Patent ID: 6295481
Filing Date: 2001-09-25
Classification: D05B,G05B

Abstract:
A control system for automated sewing equipment of type having a sewing machine positioned along a sewing path along which a work piece is manipulated and sewn, and having a sewing needle, at least one detector for monitoring the work piece, and a drive system for moving the work piece about the sewing path, said control system comprising:a system controller;a serial bus system in communication with said system controller; and including:a bus cable having a series of connectors therealong;a program module having programmed instructions for operation of the sewing system;at least one input module connected to said bus cable and to said at least one detector for communicating information from said detector to said system controller; andat least one output module connected to said bus cable and to said sewing machine and drive system for communicating control instructions from said control module to said sewing machine and said drive system;wherein each of said modules includes a connector adapted to releasibly engage a connector of said bus cable to enable ease of replacement of said modules.