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.

An embroidery frame includes a mounting portion, a first frame with a magnet, and a second frame with a main body portion and a guide portion. The mounting portion is configured to be removably mounted on a sewing machine. The main body portion includes a clamping surface. The guide portion is configured by a non-magnetic material, is provided on the clamping surface, includes an inclined surface, protrudes further than the clamping surface in a first direction intersecting the clamping surface, and guides the first frame to the clamping surface. The inclined surface is inclined in a direction opposite to the first direction the further the inclined surface extends in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and is from an outer side toward an inner side of the second frame. The second frame can clamp easily a sewing object, with the first frame, using magnetic force.

An embroidery frame includes a mounting portion, a first frame with a magnet, and a second frame with a main body portion and a guide portion. The mounting portion is configured to be removably mounted on a sewing machine. The main body portion includes a clamping surface. The guide portion is configured by a non-magnetic material, is provided on the clamping surface, includes an inclined surface, protrudes further than the clamping surface in a first direction intersecting the clamping surface, and guides the first frame to the clamping surface. The inclined surface is inclined in a direction opposite to the first direction the further the inclined surface extends in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and is from an outer side toward an inner side of the second frame. The second frame can clamp easily a sewing object, with the first frame, using magnetic force.

An embroidery frame driving device includes: a base plate firmly fixed to an X-Y driving unit of the embroidery frame driving device; a fixation arm provided on the base plate; an attachment/detachment cam; a removing link; a coupling link; and an embroidery frame. The embroidery frame is slid against the base plate to rotate the attachment/detachment cam and the fixation arm through pressing of a pressing part of a fixation part to press and fix one end of the fixation arm to a fixation groove of the fixation part in attachment of the embroidery frame. The removing link is operated to rotate the coupling link and the attachment/detachment cam to rotate the fixation arm and release pressing and fixation of the fixation groove of the fixation part by the one end of the fixation arm in detachment of the embroidery frame.

An embroidery frame driving device includes: a base plate firmly fixed to an X-Y driving unit of the embroidery frame driving device; a fixation arm provided on the base plate; an attachment/detachment cam; a removing link; a coupling link; and an embroidery frame. The embroidery frame is slid against the base plate to rotate the attachment/detachment cam and the fixation arm through pressing of a pressing part of a fixation part to press and fix one end of the fixation arm to a fixation groove of the fixation part in attachment of the embroidery frame. The removing link is operated to rotate the coupling link and the attachment/detachment cam to rotate the fixation arm and release pressing and fixation of the fixation groove of the fixation part by the one end of the fixation arm in detachment of the embroidery frame.

A positioning member for positioning a semifinished product on at least one positioning means in a processing plant for processing the semifinished product. The positioning member may be connected to the semifinished product and may be equipped with at least one arranging element for contacting the positioning means. A semifinished fiber product includes at least one component area forming a component as well as at least one overlapping area for arranging a positioning member. A method for preparing a semifinished product that is arrangeable at least in a processing plant for processing a semifinished product.

A positioning member for positioning a semifinished product on at least one positioning means in a processing plant for processing the semifinished product. The positioning member may be connected to the semifinished product and may be equipped with at least one arranging element for contacting the positioning means. A semifinished fiber product includes at least one component area forming a component as well as at least one overlapping area for arranging a positioning member. A method for preparing a semifinished product that is arrangeable at least in a processing plant for processing a semifinished product.

An embroidery frame includes a pair of a first frame and a second frame configured to clamp a sewing object and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a support member configured to rotatably support the second frame such that a posture of the second frame with respect to the first frame to clamp the sewing object is switchable to a first posture and a second posture. The first posture is a posture in which a first surface of the second frame faces the first frame. The second posture is a posture in which a second surface of the second frame faces the first frame. The second surface is on the opposite side to the first surface. The lock mechanism is configured to press the second frame in at least the first posture toward a first frame side with respect to the second frame.

An embroidery frame includes a pair of a first frame and a second frame configured to clamp a sewing object and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a support member configured to rotatably support the second frame such that a posture of the second frame with respect to the first frame to clamp the sewing object is switchable to a first posture and a second posture. The first posture is a posture in which a first surface of the second frame faces the first frame. The second posture is a posture in which a second surface of the second frame faces the first frame. The second surface is on the opposite side to the first surface. The lock mechanism is configured to press the second frame in at least the first posture toward a first frame side with respect to the second frame.

The sewing machine includes an imaging unit, a conveyor portion, a processor, and a memory. The imaging unit has an image capture range, and is configured to capture an image of a holder member. The conveyor portion is configured to convey the holder member relative to the imaging unit in a first and a second direction. The processor performs processes. The processes include causing the imaging unit to capture the image of the holder member that has entered the image capture range. The processes include acquiring first image data that is data of a first image representing the image of the holder member. The processes include identifying a predetermined marker from the first image of the acquired first image data. The processes include determining whether an inclination angle of the holder member exceeds a predetermined value on the basis of a variable acquired on the basis of the identified marker.