AUTOMATIC ALIGNMENT OF MATERIAL AND POSITIONING AT THE STITCH FORMING LOCATION

摘要

A device for aligning the margin and leading edges of plies of material to be sewed and locating the aligned edges at the stitch forming location of a sewing machine. A first sensor for detecting the presence of the work piece and actuating a power driven gripper wheel in response to sensing the work piece. The power driven gripper wheel moves the work piece toward a second sensor that detects the work piece's margin edge and stops the power driven gripper wheel and actuates a power driven feeding wheel that feeds the work piece toward the stitch forming location. A third sensor detects the leading edge of the work piece as it approaches the stitch forming location. Control mechanisms are provided for commencing the sewing operation when the work material is at the stitch forming location.