A method of preparing a tufting process for tufting a fabric comprises the steps of: a) providing a pattern representation (10) representative of a fabric to be tufted comprising at least one tufting structure region (14), said at least one tufting structure region (14) corresponding to an area of the fabric to be tufted having a plurality of piles, b) in association with at least one tufting structure region (14), providing a tufting structure defined by a plurality of tufting structure parameters, each tufting structure parameter having an effect on the appearance of at least a part of the piles to be tufted in association with this tufting structure region and having no effect on the appearance of piles to be tufted in an area not corresponding to this tufting structure region (14).

A method of preparing a tufting process for tufting a fabric comprises the steps of: a) providing a pattern representation (10) representative of a fabric to be tufted comprising at least one tufting structure region (14), said at least one tufting structure region (14) corresponding to an area of the fabric to be tufted having a plurality of piles, b) in association with at least one tufting structure region (14), providing a tufting structure defined by a plurality of tufting structure parameters, each tufting structure parameter having an effect on the appearance of at least a part of the piles to be tufted in association with this tufting structure region and having no effect on the appearance of piles to be tufted in an area not corresponding to this tufting structure region (14).

A yarn feed system, for control of the feeding of one or more yarns to the needles of a tufting machine, which can be manufactured as a substantially standardized unit or attachment removably mounted to a tufting machine includes a series of yarn feed devices each having a drive motor with a replaceable yarn feed roll drive system mounted thereto. Each yarn feed roll drive system can include a set or series of yarn feed rolls mounted within a housing and having a series of gear teeth formed thereabout, with the gear teeth of the yarn feed rolls engaged in an intermeshing arrangement so that as one of the yarn feed rolls is driven by the drive motor, the other yarn feed rolls likewise are actively driven thereby. Each of the yarn feed rolls further will include a textured roll surface that can provide for enhanced grip and control of the feeding of the yarns which are extended thereabout to the needles of the tufting machine in accordance with a tufted pattern being formed.

A yarn feed system, for control of the feeding of one or more yarns to the needles of a tufting machine, which can be manufactured as a substantially standardized unit or attachment removably mounted to a tufting machine includes a series of yarn feed devices each having a drive motor with a replaceable yarn feed roll drive system mounted thereto. Each yarn feed roll drive system can include a set or series of yarn feed rolls mounted within a housing and having a series of gear teeth formed thereabout, with the gear teeth of the yarn feed rolls engaged in an intermeshing arrangement so that as one of the yarn feed rolls is driven by the drive motor, the other yarn feed rolls likewise are actively driven thereby. Each of the yarn feed rolls further will include a textured roll surface that can provide for enhanced grip and control of the feeding of the yarns which are extended thereabout to the needles of the tufting machine in accordance with a tufted pattern being formed.

A tufting machine interface or simulator is provided with yarn planning software enabling the optimization of winding yarn cones for particular patterns and production runs to minimize waste yarn and labor attendant to rewinds.

A tufting machine interface or simulator is provided with yarn planning software enabling the optimization of winding yarn cones for particular patterns and production runs to minimize waste yarn and labor attendant to rewinds.

The invention relates to a control system for a tufting machine configured for forming tufted carpet. The tufting machine can have a system controller in communication with the tufting machine and with a plurality of yarn feed controllers for controlling operation of yarn feed motors that are configured to supply yarn from a source of yarn to the tufting machine. The system controller is programmable to enable input of a plurality of predetermined yarn feed profiles for selected stitches of a programmed pattern to be tufted such that, although at least two of the predetermined yarn feed profiles can be different, substantially the same feed length of yarn is used from each of the plurality of yarns.

The invention relates to a control system for a tufting machine configured for forming tufted carpet. The tufting machine can have a system controller in communication with the tufting machine and with a plurality of yarn feed controllers for controlling operation of yarn feed motors that are configured to supply yarn from a source of yarn to the tufting machine. The system controller is programmable to enable input of a plurality of predetermined yarn feed profiles for selected stitches of a programmed pattern to be tufted such that, although at least two of the predetermined yarn feed profiles can be different, substantially the same feed length of yarn is used from each of the plurality of yarns.

A method of preparing a tufting process comprises the steps of: a) providing a pattern representation representative of a fabric to be tufted, b) providing at least one group of tufting aspect instruction layers, each group of tufting aspect instruction layers comprising at least one tufting aspect instruction layer, each tufting aspect instruction layer being associated with a tufting aspect instruction, each tufting aspect instruction referring to a tufting aspect, c) assigning at least one tufting aspect instruction to at least one tufting aspect instruction layer.

A method of preparing a tufting process comprises the steps of: a) providing a pattern representation representative of a fabric to be tufted, b) providing at least one group of tufting aspect instruction layers, each group of tufting aspect instruction layers comprising at least one tufting aspect instruction layer, each tufting aspect instruction layer being associated with a tufting aspect instruction, each tufting aspect instruction referring to a tufting aspect, c) assigning at least one tufting aspect instruction to at least one tufting aspect instruction layer.