the tabletop of the textile cutter176using pneumatic evacuation or suction through a flexible transport tube as described herein. The assembly engine136tracks the panels192as they are picked, pulled, or moved off the tabletop of the textile cutter176, through the flexible transport tube, and into a textile hopper of the textile panel picker177. Thus, one or more panels192are collected into the textile hopper of the textile panel picker177before they are dropped into a container or tote194for transport to an assembly station196on the textile production line178. Thus, the textile panel picker177is designed to pick the panels192off of the textile cutter176and place them into containers or totes194for assembly by sewing workers on the textile production line178.

The assembly engine136can also generate assembly schemes with instructions for the assembly of the panels192into one or more textile products. The assembly schemes can be based, at least in part, on information provided in the tech packs180. Once generated, the assembly schemes can be stored in the apparel manufacturing data store120for later reference. The generation of the assembly schemes, printing instructions related to those assembly schemes on textile sheets, and referencing those instructions are described in further detail in the '1640 application.

The textile printer172can be embodied as any suitable type of printer for printing on textile fabrics or other materials. Textile printing is related to textile dyeing but, rather than uniformly dyeing a fabric sheet in its entirety, textile printing involves applying one or more colors to only certain parts or areas of a textile sheet, often in sharply defined patterns. In that context, the textile printer172may be embodied, for example, as a digital textile printer, digital garment printer, or direct-to-garment printer. The textile printer172can use specialized inkjet technologies, for example, to apply ink directly on fabrics. The textile printer172can apply water-based, acid, reactive, or other types of inks depending upon the type of fabric or other material being printed upon. The textile printer172can print on fabrics that are woven, non-woven, knitted, netted, technical, etc., without limitation. The textile printer172can also print on other types of materials, such as paper, plastic, leather, rubber, and other materials. In some embodiments, the textile printer172can print on both sides of a textile sheet. As noted above, the textile printer172receives printing instructions from the print engine132over the network150.

The textile dryer174can be embodied as any suitable type of dryer for drying ink printed on textile fabrics or other materials. The textile dryer174can include adjustable infrared or heat panels, for example, to dry or cure ink applied by the textile printer172, as needed. In some embodiments, the textile dryer174may not be necessary based on the printing/ink technology used by the textile printer172. Thus, the textile dryer174may be omitted and/or incorporated with the textile printer172in some embodiments. The operation of the textile dryer174can be controlled by the print engine132over the network150, as needed.

The textile cutter176can be embodied as any suitable type of cutter, cutting table, or cutting machine having a cutting table or tabletop and a cutting assembly. For cutting and manipulating various types of fabrics and other materials, the cutting assembly of the textile cutter176can include one or more drag knives, wheel knives, lasers, pneumatic and/or electric oscillating cutting knives, lasers, and/or other tools, pneumatic and/or electric rotary cutting knives and/or tools, scoring tools, v-cutting (e.g., scissor-type) tools, partout tools, creasing tools, routing and/or engraving tools, water-cutting jets or related cutting tools, and other types of tools. The textile cutter176can include adjustable vacuums, rollers, clips, hold-downs, etc., to hold and/or maneuver textile sheets and other materials fed into the textile cutter176. As noted above, the cut engine134is configured to generate cut control instructions for the textile cutter176, and the cut control instructions can be communicated to the cut engine134as part of two-way control communications over the network150.

In one embodiment, textile sheets can be fed directly from the textile printer172into the textile dryer174and, subsequently, the textile cutter176. In other embodiments, the textile sheets can be manually moved and fed from the textile printer172, to the textile dryer174, and to the textile cutter176.

As described in further detail below with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, the textile panel picker177includes a flexible transport tube (or bundle of tubes), a transport tube transfer arm to position the flexible transport tube over the tabletop of the textile cutter176, a textile hopper to collect the panels192, and a pneumatic pump assembly to evacuate air from the textile hopper and through the flexible transport tube. The cut engine134and/or the assembly engine136are configured to identify and track the panels192on the tabletop of the textile cutter176by capturing images of them before, during, and/or after they are cut out using the textile cutter176. The assembly engine136then directs the transport tube transfer arm to position the flexible transport tube over the panels192. The assembly engine136also directs the pneumatic pump assembly to generate suction that pulls the panels192off the textile cutter176, through the flexible transport tube, and into the textile hopper of the textile panel picker177.

The textile production line178can be embodied as an arrangement of one or more conveyors, totes, sewing or assembly stations196, and associated drive and control systems. Once the panels192are cut out from the textile sheets by the textile cutter176, the panels192can be placed into one or more totes of the textile production line178for routing along its conveyor system to the sewing or assembly stations196. Depending upon the type of orders being processed, the assembly engine136can generate instructions for placing the panels192into the totes. The assembly engine136is further configured to generate instructions for directing the totes along the conveyor system of the textile production line178. Other aspects of the textile production line178are described in further detail in the '1640 application.

FIG. 2illustrates a more detailed view of the computing environment110shown inFIG. 1according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The computing environment110may be embodied as one or more computers, computing devices, or computing systems. In certain embodiments, the computing environment110may include one or more computing devices arranged, for example, in one or more server or computer banks. The computing device or devices may be located at a single installation site or distributed among different geographic locations. The computing environment110may include a plurality of computing devices that together embody a hosted computing resource, a grid computing resource, and/or other distributed computing arrangement. In some cases, the computing environment110may be embodied as an elastic computing resource where an allotted capacity of processing, network, storage, or other computing-related resources varies over time.

The computing environment110may also be embodied, in part, as various functional and/or logic (e.g., computer-readable instruction, device, circuit, processing circuit, etc.) elements configured to direct the computing environment110to perform aspects of the embodiments described herein. Additionally, to the extent that it interfaces over the network150with computing and/or control devices of the textile printer172, textile dryer174, textile cutter176, textile panel picker177, and textile production line178through service interfaces, application programming interfaces (APIs), etc., the computing environment110can be embodied as a collection of computing devices that includes the computing and/or control devices (or capabilities) of the textile printer172, textile dryer174, textile cutter176, textile panel picker177, and textile production line178.

The network150may include the Internet, intranets, extranets, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), wired networks, wireless networks, cable networks, satellite networks, local interfaces, other suitable networks or interfaces, or any combinations thereof. It is noted that the computing environment110may communicate with the computing and/or control devices of the textile printer172, textile dryer174, textile cutter176, textile panel picker177, and textile production line178using various systems interconnect models and/or protocols, such as simple object access protocol (SOAP), representational state transfer (REST), real-time transport protocol (RTP), user datagram protocol (UDP), internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), and/or other protocols for communicating data over the network150, without limitation. The network150provides connections to various client devices and network hosts, such as the client devices160, website servers, file servers, networked computing resources, databases, data stores, or any other network devices or computing systems.

The client devices160can be embodied as any type of computing device, processing circuit, or processor based device or system used by individuals, including those embodied in the form of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, or a tablet computer, among others. The client devices160can include one or more peripheral and/or input devices, such as keyboards, keypads, touch pads, touch screens, microphones, cameras, etc.

As shown inFIG. 2, the apparel manufacturing data store120includes an order database122, panel templates database124, and an assembly scheme database126. The print engine132includes an order aggregator and organizer210, a panel arranger212, and a print instructor214. The cut engine134includes an image analyzer220, a cut control instruction generator222, and a cut instructor and adjustor224. Further, the assembly engine136includes an assembly scheme developer230, a production line coordinator232, a panel tracker234, and a panel picker236.

The order database122includes a database of orders for textile products received from the client devices160. In that context, the order database122can include a database of the tech packs180, for example, along with any other specifications, quantities, price and/or cost limitations or requests, and other information associated with orders. The panel templates database124can include a database of the textile panel templates190generated by the print engine132as described herein. The assembly scheme database126can include a database of all the individual panels192in the textile panel templates190, along with unique identifiers for those panels192, assembly instructions associated with those panels, cut and/or pick control instructions associated with those panels192, and other information. The apparel manufacturing data store120is not limited to storing the information described above, as other information and/or data can also be stored in the apparel manufacturing data store120.

Turning to the components of the print engine132, the order aggregator and organizer210is configured to aggregate and organize orders received from the client devices160based on one or more productivity or efficiency factors, such as size, shape, fabric type, delivery location, etc. For example, if a number of the orders specify fulfillment in the geographic location surrounding Seattle, Wash., the computing environment110may organize those orders into a group of orders for manufacture and/or fulfillment at a facility other than the facility170. As another example, if a number of the orders specify textile products for manufacture using a type of fabric only available at the facility170, the computing environment110may organize those orders into a group of orders for manufacture and/or fulfillment at the facility170rather than another facility. Generally, by aggregating orders from several client devices160and coordinating apparel manufacture and assembly processes on a relatively large scale, the networked environment100provides new ways to increase efficiency in apparel manufacturing.

The panel arranger212is configured to arrange the panels192for textile products into one or more textile panel templates190as noted above. The panels192can be representative of one or more sections or pieces of fabric or other materials from which shirts, pants, dresses, or other accessories or items can be assembled. In one embodiment, when arranging the panels192, the panel arranger212is configured to closely align the panels192among each other to the extent possible to reduce scrap in textile sheets. Additionally or alternatively, the panel arranger212can orient the panels192in the textile panel templates190to align with a thread, weave, nap, knit, or print pattern(s) in textile sheets. The panel arranger212is also configured to assign a unique identifier to each panel192in the textile panel templates190and store those unique identifiers in the apparel manufacturing data store120for reference by the computing environment110.

In one embodiment, the panel arranger212is configured to generate the textile panel templates190in a computer-readable computer-aided-manufacturing (CAM) or similar file format. In that case, the textile panel templates190can be provided, in relevant part(s), as instructions from the computing environment110to one or more of the textile printer172, the textile dryer174, the textile cutter176, and the textile panel picker177over the network150.

The print instructor214is configured to coordinate the printing operations of textile printers, such as the textile printer172, over the network150. For example, the print instructor214can generate print instructions based on one or more of the textile panel templates190and forward those instructions (or the textile panel templates190themselves) to the textile printer172. Additionally, the print instructor214is configured to monitor the ongoing printing operations of the textile printer172. In that context, the print instructor214can identify printing errors, printing delays, and other printing-related activities and factors at the textile printer172based on the two-way data and control communications between the computing environment110and the textile printer172. In that way, the print instructor214can coordinate the printing operations with the cutting operations directed by the cut engine134and the picking and assembling operations directed by the assembly engine136.

Turning to the components of the cut engine134, the image analyzer220is configured to capture images of the panels192printed on a textile sheet (or sheet of another material) during cutting processes performed by the textile cutter176. In that context, consistent with the description provided in the '874 application, the textile cutter176can include an arrangement of cameras to capture images of textile sheets being cut. Using the images of textile sheets, the image analyzer220is configured to identify factors to control the cut of the textile sheet. For example, a textile thread, weave, nap, or knit of the textile sheet, textile print pattern alignment on the textile sheet, or panel deformation of the textile sheet can be identified by the image analyzer220. The image analyzer220can also identify various features printed on the textile sheets by the textile printer172, such as the assembly notations, panel cutouts, cut alignment markers, and other features related to the panels192. Additionally, the image analyzer220can assist the panel tracker234of the assembly engine136to identify and track the panels192on the textile cutter176as described herein.

Based on the analysis performed by the image analyzer220, the cut control instruction generator222can generate cut control instructions to cut out the panels192from the textile sheets. The cut control instructions can be generated in the form of a CAM or similar file format for processing and/or interpretation by the textile cutter176. In the generation of cut control instructions, the cut control instruction generator222can refer to various types of information. For example, the cut control instruction generator222can refer to the analysis performed by the image analyzer220, the textile panel templates190, the specifications of the textile sheets (e.g., the type, thickness, grade, weave pattern, thread count, etc.) being cut, and other information and factors.

After they are generated, the cut instructor and adjustor224can forward the cut control instructions to the textile cutter176over the network150. The cut instructor and adjustor224is also configured to adapt the cut control instructions over time and during cutting operations based on the analysis performed by the image analyzer220. By capturing images of textile sheets after panels and/or print patterns have been printed on them and adjusting the cut control instructions provided to the textile cutter176using feedback gathered from images, the cut instructor and adjustor224can dynamically adjust the cutting operations performed by the textile cutter176.

Turning to the components of the assembly engine136, the assembly scheme developer230is configured to generate assembly schemes for the assembly of textile products based on the instructions in the tech packs180, for example, and to coordinate the operations of the textile panel picker177and the textile production line178. The production line coordinator232is configured to direct one or more of the totes194on the textile production line178to the textile panel picker177to receive the panels192for assembly. Where the textile production line178is relied upon for the assembly of textile and/or other products, the production line coordinator232can generate instructions to direct the panels192, once placed into the totes194, to various assembly stations196on the textile production line178.

The panel tracker234is configured to capture one or more images of the textile sheet on the textile cutter176before, after, and/or while the textile sheet is cut. Using those images, the panel tracker234can identify and track the panels192as they are fed over the cutting table or tabletop of the textile cutter176using image processing techniques. To some extent, the panel tracker234performs identification and tracking operations similar to those performed by the image analyzer220of the cut engine134, and the panel tracker234can perform panel identification and tracking processes in connection with the image analyzer220. That is, the image analyzer220can assist the panel tracker234of the assembly engine136to identify and track the panels192on the textile cutter176as described herein. In some embodiments, the image analyzer220can be combined with the panel tracker234as one functional element in the computing environment110.

The panel picker236is configured to use the panel identification and tracking information provided by the panel tracker234, among other information, to estimate a characteristic, such as the type, shape, weight and/or size of each of the panels192. In addition to the image-based identification and tracking information, the panel tracker234can estimate the type, shape, weight, and/or size of each of the panels192based on information in the textile panel templates190. For example, the textile panel templates190can define panel cutouts, cut alignment markers, and other features related to the size of the panels192. Further, the apparel manufacturing data store120can store the specifications of the textile sheets being cut, such as the type, thickness, grade, and other information related to the textile sheets. Thus, based on the size and/or shape of the panel cutout for a panel192and the grade of the textile sheet being cut, among other information, the panel picker236can also estimate a weight of each of the panels192.

The panel picker236can refer to the characteristic information for a panel192to determine a leading pickup region for automated panel picking. As described in further detail below, the leading pickup region is the region of the panel192that is first pulled or picked off the tabletop of the textile cutter176by the textile panel picker177. Leading and trailing pickup regions are described in further detail below with reference toFIG. 6B.

In certain embodiments, the textile panel picker177can include a group of two, three, or more flexible transport tubes for the transport of the panels192. As described in further detail below with reference toFIG. 6A, the group of flexible transport tubes can include tubes of different diameters. In that case, the panel picker236can also refer to the weight and/or size information of a panel192to select one of the flexible transport tubes to pick the panel192off the tabletop. For example, a tube of smaller diameter can be used for smaller and/or lighter panels192, and a tube of larger diameter can be used for larger and/or heavier panels192.

In addition to determining a leading pickup region and selecting a flexible transport tube, the panel picker236can also calculate a level of evacuation to pull the panel192through the selected flexible transport tube and into the textile hopper of the textile panel picker177. The level of evacuation can be selected based on the weight and/or the size of the panel192, the diameter of the flexible transport tube selected to transport the panel192, and other considerations and factors.

The panel picker236is further configured to direct a pneumatic pump assembly of the textile panel picker177to generate an amount of suction to pull the panel192through the selected flexible transport tube. In other words, after the selected flexible transport tube is positioned over the leading pickup region of the panel192, the panel picker236directs the pneumatic pump assembly of the textile panel picker177to pull the panel192through the selected flexible transport tube using the evacuation or suction of air through the tube. At the same time, the panel picker236can track the panel192as it is pulled off the tabletop of the textile cutter176, through the selected flexible transport tube, and into the textile hopper of the textile panel picker177. The panel picker236can track the panel192using cameras or other sensors.

While one or more panels192are being picked and pulled into the textile hopper of the textile panel picker177, the production line coordinator232can direct one or more totes194on the textile production line178to the textile panel picker177to receive one or more of the panels192. As described in further detail below with reference toFIG. 5, the textile hopper of the textile panel picker177includes doors that can be opened by the production line coordinator232. When opened, one or more panels192in the textile hopper can drop into a tote194.

FIG. 3illustrates an example tech pack180for apparel manufacturing according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 3is provided by way of example of the types of information that can be included or defined in a tech pack180, but is not intended to be limiting, as the requirements for different textile and other products vary. Further, the tech pack180is not necessarily representative of the format or of the types of information included or defined in all orders for products received from the client devices160. In various embodiments, the tech packs180can be embodied as digital or electronic files, such as JDF or other types of files.

As shown inFIG. 3, the tech pack180includes the specifications of a textile product, including size specifications302, order piece/assortment specifications304, panel size and shape specifications310-312, fabric type/print pattern specifications320and321, and fastener specifications330. Although not shown inFIG. 3, the tech pack180can also include or define assembly specifications, such as seams, hems, stitch patterns, thread types and/or colors, a suggested order of assembly tasks or operations, etc. As discussed above, the tech pack180can be generated at any of the client devices160and forwarded to the computing environment110over the network150.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of the textile cutter176and the textile panel picker177according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. InFIG. 4, the textile printer172, among other equipment shown inFIG. 1at the facility170, is omitted for simplicity. Although it is omitted from view inFIG. 4, the textile printer172prints various panels192on the textile sheet410based on print control instructions received from the print engine132. In turn, the textile sheet410is fed (e.g., pulled) over a tabletop424of the textile cutter176. The textile cutter176can include adjustable vacuums, rollers, clips, hold-downs, etc., to hold and/or maneuver the textile sheet410as it is being fed over the textile cutter176for cutting.

In one embodiment, the textile cutter176includes a cutting head assembly420adjustably mounted to an articulating rail422. The articulating rail422is adjustably mounted to the tabletop424of the textile cutter176. Using motors, pulleys, or another suitable mechanism, the cutting head assembly420can move or slide along the articulating rail422, and the articulating rail422can move or slide along the length of the tabletop424. Thus, the cutting head assembly420is configured to traverse the tabletop424to cut the panels192out from the textile sheet410.

The cutting head assembly420includes one or more tools for cutting the panels192out of the textile sheet410. For example, the tools can include one or more drag knives, wheel knives, lasers, pneumatic and/or electric oscillating cutting knives and/or tools, pneumatic and/or electric rotary cutting knives and/or tools, scoring tools, v-cutting (e.g., scissor-type) tools, partout tools, creasing tools, routing and/or engraving tools, and other types of tools for cutting and/or manipulating the textile sheet410. In other examples, the textile cutter176can be embodied as a laser cutting continuous feed system as described in the '1630 application.

The textile cutter176also includes cameras441-444placed around the tabletop424and, in some embodiments, another camera positioned in the cutting head assembly420. The camera in the cutting head assembly420provides a close view of the cutting operations performed by the cutting head assembly420. The cameras441-444can include any suitable type of image sensor for capturing the details of the textile sheet410. In one embodiment, the cameras441-444can include high-resolution image sensors capable of capturing thread or weave patterns in the textile sheet410, as well as fine details printed on the textile sheet410by the textile printer172. In one embodiment, the cameras441-444can include an image sensor capable of capturing the reflection of long wave ultraviolet (“UV”) light. In that case, the cameras441-444may also include UV light bulbs or emitters that cast UV light upon the textile sheet410. In that way, UV light reflected by washable, UV-reflective inks printed upon the textile sheet410by the textile printer172can be captured in images by the cameras441-444.

Using images captured by the cameras441-444, the image analyzer220is configured to identify factors to control the cut of the textile sheet410by the textile cutter176. For example, a textile thread, weave, nap, or knit pattern of the textile sheet410, textile print pattern alignment on the textile sheet410, or panel deformation of the textile sheet410, can be identified by the image analyzer220. The image analyzer220can also identify certain features printed on the textile sheets by the textile printer172, such as assembly notations, panel cutouts, cut alignment markers, and other features.

The textile cutter176also includes a cutter controller430that directs the operation of the textile cutter176. The cutter controller430can be embodied as any suitable combination of analog, digital, or analog and digital processing circuitry, including memory, configured to control the operation of the textile cutter176. Thus, the cutter controller430can be embodied as a collection of vendor-specific logic, software, and/or hardware that directs the textile cutter176to perform various cutting operations. The cutter controller430also includes the physical and logical interfaces for two-way control communications with the computing environment110over the network150, such as physical layer network interfaces, service interfaces, APIs, etc.

As shown inFIG. 4, the textile panel picker177includes a flexible transport tube462, a transport tube transfer arm450to position the flexible transport tube462over the tabletop424of the textile cutter176, a textile hopper464to collect the panels192, and a pneumatic pump assembly466to evacuate air from the textile hopper464and through the flexible transport tube462. In the illustrated embodiment, an open end of the flexible transport tube462is mechanically fixed or connected to the camera head452of the transport tube transfer arm450. The other end of the flexible transport tube462connects into the textile hopper464.

The transport tube transfer arm450can be embodied as a robotic arm or other mechanism capable of repositioning the open end of the flexible transport tube462over the tabletop424. The camera head452includes a camera similar to the cameras441-444. Images captures by the camera head452can be relied upon by the panel tracker234to track and confirm the position of the open end of the flexible transport tube462over one or more of the panels192. Based on control instructions from the panel picker236, the transport tube transfer arm450can position the camera head452and the open end of the flexible transport tube462over a leading pickup region, for example, of one of the panels192. Once the flexible transport tube462is correctly positioned, the panel picker236can direct the pneumatic pump assembly466to evacuate air from the textile hopper464and, in turn, through the flexible transport tube462. In that way, the pneumatic pump assembly466generates suction to pull the panel192through the flexible transport tube462and into the textile hopper464.

As shown inFIG. 4, once one or more panels192have been collected into the textile hopper464, the panels192can be dropped into the tote194. As noted above, the production line coordinator232can direct the conveyor belt470to position the tote194, among other totes on the textile production line178, below the textile hopper464, and the panel picker236can direct the textile hopper464to open a door or gate, for example, to drop the panels192into the tote194.

Any number of panels192can be pneumatically pulled into the textile hopper464and dropped, together, into the tote194. For example, the panel picker236can direct the textile panel picker177to pick all the panels192for a particular article of clothing, pull them all into the textile hopper464, and drop them all into the tote194. Alternatively, the panel picker236can direct the textile panel picker177to pick less than all the panels192for a particular article of clothing, pull them into the textile hopper464, and drop them into the tote194. In that context, the panel picker236can work in connection with the production line coordinator232to generate instructions for picking any combination of the panels192off the tabletop424of the textile cutter176and transferring them into the tote194.

FIG. 5illustrates another view of the textile cutter176and textile panel picker177shown inFIG. 4according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The arrangement shown inFIG. 5is provided as a representative example of one way the textile panel picker177can be designed. Within the scope of the embodiments, the shape, size, and arrangement of the textile hopper464and the pneumatic pump assembly466can vary as compared to that shown. Further, one or more of the valves, sensors, pumps, etc. of the textile panel picker177shown inFIG. 5and discussed below can be repositioned and/or omitted. In other cases, additional valves, sensors, pumps, etc. can be incorporated into the textile panel picker177. Further, although only one textile panel picker177is shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, additional ones can be arranged around the textile cutter176to increase the speed at which panels192can be picked and pulled off the tabletop424. Similarly, the transport tube transfer arm450can be placed or arranged along any side of the textile cutter176, including along the same side as the textile hopper464and pneumatic pump assembly466.

InFIG. 5, the open end462A of the flexible transport tube462is shown connected or affixed to the camera head452of the transport tube transfer arm450, and the other end462B of the flexible transport tube462connects to and opens into the textile hopper464. The flexible transport tube462can be embodied as any suitable type of hollow, flexible tube within which a piece of fabric or other material can be pulled through using pneumatic suction. Preferably, the flexible transport tube462is flexible enough to be easily repositioned by the transport tube transfer arm450and long enough to reach across a significant portion of the tabletop424of the textile cutter176. In some embodiments, the flexible transport tube462can be embodied as a bundle of flexible transport tubes of various diameters. An example flexible transport tube bundle is described in further detail below with reference toFIG. 6A.

The textile hopper464is shown having a hopper chamber501, and the pneumatic pump assembly466is shown having a pump chamber502. Although the hopper chamber501and the pump chamber502are shown inFIG. 5, it should be appreciated that both the textile hopper464and the pneumatic pump assembly466are fully enclosed and designed to be as air-tight as possible. Both the textile hopper464and the pneumatic pump assembly466can be formed from any suitable type of material, such as wood, metal, or plastic boards or sheets, for example, to enclose a certain volume of space. The sizes of the hopper chamber501and the pump chamber502can vary among the embodiments depending upon the type and/or number of panels192being pulled or picked off the tabletop424of the textile cutter176. In that way, the hopper chamber501and the pump chamber502can maintain a vacuum or negative air pressure as compared to the space outside the textile hopper464and the pneumatic pump assembly466.

In one embodiment, a first valve503is provided between the end462B of the flexible transport tube462and the hopper chamber501, and a second valve504is provided between the hopper chamber501and the pump chamber502. In other embodiments, one or both of the valves503and504can be omitted. As described in further detail below, the valves503and504can be electronically opened and closed to permit or prevent suction through the flexible transport tube462and within the hopper chamber501.

The pneumatic pump assembly466includes a pneumatic pump510, a pressure relief valve512, and an air mixer514. In one embodiment, the pneumatic pump510includes a blower motor, such as a brushless motor, including an air rotor or turbine to pull or evacuate air out from the pump chamber502. In that way, the pneumatic pump510can create a vacuum within the pump chamber502. When the valve504is open, the pneumatic pump510can create a vacuum within both the pump chamber502and the hopper chamber501. When both the valves503and504are open, the pneumatic pump510can create a vacuum within the pump chamber502and the hopper chamber501and pull air through the flexible transport tube462. When air is pulled through the flexible transport tube462, an evacuative draw519of air is created at the open end462A of the flexible transport tube462. The evacuative draw519is used by the textile panel picker177to pick or pull cut-out panels192off the tabletop424of the textile cutter176and into the hopper chamber501. InFIG. 5, two panels192are shown within the hopper chamber501.

As described herein, the panel picker236can calculate a level of the evacuative draw519required to pick and pull a panel192through the flexible transport tube462and into the textile hopper464. The level of the evacuative draw519can be calculated based on the weight and/or the size of the panel192being picked, the diameter of the flexible transport tube462, and other considerations and factors. In turn, the panel picker236of the computing environment110can direct the speed or power level of the pneumatic pump510over the network150based on the level of the evacuative draw519necessary to pick and pull any given panel192through the flexible transport tube462. Additionally or alternatively, the panel picker236can control one or more of the valves503and504to adjust the level of the evacuative draw519at the open end462A of the flexible transport tube462. Thus, it should be appreciated that the evacuative draw519can be controlled (e.g., started, stopped, increased, decreased, etc.) through a combination of controls, including control of the pneumatic pump510and the valves503and504by the panel picker236.

The pressure relief valve512can be manually or electrically adjusted to allow air to enter into the pump chamber502when a difference in pressure between the area outside the pump chamber502and that within pump chamber502exceeds a certain level. In that way, the pressure relief valve512can help to prevent the pneumatic pump510from burning out in the event that one or both of the valves503and504malfunction or a panel192becomes stuck within the flexible transport tube462or the valves503,504. The air mixer514can be embodied as a motor and air rotor to mix the contents of the pump chamber502. The contents of the pump chamber502can be mixed over time using the air mixer514to prevent (or mitigate) any buildup of textile fibers or other materials. In various embodiments, one or more of the valves503and504, the pressure relief valve512, and/or the air mixer514can be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 5, the textile panel picker177includes various sensors, including the sensor520within the hopper chamber501, and the sensors521and522between the textile hopper464and the tote194. The sensor520can be used to monitor and/or confirm whether one or more panels192have been collected into the hopper chamber501, and the sensors521and522can be used to monitor and/or confirm whether one or more panels192have been dropped or placed into the tote194. Additional sensors can be placed at other locations within or around the textile panel picker177, as necessary. The sensors520-522can be embodied as any sensor capable of detecting the presence of the panels192, such as image or camera sensors, radar sensors, photosensors, or other types of sensors. One or both of the sensors521and522or additional sensors can also be relied upon to confirm the presence and/or position of the tote194below the textile hopper464on the conveyor belt470. For example, the tote194can include a unique identifier tag530, which can be embodied as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, bar code, or other unique identifier of the tote194, and the sensors521and522can scan the unique identifier tag530to confirm the presence of the tote194below the textile hopper464.

As shown inFIG. 5, doors or gates540are provided at the bottom of the textile hopper464. At the direction of the panel picker236and/or the production line coordinator232, the gates540can be opened using any suitable mechanism to drop the panels192out from the textile hopper464and into the tote194. The doors or gates540can be formed in various sizes and shapes among embodiments, and may be designed to maintain a vacuum within the hopper chamber501when closed.

The textile panel picker177also includes a panel picker controller550that directs the operation of the components of the textile panel picker177. For example, the panel picker controller550can control the operation of the transport tube transfer arm450, the pneumatic pump510, the air mixer514, the valves503,504, and512, and the doors or gates540based on instructions provided by the computing environment110over the network150. The panel picker controller550can be embodied as any suitable combination of analog, digital, or analog and digital processing circuitry, including memory, configured to control the operation of the textile panel picker177. Thus, the panel picker controller550can be embodied as a collection of vendor-specific logic, software, and/or hardware that directs the textile panel picker177to perform various automated picking operations described herein. The panel picker controller550also includes the physical and logical interfaces for two-way control communications with the computing environment110over the network150, such as physical layer network interfaces, service interfaces, APIs, etc. In other embodiments, the panel picker controller550may itself be configured to perform the functions described herein as being performed by the panel picker236.

FIG. 6Aillustrates an example cross-section of a flexible transport tube bundle600according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The flexible transport tube bundle600includes three flexible transport tubes similar to the flexible transport tube462, with each having a different diameter. Particularly, the flexible transport tube bundle600includes a first flexible transport tube601having a first diameter, a second flexible transport tube602having a second diameter larger than the first flexible transport tube601, and a third flexible transport tube603having a third diameter larger than the second flexible transport tube602. Although three flexible transport tubes are shown in the flexible transport tube bundle600, a bundle can include a greater or lesser number of tubes. Additionally, the tubes in a bundle can be arranged together in various configurations, such as in-line with each other or more closely grouped together as shown inFIG. 6A.

As shown inFIG. 6A, the flexible transport tube bundle600can be secured to the camera head452of the transport tube transfer arm450. Each flexible transport tube of the bundle600can extend from the camera head452of the transport tube transfer arm450to the textile hopper464, similar to the way the flexible transport tube462is shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. At the textile hopper464, one or more valves similar to the valve503can be used to open or close individual ones of the flexible transport tubes601-603.

The panel picker236can rely upon weight, textile type and/or size information associated with a panel192to select one of the flexible transport tubes601-603to pick the panel192off the tabletop424of the textile cutter176. For example, the flexible transport tube601can be used for smaller and/or lighter panels192, and the flexible transport tubes603can be used for larger and/or heavier panels192.

FIG. 6Billustrates an example identification of leading pickup regions, pickup paths, and trailing pickup regions for panels according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. InFIG. 6B, panels192A-192J are shown printed on the textile sheet410. Additionally, a representative example of the cameras441-444of the textile cutter176are also shown. As noted above, the panel tracker234is configured to capture one or more images of the textile sheet410. Using those images, the panel tracker234can identify and track the panels192A-192J as they are fed over the tabletop424of the textile cutter176.

The panel picker236is configured to use the identification and tracking information provided by the panel tracker234, among other information, to estimate a weight and/or a size of each of the panels192A-192J. The panel picker236can estimate the size of each of the panels192A-192J using image processing techniques to identify the outer boundaries or extents of the panels192A-192J, such as the “X” and “Y” dimensions of the panel192G shown inFIG. 6B. In some cases, the panel picker236can compare the dimensions of the panels192A-192J identified from the images captured by the cameras441-444with the information defined in the textile panel templates190used to print the panels192A-192J. Because the textile panel templates190can define panel cutouts, cut alignment markers, and other features related to the size of the panels192A-192J, the panel picker236can refer to that information to identify and/or confirm the sizes of the panels192A-192J. Further, the apparel manufacturing data store120can store the specifications of the textile sheet410, such as the type, thickness, grade, and other information related to the textile sheet410. Thus, based on the size of the panels192A-192J and the grade of the textile sheet410, among other information, the panel picker236can also estimate a weight of each of the panels192A-192J.

Among other panel characteristic information, the panel picker236can refer to the weight and/or size information of the panels192A-192J to determine an automated pickup approach for each of the panels192A-192J. Each automated pickup approach can include the selection of a flexible transport tube, such as one of the flexible transport tubes601-603shown inFIG. 6A(if multiple tubes are available), the calculation of a level of evacuation necessary to pull one of the panels192A-192J through the selected flexible transport tube, and the definition of leading and trailing pickup regions for the evacuation of the panel. At the same time, the panel picker236can determine a suitable sequence of opening and/or closing the valves in the textile panel picker177, such as the valves503and504among others, depending upon which flexible transport tube is selected, for example.

For example, because the panel192B is relatively slender, the panel picker236can select the flexible transport tube601because it has a more narrow diameter than the flexible transport tubes602or603shown inFIG. 6A. Additionally, because the panel192B is relatively long, the panel picker236can identify a leading pickup region610at one end of the panel192B, a pickup path612that runs along a predetermined length of the panel192B, and a trailing pickup region614at another end of the panel192B. The leading pickup region610, pickup path612, and trailing pickup region614define a tube transfer path over which the transport tube transfer arm450can move the selected flexible transport tube601. As described above, the panel picker236can also calculate a level of evacuation to pull the panel1926through the flexible transport tube601.

Once the panel picker236has defined the automated pickup approach for the panel192B, it directs the textile panel picker177to pick the panel192B off the tabletop424of the textile cutter176based on the approach. First, the panel picker236directs the transport tube transfer arm450to position the selected flexible transport tube601over the leading pickup region610of the panel192B. Once the flexible transport tube601has been so positioned, the panel picker236can direct the pneumatic pump510to create the evacuative draw519at the calculated level of evacuation to pull the end of the panel192B off the tabletop424based on its weight and/or size. Then, the panel picker236can further direct the transport tube transfer arm450to sweep or move the flexible transport tube601at a controlled rate of speed over the pickup path612to the trailing pickup region614. At the trailing pickup region614, the pneumatic pump510can be turned off. The pneumatic pump510can be turned off (or the valve503closed) once the panel192B has been identified in the hopper chamber501using the sensor520, for example.

As another example, because the panel192G is larger than the panel192B, the panel picker236can select the flexible transport tube602shown inFIG. 6Abecause it has a larger diameter than the flexible transport tube601. The panel picker236can also identify a leading pickup region620at one side of the panel192G, a pickup path622that runs in a curved path across a central region of the panel192G, and trailing pickup region624at another side of the panel192G. The leading pickup region620, pickup path622, and trailing pickup region624define a tube transfer path over which the transport tube transfer arm450can move the flexible transport tube602to pick up the panel192G. The panel picker236can also calculate a level of evacuation to pull the panel192G through the flexible transport tube602. As compared to the level of evacuation to pull the panel192B, the level of evacuation to pull the panel192G may be higher because the panel192G is larger and the diameter of the flexible transport tube602is greater than the flexible transport tube601.

Once the panel picker236has defined the automated pickup approach for the panel192G, it directs the textile panel picker177to pick the panel192G off the tabletop424of the textile cutter176based on the approach. First, the panel picker236directs the transport tube transfer arm450to position the flexible transport tube602over the leading pickup region620of the panel192G. Once the flexible transport tube602has been positioned over the leading pickup region620, the panel picker236can direct the pneumatic pump510to create the evacuative draw519at the calculated level of evacuation to pull the end of the panel192G off the tabletop424. Then, the panel picker236can further direct the transport tube transfer arm450to sweep the flexible transport tube602over the pickup path622to the trailing pickup region624where the pneumatic pump510can be turned off or the valve503can be closed.

As another example, the panel picker236can select the flexible transport tube603shown inFIG. 6Ato pick up the panel192E. The panel picker236can also identify a single pickup area630for the panel192E. The panel picker236can also calculate a level of evacuation to pull the panel192E through the flexible transport tube603based on its weight and/or size, for example. For the panel192E, the panel picker236does not calculate a pickup path, and it is not necessary for the transport tube transfer arm450to sweep the flexible transport tube603over the panel192E. If possible, the panel picker236may attempt to pick panels up off the tabletop424using evacuation at a single location to save time, etc.

During an automated pickup approach for any of the panels192A-192J, the panel picker236can control and/or monitor the components of the textile panel picker177. For example, the panel picker236can control the values503and504and monitor feedback information provided by the sensors520-522, the cameras441-444, and the camera head452. The valves503and504can be opened and/or closed to control or adjust the level of evacuation generated by the pneumatic pump510(e.g., in addition to directly controlling the speed of the pneumatic pump510), the cameras441-444and/or the camera head452can be monitored to confirm that the panels192A-192J have been picked up off the tabletop424of the textile cutter176, and the sensor520can be monitored to confirm whether the panels192A-192J have been pulled into the hopper chamber501.

The panel picker236can also signal an error under certain circumstances, such as if one of the panels192A-192J is picked up off the tabletop424but is not pulled into the hopper chamber501. Additionally, the panel picker236can make on-demand adjustments during picking operations. For example, if the panel192A is picked up off the tabletop424but is not pulled into the hopper chamber501within a certain period of time, the panel picker236can increase the speed of the pneumatic pump510in an attempt to pull the panel192A into the hopper chamber501.

Turning toFIGS. 7A and 7B, an example automated panel printing, cutting, and picking process is illustrated. The process can be performed in the networked environment100inFIG. 1according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the flowchart shown inFIGS. 7A and 7Bmay be viewed as depicting an example group of steps performed in the networked environment100according to one or more embodiments. It should be appreciated that the flowchart shown inFIGS. 7A and 7Bprovides merely one example of a functional sequence or arrangement that may be employed to implement the operations of the networked environment100described herein. It is noted that, although the process is described in connection with the computing environment110shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, other computing environments may perform the process illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B.

At reference numeral702, the process includes the computing environment110receiving orders for textile or other products. The orders can be received from the client devices160over the network150and stored in the apparel manufacturing data store120. As described herein, the orders may be defined, at least in part, by one or more tech packs180received from the client devices160. At reference numeral704, the process includes the order aggregator and organizer210aggregating the orders for textile products over time. By aggregating orders from various geographic locations and coordinating apparel assembly processes on a relatively large scale, increased efficiency in apparel manufacturing can be achieved.

At reference numeral706, the process includes the panel arranger212arranging panels192for textile products into one or more of the aggregated textile panel templates190. The panels192in the aggregated textile panel templates190can be representative of one or more sections, portions, or pieces of fabric or other materials for one or more shirts, pants, dresses, or other accessories or items to be manufactured. In one embodiment, when arranging the panels192, the panel arranger212is configured to align the panels192to the extent possible among each other to reduce scrap in textile sheets as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the panel arranger212can orient the panels192in the textile panel templates190to align them with a thread, weave, nap, knit, or print pattern(s) in textile sheets.

At reference numeral708, the process includes the print engine132instructing the textile printer172to print the panels192for textile products onto one or more textile sheets. Particularly, the process includes the print instructor214generating instructions with reference to one or more of the textile panel templates190and forwarding those instructions to the textile printer172over the network150. In turn, the textile printer172prints the panels192for the orders received at reference numeral702. At reference numeral708, the process also includes the print instructor214coordinating the printing operations of the textile printer172over the network150. In that context, the print instructor214can monitor the ongoing printing operations of the textile printer172to coordinate those operations with cutting, picking, and/or assembly processes.

At reference numeral710, the process includes the cut engine134generating cut control instructions for the textile cutter176to cut out the panels192printed at reference numeral708. Further, at reference numeral712, the process includes the cut engine134instructing the textile cutter176to cut the plurality of panels192out from the textile sheets over the network150. Examples of the generation of the cut control instructions and the control of the textile cutter176by the cut engine134are described in further detail in the '840 application.

At reference numeral714, the process includes the assembly engine136developing one or more assembly schemes for the orders of textile products received at reference numeral702. The assembly engine136can generate the assembly schemes with instructions for the assembly of the panels192into one or more textile products. The assembly schemes can be based, at least in part, on information provided in the tech packs180. Once generated, the assembly schemes can be stored in the apparel manufacturing data store120for later reference. The generation of assembly schemes and instructions for the assembly of textile products are described in further detail in the '1640 application.

Turning toFIG. 7B, at reference numeral716, the process includes the production line coordinator232requisitioning one or more totes194in the textile production line178based in part on the assembly scheme developed at reference numeral714. For example, depending upon the type of the orders being processed, the production line coordinator232may need to requisition one or more totes194in the textile production line178to transfer the panels192to one or more of the assembly stations196. Further, at reference numeral716, production line coordinator232directs the requisitioned totes194to the textile panel picker177to receive one or more panels192picked by the textile panel picker177.

At reference numeral718, the process includes automated picking of one or more of panels192and the transfer of those panels192into the totes194. The automated picking process at reference numeral718is described in further detail below with reference toFIG. 8.

At reference numeral720, the process includes the production line coordinator232directing the totes194to one or more of the assembly stations196of the textile production line178based on the assembly scheme developed at reference numeral714. At the assembly stations196, various textile products can be assembled using the panels192in the totes194. After the textile products are assembled, at reference numeral722, the process includes the production line coordinator232directing the totes194, including the finished textile products, to one or more of quality control (QC), photography, binning, and/or packing stations. Thus, the assembled textile products can be checked for quality control, photographed for placement in an electronic commerce system, stored in a materials handling area/facility, packaged for shipping, etc.

FIG. 8illustrates an example automated panel picking process used in the process inFIGS. 7A and 7Baccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure. At reference numeral802, the process includes the panel tracker234capturing one or more images of the textile sheet410using one or more of the cameras441-444and/or the camera head452. Images (or video) of the textile sheet410can be taken at any time during cutting and picking operations as described herein.

At reference numeral804, the process includes the panel tracker234identifying and tracking the panels192as they are fed over the tabletop424of the textile cutter176, for example, as described above with reference toFIG. 6B. The panel tracker234can perform identification and tracking operations similar to those performed by the image analyzer220of the cut engine134.

At reference numeral806, the process includes the panel tracker234determining one or more characteristics, such as the type, shape, weight and/or size of each of the panels192identified at reference numeral804. For example, the panel picker236can estimate the weight or size of each of the panels192using image processing techniques to identify the outer boundaries or extents of the panels192, such as the “X” and “Y” dimensions of the panel192G shown inFIG. 6B. In some cases, the panel picker236can compare the dimensions of certain panels192identified from the images with information defined in the textile panel templates190used to print the panels192. Because the textile panel templates190can define panel cutouts, cut alignment markers, and other features related to the size of the panels192, the panel picker236can refer to that information to identify and/or confirm the sizes of the panels192. Further, the apparel manufacturing data store120can store the specifications of the textile sheet410, such as the type, thickness, grade, and other information related to the textile sheet410. Thus, based on the size of the panels192and the grade of the textile sheet410, among other information, the panel picker236can also estimate a weight of the panels192.

At reference numeral808, the process includes the panel tracker234determining an automated pickup approach for picking the panels192. An automated pickup approach can include one or more of the selection of a flexible transport tube, such as one of the flexible transport tubes601-603shown inFIG. 6A(if multiple tubes are available), the calculation of a level of evacuation necessary to pull the panels192through the selected flexible transport tube, and the definition of leading and trailing pickup regions for the evacuation of the panels.

At reference numeral810, the process includes the panel tracker234directing the transport tube transfer arm450to position the flexible transport tube462(or one of the selected flexible transport tubes601-603inFIG. 6A) over one of the panels192. Once the flexible transport tube462has been positioned, the panel picker236can direct the pneumatic pump510to create suction for the evacuative draw519at reference numeral812. The amount of suction can be determined based on the characteristics of the panels estimated at reference numeral806. While the pneumatic pump510is being directed to create suction, the panel picker236can also control one or more valves in the textile panel picker177to direct the suction through the flexible transport tube selected at reference numeral808. The panel picker236can also direct the transport tube transfer arm450to sweep the flexible transport tube462over the panel192, as necessary, according to the automated pickup approach determined at reference numeral808while the suction through the selected flexible transport tube is being generated by the pneumatic pump510.

At reference numeral814, the process includes the panel picker236tracking one or more of the panels192off the tabletop424of the textile cutter176and into the hopper chamber501using the sensors520-522, the cameras441-444, and/or the camera head452. For example, the panel picker236can process images captured by the camera head452to confirm whether the panels192have been picked up off the tabletop424of the textile cutter176. The panel picker236can also monitor the sensor520to confirm whether the panels192have been pulled into the hopper chamber501. The panel picker236can also signal an error under certain circumstances, such as if one of the panels192A-192J is picked off the tabletop424but is not pulled into the hopper chamber501.

At reference numeral816, the process includes the panel picker236opening the hopper chamber501and dropping one or more panels192into one or more totes194of the textile production line178. In that way, the panels192can be transferred to another location outside of the hopper chamber501. For example, at the direction of the panel picker236and/or the production line coordinator232, the gates540of the textile panel picker177can be opened using any suitable mechanism to drop one or more panels192out from the textile hopper464and into one or more of the totes194. After the panels192have been dropped into the totes194, the process returns toFIG. 7B, and the production line coordinator232can direct the totes to one or more assembly stations196on the textile production line178at reference numeral720inFIG. 7B.

FIG. 9illustrates an example schematic block diagram of the computing environment110employed in the networked environment100inFIGS. 1 and 2according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The computing environment110includes one or more computing devices900. Each computing device900includes at least one processing system, for example, having a processor902and a memory904, both of which are electrically and communicatively coupled to a local interface906. To this end, each computing device900can be embodied as, for example, at least one server computer or similar device. The local interface906can be embodied as, for example, a data bus with an accompanying address/control bus or other bus structure as can be appreciated.

In various embodiments, the memory904stores data and software or executable-code components executable by the processor902. For example, the memory904can store executable-code components associated with the print engine132, cut engine134, and assembly engine136for execution by the processor902. The memory904can also store data such as that stored in the apparel manufacturing data store120, among other data.

It should be understood and appreciated that the memory904can store other executable-code components for execution by the processor902. For example, an operating system can be stored in the memory904for execution by the processor902. Where any component discussed herein is implemented in the form of software, any one of a number of programming languages can be employed such as, for example, C, C++, C#, Objective C, Java®, JavaScript®, Perl, PHP, Visual Basic®, Python®, Ruby, Flash®, or other programming languages.

As discussed above, in various embodiments, the memory904stores software for execution by the processor902. In this respect, the terms “executable” or “for execution” refer to software forms that can ultimately be run or executed by the processor902, whether in source, object, machine, or other form. Examples of executable programs include, for example, a compiled program that can be translated into a machine code format and loaded into a random access portion of the memory904and executed by the processor902, source code that can be expressed in an object code format and loaded into a random access portion of the memory904and executed by the processor902, or source code that can be interpreted by another executable program to generate instructions in a random access portion of the memory904and executed by the processor902, etc. An executable program can be stored in any portion or component of the memory904including, for example, a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic or other hard disk drive, solid-state, semiconductor, or similar drive, universal serial bus (USB) flash drive, memory card, optical disc (e.g., compact disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)), floppy disk, magnetic tape, or other memory component.

In various embodiments, the memory904can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory and data storage components. Volatile components are those that do not retain data values upon loss of power. Nonvolatile components are those that retain data upon a loss of power. Thus, the memory904can include, for example, a RAM, ROM, magnetic or other hard disk drive, solid-state, semiconductor, or similar drive, USB flash drive, memory card accessed via a memory card reader, floppy disk accessed via an associated floppy disk drive, optical disc accessed via an optical disc drive, magnetic tape accessed via an appropriate tape drive, and/or other memory component, or any combination thereof. In addition, the RAM can include, for example, a static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or magnetic random access memory (MRAM), and/or other similar memory device. The ROM can include, for example, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or other similar memory device.

Also, the processor902may represent multiple processors902and/or multiple processor cores and the memory904may represent multiple memories that operate in parallel, respectively, or in combination. Thus, the local interface906can be an appropriate network or bus that facilitates communication between any two of the multiple processors902, between any processor902and any of the memories904, or between any two of the memories904, etc. The local interface906can include additional systems designed to coordinate this communication, including, for example, a load balancer that performs load balancing. The processor902can be of electrical or of some other available construction.

As discussed above, the print engine132, the cut engine134, and the assembly engine136may be embodied, in part, by software or executable-code components for execution by general purpose hardware. Alternatively the same may be embodied in dedicated hardware or a combination of software, general, specific, and/or dedicated purpose hardware. If embodied in such hardware, each can be implemented as a circuit or state machine, for example, that employs any one of or a combination of a number of technologies. These technologies may include, but are not limited to, discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing various logic functions upon an application of one or more data signals, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) having appropriate logic gates, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other components, etc. Such technologies are generally well known by those skilled in the art and, consequently, are not described in detail herein.

The flowcharts or process diagrams ofFIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8are representative of certain processes, functionality, and operations of embodiments discussed herein. Each block may represent one or a combination of steps or executions in a process. Alternatively or additionally, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes program instructions to implement the specified logical function(s). The program instructions may be embodied in the form of source code that includes human-readable statements written in a programming language or machine code that includes numerical instructions recognizable by a suitable execution system such as the processor902. The machine code can be converted from the source code, etc. Further, each block may represent, or be connected with, a circuit or a number of interconnected circuits to implement a certain logical function or process step.

Also, any logic or application described herein, including the print engine132, the cut engine134, and the assembly engine136that are embodied, at least in part, by software or executable-code components, may be embodied or stored in any tangible or non-transitory computer-readable medium or device for execution by an instruction execution system such as a general purpose processor. In this sense, the logic may be embodied as, for example, software or executable-code components that can be fetched from the computer-readable medium and executed by the instruction execution system. Thus, the instruction execution system can be directed by execution of the instructions to perform certain processes such as those illustrated inFIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8. In the context of the present disclosure, a “computer-readable medium” can be any tangible medium that can contain, store, or maintain any logic, application, software, or executable-code component described herein for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system.

The computer-readable medium can include any physical media such as, for example, magnetic, optical, or semiconductor media. More specific examples of suitable computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic tapes, magnetic floppy diskettes, magnetic hard drives, memory cards, solid-state drives, USB flash drives, or optical discs. Also, the computer-readable medium can include a RAM including, for example, an SRAM, DRAM, or MRAM. In addition, the computer-readable medium can include a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or other similar memory device.