Abstract: A tufting machine and method for operating a tufting machine operating a needle selection mechanism based on pattern data by selecting a needle with yarn required for the pattern such that the selected needle is driven by a needle bar through the backing medium, to form a tuft while a needle that is not required for the pattern is not selected by the needle selection mechanism. Yarn is fed via a yarn feed mechanism comprising a plurality of actively driven yarn drives each driving a respective yarn to a respective needle, the yarn drives being at a location between a yarn creel and the needle. The method being characterised by operating the yarn feed mechanism to deliver at least 70% of the yarn required for a tuft as the needle moves from top dead center to bottom dead center.

Abstract: A pattern data processing system configured to determine and compensate for any points of entanglement between different yarns. A point of entanglement is defined as a point where the yarn from one needle crosses and traps the yarn from another needle on the back face of the backing medium. The pattern data processing system is configured to calculate the additional length of back stich caused by each point of entanglement by subtracting an ideal back stich length, calculated as the path which would have been taken by the yarn had it not been entangled in another yarn, from an actual yarn path, calculated as the actual length of the entangled yarn. A controller is configured to include in the amount of yarn fed by a respective yarn feed mechanism for each stitch an amount equivalent to the additional length of back stitch. The invention also includes a tufting machine and method of operating the tufting machine with the pattern data processing system.

Abstract: A pattern data processing system configured to determine and compensate for any points of entanglement between different yarns. A point of entanglement is defined as a point where the yarn from one needle crosses and traps the yarn from another needle on the back face of the backing medium. The pattern data processing system is configured to calculate the additional length of back stich caused by each point of entanglement by subtracting an ideal back stich length, calculated as the path which would have been taken by the yarn had it not been entangled in another yarn, from an actual yarn path, calculated as the actual length of the entangled yarn. A controller is configured to include in the amount of yarn fed by a respective yarn feed mechanism for each stitch an amount equivalent to the additional length of back stitch. The invention also includes a tufting machine and method of operating the tufting machine with the pattern data processing system.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tufting process for tufting a fabric comprises the steps of: a) providing a pattern representation (10) representative of a fabric to be tufted comprising at least one tufting structure region (14), said at least one tufting structure region (14) corresponding to an area of the fabric to be tufted having a plurality of piles, b) in association with at least one tufting structure region (14), providing a tufting structure defined by a plurality of tufting structure parameters, each tufting structure parameter having an effect on the appearance of at least a part of the piles to be tufted in association with this tufting structure region and having no effect on the appearance of piles to be tufted in an area not corresponding to this tufting structure region (14).

Abstract: A method of preparing a tufting process for tufting a fabric comprises the steps of: a) selecting at least one object to be shown on a tufted fabric as a three-dimensional tufting structure element (116), b) three-dimensionally scanning the at least one object for providing a set of three-dimensional scan data representing at least a portion of the three-dimensional structure of the at least one object, c) providing a set of tufting instruction data on the basis of the three-dimensional scan data, the tufting instruction data, in association with the at least one three-dimensional tufting structure element (116) to be tufted, comprising information relating to at least one tufting aspect of the piles to be tufted for providing the at least one three-dimensional tufting structure element (116).

Abstract: A tufting machine (1) and method for operating a tufting machine operating a needle selection mechanism based on pattern data by selecting a needle (10) with yarn (4) required for the pattern such that the selected needle is driven by a needle bar (11) through the backing medium (7), to form a tuft while a needle that is not required for the pattern is not selected by the needle selection mechanism. Yarn is fed via a yarn feed mechanism (2) comprising a plurality of actively driven yarn drives each driving a respective yarn to a respective needle, the yarn drives being at a location between a yarn creel and the needle. The method being characterised by operating the yarn feed mechanism (2) to deliver at least 70% of the yarn required for a tuft as the needle (11) moves from top dead centre to bottom dead centre.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tufting process comprises the steps of: a) providing a pattern representation representative of a fabric to be tufted, b) providing at least one group of tufting aspect instruction layers, each group of tufting aspect instruction layers comprising at least one tufting aspect instruction layer, each tufting aspect instruction layer being associated with a tufting aspect instruction, each tufting aspect instruction referring to a tufting aspect, c) assigning at least one tufting aspect instruction to at least one tufting aspect instruction layer.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tufting process for tufting a fabric comprises the steps of: a) providing a pattern representation (10) representative of a fabric to be tufted comprising at least one tufting structure region (14), said at least one tufting structure region (14) corresponding to an area of the fabric to be tufted having a plurality of piles, b) in association with at least one tufting structure region (14), providing a tufting structure defined by a plurality of tufting structure parameters, each tufting structure parameter having an effect on the appearance of at least a part of the piles to be tufted in association with this tufting structure region and having no effect on the appearance of piles to be tufted in an area not corresponding to this tufting structure region (14).

Abstract: A method of preparing a tufting process for tufting a fabric comprises the steps of: a) selecting at least one object to be shown on a tufted fabric as a three-dimensional tufting structure element (116), b) three-dimensionally scanning the at least one object for providing a set of three-dimensional scan data representing at least a portion of the three-dimensional structure of the at least one object, c) providing a set of tufting instruction data on the basis of the three-dimensional scan data, the tufting instruction data, in association with the at least one three-dimensional tufting structure element (116) to be tufted, comprising information relating to at least one tufting aspect of the piles to be tufted for providing the at least one three-dimensional tufting structure element (116).

Abstract: A method of preparing a tufting process comprises the steps of: a) providing a pattern representation representative of a fabric to be tufted, b) providing at least one group of tufting aspect instruction layers, each group of tufting aspect instruction layers comprising at least one tufting aspect instruction layer, each tufting aspect instruction layer being associated with a tufting aspect instruction, each tufting aspect instruction referring to a tufting aspect, c) assigning at least one tufting aspect instruction to at least one tufting aspect instruction layer.