A sewing frame unit is provided. The sewing frame unit includes a frame support structure; a frame assembly affixed to the frame support structure; a machine carriage assembly mounted on the frame support structure. The machine carriage assembly provides for lateral and longitudinal movement of the sewing machine. A sensor is mounted on the machine carriage assembly or on the frame assembly for detecting a position of the sewing machine.

A method for realising articles having a predetermined area and aesthetic appearance, which includes using frames (1A, 1B, 1C) to each of which a portion (P1, P2, P3) of material having a prevalent flat extension can be removably hooked, comprising, in order, following steps: hooking a first portion (P1) of the material to a first frame (1A); carrying out, on the first portion (P1) hooked to the first frame, punching (G1) and stitching (G2) operations; carrying out, on the first portion (P1) hooked to the first frame (1A), cutting operations (G3) for defining a corresponding article (A) having predetermined area and aesthetic appearance defined by the combination of the profile of the article and by the mutual arrangement of the punching (G1) and the stitching (G2); releasing the article (A), and relative scrap (Z),from the first frame (1A).

A method for realising articles having a predetermined area and aesthetic appearance, which includes using frames (1A, 1B, 1C) to each of which a portion (P1, P2, P3) of material having a prevalent flat extension can be removably hooked, comprising, in order, following steps: hooking a first portion (P1) of the material to a first frame (1A); carrying out, on the first portion (P1) hooked to the first frame, punching (G1) and stitching (G2) operations; carrying out, on the first portion (P1) hooked to the first frame (1A), cutting operations (G3) for defining a corresponding article (A) having predetermined area and aesthetic appearance defined by the combination of the profile of the article and by the mutual arrangement of the punching (G1) and the stitching (G2); releasing the article (A), and relative scrap (Z),from the first frame (1A).

Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. Multiple pieces of layered materials can be transported on a flat planar surface while maintaining the material layer's position and orientation relative to one another during a sewing procedure of these materials along any arbitrary seam shape. In one example, among others, a system includes a sewing machine including a sewing needle, a material holding assembly and a translation system. The material holding assembly can include mechanical fingers that can contact material on a sewing plane adjacent to the sewing needle and a structural grounding system supporting the mechanical fingers. The translation system can reposition the material on the sewing plane via the mechanical fingers. Clearance around the sewing needle can be provided by repositioning individual mechanical fingers around the sewing needle.

Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. Multiple pieces of layered materials can be transported on a flat planar surface while maintaining the material layer's position and orientation relative to one another during a sewing procedure of these materials along any arbitrary seam shape. In one example, among others, a method includes positioning a second piece of material on a first piece of material located on a sewing plane, positioning a material holding apparatus over the pieces of material to secure position and orientation between the pieces of material, locating the pieces of material with respect to an automated sewing machine by repositioning the material holding apparatus, and sewing the second piece of material to the first piece of material. The methods can eliminate the need of custom-made templates for sewing arbitrarily shaped seams with an automated sewing machine.

Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. Multiple pieces of layered materials can be transported on a flat planar surface while maintaining the material layer's position and orientation relative to one another during a sewing procedure of these materials along any arbitrary seam shape. In one example, among others, a method includes positioning a second piece of material on a first piece of material located on a sewing plane, positioning a material holding apparatus over the pieces of material to secure position and orientation between the pieces of material, locating the pieces of material with respect to an automated sewing machine by repositioning the material holding apparatus, and sewing the second piece of material to the first piece of material. The methods can eliminate the need of custom-made templates for sewing arbitrarily shaped seams with an automated sewing machine.

Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. Multiple pieces of layered materials can be transported on a flat planar surface while maintaining the material layer's position and orientation relative to one another during a sewing procedure of these materials along any arbitrary seam shape. In one example, among others, a method includes positioning a second piece of material on a first piece of material located on a sewing plane, positioning a material holding apparatus over the pieces of material to secure position and orientation between the pieces of material, locating the pieces of material with respect to an automated sewing machine by repositioning the material holding apparatus, and sewing the second piece of material to the first piece of material. The methods can eliminate the need of custom-made templates for sewing arbitrarily shaped seams with an automated sewing machine.

Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. Multiple pieces of layered materials can be transported on a flat planar surface while maintaining the material layer's position and orientation relative to one another during a sewing procedure of these materials along any arbitrary seam shape. In one example, among others, a method includes positioning a second piece of material on a first piece of material located on a sewing plane, positioning a material holding apparatus over the pieces of material to secure position and orientation between the pieces of material, locating the pieces of material with respect to an automated sewing machine by repositioning the material holding apparatus, and sewing the second piece of material to the first piece of material. The methods can eliminate the need of custom-made templates for sewing arbitrarily shaped seams with an automated sewing machine.

An invention is provided for use with sewing machines that either allows for a table to be attached or to use the integral table built into certain manufacturers of sewing machines. The table has provisions to slidably secure guide plates thus allowing for more consistent seam lines when in use. The guide plates have provisions to provide clearance to the presser foot when moved closer together. The table has ruled markings to more precisely set the seams with the use of the guide plates. The guide plates can be used with sewing machines with integral tables by the addition of a pair of support plates secured to the bottom of the table, and a pair of slide plates separated by sleeves. The slide plates may have graded markings as depicted on the table.

An invention is provided for use with sewing machines that either allows for a table to be attached or to use the integral table built into certain manufacturers of sewing machines. The table has provisions to slidably secure guide plates thus allowing for more consistent seam lines when in use. The guide plates have provisions to provide clearance to the presser foot when moved closer together. The table has ruled markings to more precisely set the seams with the use of the guide plates. The guide plates can be used with sewing machines with integral tables by the addition of a pair of support plates secured to the bottom of the table, and a pair of slide plates separated by sleeves. The slide plates may have graded markings as depicted on the table.