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.

An embroidery frame transport device includes a guide portion, a lever, and a locking portion. The guide portion is configured to prescribe a first direction being a movement direction when the embroidery frame is removed and a second direction being a movement direction when the embroidery frame is mounted. The lever is configured to move between a first restriction position that restricts the movement in the first direction of the embroidery frame and a first release position that does not restrict the movement in the first direction of the embroidery frame. The locking portion is configured to move between a second restriction position that restricts the movement in the second direction of the embroidery frame and a second release position that does not restrict the movement in the second direction of the embroidery frame.

An embroidery frame transport device includes a guide portion, a lever, and a locking portion. The guide portion is configured to prescribe a first direction being a movement direction when the embroidery frame is removed and a second direction being a movement direction when the embroidery frame is mounted. The lever is configured to move between a first restriction position that restricts the movement in the first direction of the embroidery frame and a first release position that does not restrict the movement in the first direction of the embroidery frame. The locking portion is configured to move between a second restriction position that restricts the movement in the second direction of the embroidery frame and a second release position that does not restrict the movement in the second direction of the embroidery frame.

Provided is a sewing machine in which a stitching needle and a holding frame holding an article to be sewn are positioned relative to each other based on sewing pattern data defining a plurality of needle drop positions, and sewing is performed in accordance with a sewing pattern. The sewing machine includes: an imager for capturing an image of the holding frame; a position detector for detecting, from the image captured by the imager, the position of an indicator indicating a reference position marked in an object to be imaged; and a corrector which, based on a deviation of a detected position of the indicator detected by the position detector with respect to a regular position defined in advance for the indicator, corrects a plurality of needle drop positions defined in the sewing pattern data.

Provided is a sewing machine in which a stitching needle and a holding frame holding an article to be sewn are positioned relative to each other based on sewing pattern data defining a plurality of needle drop positions, and sewing is performed in accordance with a sewing pattern. The sewing machine includes: an imager for capturing an image of the holding frame; a position detector for detecting, from the image captured by the imager, the position of an indicator indicating a reference position marked in an object to be imaged; and a corrector which, based on a deviation of a detected position of the indicator detected by the position detector with respect to a regular position defined in advance for the indicator, corrects a plurality of needle drop positions defined in the sewing pattern data.

An embroidery frame transport device includes a carriage, an engagement mechanism, and a release member. The carriage is configured to detachably mount with a coupling portion of an embroidery frame. The engagement mechanism is configured to engage with the coupling portion by moving the embroidery frame in a mounting direction in a case where the coupling portion is mounted on the carriage, to restrict the embroidery frame from moving in a removing direction. The removing direction is in a direction opposite of the mounting direction. The engagement mechanism is provided on the carriage. The release member is configured to release engagement between the engagement mechanism and the coupling portion. The release member is provided on the carriage. The release member is configured to press the embroidery frame in the removing direction.

An embroidery frame transport device includes a carriage, an engagement mechanism, and a release member. The carriage is configured to detachably mount with a coupling portion of an embroidery frame. The engagement mechanism is configured to engage with the coupling portion by moving the embroidery frame in a mounting direction in a case where the coupling portion is mounted on the carriage, to restrict the embroidery frame from moving in a removing direction. The removing direction is in a direction opposite of the mounting direction. The engagement mechanism is provided on the carriage. The release member is configured to release engagement between the engagement mechanism and the coupling portion. The release member is provided on the carriage. The release member is configured to press the embroidery frame in the removing direction.

A method for automatic calibration of a needle position relative to a coordinate system of a sewing machine includes: controlling a X-Y table to move a pallet to bring a sheet under a needle, lowering the needle to penetrate the sheet to form a needle hole and raising the needle, controlling the X-Y table to move the pallet to bring a reference mark and the test hole into an FOV of an image capturing device, obtaining an image of the pallet which contains the reference mark and the needle hole, determining an amount of separation of the needle hole from the reference mark in the image, and calibrating the needle position relative to the coordination system based on the amount of separation thus determined and a reference distance.

A method for automatic calibration of a needle position relative to a coordinate system of a sewing machine includes: controlling a X-Y table to move a pallet to bring a sheet under a needle, lowering the needle to penetrate the sheet to form a needle hole and raising the needle, controlling the X-Y table to move the pallet to bring a reference mark and the test hole into an FOV of an image capturing device, obtaining an image of the pallet which contains the reference mark and the needle hole, determining an amount of separation of the needle hole from the reference mark in the image, and calibrating the needle position relative to the coordination system based on the amount of separation thus determined and a reference distance.

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.