A variable stroke drive system for a tufting machine includes a series of drive assemblies mounted along the frame of the tufting machine. Primary drive shafts extend through the drive assemblies and are each driven by a drive motor. A series of first drive members are mounted to the primary drive shafts and are linked to associated second drive members such that the driving of the first drive members by the primary drive shafts in turn drives the second drive members. Cam arms are connected to the second drive members and to rocker arms to which push rods are mounted, the cam arms being vertically reciprocated by the rotational movement of the second drive members so as to drive the reciprocation of the push rods, and thus the needle bar(s) connected thereto along a desired stroke or reciprocating path of travel. Controlling the rate at which the primary drive shafts are driven enables control of the stroke of the needle bar(s).

A variable stroke drive system for a tufting machine includes a series of drive assemblies mounted along the frame of the tufting machine. Primary drive shafts extend through the drive assemblies and are each driven by a drive motor. A series of first drive members are mounted to the primary drive shafts and are linked to associated second drive members such that the driving of the first drive members by the primary drive shafts in turn drives the second drive members. Cam arms are connected to the second drive members and to rocker arms to which push rods are mounted, the cam arms being vertically reciprocated by the rotational movement of the second drive members so as to drive the reciprocation of the push rods, and thus the needle bar(s) connected thereto along a desired stroke or reciprocating path of travel. Controlling the rate at which the primary drive shafts are driven enables control of the stroke of the needle bar(s).

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.

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.

Provided is a method for preparing sewing guide patterns suitable for constructing groups of patchwork components used in quilting. A rectangular sewing guide outer perimeter exactly includes either two or four congruent instances of rectangular, right-angle triangle or isosceles triangle patchwork components. A nested series of additional sewing guide elements are placed inside the rectangle where the points of each element are placed at the midpoints of the sides of the previous element. The number of elements is selected in consideration of aesthetic objectives. Final sewing guide patterns are prepared by adding a space equal to two times a seam allowance between each of the shared sides of the contiguous instances of the patchwork components in the rectangle and added elements. The pattern is suitable for assembling a plurality of patchwork components by methods known in the art as foundation piecing. The components are released by cutting between the added spaces.

Provided is a method for preparing sewing guide patterns suitable for constructing groups of patchwork components used in quilting. A rectangular sewing guide outer perimeter exactly includes either two or four congruent instances of rectangular, right-angle triangle or isosceles triangle patchwork components. A nested series of additional sewing guide elements are placed inside the rectangle where the points of each element are placed at the midpoints of the sides of the previous element. The number of elements is selected in consideration of aesthetic objectives. Final sewing guide patterns are prepared by adding a space equal to two times a seam allowance between each of the shared sides of the contiguous instances of the patchwork components in the rectangle and added elements. The pattern is suitable for assembling a plurality of patchwork components by methods known in the art as foundation piecing. The components are released by cutting between the added spaces.

A sewing device includes a power source, an input shaft to which a driving force from the power source is transmitted, an output shaft that outputs the driving force transmitted to the input shaft, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force from the input shaft to the output shaft, in which the transmission mechanism includes a first gear that is provided in the output shaft and rotates integrally with the output shaft, a second gear that meshes with the first gear, an intermediate shaft that rotates integrally with the second gear, and a timing belt stretched between the input shaft and the intermediate shaft, in which the second gear is disposed to be movable in a circumferential direction of the first gear. As a result, loosening of the timing belt can be adjusted in a compact configuration.

A sewing device includes a power source, an input shaft to which a driving force from the power source is transmitted, an output shaft that outputs the driving force transmitted to the input shaft, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force from the input shaft to the output shaft, in which the transmission mechanism includes a first gear that is provided in the output shaft and rotates integrally with the output shaft, a second gear that meshes with the first gear, an intermediate shaft that rotates integrally with the second gear, and a timing belt stretched between the input shaft and the intermediate shaft, in which the second gear is disposed to be movable in a circumferential direction of the first gear. As a result, loosening of the timing belt can be adjusted in a compact configuration.

A heat dissipation apparatus for a sewing machine including a forepart and a motor shaft horizontally projecting out of the forepart includes a sleeve releasably secured to the motor shaft and including a first fan mounted thereon; a stator seat including an axial channel with the sleeve rotatably disposed through, and a plurality of first air inlets; and a guide member fastened between the stator seat and the forepart and including a disc-shaped opening with the first fan rotatably disposed therein. In response to activating the first fan, air is drawn through the first air inlets and a gap between the stator seat and the guide member prior to exiting the forepart.

A sewing machine includes at least one needle bar, a threading motor, a threading mechanism, a processor, and a memory. The threading mechanism is configured to pass an upper thread through an eye of a sewing needle. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include making one of a setting that prohibits operation of the threading mechanism and a setting that does not prohibit the operation of the threading mechanism. The processes include switching the operation of the threading mechanism by prohibiting the operation of the threading mechanism in a case where the setting that prohibits the operation of the threading mechanism is made, and permitting the operation of the threading mechanism in a case where the setting that does not prohibit the operation of the threading mechanism is made.