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 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.