Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate the automated manufacture of fabric articles. In an example operation, a single web of fabric is unwound and transported to a sequence of stations. At one station, the unwound fabric is cut to create first and second components of the fabric article and a web of remainder fabric. Then the web of remainder fabric is removed from the first and second components of the fabric article. At another station, adhesive is applied to the second component. Then a robot positions the first component onto the second component. At another station, the adhesive is cured. At another station, a design in printed onto the first component.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for the manipulation of fabric items using a roller. A fabric item is engaged by a roller. Rotation of the roller while traversing the roller across the fabric item progressively lifts the fabric item onto the roller. In an example, the fabric item is held on the roller by applying a vacuum via the roller. In an example the roller is used to deposit one portion of the fabric item onto another portion of the fabric item in a joining process. In an example, the roller is used to deposit the fabric item onto another fabric item in a joining process.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate the automated manufacture of fabric articles. In an example operation, a single web of fabric is unwound and transported to a sequence of stations. At one station, the unwound fabric is cut to create first and second components of the fabric article and a web of remainder fabric. Then the web of remainder fabric is removed from the first and second components of the fabric article. At another station, adhesive is applied to the second component. Then a robot positions the first component onto the second component. At another station, the adhesive is cured. At another station, a design in printed onto the first component.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate automated manufacture of fabric articles. In an example operation, a first fabric portion is mounted in a first frame, and a second fabric portion is mounted in a second frame. The first and second frames with the corresponding fabric portions are transported to a sequence of stations at which one or more operations are performed on the first and/or second fabric portion. The operations include applying an adhesive to one of the fabric portions, and then joining the first and second fabric portions by bringing the first and second frames together. The operations include cutting the joined first and second fabric portions to create corresponding joined first and second components of a fabric article.

Abstract: A garment station including a first guide separated from a second guide by a repositionable gap. The garment station further includes a head carrier disposed between the first guide and the second guide. The garment station further includes a first tool head and a second tool head attached to the head carrier and configured to join webs of fabric disposed across the gap. The head carrier is configured to maintain the first tool head and the second tool head aligned in the gap as the gap is repositioned.

Abstract: A garment assembly system including a fixture including an opening, an abutment surface formed in either the fixture or a housing disposable on the fixture, and a carrier. The carrier is disposable in the opening. The carrier is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the carrier is configured to press an open first joint of a tubular component disposed on the carrier and an open second joint of a base component disposed on the fixture together against the abutment surface.

Abstract: A fiducial for use in the manufacture of a fabric article includes a hole through a layer of fabric. Another layer of fabric of the fabric article overlays and obscures the fiducial. The fiducial is detected by transmitting electromagnetic radiation through the fabric article. The electromagnetic radiation may make a single pass directly through the fabric article to a sensor, or may pass through the fabric article, be reflected off a surface, and pass back through the fabric article to the sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe automated systems and methods to assemble a garment, such as a T-shirt. Some embodiments provide for systems and methods for transferring and manipulating fabrics and joining garment components during garment manufacturing in a way that is more suitable to automation. Some embodiments provide for garment manufacturing systems and methods that are reconfigurable to enable both mass production of customized garments and small batch processing with reduced human intervention.

Abstract: Fabric items of dissimilar size and/or shape are manipulated and joined. A system includes a folding table for folding a fabric item. The folding table includes a first platen moveable relative to a second platen between a folded position and an unfolded position. The first platen is substantially coplanar with the second platen in the unfolded position. The second platen is disposed above the first platen in the folded position. The system includes a robot that includes a fold plate that is positioned with respect to a first fabric item to facilitate the folding of the first fabric item. The first fabric item is folded twice on the folding table such that first and second edges of the first fabric item can be aligned with corresponding first and second edges of a second fabric item. The first and second fabric items are joined at the respective first and second edges.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a conveying system to move multiple articles from one location to another. The conveying system may use a transport device to grasp each article from an initial location, rotate the articles away from the initial locations, move the articles linearly, and rotate the articles to destination locations. Rather than moving each article one-by-one, in the embodiments described herein, the conveying system can move multiple articles simultaneously to various locations where each location may contain a different process to perform on the article. Moving multiple articles simultaneously shortens the time required to process the articles.

Abstract: A garment station including a frame, a conveyor coupled to the frame, a gantry, and a folding assembly. The gantry is disposed over the conveyor and includes a tool head moveable over the conveyor. The folding assembly includes a first platen moveable relative to a second platen between a folded position and an unfolded position. The first platen is substantially co-planar with the second platen in the unfolded position. The first platen is disposed above the second platen in the folded position.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a conveying system to move multiple articles from one location to another. The conveying system may use a transport device to grasp each article from an initial location, rotate the articles away from the initial locations, move the articles linearly, and rotate the articles to destination locations. Rather than moving each article one-by-one, in the embodiments described herein, the conveying system can move multiple articles simultaneously to various locations where each location may contain a different process to perform on the article. Moving multiple articles simultaneously shortens the time required to process the articles.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe automated systems and methods to assemble a garment, such as a T-shirt. Some embodiments provide for systems and methods for transferring and manipulating fabrics and joining garment components during garment manufacturing in a way that is more suitable to automation. Some embodiments provide for garment manufacturing systems and methods that are reconfigurable to enable both mass production of customized garments and small batch processing with reduced human intervention.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a conveying system to move multiple articles from one location to another. The conveying system may use a transport device to grasp each article from an initial location, rotate the articles away from the initial locations, move the articles linearly, and rotate the articles to destination locations. Rather than moving each article one-by-one, in the embodiments described herein, the conveying system can move multiple articles simultaneously to various locations where each location may contain a different process to perform on the article. Moving multiple articles simultaneously shortens the time required to process the articles.