Method and apparatus for sewing fabric panels

摘要

A method and apparatus for sewing flange material to a fabric panel, preferably the top or bottom panel of a mattress sack. The apparatus includes a sled which pulls the fabric panel to and through the sewing machine. The apparatus also includes an edge guide that guides one edge of the panel to the sewing machine as well as provides a thickness measurement of the panel and smooths the fabric panel prior to sewing. The apparatus also includes a moveable dolly which carries the sewing machine find the flange material, and a wheel which engages the fabric panel during movement of the sewing machine away from the fabric panel to prevent movement of the fabric panel. The apparatus also includes apparatus for automatically removing the fabric panel from the table after completion of the sewing operation, as well as a cutter for cutting the trailing flange material and the sewing threads. The method of this invention includes the steps of sewing each edge sequentially, rotating the parcel around the corners while cutting and sewing the corners, and measuring the thickness of the panel to space the rotating arm from the table a specified distance less than the thickness of the panel. The method also includes the steps of adjusting the speed of rotation of the edge flattened to produce a flattened corner without wrinkles or ridges.