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: 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 conveyor belt system having a belt in contact with an array of actuators that are functional to move the belt in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the belt. The belt actuators can be functional to move individually to form a desired topography of the belt. The conveyor belt system can, thereby, move a workpiece in three dimensions for improved manufacturing and/or warehousing.

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: Systems, methods, storage media, and computing platforms for scanning items at the point of manufacturing are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: receive a first set of images of an item from a first set of camera sources; detect a code in the first set of images; combine, responsive to detecting the code, along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the first set of images into a first set of combined images; rotate parallel to the first axis; and combine along the first axis.

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: 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: Systems, methods, storage media, and computing platforms for on demand garment manufacture. An order controller can receive an order specification to manufacture a garment. A selector can select the fabric based on the order specification. A pre-treatment can pretreat the fabric with an aqueous solution. A dryer can dry the fabric. A loader can align fabric with an indicator. A sensor coupled to the loader can obtain an alignment of the fabric on the loader. A heat press can apply a design on the fabric. A printer can print a second design on the fabric in the loader based on the order specification. A quality controller can scan the design. The quality controller can generate, based on scanning the design, a quality comparison between the design and predetermined parameters. The quality controller can route, based on the quality comparison, the fabric to a shipper or an order controller.

Abstract: Systems, methods, storage media, and computing platforms for scanning items at the point of manufacturing are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: receive a first set of images of an item from a first set of camera sources; detect a code in the first set of images; combine, responsive to detecting the code, along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the first set of images into a first set of combined images; rotate parallel to the first axis; and combine along the first axis.

Abstract: An adverse condition detector that allows the user to visually determine the type of adverse condition being detected. The adverse condition detector includes a sensor and a control unit coupled to the sensor. When the sensor detects an adverse condition above a selected level, the control unit generates an audible alarm signal and a visual alarm signal. The visual alarm signal simulates the type of adverse condition being detected. In one embodiment of the invention, the visual alarm signal includes a plurality of visual indicators operated in a random fashion to simulate the appearance of a flame.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved combustion products smoke alarm that includes an electronic circuit which automatically tests the detector's operation repetitively at periodic intervals, or periodically sounds the detector's alarm to remind the occupant to manually test the detector's operation. In the preferred embodiment, this periodic testing or reminding occurs at weekly intervals. Thus, occupants living about such a smoke alarm, after experiencing this repetitive sounding of the detector's alarm for some time, will come to anticipate its sounding and notice its absence if the smoke alarm becomes inoperative.