FLAT-KNITTING MACHINE HAVING NEEDLE INSPECTION DEVICE AND METHOD OF INSPECTION OF NEEDLES OF FLAT-KNITTING MACHINE

CONSTITUTION: Needles of a flat-knitting machine are inspected without being dismounted from the flat-knitting machine, the needles each having a hard surface layer and an under layer having a color or brightness different from that of the hard surface layer. An imaging unit captures an image of a hook of the needle in a position advanced from a needle bed, the imaging unit moving along a rail of the flat-knitting machine. A discrimination device inspects wear of the hard surface layer based on color or brightness difference between the hard surface layer and the under layer in the captured image of the hook. A collation device makes the captured image of the hook correspond with an ID of the needle in the needle bed.EFFECT: To automatically inspect ware of a needle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2 【構成】 硬質表面層と硬質表面層とは色または明暗が異なる下層を有する横編機の針を、横編機上で検査する。横編機のレールに沿って針床の上方を移動する撮像装置により、針床から進出した針のフックを撮像する。撮像したフックの画像での、硬質表面層と下層との色または明暗の違いから、判別装置により硬質表面層の摩耗を検査する。撮像したフックの画像を、照合装置により、針床での針のIDに対応させる。【効果】 針の摩耗を自動的に検査できる。【選択図】 図２