The disclosed method may include bending, by an end-shaping tool, a portion of an end of a strap in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to a plane of the strap. The bending may include extending the portion of the end of the strap over a raised area of a first portion of the end-shaping tool and connecting a second portion of the end-shaping tool to the first portion. The connecting may include placing a recessed area of the second portion over the raised area of the first portion. The method may include debossing, by an end-setting tool dimensioned to accommodate the strap as bent by the end-shaping tool, the portion of the end of the strap at the bend. Various other methods, systems, and apparatus are also disclosed.

A machine (1) for spreading fabric on a spreading plane (2) includes a carriage (3) that is movable on the spreading plane, the carriage has an unwinding system (6) for unwinding the fabric; an inclined chute arranged below; a cutting system (11) for cutting the fabric, arranged at a lower end (12) of the chute; and a movement system (35) for moving the unwinding system between a first and a second unwinding operating configuration. In the first configuration, a first end (14) of the unwinding system is vertical to the chute (10) and in the second configuration, the first end (14) is in an advanced position towards the cutting head (13).

A machine (1) for spreading fabric on a spreading plane (2) includes a carriage (3) that is movable on the spreading plane, the carriage has an unwinding system (6) for unwinding the fabric; an inclined chute arranged below; a cutting system (11) for cutting the fabric, arranged at a lower end (12) of the chute; and a movement system (35) for moving the unwinding system between a first and a second unwinding operating configuration. In the first configuration, a first end (14) of the unwinding system is vertical to the chute (10) and in the second configuration, the first end (14) is in an advanced position towards the cutting head (13).

One mode of the invention relates to a producing a device for chopped fiber bundles having a chopper unit including a cutting blade for cutting long fiber bundles, a guide for restricting the travel direction of the fiber bundles to be supplied to the cutting means, and a structure, provided between the chopper unit and the guide, that widens the fiber bundles. The invention also relates to method for producing chopped fiber bundles by widening fiber bundles while restricting the travel direction of the long fiber bundles to be supplied to chopper unit by a guide, and obtaining chopped fiber bundles by cutting the fiber bundles with the chopper unit.

One mode of the invention relates to a producing a device for chopped fiber bundles having a chopper unit including a cutting blade for cutting long fiber bundles, a guide for restricting the travel direction of the fiber bundles to be supplied to the cutting means, and a structure, provided between the chopper unit and the guide, that widens the fiber bundles. The invention also relates to method for producing chopped fiber bundles by widening fiber bundles while restricting the travel direction of the long fiber bundles to be supplied to chopper unit by a guide, and obtaining chopped fiber bundles by cutting the fiber bundles with the chopper unit.

Described is a system for managing and controlling fabrics comprising: a first station for moving a fabric, a second station for moving said fabric operatively connected to said first station, a light source positioned in an intermediate position between said first station and said second station configured for illuminating from the bottom upwards a predetermined portion of said fabric, an optical device for acquiring an image or a video of said predetermined portion of said fabric, a data processing and storage unit connected to said optical device and configured to associate with said image or video of said predetermined portion of said fabric identification information of said fabric.

Disclosed is a cutting apparatus for a roll zebra. The cutting apparatus includes: a main body portion; a mounting portion provided at one side of the main body portion to wind or unwind a fabric; a cutting portion provided at one side of the main body portion to cut the fabric with a required length; and a discharge portion provided at one side of the main body portion to convey the fabric cut by the cutting portion to the outside. The cutting portion includes a longitudinal cutting portion cutting the fabric in a longitudinal direction, and a transverse cutting portion cutting the fabric in a transverse direction.

A method of preparing a cut length of slide fastener chain for operational use includes: providing a system that includes first and second machines; providing a cut length of slide fastener chain; introducing a notch to one end of the cut length of slide fastener chain, using the first machine; orienting a slider body onto a positioning device, using the second machine, so that the slider body is in a fixed position; inserting the notched end of the cut length of slide fastener chain into a mouth of the slider body; and pulling the cut length of slide fastener chain through the slider body by a distance, thereby mounting the slider body to the cut length of slide fastener chain.

A method of preparing a cut length of slide fastener chain for operational use includes: providing a system that includes first and second machines; providing a cut length of slide fastener chain; introducing a notch to one end of the cut length of slide fastener chain, using the first machine; orienting a slider body onto a positioning device, using the second machine, so that the slider body is in a fixed position; inserting the notched end of the cut length of slide fastener chain into a mouth of the slider body; and pulling the cut length of slide fastener chain through the slider body by a distance, thereby mounting the slider body to the cut length of slide fastener chain.

A cutting guide having a seam allowance recess and methods of cutting a piece of material with such cutting guide.