A tufting machine and method for operating a tufting machine operating a needle selection mechanism based on pattern data by selecting a needle with yarn required for the pattern such that the selected needle is driven by a needle bar through the backing medium, to form a tuft while a needle that is not required for the pattern is not selected by the needle selection mechanism. Yarn is fed via a yarn feed mechanism comprising a plurality of actively driven yarn drives each driving a respective yarn to a respective needle, the yarn drives being at a location between a yarn creel and the needle. The method being characterised by operating the yarn feed mechanism to deliver at least 70% of the yarn required for a tuft as the needle moves from top dead center to bottom dead center.

A shiftable backing feed is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing yarns at a plurality of fixed heights, wherein fabric support apparatus reciprocates in synchronization with the cycles of the needle bar to support the backing during penetration of the backing fabric yet allow backing shifts between stitches.

A shiftable backing feed is utilized with a tufting machine having reciprocating needles and gauge parts for seizing yarns at a plurality of fixed heights, wherein fabric support apparatus reciprocates in synchronization with the cycles of the needle bar to support the backing during penetration of the backing fabric yet allow backing shifts between stitches.

A multi-needle tufting gun for use in robotic tufting includes a support and a plurality of tufting modules mounted to the support, wherein at least one tufting module is movably mounted to the support such that the at least one tufting module is selectively spaced relative to at least another tufting module mounted to the support. Each tufting module comprises a tufting needle. A spacing actuator mounted to the support selectively moves the at least one tufting module relative to another tufting module, wherein the selective relative movement is in at least one axis across a tufting plane of a sheet of backing material to be tufted. In some examples, the tufting module includes self-contained tufting cartridges. There is also disclosed a tufting frame for conveying a backing material through a tufting area.

A multi-needle tufting gun for use in robotic tufting includes a support and a plurality of tufting modules mounted to the support, wherein at least one tufting module is movably mounted to the support such that the at least one tufting module is selectively spaced relative to at least another tufting module mounted to the support. Each tufting module comprises a tufting needle. A spacing actuator mounted to the support selectively moves the at least one tufting module relative to another tufting module, wherein the selective relative movement is in at least one axis across a tufting plane of a sheet of backing material to be tufted. In some examples, the tufting module includes self-contained tufting cartridges. There is also disclosed a tufting frame for conveying a backing material through a tufting area.

A system can comprise a plurality of containers that are coupled together as a movable unit. A plurality of container-feeding assemblies can be configured to simultaneously deliver respective yarns into respective containers of the plurality of containers. A header can be selectively attachable to a tufting machine, the header having a longitudinal axis. A retainer can be configured to extend across the header along the longitudinal axis to secure the respective yarns in respective positions relative to each other along the longitudinal axis.

A yarn monitoring system for textile machine uses sensors to indicate yarn over tensioning and breakage. The sensors are contained within, or adjacent to, eyelets and monitor, sending signals to the controller, the speed of the yarn. The eyelets, each with a sensor, are within a body that also contains a circuit board which is in constant communication with the eyelets and software contained within a controller. The controller, in turn, is in constant communication with the textile machine. The software is preprogrammed by a user with an acceptable signal range for passage of the yarn past the sensors and a predetermined time period for the signal to remain outside the acceptable signal range. To prevent unnecessary shut down of the textile machine, the software averages the signal and, when the averaged signal remains out of the acceptable signal range for the preprogrammed time initiates communication to the textile machine.

A tufted article can have a length along a first axis and width along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The tufted article can comprise a backing and a plurality of tufts extending through the backing. The plurality of tufts can be distributed among a plurality of tuft sequences. Each tuft sequence can comprise at least one tuft of the plurality of tufts. The tufts of each tuft sequence can be formed sequentially by a single needle of a tufting machine. Each tuft sequence of the plurality of tuft sequences can be spaced from other tuft sequences of the plurality of tuft sequences along at least one of the first axis or the second axis. In some aspects, no tuft sequence of the plurality of tuft sequences extends across the entire length or the entire width of the backing.

A tufted article can have a length along a first axis and width along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The tufted article can comprise a backing and a plurality of tufts extending through the backing. The plurality of tufts can be distributed among a plurality of tuft sequences. Each tuft sequence can comprise at least one tuft of the plurality of tufts. The tufts of each tuft sequence can be formed sequentially by a single needle of a tufting machine. Each tuft sequence of the plurality of tuft sequences can be spaced from other tuft sequences of the plurality of tuft sequences along at least one of the first axis or the second axis. In some aspects, no tuft sequence of the plurality of tuft sequences extends across the entire length or the entire width of the backing.

Implementations herein describe an artificial turf having a backing layer and a plurality of rows of individual tufts tufted into the backing layer. Each tuft comprises at least three yarns per tuft and each one of the at least three yarns varies in at least one of material, color, texture, denier and cross-section. Each row of individual tufts is substantially similar to each adjacent tufted row and adjacent tufts on a given row are spaced apart at a predetermined gauge.