Abstract: The method of aligning and loading a substrate onto a powder reinforcement machine wherein a guide pin arrangement is adjusted with respect to settings on a portion of the machine frame and then adjusted distancewise from the machine frame, the guide pins themselves then adjusted with respect to the guide pin support, to facilitate alignment of substrates on the machine, the settings being repeatable for differently contoured substrates if desirable. The guide pin support being shiftable for removal from the path of a substrate transport cube, permitting rapid alignment of successive substrates of a particular configuration.

Abstract: A machine for sequentially manufacturing a plurality of reinforced substrates such as shoe uppers, comprising a powder deposition station wherein a stencil assembly applies powder onto an annular receiving belt, the powder being applied in a three-dimensional configuration because of peripheral spacer means arranged on the cut-out between the stencil and the receiving surface. The annular receiving surface is empowered to rotate to an arcuate heating station where the powder is fused by heating elements arranged thereabove and therebelow. The fused powder is then moved to a join and cool station where a substrate is pressed against the fused powder by a transfer means causing it to press against a chill plate therebeneath.

Abstract: A rigid, lightweight positioning system is disclosed for use with a high speed sewing machine. The positioning system includes a rigid, lightweight frame that is slidably mounted in a predefined plane. The frame is driven within the plane by a remotely located motor. A carriage is slidably mounted on the frame so as to move in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the frame itself. This carriage is driven along its axis by a second remotely located motor. The overall arrangement of the elements within the positioning system is such as to minimize the introduction of vibration at the point of sewing.

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine is provided wherein the clamps for holding the workpiece can be used to define at least two different sewing patterns. The sewing pattern which is particularly defined by a given arrangement of clamps is indicated to a digital control system within the sewing machine. The control system is operative to subsequently implement an automated stitching of the particular sewing pattern which has thus been indicated thereto. This automatic stitching is accomplished through a sequential reading of a set of instructions previously stored within a memory associated with the control system. The set of instructions remain the same for at least two different sewing patterns. These instructions are altered upon read out by certain control logic which takes note of which pattern has been defined by the given arrangement of clamps. The automated stitching is completed by an automatic ejection of the clamped workpiece.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for holding and securing a workpiece within a sewing machine. The mechanism includes a plurality of clamping elements which may be arranged in different configurations so as to accommodate different sewing patterns. The different arrangements of clamping elements are inserted into a carriage which defines the positions of the clamping elements relative to each other as well as with respect to the bed of the sewing machine.