MULTIPLE HORIZONTAL NEEDLE QUILTING MACHINE AND METHOD

摘要

A multi-needle quilting machine (10) and method are provided in which needles (132) reciprocate horizontally through material (12) supported in a vertical quilting plane (16). Two or more bridges (21, 22) are provided having separate motion control. Each bridge (21, 22) has a row of selectively operable stitching element pairs (90), which may be fixed to or transversely moveable on the bridges (21, 22). The bridges (21, 22) each move transversely and vertically with the stitching elements (90) on each being operable at different speeds. The bridges (21, 22) are separately mounted on the platforms (41) of elevators (33, 34) to be moved vertically on each end by linear servo motors (35, 36) controlled to keep the bridges (21, 22) level. Each bridge (21, 22) is moved transversely on the platforms (41) by a linear servo motor (45, 46). All of the needle drives (25) and looper drives (26) on a bridge (21, 22) are respectively driven by a common servo motor (67, 69), with the servos (67, 69) on each bridge being synchro-nized to operate the elements of the stitching element pairs (90) in synchronism. The needle drives (25) and looper drives (26) can be selectively activated and deactivated by a clutch (100, 210) or mechanical shift mechanism (101) in response to the controller (19) to change needle combinations required for different patterns. Control schemes are provided to quilt continuous patterns, discrete patterns, linked multiple patterns, 360 degree patterns and other patterns with selective up or down and left or right bridge motion and only selective upward vertical motion of the material web (12). A plurality of small presser feet (158) are provided, each for one or more needles (132). The needle motion curve (810) is not purely sinusoidal, but altered to reduce material distortion, increase fabric penetration speed and insure loop take. Pinch rollers (66) on each bridge (21, 22), synchronized with the web feed rollers (18), maintain tension on the web (12) and prevent web distortion when sewing transversely. Edge handling of the material web may also be provided as the web passes through the quilting station. Looper adjustment, thread cutting and thread tension control are provided, as well as other features set forth in the specification.