Abstract: An improved tufting machine (10) having an individual needle control system. The tufting machine (10) is designed for inserting yarns (26) into stitching in a base fabric (20). The tufting machine comprises a needle bar (28) mounted on a carrier (14) which is reciprocated in a plane which is substantially transverse to the plane of the base fabric (20) into which the yarn (26) is inserted. Insertion of the yarn is accomplished by needles (32 and 34) carried by the needle bar or bars (28). These needles penetrate the fabric (20) as the carrier (14) imparts reciprocating movement to the needles and their operatively associated needle bars. In a preferred embodiment, a locking device is provided for securing the needle in its sewing position. A control system is provided for adjusting the distal position of the individual needles during reciprocating movement such that the needles selectively penetrate the fabric (20) while the carrier (14) and the needle bar (28) are reciprocally operated.

Abstract: An improved tufting machine (10) having an individual needle control system. The tufting machine (10) is designed for inserting yarns (26) into stitching in a base fabric (20). The tufting machine comprises a needle bar (28) mounted on a carrier (14) which is reciprocated in a plane which is substantially transverse to the plane of the base fabric (20) into which the yarn (26) is inserted. Insertion of the yarn is accomplished by needles (32 and 34) carried by the needle bar or bars (28). These needles penetrate the fabric (20) as the carrier (14) imparts reciprocating movement to the needles and their operatively associated needle bars. A control system is provided for adjusting the distal position of the individual needles during reciprocating movement such that the needles selectively penetrate the fabric (20) while the carrier (14) and the needle bar (28) are reciprocally operated.