System and method for forming a fabric having a synchronized woven design and printed design

摘要

A weaving system is disclosed which is designed to automatically maintain a printed pattern (14) in alignment with a woven pattern (16) as a fabric (10) is being formed. The printed pattern (14) is printed onto the warp yarns (18). A controller (32) is used to monitor the position of the printed pattern (14) during the weaving process relative to the position of a woven pattern (16) that is being formed into the fabric. Should the printed pattern (14) and woven pattern (16) fall out of alignment, the controller then alters the longitudinal size of the woven pattern (16), the printed pattern (14), or both patterns (16,14), in order to realign the patterns.