CLOTH SPREADING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

Cloth Spreading Method and Apparatus A cloth spreading apparatus for use with an automatic cloth cutting machine. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a movable cutting surface which conveys cloth to a cutting station. The apparatus includes a spreader frame which moves on rollers along track surfaces adjacent the cloth laying surface to deposit cloth on the stationary surface. To provide this movement the spreader includes a direct current motor with an output coupled to the rollers. The motor speed of rotation is monitored by control circuitry including a tachometer. Mounted to the spreader is a cloth feed carriage which includes a cloth feed motor. The relative speed of the drive motor and cloth feed motor are controlled by feedback circuitry coupled to a drive and feed tachometer. The angle of cloth deposition onto the cutting surface is monitored by a feeler gauge. Whenever this angle deviates from an optimum value the speed of the cloth feed motor is automatically adjusted by circuitry coupled to the cloth roll motor. In this way, tension of the cloth is optimized as it is dispensed onto the surface.