Patent Publication Number: US-11653720-B2

Title: Controlling the quality of a manufactured article

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/990,253, filed May 25, 2018, titled “Controlling the Quality of a Manufactured Article,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 62/512,971, filed May 31, 2017, titled “Controlling the Quality of a Manufactured Article.” The entire contents of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field relates to quality control of manufactured articles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Manufacturing and assembling articles sometimes requires applying surface treatments to materials used to form the articles. Surface treatments might include, for example, the application of heat, plasma, primer, adhesive, paint, and/or dye, among other treatments, to the materials to facilitate different manufacturing processes (e.g., preparation of materials for adhesive bonding). As a result, the use of a surface treatment in a manufacturing process may affect a quality of an article that is produced. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is intended to provide a high-level overview of this disclosure and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description section hereof. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the subject matter of this disclosure, and is also not intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In brief, and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among other things, methods and systems for controlling the quality of manufactured articles. More specifically, aspects hereof provide for monitoring the application of surface treatments to articles in a manufacturing process to determine if desired parameters for the surface treatments have been achieved. 
     In an exemplary aspect, a surface treatment, such as an application of plasma, heat, adhesive, paint, dye, primer, etc., is applied to an article (e.g., a shoe part) to facilitate a particular manufacturing process (e.g., adhesive bonding of the shoe part). A thermal profile of the article is obtained to determine temperature indications of different regions of the article after the surface treatment has been applied. A standard model of the article is then accessed that includes model regions with model temperature ranges, the model regions corresponding to the regions of the article in the thermal profile. The temperature indications obtained from the thermal profile may be compared to the corresponding model temperature ranges of the standard model to determine if the temperature indications are within the model temperature ranges. As a result, a quality and/or effectiveness of the surface treatment applied to the article may be determined. 
     In one exemplary aspect hereof, a method for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process is provided. The method comprises applying a surface treatment to at least a portion of an article, receiving a thermal profile of at least a portion of the article, determining a first temperature indication of a first region of the article from the thermal profile, determining a second temperature indication of a second region of the article from the thermal profile, and accessing a standard model for the article. The standard model comprises a first model region that corresponds to the first region, the first model region having an associated first model temperature range, and a second model region that corresponds to the second region, the second model region having an associated second model temperature range. The method further comprises comparing the first temperature indication to the first model temperature range to determine if the first temperature indication is outside of the first model temperature range, and comparing the second temperature indication to the second model temperature range to determine if the second temperature indication is outside of the second model temperature range. 
     In another exemplary aspect hereof, one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions stored thereon are provided that, when executed by one or more computer processors, perform a method for monitoring application of a surface treatment to articles in a manufacturing process. The method comprises receiving a thermal profile of at least a portion of an article to which a surface treatment has been applied, the thermal profile comprising a first temperature indication of a first region of the article and a second temperature indication of a second region of the article. The method further comprises accessing a standard model of the article comprising a first model region that corresponds to the first region, the first model region having a first model temperature range, and a second model region that corresponds to the second region, the second model region having a second model temperature range. The method further comprises comparing the first temperature indication to the first model temperature range to determine if the first temperature indication is outside of the first model temperature range, and comparing the second temperature indication to the second model temperature range to determine if the second temperature indication is outside of the second model temperature range. 
     In another exemplary aspect hereof, a system for monitoring application of a surface treatment to articles in a manufacturing process is provided. The system comprises at least one surface treatment tool, at least one thermal-imaging device, at least one processor, and one or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform a method comprising receiving, from the thermal-imaging device, a thermal profile of at least a portion of an article to which a surface treatment has been applied by the at least one surface treatment tool. The thermal profile comprises a first temperature indication of a first region of the article and a second temperature indication of a second region of the article. The method further comprises accessing a standard model of the article comprising a first model region that corresponds to the first region, the first model region comprising a first model temperature range, and a second model region that corresponds to the second region, the second model region comprising a second model temperature range, comparing the first temperature indication to the first model temperature range to determine if the first temperature indication is outside of the first model temperature range, and comparing the second temperature indication to the second model temperature range to determine if the second temperature indication is outside of the second model temperature range. 
     The term “article” as used herein includes any manufactured article as well as any material/portion used to form a manufactured article. As such, an article as used herein may include, but is not limited to, a material, composite, substance, layer, substrate, textile, polymer, and/or any combination of the same. For example, an article may be a shoe part (e.g., an outsole, midsole, and/or upper of a shoe that includes one or more polymer materials (e.g., Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (“EVA”)). An article may also include one or more synthetic materials and/or one or more natural materials. The above-provided examples are intended to be exemplary and non-limiting, and other types of articles are contemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The subject matter of the present disclosure is described in detail herein with reference to the attached figures, which depict exemplary and non-limiting aspects hereof, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    depicts an exemplary computing environment suitable for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  2 A  depicts an exemplary system for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  2 B  depicts another exemplary system for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  2 C  depicts another exemplary system for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  2 D  depicts another exemplary system for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  2 E  depicts another exemplary system for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  3 A  depicts a thermal profile of an article to which a surface treatment has been applied, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  3 B  depicts the thermal profile of  FIG.  3 A  with selected regions identified for analysis, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  3 C  depicts a standard model of the article depicted in the thermal profile of  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B , in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  4    depicts an exemplary graphical user interface (“GUI”) for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  5    depicts an enhanced view of a portion of the GUI of  FIG.  4    used for inputting article-identifying information, in accordance with an aspect hereof; 
         FIG.  6    depicts a block diagram of an exemplary method of monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process, in accordance with an aspect hereof; and 
         FIG.  7    depicts a block diagram of another exemplary method of monitoring the application of a surface treatment to an article in a manufacturing process, in accordance with an aspect hereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of the present disclosure is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be provided in other ways, to include different features, steps, and/or combinations of features and/or steps, similar to the ones described in this disclosure, and in conjunction with other present and/or future technologies. The terms “step” and “block” should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between individual steps of the methods employed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described and required. 
     This disclosure relates generally to quality control of manufactured articles that is achieved by monitoring temperature profiles of the articles after the application of one or more surface treatments to the articles. In this sense, the monitoring process may be used to determine a quality and/or effectiveness of a surface treatment, such as a plasma treatment, heat treatment, coating treatment (e.g., paint, dye, primer, etc.), and/or physical treatment (e.g., abrading or polishing, etc.), applied to the article. As a result, articles may be manufactured with a more consistent degree of quality because articles that do not achieve desired parameters after a surface treatment may be identified and/or provided with additional and/or alternative processing. 
     The subject matter of the present disclosure may be provided as, among other things, a method, a system, and/or a computer-program product. Accordingly, aspects herein may take the form of hardware, or may be a combination of software and hardware. A computer-program that includes computer-useable instructions embodied on one or more computer-readable media may also be used. The subject matter of the present disclosure may further be implemented as hard-coded into the mechanical design of computing components and/or may be built into an apparatus or system for monitoring the application of surface treatments to articles in a manufacturing process. 
     Computer-readable media may include volatile media, non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media, and may also include media readable by a database, a switch, and/or various other network devices. Network switches, routers, and related components are conventional in nature, as are methods of communicating with the same, and thus, further elaboration is not provided herein. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise computer storage media and/or non-transitory communications media. 
     Computer storage media, or machine-readable media, may include media implemented in any method or technology for storing information. Examples of stored information include computer-useable instructions, data structures, program modules, and/or other data representations. Computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile discs (DVD), holographic media or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, and other storage devices. These memory components may store data momentarily, temporarily, and/or permanently, and are not limited to the examples provided herein. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  1   , a block diagram of an exemplary computing device  2  suitable for use in monitoring a surface treatment applied to an article in a manufacturing process is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. It should be noted that although some components depicted in  FIG.  1    are shown in the singular, they may be plural, and the components may be connected in a different, including distributed, configuration. For example, computing device  2  might include multiple processors and/or multiple radios. As shown in  FIG.  1   , computing device  2  includes a bus  18  that may directly or indirectly connect different components together, including memory  4 , processor(s)  6 , presentation component(s)  8  (if applicable), radio(s)  10 , input/output (I/O) port(s)  12 , input/output (I/O) component(s)  14 , and power supply  16 . 
     Memory  4  may take the form of the memory components described herein. Thus, further elaboration will not be provided here, but it should be noted that memory  4  may include any type of tangible medium that is capable of storing information, such as a database. A database may include any collection of records, data, and/or other information. In one aspect, memory  4  may include a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed, facilitate various functions or steps disclosed herein. These instructions will variously be referred to as “instructions” or an “application” for short. Processor  6  may actually be multiple processors that may receive instructions and process them accordingly. Presentation component  8  may include a display, a speaker, a screen, a portable digital device, and/or other components that can present information through visual, auditory, and/or other tactile cues (e.g., a display, a screen, a lamp, a light-emitting diode (LED), a graphical user interface (GUI), and/or even a lighted keyboard). 
     Radio  10  may facilitate communication with a network, and may additionally or alternatively facilitate other types of wireless communications, such as Wi-Fi, WiMAX, LTE, Bluetooth, and/or other VoIP communications. In various aspects, the radio  10  may be configured to support multiple technologies, and/or multiple radios may be configured and utilized to support multiple technologies. 
     Input/output (I/O) ports  12  may take a variety of forms. Exemplary I/O ports may include a USB jack, a stereo jack, an infrared port, a firewire port, and/or other proprietary communications ports. Input/output (I/O) components  14  may comprise one or more keyboards, microphones, speakers, touchscreens, and/or any other item useable to directly or indirectly input data into the computing device  2 . Power supply  16  may include batteries, fuel cells, and/or any other component that may act as a power source to supply power to computing device  2  or to other network components. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E , a variety of exemplary systems for monitoring the application of surface treatments to articles in a manufacturing process are provided, in accordance with aspects hereof. The exemplary articles depicted in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E  are shoe parts (e.g., midsole or outsole portions of a shoe). However, it should be noted that other types of articles may be processed with surface treatments and monitored for quality control in a similar fashion, and as such, the shoe parts shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E  are but one example provided for the purposes of explanation. Also, the components of the systems depicted in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E  are arranged in exemplary configurations, and as such, additional and/or alternative configurations, including those with different types, numbers, combinations, and/or arrangements of components, are contemplated herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2 A , an exemplary system  20  for monitoring the quality of a surface treatment provided to articles  30  in a manufacturing process is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. The system  20  includes a surface treatment tool  22 , a thermal-imaging device  24 , and an adhesive application tool  26  that are each positioned adjacent to an article-transporting device  28 . The article-transporting device  28  (e.g., conveyer) positions the articles  30  for interaction with the components of the system  20  (e.g., under the surface treatment tool  22  and then under the thermal-imaging device  24 ). 
     The surface treatment tool  22  depicted in  FIG.  2 A  may be one of a variety of different tools for modifying the articles  30 . For example, the surface treatment tool  22  may be a plasma tool used to apply plasma to the articles  30  to modify a surface of the articles  30  in preparation for adhesive bonding (e.g., with another material, such as another shoe part). Alternatively, the surface treatment tool  22  may be a coating tool that provides a coating (e.g., a chemical-based primer) to the articles  30  (e.g., to prepare the articles  30  for adhesive bonding). It should be noted that the use of multiple surface treatment tools, of the same or different types, including at a common article-treatment location or at different article-treatment locations in the system  20 , is possible and contemplated. 
     The thermal-imaging device  24  includes a camera (e.g., a forward looking infrared imaging camera configured to capture infrared images) that captures a thermal profile or signature of each of the articles  30  after the surface treatment has been applied by the surface treatment tool  22 . Additionally, the article-transporting device  28 , the surface treatment tool  22 , and the thermal-imaging device  24  may be adjustable so that thermal profiles of each of the articles  30  can be captured within a desired time period of application of the surface treatment (e.g., within 1-60 seconds inclusive). In this sense, the timing of the thermal profile acquisition can be adjusted to account for heat transfer after the surface treatment is applied, as well as to account for the expected heat transfer for each surface treatment, and/or temperature ranges on which a standard model is based, among other factors. 
     The system  20  further includes a computing device  32  that may be in communication with the surface treatment tool  22 , the thermal-imaging device  24 , the article-transporting device  28 , and/or the adhesive application tool  26 , among other components. The computing device  32  may include one or more processors and one or more computer-readable media, and may be used to receive feedback on the surface treatment and monitoring process, and/or to direct the different operations performed by the system  20  (e.g., surface treatment of the articles  30  and/or thermal image capture). The computing device  32  may also include one or more input devices  38  (e.g., a keyboard and a display with a GUI as shown in  FIG.  2 A , in addition to other possible input devices) for receiving input from an operator. The input may be used to control the system  20  (e.g., by directing or adjusting the surface treatment tool  22 ) or may be used to provide article-identifying information that can be used to retrieve a standard model of the articles  30  from a database for comparison. 
     The system  20  also includes a vision system  40 . The vision system  40  includes image-capturing devices  42  positioned at various locations in the system  20 . The vision system  40  may be configured to capture images and/or video of the articles  30 . The images/video may be used to determine identities of the articles  30  based on image recognition, and/or may be used to determine an orientation and/or position of the articles  30  in the system  20 . As shown in  FIG.  2 A , the image-capturing devices  42  can be positioned at any location in the system  20 , including before, between, after, and/or about (e.g., on opposite sides of) the different components of the system  20 , including the surface treatment tool  22 , the thermal-imaging device  24 , the adhesive application tool  26 , and/or the article-transporting device  28 , as well as in any other position in the system  20 . 
     The image-capturing devices  42  may be Charge Coupled Device (“CCD”) cameras, or may be other types of imaging devices, scanners, and/or cameras. In different aspects, the image-capturing devices  42  may capture images from static and/or dynamic viewing positions (i.e., the image-capturing devices  42  may be stationary and/or may be configured for movement relative to the articles  30 ). The captured images may be used to generate a two-dimensional (“2D”) profile of the articles  30 , or, when a distributed configuration of the image-capturing devices  42  is used (e.g., a selection of cameras viewing the articles  30  from different angles), the captured images may be combined to generate a three-dimensional (“3D”) profile of the articles  30 . By capturing multiple images from different orientations and combining them to form a 3D profile, the quality of a surface treatment of a dimensional article (e.g., a formed outsole portion of an article of footwear) can be monitored using a thermal profile and a standard model as well. 
     Further depicted in the system  20  is a part-transfer tool  34  that may be positioned at any location in the system  20  and used to move the articles  30  to different locations as needed. In  FIG.  2 A , the part-transfer tool  34  is positioned downstream of the surface treatment tool  22  and the thermal-imaging device  24  and may be configured to transfer the articles  30  for the purposes of (1) re-application of a surface treatment by the surface treatment tool  22 , (2) application of a surface treatment at another manufacturing station, (3) discarding or recycling of the articles  30 , and/or (4) providing subsequent processing of the articles  30  (e.g., further bonding, assembly, buffing, cleaning, packaging, etc.). The part-transfer tool  34  may utilize vacuum forces, mechanical gripping forces, magnetic forces, adhering forces, and/or other pickup forces for retaining, transferring, and releasing the articles  30  at different locations about the system  20 . In alternative aspects, the part-transfer tool  34  may be positioned at other locations in the system  20  (e.g., upstream of the surface treatment tool  22 ), such as for placing the articles  30  on the article-transporting device  28 . One or more additional part-transfer tools may be used in the manufacturing process as well. 
     The adhesive application tool  26  may be adapted to provide, at the direction of the computing device  32 , adhesive (e.g., cement or glue) to the articles  30  for a subsequent bonding process. Additionally, the adhesive application tool  26  may be programmed to follow a pre-determined tool path when applying the adhesive to the articles  30 . Although not depicted in  FIG.  2 A , one or more additional part-manipulating apparatuses may be used for bonding the articles  30  with other materials once adhesive is applied (e.g., an apparatus may place the materials on the articles  30 ). It should be noted that in some aspects no adhesive application tool  26  is used. 
     The system  20  may be configured to perform a quality control process on the articles  30  to determine if the application of a surface treatment to the articles  30  has achieved desired parameters suitable for the manufacturing process. For example, an article  30  may be provided on the article-transporting device  28 , and a surface treatment (e.g., plasma, heat, primer, etc.) may be applied to the article  30 . Within a selected time period (e.g., within 1-60 seconds), one or more thermal images of the article  30  may be captured. A standard model of the article  30  including model temperature ranges is then accessed for comparison with the one or more thermal images. Then, a determination can be made if the article  30 , including individual regions thereof, has achieved a desired temperature profile or standard based on comparison with the standard model. If the parameters are satisfied, additional processes, such as adhesive application by the adhesive application tool  26  and bonding of the article  30  with another article or material may be performed. Alternatively, if the desired parameters are not satisfied (e.g., at least one region of the article  30  is determined to be outside of a model temperature range), the article  30  may be processed differently to account for the determination (e.g., another surface treatment may be applied, the article  30  may be discarded, the manufacturing process may be repeated, restricted, stopped, and/or adjusted, etc.). 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 B , another exemplary system  21  for monitoring the quality of a surface treatment applied to articles  30  in a manufacturing process is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. In the system  21 , the surface treatment is an application of heat used to increase a temperature of the articles  30  (e.g., to a desired minimum, maximum, and/or range). The system  21  includes the article-transporting device  28  which advances the articles  30  through a thermal energy tool  23 , which in  FIG.  2 B  is provided as an oven for heating the articles  30 . The thermal energy tool  23  may be configured to provide conductive, convective, and/or radiative heat to the articles  30 , and may be used to heat treat the articles for a desired manufacturing effect (e.g., melting, curing, etc.). The heat treatment may be performed and monitored at one or multiple times during an article manufacturing process. 
     In  FIG.  2 B , the thermal-imaging device  24  is provided downstream of the thermal energy tool  23  to allow thermal images of the articles  30  to be captured (e.g., using an infrared camera) after the heat treatment process. The thermal images may be used to generate thermal profiles of the articles  30  that may be compared to a standard model of the articles  30  that is accessed using the computing device  32 . If desired temperature parameters are achieved, the manufacturing process may proceed to subsequent manufacturing steps (e.g., further assembly, adhesive bonding, painting, polishing, etc.). If desired temperature parameters are not achieved, additional or alternative manufacturing processes, such as re-application of the heat treatment, moving of the article  30  to another manufacturing station, adjusting the operation of the thermal energy tool  23 , and/or discarding of the article  30  may occur. As discussed with respect to  FIG.  2 A , one or more vision systems, part-transfer tools, part-manipulation tools, and/or additional processing components may be used with the system  21  as needed to accommodate a particular manufacturing process. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 C , another exemplary system  25  for monitoring a surface treatment applied to articles  30  in a manufacturing process is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. In  FIG.  2 C , the surface treatment is the application of a coating to the articles  30  (e.g., paint, dye, primer, adhesive, etc.). Once again, the article-transporting device  28  is provided, which advances the articles  30  to a coating tool  29 . The coating tool  29  is adapted to provide a coating to at least a portion of each of the articles  30  (e.g., using a pre-programmed tool path and dispersion, which may be controlled by the computing device  32 ). Once a coating has been applied to an article  30 , the article  30  is advanced using the article-transporting device  28  to a field of view of the thermal-imaging device  24  for thermal image capture and temperature analysis. 
     The thermal-imaging device  24  may be used to capture one or more thermal images of the treated articles  30  so that a temperature profile can be generated for comparison with a standard model. The application of a coating, such as paint, primer, dye, adhesive, and/or another surface coating, may provide or absorb thermal energy from the articles  30 , resulting in a change in the temperature profile of the articles  30 . As a result, temperature indications of the treated regions of the article  30  obtained from the thermal profile can be compared with model regions of the standard model to determine whether each region treated with the coating has been adequately treated based on the temperature indication not being outside of a model temperature range of a corresponding model region of the standard model. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 D , another exemplary system  27  for monitoring a surface treatment applied to articles  30  in a manufacturing process is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. The system  27  shown in  FIG.  2 D  includes an exemplary physical processing tool  31  that includes a rotatable roughing/polishing tool  33  having an article-contacting portion  35 , the thermal-imaging device  24 , the article-transporting device  28 , and the computing device  32 . Although a rotatable roughing/polishing tool  33  is depicted in  FIG.  2 D , the physical processing tool  31  may be any type of tool that can provide a physical manipulation to the surface of the articles  30 .  FIG.  2 D  also depicts a holder  37  for maintaining the position of the articles  30  during the surface treatment. 
     In an exemplary operation, the physical processing tool  31  provides a surface treatment to the articles  30  (e.g., by roughing/polishing a surface of the articles  30 ), and subsequently, the article-transporting device  28  advances the articles  30  to a field of view of the thermal-imaging device  24 , which captures one or more thermal images of the treated articles  30 . The captured thermal images provide a thermal profile of the articles  30  that includes temperature indications of different regions of the articles  30  that have received the surface treatment. A standard model of the articles  30  may be accessed using the computing device  32 . The temperature indications may be compared to model temperature ranges of corresponding model regions of the standard model to see if any temperature indications are outside of their corresponding model temperature range. As a result, a quality (e.g., an area covered, amount treated, temperature profile achieved, etc.) of the surface treatment may be determined. 
     As one example, if a temperature of 100-105° F. is desired for each region of the article  30  that receives the surface treatment, the quality control process may indicate a rejection of the article, a need for further processing, and/or an adjustment of the parameters of the surface treatment of the articles  30  if the temperature of any region (e.g., at least one, at least a certain number of regions, or all of the regions) has a temperature less than 100° F. or greater than 105° F. If all of the regions are within the corresponding model temperature ranges, the articles  30  may proceed to subsequent manufacturing steps (e.g., further assembly, painting, adhesive bonding, polishing, packing, etc.). 
     Referring to  FIG.  2 E , another exemplary system  44  for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to articles  30  in a manufacturing process is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. The system  44  depicted in  FIG.  2 E , similar to  FIG.  2 A , includes a surface treatment tool  22  that provides a surface treatment to the articles  30  (e.g., to prepare the articles  30  for adhesive bonding). The system  44  further includes the thermal-imaging device  24  and the adhesive application tool  26  as provided in the system  20  depicted in  FIG.  2 A . However, the system  44  of  FIG.  2 B  is configured to provide a more individualized treatment of the articles  30 . More specifically, the part-transfer tool  34  is positioned to transfer the articles  30  from the article-transporting device  28  to a part manufacturing station  46  adjacent to the surface treatment tool  22 , the thermal-imaging device  24 , and the adhesive application tool  26 . The part manufacturing station  46  may be stationary, or may be movable in one or more directions (e.g., in one or more of an x, y, and z-plane, and/or rotationally about any of the same). As a result, the part manufacturing station  46  may be configured to move an article  30  thereon relative to the surface treatment tool  22 , the thermal-imaging device  24 , and the adhesive application tool  26 , as shown by the directional indicators  50  provided in  FIG.  2 E . The surface treatment tool  22 , the thermal-imaging device  24 , and the adhesive application tool  26  may also be adapted to move relative to the part manufacturing station  46  and the article  30  thereon. 
     In an exemplary operation, the articles  30  are advanced on the article-transporting device  28 . The part-transfer tool  34  retrieves one of the articles  30  and places it on the part manufacturing station  46 . The surface treatment tool  22 , which in the system  44  of  FIG.  2 E  is adapted to apply a surface treatment that prepares the article  30  for adhesive bonding (e.g., by applying a primer, a treatment of plasma, etc.), applies the surface treatment across at least a portion of the article  30 . The thermal-imaging device  24 , within a selected time period (e.g., within 1-60 seconds of application of the surface treatment, and/or within 1-60 seconds of initiation or conclusion of the same), captures one or more thermal images of the article  30  used to obtain a thermal profile of the article  30  that includes a plurality of temperature indications. A standard model is accessed using the computing device  32 , and the temperature indications from the thermal profile are compared to model temperature ranges of corresponding model regions of the standard model. If the temperature indications achieve desired parameters (e.g., none of the temperature indications are outside of corresponding model temperature ranges), the article  30  may be removed from the part manufacturing station  46  for continued processing. 
     It should be noted that in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E , the spatial relation and location of components is modified for the purposes of clarity and explanation, and in actual use, may be different to account for the distance and range of motion needed for part transfer, part monitoring, surface treatment, etc. It should also be noted that different articles, different article-manipulating or article manufacturing tools (e.g., those configured for moving, modifying, treating, attaching, decorating, and/or otherwise manipulating the articles), and different configurations and operations of the same are contemplated herein. Furthermore, it should be noted that the selection, number, and arrangement of components depicted in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E  is merely exemplary, and more, fewer, and/or alternative components may be provided in the same or different configurations as needed for a particular surface treatment process. Although the articles  30  depicted in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E  are provided as shoe parts, other types of articles, including those with different shapes, sizes, materials, constructions, and/or different dimensionalities, may be treated and monitored for quality control as well. For example, an article may be flat, or may be multi-dimensional (e.g., such as a curved bottom unit of an article of footwear). 
     Additionally, the methods for comparing the temperature indications obtained from a thermal profile with model temperature ranges of corresponding model regions of a standard model may be adjusted based on a number of factors. For example, a time period for obtaining the thermal profile of the article after the surface treatment is applied may be selected to limit an amount of heat-transfer that occurs between application of the surface treatment and obtaining of the thermal profile, so that further temperature change that obscures the effect of the surface treatment is limited. Additionally, multiple temperature ranges may be used in the quality control process for a single article, depending on which surface treatment is used and the desired corresponding temperature ranges for each of the surface treatments (e.g., a heating process may be different than an adhesive application process, etc.). Additionally, temperature ranges may be different based on whether a process is used that transfers heat to the articles (e.g., a heating process in an oven), or extracts or redistributes heat from the article (e.g., due to application of a material, such as an adhesive, that absorbs thermal energy from the article). 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 A , a thermal profile  52  of a portion  54  of an article  56  that has been treated with a surface treatment (e.g., a heat-treatment process or a plasma treatment process) is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. In  FIG.  3 A , the article  56  is depicted as a midsole portion of a shoe, which may be receiving a surface treatment in preparation for adhesive bonding, or for another purpose. For example, the midsole portion may be formed from one or more polymer materials that will be adhesively bonded with another material or article, such as an outsole.  FIG.  3 B  depicts the thermal profile  52  of  FIG.  3 A  with a plurality of regions  58  of the treated article  56  (i.e., regions  1 - 48 ) identified for temperature analysis. Each of the plurality of regions  58  includes a respective temperature indication that is obtained from the thermal profile  52 . 
       FIG.  3 C  depicts a standard model  60  of the article  56  depicted in the thermal profile  52  of  FIGS.  3 A- 3 B . The standard model  60  may be accessed by retrieving a file from a database of stored standard models using a computing device, such as the computing device  32  discussed with respect to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E . The standard model  60  in  FIG.  3 C  includes a plurality of model regions  62  (i.e., regions  1 - 48 ) that correspond to the plurality of regions  58  in the thermal profile  52 . Each of the plurality of model regions  62  includes an associated model temperature range (e.g., a range of 100-105° F.) that is used for comparison with the temperature indications of the respective plurality of regions  58  in the thermal profile  52 . The plurality of regions  58  and the plurality of model regions  62  may be distinct and non-overlapping, and/or may be overlapping in various aspects, and the temperature indications associated with each may be average temperatures for those regions. The comparison of the temperature indications with corresponding model temperature ranges in the standard model may be performed to determine if a particular surface treatment applied to the article  56  has achieved a desired effect. 
     To provide an exemplary comparison of the thermal profile  52  of  FIG.  3 B  with the standard model  60  of  FIG.  3 C , temperature indications (i.e., temperature signatures and/or values) of first and second regions  64 ,  66  may be obtained from the thermal profile  52  and compared to corresponding first and second model regions  68 ,  70  of the standard model  60 . The comparison may be used to determine if the temperature indication of the first region  64  is within the temperature range provided by the first model region  68 , and if the temperature indication of the second region  66  is within the temperature range of the second model region  70 . 
     If the temperature indications are not outside of the temperature ranges provided by the standard model  60 , an indication may be provided to advance the article  56  in the manufacturing process (e.g., for subsequent processing). If at least one of the temperature indications is outside of a corresponding temperature range provided by the standard model  60 , an indication to modify the manufacturing process or further process the article  56  may be provided. 
     For example, an indication may be provided to re-apply the surface treatment to the article  56  or to any regions of the article  56  that did not satisfy the temperature ranges of the standard model  60 . Additionally, an indication may be provided to transfer the article  56  to another manufacturing station, at which an additional surface treatment may be applied. Additionally, an indication to update the parameters of the surface treatment may be provided (e.g., by modifying the operation of the surface treatment tool  22  in the system  20  of  FIG.  2 A ). In this respect, the surface treatment may be modified by changing a duration, an area of application (e.g., a tool path), and/or an intensity of the surface treatment (e.g., an amount of surface treatment applied per square unit of measure, etc.) to adjust for the determinations of the quality control comparison. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , an exemplary graphical user interface  72  (“GUI”) for monitoring the application of a surface treatment to articles in a manufacturing process is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. The GUI  72  includes the thermal profile  52  depicted in  FIG.  3 B , which is positioned in a first display area  74 , and the standard model  60  depicted in  FIG.  3 C , which is positioned in a second display area  76 . The plurality of regions  58  of the thermal profile  52  in the first display area  74  respectively correspond to the plurality of model regions  62  in the standard model  60  in the second display area  76 . This side-by-side presentation allows for the temperature indications of the regions  58  of the thermal profile  52  to be compared with the temperature ranges of the corresponding model regions  62  of the standard model  60 , so that regions that exceed their corresponding temperature range can be identified (e.g., automatically by a computer processor) for further or alternative processing. Further provided in the GUI  72  are input components  78  for providing article-identifying information that may be used to facilitate obtaining, generating, and/or retrieving the standard model  60  of the article  56  for comparison. The input components  78  of the GUI  72  are described in greater detail with respect to  FIG.  5   . 
       FIG.  4    shows several regions  80  of the thermal profile  52  in the first display area  74  identifying that the temperature indications for those particular regions  80  are outside of the temperature ranges of the corresponding model regions  82  in the standard model  60 . As discussed herein, when one or more temperature ranges are not satisfied, one or more indications and/or notifications may be provided. For example, an alert may be provided (e.g., a sound, a pop-up, a flashing indicator, etc.), and/or the selected regions  80  that do not meet the temperature range requirements may be identified using colored, flashing, and/or otherwise visually distinguishable features. For example, as shown in  FIG.  4   , bolded boxes are provided around the regions  80  that fall outside of the temperature ranges of the corresponding model regions  82  in the standard model  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , an enhanced view of a portion  86  of the GUI  72  depicted in  FIG.  4    is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. The portion  86  of the GUI  72  shown in  FIG.  5    is configured to receive article-identifying information that may be used to facilitate accessing (e.g., retrieving, obtaining, and/or generating) a standard model of an article for comparison with a thermal profile. The input components  78  shown in  FIG.  5    are based on the article being a shoe part, and as a result, other inputs may be used for other article types to identify appropriate features. 
     In the example provided in  FIG.  5   , the input components  78  allow for the entry of information specific to the shoe part for identification purposes. This information includes (1) a model type  88  associated with the shoe part, (2) a gender designation  90  associated with the shoe part, (3) a size  92  associated with the shoe part, and (4) a foot-side designation  94  associated with the shoe part. Additionally, some input components  78  allow for the selection of the temperature range used in the standard model. In the example provided in  FIG.  5   , this includes a minimum allowable temperature  96  and a maximum allowable temperature  98  for the temperature range of the model regions in the standard model. Additionally, in some aspects, a more discrete application of temperature ranges may be applied to the model regions depending on the desired specificity and granularity of the analysis. It should be noted that the input components  78  provided in  FIGS.  4 - 5    are exemplary, and based on an article that is a shoe part, and other inputs may be used for the same or other types of articles. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , a block diagram of an exemplary method  600  of monitoring a surface treatment applied to articles in a manufacturing process is provided, in accordance with an aspect hereof. At a block  610 , a surface treatment, such as an application of heat, plasma, coating, etc., is applied to at least a portion of an article, which may be, for example, a shoe part as shown in  FIGS.  2 A- 2 E . At a block  620 , a thermal profile, such as the thermal profile  52  shown in  FIG.  3 A , of at least a portion of the article is received. At a block  630 , a first temperature indication of a first region of the article, such as the first region  64  shown in  FIG.  3 B , is determined from the thermal profile. At a block  640 , a second temperature indication of a second region of the article, such as the second region  66  shown in  FIG.  3 B , is determined from the thermal profile. At a block  650 , a standard model, such as the standard model  60  shown in  FIG.  3 C , is accessed. The standard model may include a first model region, such as the first model region  68  shown in  FIG.  3 C , that corresponds to the first region, the first model region having an associated first model temperature range (e.g., a minimum temperature of 120° F., or a range of 100-140° F.). The standard model may also include a second model region, such as the second model region  70  shown in  FIG.  3 C , that corresponds to the second region, the second model region having an associated second model temperature range (e.g., a minimum temperature of 120° F., or a range of 100-140° F.). At a block  660 , the first temperature indication is compared to the first model temperature range to determine if the first temperature indication is outside of the first model temperature range. At a block  670 , the second temperature indication is compared to the second model temperature range to determine if the second temperature indication is outside of the second model temperature range. 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , a block diagram of another exemplary method  700  of monitoring the application of a surface treatment to articles in a manufacturing process is provided. At a block  710 , a thermal profile, such as the thermal profile  52  shown in  FIG.  3 A , of at least a portion of an article, such as the article  56  shown in  FIG.  3 B , to which the surface treatment has been applied is received. The thermal profile may comprise a first temperature indication of a first region of the article, such as the first region  64  shown in  FIG.  3 B , and a second temperature indication of a second region of the article, such as the second region  66  shown in  FIG.  3 B . At a block  720 , a standard model, such as the standard model  60  shown in  FIG.  3 C , is accessed. The standard model may include a first model region, such as the first model region  68  shown in  FIG.  3 C , that corresponds to the first region, the first model region having a first model temperature range. The standard model may also include a second model region, such as the second model region  70  shown in  FIG.  3 C , that corresponds to the second region, the second model region having a second model temperature range. At a block  730 , the first temperature indication is compared to the first model temperature range to determine if the first temperature indication is outside of the first model temperature range. At a block  740 , the second temperature indication is compared to the second model temperature range to determine if the second temperature indication is outside of the second model temperature range 
     It should be noted that any number of regions may be designated in a thermal profile of an article for comparison with a corresponding number of model regions in an associated standard model of the article in order to achieve a level of specificity and granularity that is desired for a quality control process. Additionally, a minimum number of regions that do not fall outside of the corresponding temperature ranges may be established. In this respect, a level of precision that is appropriate for a particular manufacturing process may be configured. 
     From the foregoing, it will be seen that the technology is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages, which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. While the subject matter of this disclosure is illustrated herein with specific examples, variations within the scope of the claims are possible and contemplated.