Abstract: A sewing device includes a power source, an input shaft to which a driving force from the power source is transmitted, an output shaft that outputs the driving force transmitted to the input shaft, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force from the input shaft to the output shaft, in which the transmission mechanism includes a first gear that is provided in the output shaft and rotates integrally with the output shaft, a second gear that meshes with the first gear, an intermediate shaft that rotates integrally with the second gear, and a timing belt stretched between the input shaft and the intermediate shaft, in which the second gear is disposed to be movable in a circumferential direction of the first gear. As a result, loosening of the timing belt can be adjusted in a compact configuration.

Abstract: Presented are automated manufacturing systems for fabricating engineered textiles, footwear and apparel formed with such engineered textiles, methods for making such engineered textiles, and memory-stored, processor-executable instructions for operating such manufacturing systems. An automated manufacturing system constructs engineered textiles from workpieces composed of superposed, unwoven wires. The system includes a movable end effector bearing a stitching head and an image capture device. The stitching head has a thread feeder and sewing needle to generate stitches. The image capture device captures images of the workpiece and outputs data indicative thereof. A system controller receives this image capture device data and locates, from the captured image of the workpiece, gaps defined between quadrangles of the superposed wires.

Abstract: Presented are automated manufacturing systems for fabricating engineered textiles, footwear and apparel formed with such engineered textiles, methods for making such engineered textiles, and memory-stored, processor-executable instructions for operating such manufacturing systems. An automated manufacturing system constructs engineered textiles from workpieces composed of superposed, unwoven wires. The system includes a movable end effector bearing a stitching head and an image capture device. The stitching head has a thread feeder and sewing needle to generate stitches. The image capture device captures images of the workpiece and outputs data indicative thereof. A system controller receives this image capture device data and locates, from the captured image of the workpiece, gaps defined between quadrangles of the superposed wires.

Abstract: Presented is an method and apparatus. An exemplary method includes securing a moveable support surface in a first position adjacent to a sewing head having a reciprocating needle, and moving the support surface to a second position to define a working window adjacent to the sewing head. The method further includes moving the sewing head within the working window relative to the support surface in the second position.

Abstract: Various examples are provided related to attachment of bands about a garment opening. In one example, among others, a sleeve band can be attached to a garment by loading the sleeve band on a band guide, aligning an opening of a garment over the sleeve band, and attaching the band to the garment along the edge of the opening. Alignment of the edges of the opening and the sleeve band can be maintained by ply aligners during attachment. In another example, a garment holding system includes a garment holder that can receive a garment and a band positioning system includes a band guide that can receive a band. Edges of the opening of the garment and the band can be controlled and maintained with ply aligners of the band positioning system.

Abstract: Dual-motor sewing machine with automatic timing adjustment. In some embodiments, a sewing machine may include a frame, a needle bar configured to have a needle, a first motor configured to cause the needle bar to linearly reciprocate the needle with respect to the frame and into and out of a fabric, a first sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the needle, a bobbin hook configured to function in connection with a bobbin, a second motor configured to cause the bobbin hook to rotate with respect to the frame, a second sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the bobbin hook, and one or more motor controllers. The one or more motor controllers may be configured, based on the current positions sensed by the first sensor and the second sensor, to continuously and automatically adjust and synchronize timing of the first motor and/or the second motor.

Abstract: Presented is an method and apparatus. An exemplary method includes securing a moveable support surface in a first position adjacent to a sewing head having a reciprocating needle, and moving the support surface to a second position to define a working window adjacent to the sewing head. The method further includes moving the sewing head within the working window relative to the support surface in the second position.

Abstract: A sewing system comprises a sewing machine, a camera that captures an image of a reference position for sewing, a robot arm that holds the sewing machine and the camera, and a controller. The controller controls operations of forming a first stitch position that results from stitching of the sewing machine, and forming a second stitch position that results from stitching of the sewing machine after rotating the sewing machine at a prescribed angle about a rotation axis that passes through a needle center position stored by the controller. The controller further performs calibration processing that calibrates the needle center position stored by the controller, based on each position of the first stitch position and the second stitch position within image capture ranges of capture images that are obtained by capturing images of the first stitch position and the second stitch position using the camera.

Abstract: A puncture planning apparatus has: a simulation unit that simulates movement of an organ and a puncture needle by simulation using an organ model; and a planning unit that plans, based on the simulation result, how to move the puncture needle when an actual organ is punctured. The simulation unit executes a plurality of times of the simulation of an operation to advance the puncture needle while correcting an angle of the puncture needle so as to follow the movement of the target segment due to deformation of the organ, conditions of an advancement speed of the puncture needle are changed for each of the plurality times of the simulation, and the planning unit performs planning using the best simulation result out of the plurality of simulation results acquired under different conditions of the advancement speed.

Abstract: A head unit fixed sewing machine is provided, which includes a table, support posts, an upper beam, a head unit and a bed unit. An object is placed on the table. The support posts are provided on opposite sides of the table. The upper beam connects the support posts to each other and is coupled to upper ends of the support posts. The head unit is fastened to the upper beam and has a head-unit-rotating means for rotating a sewing head within a predetermined range. The bed unit is provided below the head unit and has a bed-unit-rotating means for rotating a sewing bed within a predetermined range. Because the head unit and the bed unit can be rotated while sewing, the orientation of a sewn thread can be maintained constant. Hence, a perfect stitch can be realized over the entirety of the object.

Abstract: A frame for sewing upper pillows on covering shells for mattresses, which comprises four perimetric walls. Each wall is perpendicular to the two contiguous walls and comprises at least one laminar portion that constitutes a resting surface: at least one of the walls comprises at least one locking element for at least one component, selected from between an upper pillow and a covering shell, arranged on a respective laminar portion; at least one of the walls comprises at least two bands that are mutually aligned and can slide with respect to each other in order to vary the overall length of the wall; a linear actuator is interposed between the at least two bands of the wall, for the controlled mutual sliding of the bands; the actuator being adapted to be controlled by a respective control and management unit of a sewing machine that is functionally associatable with the frame.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a machine for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. In one example, the present invention may be applied (e.g., as a machine and/or method) to a multi-needle machine or method. In another example, the present invention may provide for automatic lower (or bottom) thread cutting. In another example, the present invention may provide for automatic lower (or bottom) thread cutting by utilizing the phase (that is, movement phase) of a return of a looper (or hook) to cut the lower (or bottom) thread.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a machine for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. In one example, the present invention may be applied (e.g., as a machine and/or method) to a multi-needle machine or method.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a machine for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for sewing, embroidering, quilting and/or the like. In one example, the present invention may be applied (e.g., as a machine and/or method) to a multi-needle machine or method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated assisted sewing of an oversized, digitized sewing pattern, using a fabric retention mechanism and an automated sewing machine positioning mechanism. The sewing machine positioning mechanism is controlled by an actuator and provides for two dimensional positioning of a sewing machine with respect to the fabric retention mechanism. The oversized sewing pattern is segmented into pattern segments and the pattern segments are sewed sequentially in accordance with a selected order, with the fabric being repositioned after each segment is sewed. Cut points for pattern lines on the border of each pattern segment are matched by start points on the adjacent border of a subsequently sewed, adjacent pattern segment. A pattern program adjusts the pattern lines of each subsequently sewed segment to provide for continuity and alignment of the pattern lines which cross the borders between pattern segments.

Abstract: A stitcher (1) for connecting strips of rubber material (4, 5) into a substantially continuous strip according to this invention comprises a surface (3), a stitching head (6) placed over it having a stitch unit (7) for stitching the strips of rubber material together along a stitch line, which stitch line includes an angle ? having a longitudinal direction (L) of the continuous strip, a drive mechanism for driving a relative movement of the stitching head with respect to the surface along a first (X) and a second (Y) direction, wherein the second direction is oriented transverse to the first direction, and a control device (11) for controlling the drive mechanism such that the stitch unit follows the stitch line. In one embodiment the stitching head is rotatably connected to the drive mechanism wherein the axis of rotation extends transverse to the surface.

Abstract: A sewing machine having a rotatable head portion includes a sewing machine frame shaped in a box using supporting posts and supporting bars to hold the sewing machine; a sewing machine main body mounted on the sewing machine frame; a head portion disposed at the front end of the sewing machine main body and rotatably installed through head portion rotating means; a bed portion rotatably installed under the head portion through bed portion rotating means; X-axis transporting means moving the sewing machine main body mounted on the sewing machine frame in X direction; Y-axis transporting means moving the sewing machine main body mounted on the sewing machine frame in Y direction; and a sewing object fixing frame provided at the front part of the sewing machine frame where the sewing object is held. The head portion and the bed portion are rotated to sew the sewing object.

Abstract: An automated flanging machine is provided. More specifically, a machine for automatically sewing a flange onto a work panel having a consistent corner radius and a straight edge is provided. The machine has a table adapted to support a work panel, a sewing head mounted directly adjacent to the table for performing a sewing operation on the work panel, a turning arm mounted adjacent to the table, and a rear conveyor for selectively moving the work panel on the table. The table may include a corner pivot mechanism for stabilizing the panel while the turning arm turns the panel 90 degree relative to an initial position, and for maintaining a consistent corner radius for sewing. The machine may also include a rear material guide and encoding arm for measuring the progression of the work panel as it is sewn along a side by the sewing head.

Abstract: A head unit fixed sewing machine is provided, which includes a table, support posts, an upper beam, a head unit and a bed unit. An object is placed on the table. The support posts are provided on opposite sides of the table. The upper beam connects the support posts to each other and is coupled to upper ends of the support posts. The head unit is fastened to the upper beam and has a head-unit-rotating means for rotating a sewing head within a predetermined range. The bed unit is provided below the head unit and has a bed-unit-rotating means for rotating a sewing bed within a predetermined range. Because the head unit and the bed unit can be rotated while sewing, the orientation of a sewn thread can be maintained constant. Hence, a perfect stitch can be realized over the entirety of the object.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided, which includes a table, support posts, upper and lower frames, a head unit, a bed unit, an X-axial head-unit-transport means and an X-axial bed-unit-transport means. An object is placed on the table. The support posts are provided on opposite sides of the table. The upper and lower frames connect the support posts to each other. The head unit is provided on the upper frame so as to be movable in an X-axis direction. The head unit has a head-unit-rotating means for rotating a sewing head. The bed unit is provided on the lower frame so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. The bed unit has a bed-unit-rotating means for rotating a sewing bed. The X-axial head-unit-transport means moves the head unit on the upper frame horizontally. The X-axial bed-unit-transport means moves the bed unit on the upper frame horizontally.

Abstract: A sewing machine for a user to perform sewing while moving a work cloth includes: a detecting device that detects the work cloth; a movement calculating device that calculates, by two-dimensional coordinate data, a movement direction and a movement quantity of the work cloth between previous detection and current detection of the work cloth when the work cloth is detected; a movement data storage device that stores movement data serving as two-dimensional coordinate data indicative of the movement direction and the movement quantity; a movement data creating device that detects the work cloth on a one by one needle basis of sewing, calculates the movement data, and stores the calculated data in the movement data storage device; a cloth feed mechanism that moves the work cloth; and a reproduction sewing control device that performs sewing while moving the work cloth based on the movement data stored in the movement data storage device.

Abstract: Device for producing a fiber preform with virtually any desired surface geometry by a TFP process. A guiding device lays a fiber strand along virtually any desired path curve on a backing layer and a sewing head attaches the fiber strand on the backing layer by at least one fixing thread. The backing layer can be positioned in an xy direction in relation to the guiding device and the sewing head, wherein the sewing head and/or the guiding device can be positioned in a z direction. The separation of the positioning capabilities of the backing layer (xy direction) and the guiding device, the sewing head and the lower thread guide (z direction) provides a relatively simple device construction. Example devices can produce fiber preforms for dome-shaped composite components for use inter alia as pressure bulkheads for cabins in aircraft with virtually optimum properties.

Abstract: A quilting machine sewing head navigator useful in generating directional travel in the sewing head of a quilting machine in relation to a stitchable material.

Abstract: Forward and backward movement apparatus for main body of sewing machine according to this invention comprises, in sewing machine comprising Main Body movable forward and backward and supported on both sides of a Base and Heads movable left and right and supported on the Main Body; Frame mounted on the Base; Timing Gears installed in the front and rear Fixed Frame of the Frame in multiple rows; Connecting Shat which connects Timing Gears beneath Front Fixed Frame; Forward and Backward Movement Frames is movable forward and backward on the Frame and connected to the Main Body; Rollers are installed in the Forward and Backward Movement Frames in multiple rows to correspond to the Timing Gears; Timing Belt which zigzags through Timing Gear and Roller and Timing Gear and Roller, and both ends of which are connected to the top of Front and Rear Fixed Frames; and electric motor which drives the Connecting Shat in forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: Method and device for continuous production of three dimensional fabrics (50) made up of two or more external layers (51,52) of fabric connected to each other using thread strands (53) starting from separate pieces of fabric, overlapping and joining them and proceeding to sewing using strands (53), said sewing using strands (53) being performed using two pieces of fabric lying and sliding on the opposite faces of a spacer comb-like structure (6), that determines the length of the thread strands (53).

Abstract: A seaming assembly for placing seams in a continuously moving web of material. The seaming assembly includes a first support that is movable in a machine direction and a second support which is secured to the first support. The second support is movable relative to the first support in a cross direction. A seaming mechanism is mounted on the second support to place seams in the web that are at least partially in the cross direction. The first support may be movable in the machine direction at a speed that is substantially the same as the web such that the seaming mechanism places seams in the web that are substantially in the cross direction.

Abstract: An improved computerized hand-guided quilting device has a quilting table (100) with a translation device (20). The translation device has a cross carriage (30) movable longitudinally atop the table or frame, and a sewing carriage (50) movable transversely atop the cross carriage. These translations allow X-Y movement of a sewing head (56) fixedly positioned on the sewing carriage. Automatic translation of the cross carriage is accomplished when an actuator (174) mounted on the cross carriage is placed into an operative contact that effects the translation, and manual translation is effected by disengaging the operative contact, using a selective engaging/disengaging means (176). Similarly, automatic translation of the sewing carriage is accomplished when an actuator (74) mounted on the sewing carriage is placed into an operative contact that effects the translation, but manual translation is effected by disengaging the operative contact, using a selective engaging/disengaging means (76).

Abstract: A hair transplantation method and apparatus utilizes a robot, which includes a robotic arm, having a hair follicle effector associated with the robotic arm.

Abstract: A ready-made technical process for manufacturing fiber-reinforced plastic building components envisions the use of a link and, optionally, a flange and/or a base using textile blanks as starting material. Initially, at least two layers of the textile blanks are positioned vis-á-vis one another, clamped in and undergo a first sewing-up process. A preform is fashioned featuring the architecture of the product that is to be manufactured, and subsequently the preform is infiltrated with resin in order to realize the plastic building component. A tension module realizes a flange on a textile preform and a sewing material holder receives a textile preform in order to implement the steps referred to.

Abstract: A seaming assembly for placing seams in a continuously moving web of material. The seaming assembly includes a first support that is movable in a machine direction and a second support which is secured to the first support. The second support is movable relative to the first support in a cross direction. A seaming mechanism is mounted on the second support to place seams in the web that are at least partially in the cross direction. The first support may be movable in the machine direction at a speed that is substantially the same as the web such that the seaming mechanism places seams in the web that are substantially in the cross direction.

Abstract: A pattern making jig for a quilting machine of the type having a sewing machine moveably mounted on a table includes a pair of jig rails securable to the table and a jig body selectively moveable along the jig rails. A stationary gear is fixedly connected to the jig body. A pinion gear carrier rotatably connected to the jig body carries a pinion gear which is engageable with the stationary gear for orbital movement thereabout. The pinion gear carrier is adjustable to accommodate pinion gears of various sizes. A stylus wheel operably connected to the pinion gear has a plurality of stylus receivers formed therein. A stylus secured to the sewing machine is receivable in any one of the stylus receivers in the stylus wheel.

Abstract: A quilting table (20) includes a frame (22) having box channel rails (50, 52), a first carriage (212), moveable relative to a longitudinal dimension (30) of the frame (22), having wheels (224) engaged with the box channel rails (50, 52), and a second carriage (214), moveable relative to a transverse dimension (32) of the frame (22), supporting a sewing machine (34). A fabric support system (24) includes three fabric payout bars (128, 130, 132) and a take-up bar (134). Compressive force is utilized between the bars (128, 130, 132, 134) and their supports (120, 122) for fabric tensioning. The bars have a rectangular cross-sectional shape and indicia (190) for facilitating fabric placement. An overhead shelf (28) extends across dimension (30) of the frame (22) so that an operator on a needle side (51) of the quilting table (20) can currently view a quilting guide (268) and the fabric (206).

Abstract: A contour following machine for altering the edge of a material, which includes a horizontal work surface, a dial plate, through which a vacuum may be drawn, situated on the horizontal work surface, an edge-altering device, a rotary table upon which the edge-altering device is positioned, and a cut-out channel through which a connection between the dial plate and the vacuum is established. The edge-altering device is located at an end of the horizontal work surface and the cut-out channel extends to a far end of the cut-out channel positioned beyond a center point of the horizontal work surface. The dial plate can be moved to any position between the far end of the cut-out channel and the edge-altering device end of the cut-out channel. The edge-altering device may be a sewing machine, a knife, or a water jet.

Abstract: A sewing system which can properly arrange stitch loops in a sewn section by automatically stitching knitted pieces with each other without requiring the exchange of a main sewing machine body in accordance with the coarseness and fineness of the stitches and is also suitable for stitching a knitted piece with a fabric.

Abstract: An arrangement of sewing successive edges of material which extend in two directions. The arrangement comprises a stationary sewing table having a prescribed sewing area. The sewing table supports a carriage. A sewing machine is supported by the carriage. Drives are provided for the carriage and the sewing machine and are operative to move the carriage selectively in the X and Y directions while operating the sewing machine to sew. A material feeding assembly having an independent drive is provided to feed material into the sewing area and to maintain the fed material in the sewing area in a flat fixed position for a prescribed period of time. A control operates to actuate the feeding assembly to position the material, to actuate the sewing machine to sew and to actuate the carriage carrying the sewing machine to move in the X and Y directions about the sewing area forming automatically a folded fabric having all edges stitched.

Abstract: A quilting machine is provided having at least one set of single needle stitch forming elements for forming chain stitched patterns on a thick multilayered material such as a mattress cover. The machine is preferably web-fed, with a panel of the continuous web being clamped and held stationary on a frame. The stitch forming elements include a needle and a looper mounted on separate heads that are independently moveable on a bridge transversely relative to the panel, which is moveable longitudinally relative to the frame. The bridge is longitudinally moved by a servo and the heads are transversely moved on the bridge by separate servos. The stitching elements on each head are driven by separate servos. A controller drives the servos to chain stitch patterns and differentially move the heads transversely to account for transverse needle deflection. The drives of the needle and looper are phased to compensate for longitudinal needle deflection. The controller determines or predicts needle deflection.

Abstract: A hair transplantation method and apparatus utilizes a robot, which includes a robotic arm, having a hair follicle effector associated with the robotic arm.

Abstract: A hair transplantation method and apparatus utilizes a robot, which includes a robotic arm, having a hair follicle effector associated with the robotic arm.