A sewing data generating unit acquires embroidery frame information and a mark alignment region displayed on a display unit for guiding multiple marks that define an embroidery region of the embroidery frame. When the marks are all positioned within the mark alignment region displayed on the display unit, the sewing data generating apparatus acquires an image of the embroidery frame and a sewing target mounted on a base cloth mounted on the embroidery frame. The sewing data generating apparatus performs image analysis based on a correspondence between the acquired information with respect to the embroidery frame and the marks in the acquired image, so as to determine the embroidery region of the embroidery frame. The sewing data generating apparatus generates outline data for the sewing target based on the determined embroidery region. This allows an applique to be sewn at an accurate position without a need to prepare dedicated data.

Information with respect to an embroidery frame and information with respect to a mark alignment region are acquired. The mark alignment region is displayed for guiding multiple marks that are provided to an embroidery frame in order to define an embroidery region in the embroidery frame. When the multiple marks thus displayed are all positioned within the mark alignment region, an image of the embroidery region is acquired. Image analysis is performed based on the information with respect to the embroidery frame thus acquired and the information with respect to the multiple corresponding marks within the acquired image. Subsequently, the embroidery region within the embroidery frame is determined based on the analysis result. This allows the embroidery region to be detected with high precision in a simple manner.

Information with respect to an embroidery frame and information with respect to a mark alignment region are acquired. The mark alignment region is displayed for guiding multiple marks that are provided to an embroidery frame in order to define an embroidery region in the embroidery frame. When the multiple marks thus displayed are all positioned within the mark alignment region, an image of the embroidery region is acquired. Image analysis is performed based on the information with respect to the embroidery frame thus acquired and the information with respect to the multiple corresponding marks within the acquired image. Subsequently, the embroidery region within the embroidery frame is determined based on the analysis result. This allows the embroidery region to be detected with high precision in a simple manner.

A presser foot vertical drive device includes an upper shaft configured to vertically drive a needle, a presser foot drive cam fixed to the upper shaft, a presser foot urged downward over a needle plate, a cam follower configured to be vertically driven in contact with the presser foot drive cam, and a link configured to transmit the vertical drive of the cam follower to the presser foot. The presser foot drive cam includes a plurality of drive cams having cam surfaces for different presser foot vertical drive patterns. The cam follower includes a switching unit for selection of one drive cam from the presser foot drive cam.

Systems and methods are provided for stitching together sheets of interwoven carbon nanotubes. One embodiment is a method that includes providing multiple sheets of interwoven carbon nanotubes, arranging the sheets over a substrate such that interstices of the sheets overlap at a stitch region of the substrate and heating catalysts at the substrate above a threshold temperature to trigger growth of new carbon nanotubes. The method also includes adjusting alignment of an electrical field that defines a direction of growth of the new carbon nanotubes, thereby causing the new carbon nanotubes to grow through the interstices and then stitch the sheets together.

Systems and methods are provided for stitching together sheets of interwoven carbon nanotubes. One embodiment is a method that includes providing multiple sheets of interwoven carbon nanotubes, arranging the sheets over a substrate such that interstices of the sheets overlap at a stitch region of the substrate and heating catalysts at the substrate above a threshold temperature to trigger growth of new carbon nanotubes. The method also includes adjusting alignment of an electrical field that defines a direction of growth of the new carbon nanotubes, thereby causing the new carbon nanotubes to grow through the interstices and then stitch the sheets together.

Described is a method for using an embroidery machine or sewing machine to form shapes in, and extract shapes from, a sheet of material. A needle-based machine uses its needle to generate a series of perforations to cut out or assist in the separation of the shapes. Stitching facilitates operation of the machine. Preferably, perforations are made with a computer-controlled machine using instructions generated from or available in an electronic file.

Described is a method for using an embroidery machine or sewing machine to form shapes in, and extract shapes from, a sheet of material. A needle-based machine uses its needle to generate a series of perforations to cut out or assist in the separation of the shapes. Stitching facilitates operation of the machine. Preferably, perforations are made with a computer-controlled machine using instructions generated from or available in an electronic file.

A straight guide rail extending in an X direction is provided in a sewing platform portion for installing in a fixed state a pallet holding an object to be sewn, and first and second sewing machines are provided at left and right sides of the straight guide rail as viewed in the X direction. The first and second sewing machines are both provided with a movement support platform which allow the straight guide rail to reciprocate in the X direction, and the movement support platform is provided with a sewing machine body which is capable of reciprocating in a Y direction. The first and second sewing machines are program controlled in such a manner that any one thereof is capable of moving from one side of the straight guide rail toward the other side beyond a middle section thereof during the sewing operation of the first and second sewing machines.

A straight guide rail extending in an X direction is provided in a sewing platform portion for installing in a fixed state a pallet holding an object to be sewn, and first and second sewing machines are provided at left and right sides of the straight guide rail as viewed in the X direction. The first and second sewing machines are both provided with a movement support platform which allow the straight guide rail to reciprocate in the X direction, and the movement support platform is provided with a sewing machine body which is capable of reciprocating in a Y direction. The first and second sewing machines are program controlled in such a manner that any one thereof is capable of moving from one side of the straight guide rail toward the other side beyond a middle section thereof during the sewing operation of the first and second sewing machines.