Abstract:
A device controls the speed of needle movement in a sewing machine and thus the stitch length based upon the movement of a motion detection device relative to a reference surface. The formation of stitches by the sewing machine is controlled by detected changes in position of the detection device relative to the reference surface in connection with a predetermined stitch length setting and starting speed, set on either the detection device, an adapter or as part of the sewing machine control. The detection device may move together with the article being sewn while the sewing machine and reference surface remain stationary, or the detection device may move with the sewing machine while the article that is being sewn and reference surface remain stationary.
Abstract:
A system and method for assembling a prosthetic heart valve, including a procedure for sewing fabric around a heart valve support stent. The system includes a support stent handling component that works in conjunction with a sewing machine component. The sewing machine has a bobbin, and the system includes a non-contact sensor to monitor the passage of a needle thread loop over the bobbin. The sensor may be a monitoring laser, and a controlling processor receives information therefrom for 100% real-time inspection of each stitch. The occurrence of an unsuccessful stitch may prompt the processor to repeat the stitch at a slower speed. The automation of the fabric sewing procedure greatly enhances manufacturing throughput and reduces ergonomic strain on workers.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a textile vascular prosthesis (1) provided with circulatory pleats in the form of folds (4) and an arch-shaped longitudinal flexion (2) on at least one partial section by asymmetrically shorten ruffling of the prosthesis wall on at least one longitudinal seam (7) extending along the partial section. At least one longitudinal seam gathers the prosthesis wall preserving the accordion-type structure (4) and the compact state of the pleating (4) in the longitudinal direction.
Abstract:
A sewing apparatus performs sewing operation on a work cloth (70) that is movable in all directions along an X-Y plane perpendicular to an axial direction of a hollow needle (81) having an inclined opening that is formed by angular cutting a portion of an end portion of the hollow needle (81) that penetrates the work cloth (70) with respect to the axial direction of the hollow needle (81). In Tatami stitches, first, stitches (202) are formed in a first stitching direction along a line angled between 20 and 160 with respect to a needle tip opening direction. Then, by controlling direction of movement of the work cloth (70) so that stitches (202) in a second stitching direction proceed to an area opposite to the needle tip opening direction, stitches (202) are formed in the second stitching direction opposite to the first stitching direction, following and in parallel with the stitches (202) formed in the first stitching direction.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a sewing device, comprising a holder for the material to be sewn. The outer contour of said holder corresponds to the dimensions of the material to be sewn to be held therein. Said holder can be displaced in relation to a sewing needle by means of a control device and using X-Y-drive motors. According to the invention, an information support (chip 28) is provided on the holder for the material to be sewn (5, 6, 7). This information support has all of the information required for controlling the sewing device, for calculating and sewing the seam according to the contour of the holder for the material to be sewn (5, 6, 7). The inventive sewing device comprises a sensor device (read head 29) that is designed for reading out the information from the information support (chip 28) and supplying it to an input of the control device.
Abstract:
A method for stitching a shoe upper (3) to related sole (4) which comprises introduction of a stitching member (10) inside the upper (3), that is associated to the sole (4) of the shoe (5) to be stitched, in which the stitching member (10) includes a needle (13) guided slidingly at a free end of the stitching member (10) and cooperating with a crochet (7), situated outside the shoe (5), so as to make a stitching. The needle (13) is curved and is moved along a circular path extending from inside toward outside the shoe (5) to be stitched. The circular path has rotation center (C) coinciding with the center of the curve of the needle (13). During stitching step, the upper (3) joined to the related sole (4) of the shoe (5) to be stitched is moved by driving means (20) equipped with a support (55) for the shoe (5), while the position of this stitching member (10) is kept unchanged.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for stitching a label to material, particularly to a quilted mattress panel, in which the material and the label are joined face side down rather than face side up. The label is held face side down with a clamp and a panel is held over the label by a clamp, and the two are joined by a sewing machine. The invention further includes a mechanism for activating the thread knife of the sewing machine at such a time that the bobbin thread only is cut. In a further aspect of the invention, a masking mechanism is provided for masking the electronic signals of the sewing machine that would otherwise cause the machine to reset at a normal needle height, so that a sewing operation can be stopped with a needle at a maximum clearance position. In a further aspect, pneumatic cylinders and linkage are provided for raising the needle and presser foot even further at the end of a stitching operation.
Abstract:
A workpiece is supported by work support means (40; 40'; 40''; 44'; 142, 144) for movement in a first direction by co-operating workpiece clamping and feeding means (46; 142, 144), both said means being supported on a carriage (16) for movement in a second direction normal to the first to move a workpiece relative to a sewing machine head. Both of said means are arranged on both sides of an elongated aperture (42) extending in the second direction in alignment with a needle penetration point (N). Stepping motors (24; 60) are provided for moving the carriage (16) and operating the workpiece clamping and feeding means (46; 142, 144) under programmed control. A camera (70) is also provided aligned with the aperture (42), for detecting the peripheral outline of a workpiece fed therebeneath. Computer means is effective, in response to the detected outline, to identify the workpiece type and its orientation and location on the workpiece support means and accesses an appropriate stitch pattern data file and modifies the data to take account of the workpiece orientation and location. The workpiece is then sewn according to the thus modified data.