Disclosed are various systems and features for use with a machine, such as a sewing machine, to facilitate augmented-reality features such as projecting assistive visual elements or virtual UI elements into an operational area. Such systems and features may be useful in the context of performing an action along a self-guided path on a substrate.

Devices and related methods for, among other things, maintaining the warp/weft threads of a backing layer of material (e.g., fabric) in a fixed orientation while being sewed are described and provided.

An exemplary embroidery accessory for a sewing machine includes a stationary support attached to the sewing machine and a rotating support rotatably attached to the stationary support. A drive mechanism rotates the rotating support relative to the stationary support and a spool supported by the rotating support receives and dispenses a length of embroidery material. The removable guide is removably attached to the rotating support and includes a sewing guide with a needle opening for receiving a needle of the sewing machine, and at least one guide for guiding the length of embroidery material from the spool to the sewing guide.

An exemplary embroidery accessory for a sewing machine includes a stationary support attached to the sewing machine and a rotating support rotatably attached to the stationary support. A drive mechanism rotates the rotating support relative to the stationary support and a spool supported by the rotating support receives and dispenses a length of embroidery material. The removable guide is removably attached to the rotating support and includes a sewing guide with a needle opening for receiving a needle of the sewing machine, and at least one guide for guiding the length of embroidery material from the spool to the sewing guide.

A linking machine (104) comprising a fixed unit comprising a support frame (108), a mobile unit (200) comprising a device for advancing or transporting (116) the fabric along a longitudinal direction (Y-Y), a device for positioning (120) a needle (110) along a transverse direction (X-X), perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (Y-Y) and coplanar with the fabric, an actuator device (124) of said needle (110) in a vertical direction (Z-Z), perpendicular to said longitudinal (Y-Y) and transverse (X-X) directions, for performing the linking. Advantageously, the linking machine (104) comprises a feed guide (20) for two fabrics to be joined, such as a neck (1,10), provided with a separating cotton (3) and a knitted fabric (6), positioned upstream of said needle (110) in the longitudinal direction (Y-Y). The feed guide (20) comprising a first stop (21) suitable to constitute an abutment and a positioning for said separating cotton (3) of the neck (1,10), said first stop (21) being adjustable in position along said transversal direction (X-X) so as to be able to adjust a distance (a) of the seam line (13) from the inner edge of the neck (5).

A linking machine (104) comprising a fixed unit comprising a support frame (108), a mobile unit (200) comprising a device for advancing or transporting (116) the fabric along a longitudinal direction (Y-Y), a device for positioning (120) a needle (110) along a transverse direction (X-X), perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (Y-Y) and coplanar with the fabric, an actuator device (124) of said needle (110) in a vertical direction (Z-Z), perpendicular to said longitudinal (Y-Y) and transverse (X-X) directions, for performing the linking. Advantageously, the linking machine (104) comprises a feed guide (20) for two fabrics to be joined, such as a neck (1,10), provided with a separating cotton (3) and a knitted fabric (6), positioned upstream of said needle (110) in the longitudinal direction (Y-Y). The feed guide (20) comprising a first stop (21) suitable to constitute an abutment and a positioning for said separating cotton (3) of the neck (1,10), said first stop (21) being adjustable in position along said transversal direction (X-X) so as to be able to adjust a distance (a) of the seam line (13) from the inner edge of the neck (5).

Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. An automated sewing process feed control system is disclosed in which a material aligner is utilized. An omni-chain material aligner can include a circular roller chain in which the rollers allow for a controlling force to be applied to a material. An omni-belt material aligner can include a belt with attached perpendicular rollers which allow feed control and active motorized steering control. The material aligner can control the pressure applied onto the material to facilitate control of feeding the material.

The present disclosure relates to a device for automatically binding two or more printed textile panels along a lateral edge of said panels and/or binding a printed textile panel or panels with a flexible material strip along a lateral edge of said panel or panels, said device comprising a sewing head, a puller for pulling the printed textile panel or panels into the sewing head, and a gripper holding system comprising a plurality of grippers for gripping a portion of a lateral edge of the printed textile panel or panels to maintain alignment as the printed textile panel or panels are pulled into said puller.

The present disclosure relates to a device for automatically binding two or more printed textile panels along a lateral edge of said panels and/or binding a printed textile panel or panels with a flexible material strip along a lateral edge of said panel or panels, said device comprising a sewing head, a puller for pulling the printed textile panel or panels into the sewing head, and a gripper holding system comprising a plurality of grippers for gripping a portion of a lateral edge of the printed textile panel or panels to maintain alignment as the printed textile panel or panels are pulled into said puller.

Disclosed is a guiding apparatus for use with a machine to facilitate performing an action along a self-guided path on a substrate. The guiding apparatus may include a support member configured to be attached to at least a portion of the machine. Further, the guiding apparatus may include one or more of lighting units, optical sensors, controllers, and user interface components, mounted on the support member, configured to identify an object, obtain position of the object on a substrate and perform an action along a self-guided path in association with that object on the substrate.