Assembly methods related to an automated footwear platform including a lacing engine drive apparatus are discussed. In an example, an assembly method can include operations such as inserting a mid-sole plate, attaching a laced upper portion, and inserting a lacing engine. The inserting a mid-sole plate operation can include inserting the mid-sole plate into a mid-sole of the footwear platform. The attaching a laced upper portion operation can include attaching a laced upper portion to the mid-sole and positioning a lace loop in the mid-sole plate. Finally, the inserting a lacing engine operation can include inserting a lacing engine into a cavity in the mid-sole plate, wherein the lacing engine includes a lace spool exposed along a superior surface to receive the lace loop.

Assembly methods related to an automated footwear platform including a lacing engine drive apparatus are discussed. In an example, an assembly method can include operations such as inserting a mid-sole plate, attaching a laced upper portion, and inserting a lacing engine. The inserting a mid-sole plate operation can include inserting the mid-sole plate into a mid-sole of the footwear platform. The attaching a laced upper portion operation can include attaching a laced upper portion to the mid-sole and positioning a lace loop in the mid-sole plate. Finally, the inserting a lacing engine operation can include inserting a lacing engine into a cavity in the mid-sole plate, wherein the lacing engine includes a lace spool exposed along a superior surface to receive the lace loop.

Systems and apparatus related to an automated footwear platform including a button assembly for controlling a footwear lacing apparatus are discussed. In an example, the button assembly can include a bushing and an actuator. The bushing can include an actuator housing surrounded by an outer flange. The actuator housing can include an exterior side and an interior side relative to the footwear platform. The actuator can include a plurality of actuator bodies disposed within the actuator housing. Each actuator body of the plurality of actuator bodies can include a switch interface adapted to interact with a switch on a lacing engine.

The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for a low tension application spooler and or coiler system that positively drives the material into the coil and or reel so that the tension is minimum during the winding process.

An optical fiber winding mechanism feeds an optical fiber from raw material bobbins and winds the optical fiber around a winding bobbin, and includes a first raw material bobbin-side unit to mount the first raw material bobbin thereon, a second raw material bobbin-side unit to mount the second raw material bobbin thereon, a winding bobbin-side unit to mount the winding bobbin thereon, and a controller to control each of the units. The first raw material bobbin-side unit includes a body device, a head capable of rotating with respect to the body device, a rotation assist device capable of engaging with the head, a rotation mechanism capable of rotating the body device around a Z direction, and a slide mechanism capable of moving the rotation mechanism.

A spindle unit includes a swing mechanism fixed to a fixed frame, a support member swingably supported by the swing mechanism, a spindle main body and an electromagnetic brake supported by the support member. The spindle main body rotates integrally with a bobbin around which a yarn is wound. The electromagnetic brake applies a resistance to the rotating spindle main body. The swing mechanism includes a fixed attachment member fixed to the fixed frame, a swing shaft supported by the fixed attachment member, a spring, and a sensor. The spring applies a spring force to the support member in a direction opposite to a direction in which the support member swings by the tension of the yarn. The sensor detects the tilt amount of the support member when the support member swings.

Described are, among other things, methods and devices for providing a learning procedure in a yarn feeding arrangement (12). The learning procedure aims at providing control data to the controller (32) about system components and behavior of system components of the yarn feeding arrangement beforehand, such that the controller has knowledge of the system components before the weaving machine (10) is started to operate at full operational speed.

Described are, among other things, methods and devices for providing a learning procedure in a yarn feeding arrangement (12). The learning procedure aims at providing control data to the controller (32) about system components and behavior of system components of the yarn feeding arrangement beforehand, such that the controller has knowledge of the system components before the weaving machine (10) is started to operate at full operational speed.

A tensioning system for articles of footwear and articles of apparel is disclosed. The tensioning system includes a tensioning member that is tightened or loosened using a motorized tensioning device for winding and unwinding the tensioning member on a spool. The tensioning system may be used with various sensors to determine how the motorized tensioning device should be controlled.

A dynamic tension control system is described herein for driving linear material off a roll in a controlled manner. The dynamic tension control system may include a frame, a shaft for holding a roll of linear material, a motor for driving the shaft, and a dancer tensioning control system for controlling the motor. The dancer tensioning control system may include an actuator assembly through which the linear material passes and a proximity sensor for detecting whether the actuator assembly is proximate to the proximity sensor. When the linear material is pulled from the roll, tension is created in the linear material, which lifts the actuator assembly away from the proximity sensor. The dynamic tension control system may be configured to command, based on detecting that the actuator assembly is not proximate to the proximity sensor, the motor to drive the shaft to unwind linear material from the roll.