Patent Abstract:
A sewing machine may comprise a needle bar driving mechanism, a cutting needle rotation mechanism, and an embroidery frame movement mechanism configured to move an embroidery frame comprising a protruding portion. A cam member may be fixed to the needle bar and comprise a plurality of cams. A processor of the sewing machine may set a height of the needle bar to a specific position from a plurality of positions. Each of the plurality of positions may represent that each of the plurality of cams is able to contact with the protruding portion. The processor may instruct the needle bar driving mechanism to move the needle bar to the specific position and instruct the embroidery frame movement mechanism to move the embroidery frame to a position where the protruding portion is able to contact with one of the plurality of cams.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-069182, filed on Mar. 28, 2013, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a sewing machine. 
         [0003]    A sewing machine is known that causes a cutting needle attached to a needle bar to automatically rotate. The sewing machine includes a rotation mechanism, which is provided on the cutting needle attached to the needle bar, and a presser bar. The presser bar includes a concave portion that is indented toward an axial line of the presser bar. The rotation mechanism includes a plurality of convex portions that are arranged at equal intervals along the direction of rotation of the cutting needle and that protrude in a direction in which they become separated from the cutting needle. The cutting needle and the plurality of convex portions rotate integrally. The rotation mechanism includes a rotation locking member that locks the rotation of the cutting needle. The rotation locking member locks one of the plurality of convex portions in a position in which it can engage with the concave portion. 
         [0004]    When the sewing machine causes the cutting needle to rotate, the needle bar is lowered in a position in which one of the plurality of convex portions is in a position in which it can engage with the concave portion. After that, the sewing machine moves the needle bar in the horizontal direction. The convex portion that engages with the concave portion rotates around the axial line of the needle bar along with the movement of the needle bar. By this rotation, the sewing machine can automatically cause the cutting needle to rotate. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    However, with the above-described sewing machine, in an operation to cut a work cloth using the cutting needle by moving the needle bar up and down, it is necessary that the convex portion does not come into contact with the concave portion and a specific gap is provided between the convex portion and the concave portion. As a result, there is a possibility that the cutting needle may not rotate smoothly even if the needle bar is moved in the horizontal direction, due to variations in the dimensions of the above-described members and variations arising in the assembly of each of the members. 
         [0006]    Various embodiments of the general principles described herein provide a sewing machine that each enable rotating a cutting needle stably and automatically. 
         [0007]    Various embodiments herein provide a sewing machine that includes a needle bar driving mechanism, an embroidery frame movement mechanism, a cutting needle rotation mechanism, a processor, and a memory. The needle bar driving mechanism is configured to move a needle bar in a first direction. The embroidery frame movement mechanism is configured to receive an embroidery frame, and is configured to move the embroidery frame along a second direction crossing the first direction. The embroidery frame comprises a protruding portion that protrudes outward from the embroidery frame. The cutting needle rotation mechanism comprises a cutting needle, a cam member, and a support mechanism. The cam member has a fixed cutting needle and comprises a plurality of cams arranged along the first direction and rotatable around the first direction. Each of the plurality of cams comprises a surface portion. The surface portion comprises a width along the first direction and is arranged in different positions along the first direction. The support mechanism is configured to support the cam member on the needle bar rotatably. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that cause the sewing machine to set a height of the needle bar to a specific position from a plurality of positions, each of the plurality of positions representing that each of the plurality of cams is able to contact with the protruding portion, instruct the needle bar driving mechanism to move the needle bar to the specific position, and instruct the embroidery frame movement mechanism to move the embroidery frame along the second direction to a predetermined position where the protruding portion is able to contact with one of the plurality of cams. 
         [0008]    Embodiments also provide a sewing machine that includes a needle bar driving mechanism, an embroidery frame movement mechanism, a cutting needle rotation mechanism, a processor, and a memory. The needle bar driving mechanism is configured to move a needle bar in a first direction. The embroidery frame movement mechanism is configured to receive an embroidery frame and is configured to move the embroidery frame along a second direction and a third direction crossing the first direction. The embroidery frame comprises a plurality of protruding portions. Each of the plurality of the protruding portions is disposed on the embroidery frame along the third direction. Each of the plurality of the protruding portions protrudes outward from the embroidery frame. The cutting needle rotation mechanism comprises a cutting needle, a cam member, and a support mechanism. The cam member has a fixed cutting needle and comprises a plurality of cams arranged along the first direction and rotatable around the first direction. Each of the plurality of cams comprises a surface portion that comprises a width along the first direction and arranged in different positions along the first direction. The support mechanism is configured to support the cam member on the needle bar rotatably. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instruction that causes the sewing machine to instruct the embroidery frame movement mechanism to move the embroidery frame along the second direction and the third direction to a specific position where one of the plurality of protruding portions is able to contact with one of the plurality of cams. 
         [0009]    Embodiments also provide a sewing machine that a needle bar driving mechanism, a cutting needle rotation mechanism, an embroidery frame movement mechanism, a processor, and a memory. The needle bar driving mechanism is configured to move a needle bar in a first direction. The cutting needle rotation mechanism comprises a cutting needle, a base member, and a support member. The base member comprises a protruding member that protrudes along a particular direction to be separated from the needle bar. The support member is configured to support the base member on the needle bar rotatably. The embroidery frame movement mechanism is configured to receive an embroidery frame and is configured to move the embroidery frame along a second direction crossing the first direction. The embroidery frame comprises a plurality of guide portions. Each of the plurality of guide portions is configured to engage with the protruding member. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that cause the sewing machine to set a specific position of the embroidery frame to a predetermined position from a plurality of positions, each of the plurality of positions representing that each of the plurality of guide portions is able to engage with the protruding member, instruct the embroidery frame movement mechanism to move the embroidery frame to the specific position, and instruct the needle bar driving mechanism to move the needle bar in the first direction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an example of a perspective view of a sewing machine  1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an example of an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a cutting needle rotation mechanism  50 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an example of an enlarged right side view of the vicinity of the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an example of a perspective view of the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an example of an exploded perspective view of the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an example of a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the sewing machine  1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is an example of a data configuration diagram of outwork pattern data  100 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an example of a data configuration diagram of cam number data  210 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is an example of a data configuration diagram of drive shaft stop angle data  220 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an example of a data configuration diagram of rotation difference amount data  230 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is an example of a flowchart of cutwork execution processing; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an example of a flowchart of first cutting needle rotation processing; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is an example of a perspective view of a contact portion  322  causing a cam  512  to rotate; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is an example of a perspective view showing a modified example of an embroidery frame  9 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is an example of a perspective view of a sewing machine  2 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is an example of a perspective view of a cutting needle rotation mechanism  60 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 17  is an example of a plan view of a support portion  700 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 18  is an example of a perspective view of a guide portion  712 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 19  is an example of a data configuration diagram of guide portion number data  300 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 20  is an example of a flowchart of second cutting needle rotation processing; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 21  is an example of a perspective view of a case in which a protruding portion  621  is guided by the guide portion  712 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Hereinafter, a sewing machine  1  according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to the drawings. The sewing machine  1  performs sewing or cut work on a work cloth (not shown in the drawings). The cut work is an operation to form a pattern on the work cloth by cutting out specific areas of the work cloth. 
         [0033]    The configuration of the sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 . The lower right side, the upper left side, the lower left side, the upper right side, the upper side and the lower side in  FIG. 1  correspond, respectively, to the front side, the rear side, the left side, the right side, the upper side and the lower side of the sewing machine  1 . Further, the left-right direction of the sewing machine  1  is an X direction and the front-rear direction of the sewing machine  1  is a Y direction. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the sewing machine  1  is provided with a bed portion  7 , a pillar  12 , an arm portion  13  and a head portion  14 . The bed portion  7  is a base of the sewing machine  1  and extends in the left-right direction. An embroidery frame movement mechanism  30 , which will be described later, can be detachably mounted on the bed portion  7 . The pillar  12  is provided extending upward from the right end portion of the bed portion  7 . The arm portion  13  extends to the left from the top end portion of the pillar  12 . The head portion  14  is provided on the leading left end of the arm portion  13 . A needle plate  5  is disposed on the top surface of the bed portion  7 . A feed dog (not shown in the drawings), a movement mechanism  85  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), a movement motor  80  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) and a shuttle mechanism (not shown in the drawings) are provided inside the bed portion  7  below the needle plate  5 . The feed dog moves the work cloth that is placed on the top of the bed portion  7  by a predetermined amount. The movement mechanism  85  drives the feed dog. The movement motor  80  is a pulse motor that drives the movement mechanism  85 . The shuttle mechanism is a mechanism that is structured to form stitches in a sewing workpiece, by moving in concert with a sewing needle, when the sewing needle (not shown in the drawings) is attached to the lower end of the needle bar  6  (which will be described later). 
         [0035]    A vertically long rectangular liquid crystal display  15  is provided on the front surface of the pillar  12 . The liquid crystal display  15  displays images of various items, such as a plurality of types of sewing patterns or cutwork patterns, names of commands to execute various functions, and various messages etc. A transparent touch panel  26  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) is provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display  15 . A user can select or input a desired sewing pattern, a desired cutwork patter or a command to be executed by touching a portion on the touch panel  26  that corresponds to an item displayed on the liquid crystal display  15 , using a finger or a dedicated touch pen. 
         [0036]    The structure of the arm portion  13  will be explained. Operation switches  35 , which include a sewing start switch etc., are provided on the lower portion of the front surface of the arm portion  13 . An opening/closing cover  16  is provided on the upper portion of the arm portion  13 .  FIG. 1  shows a state in which the opening/closing cover  16  is closed. The opening/closing cover  16  is axially supported by a rotating shaft (not shown in the drawings) that extends in the left-right direction. The rotating shaft is provided on the upper rear end portion of the arm portion  13 . A thread storage portion (not shown in the drawings) housing a thread spool (not shown in the drawings) that supplies an upper thread (not shown in the drawings) is provided underneath the opening/closing cover  16 , that is, inside the arm portion  13 . The upper thread that extends from the thread spool is supplied to a sewing needle that is not shown in the drawings, via a threading portion that includes a tensioner, a thread take-up spring and a thread take-up lever etc (that are not shown in the drawings). The tensioner is provided on the head portion  14  and adjusts the thread tension. The thread take-up lever is driven to move reciprocatingly in the up-down direction and pulls up the upper thread. A sewing needle (not shown in the drawings) or a cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  can be selectively attached to the lower end of the needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) that is provided on the lower portion of the head portion  14 . The sewing needle is attached when the sewing machine  1  performs the sewing operation, and the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  is attached when the sewing machine  1  performs outwork. The needle bar  6  is driven to move in the up-down direction by a needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism  84  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) that is provided inside the head portion  14 . The needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism  84  is driven by a drive shaft  72  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) that is rotated by a sewing machine motor  79  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). When the drive shaft  72  makes one rotation, the needle bar  6  moves reciprocatingly once in the up-down direction. In other words, the rotation angle of the drive shaft  72  and the position (height) of the needle bar  6  in the up-down direction correspond to each other, and the position of the needle bar  6  in the up-down direction can be determined by detecting the rotation angle of the drive shaft  72 . Further, due to a needle bar swinging mechanism  86  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) that is provided inside the head portion  14 , the needle bar  6  can swing in a direction that is orthogonal to a direction (the front-rear direction) in which the work cloth is fed by the feed dog (not shown in the drawings). The needle bar swinging mechanism  86  is driven by a swinging motor  81  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  is detachably attached to the lower end of the needle bar  6 . The cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  rotatably supports a cutting needle  8  that extends in the up-down direction. When the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  is attached to the needle bar  6 , the needle bar  6  moves to a position that is highest in a movement range of the needle bar  6  in the up-down direction (hereinafter also referred to as a top needle position). When the cutting needle  8  is used to perform cutwork, a blade portion  89  of the cutting needle  8  is moved from the top side to the bottom side of the work cloth (not shown in the drawings) and forms a specific cut in the work cloth that depends on the orientation of the blade portion  89 . The cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  will be explained in more detail later. 
         [0038]    A presser bar  17  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) is provided to the rear of the needle bar  6 . A presser mechanism  90  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) that is provided inside the head portion  14  is driven by a presser motor  99  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), and the presser bar  17  is thus moved up and down. A presser holder  18  is attached to the lower end of the presser bar  17 . A presser foot  19 , which presses the work cloth, is detachably mounted on the presser holder  18 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the embroidery frame movement mechanism  30  includes a main body case  21  that has a flat top surface and a movable case  48  that is disposed on the top side of the main body case  21 . A slit  101  that extends in the left-right direction is provided in a central portion, in the front-rear direction, of the top surface of the main body case  21 . A slit  102  that extends in the left-right direction is provided in the top portion of the front surface of the main body case  21 . 
         [0040]    The movable case  48  has a cuboid shape that is longer in the front-rear direction. The movable case  48  is provided internally with a frame holder (not shown in the drawings), a Y axis movement mechanism  93  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) and a Y axis motor  83  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). A part of the frame holder is exposed from the movable case  48  and an embroidery frame  9  can be detachably mounted on the frame holder. The embroidery frame  9  holds the work cloth. The work cloth held by the embroidery frame  9  is placed on the top of the bed portion  7  and below the needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) and the presser foot  19  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). The embroidery frame  9  will be explained in more detail later. The Y axis movement mechanism  93  is a mechanism that moves the frame holder in the front-rear direction (the Y direction). The embroidery frame  9  that holds the work cloth moves in the front-rear direction by the frame holder being moved in the front-rear direction. The Y axis motor  83  drives the Y axis movement mechanism  93 . 
         [0041]    The main body case  21  is provided internally with an X axis movement mechanism  92  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) and an X axis motor  82  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). The X axis movement mechanism  92  moves the movable case  48  in the left-right direction (the X direction). A support portion (not shown in the drawings) that supports the movable case  48  passes through each of the slits  101  and  102  and is coupled to the X axis movement mechanism  92 . The embroidery frame  9  that holds the work cloth moves in the left-right direction by the movable case  48  being moved in the left-right direction. The X axis motor  82  drives the X axis movement mechanism  92 . 
         [0042]    The structure of the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  includes a support mechanism  40 , a cam member  51  and the cutting needle  8 . The support mechanism  40  is attached to the lower end of the needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The support mechanism  40  supports the cam member  51  such that the cam member  51  can rotate around the axial line of the needle bar  6 . Further, the upper end of the cutting needle  8  is fixed to the lower end of the cam member  51 . The axial line of the cutting needle  8  is aligned with the axial line of the needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the support mechanism  40  includes a support member  41 , a rotation member  43  and a plate spring  44 . The support member  41  is formed of a synthetic resin material and is a substantially cylindrical shape that extends in the up-down direction. The axial line of the support member  41  is aligned with the axial line of the cutting needle  8 . The support member  41  includes a first support portion  411  and a second support portion  412 . The second support portion  412  extends downward from the lower end of the first support portion  411 . The outer diameter of the second support portion  412  is smaller than the outer diameter of the first support portion  411 . The first support portion  411  has a spindle  413 , engagement receiving portions  414  and a groove portion  415 . The spindle  413  is a shaft that extends upward from a central portion of the upper end surface of the first support portion  411 . The spindle  413  is a metal shaft and is fixed to the first support portion  411  such that the spindle  413  cannot rotate. The axial line of the spindle  413  is aligned with the axial line of the support member  41 . The upper end of the spindle  413  is attached to the needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). A flat surface portion  417  is formed on the spindle  413  and the spindle  413  is attached to the needle bar  6  such that the flat surface portion  417  is parallel to a specific direction (the left-right direction in  FIG. 5 ). With the above-described structure, the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  is attached to the needle bar  6  with a specific orientation. The engagement receiving portions  414  are circular holes that are provided in an outer peripheral portion of the first support portion  411 . The eight engagement receiving portions  414  are arranged every 45 degrees in a plan view, in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral portion. The groove portion  415  is formed along the outer peripheral portion of the first support portion  411  and is a groove portion that joins the mutually adjacent engagement receiving portions  414 . The second support portion  412  has a concave portion  416 . The concave portion  416  is formed on the top end of the second support portion  412 , in the circumferential direction of an outer peripheral portion. 
         [0044]    The rotation member  43  is made of a synthetic resin and is a substantially cylindrical shape that extends in the up-down direction. The axial line of the rotation member  43  is aligned with the axial line of the support member  41 . An insertion hole  433  is formed in the upper end of the rotation member  43 . The insertion hole  433  is a hole that is substantially circular in a plan view and that extends downward from the top end surface of the rotation member  43 . The inner diameter of the insertion hole  433  is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second support portion  412 . The second support portion  412  is inserted into the insertion hole  433 . The insertion hole  433  is surrounded by an outer peripheral portion  435  of the rotation member  43 . Four cut-out portions, which are cut out from the top toward the bottom, are arranged on the top end of the outer peripheral portion  435 , each of the cut-out portions being arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral portion  435 . The top end of the outer peripheral portion  435  is divided up by the four cut-out portions and each of the divided portions has a convex portion  432  that protrudes toward the inner side. The top end of the outer peripheral portion  435  can be elastically deformed in the radial direction. Each of the convex portions  432  fits with the concave portion  416 . The inner dimension of each of the four convex portions  432  is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the lower end of the second support portion  412 , and slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral portion of the portion of the second support portion  412  on which the concave portion  416  is formed. Here, when the rotation member  43  is assembled on the support member  41 , the second support portion  412  is inserted into the insertion hole  433 . At the time of insertion, the top end of the outer peripheral portion  435  deforms elastically and spreads to the outer side, and the convex portions  432  pass the lower portion of the second support portion  412 . After that, when a position is reached in which each of the convex portions  432  fits with the concave portion  416 , the divided portions of the top end of the outer peripheral portion  435  that were elastically deformed each return to their original shape. As described above, the movement of the rotation member  43  in the up-down direction is locked by the so-called snap fit of the convex portions  432  in the concave portion  416 , and the rotation member  43  is then able to rotate around the axial line. With the above-described structure, the rotation member  43  is rotatably supported by the support member  41 . 
         [0045]    The plate spring  44  is a thin plate-shaped elastic member having a rectangular shape that is long in the up-down direction. A hole  441  is formed on the lower side (a base end side) of the plate spring  44 . The hole  441  is aligned with the position of a screw hole  434  that is formed in the rotation member  43 , and the plate spring  44  is fixed to the rotation member  43  by being fixed by a screw  45 . An engagement portion  442  is formed on the upper side (a leading end side) of the plate spring  44 . The engagement portion  442  is a convex portion that protrudes from the leading end of the plate spring  44  toward the axial line of the rotation member  43  (to the rear in  FIG. 5 ). The engagement portion  442  engages with one of the eight engagement receiving portions  414 . 
         [0046]    The plate spring  44  imparts an urging force in a direction in which the engagement portion  442  engages with the engagement receiving portion  414  (a direction toward the axial line of the support member  41 ). As a result, the rotation of the rotation member  43  (to which the plate spring  44  is fixed) around its axial line is locked with respect to the support member  41 . 
         [0047]    The cam member  51  is a member that extends downward from a central portion of the lower end surface of the rotation member  43 . The cam member  51  rotates integrally with the rotation member  43 . The axial line of the cam member  51  is aligned with the axial line of the rotation member  43 . The cam member  51  has cams  511  to  514  and a shaft hole (not shown in the drawings). 
         [0048]    Each of the cams  511  to  514  is substantially elliptical in a plan view, each having a width in the up-down direction and each having mutually the same shape. The cams  511  to  514  are formed integrally such that they overlap with one another in the up-down direction. The centers of the cams  511  to  514  are all positioned on the axial line of the cam member  51 . 
         [0049]    In a rotation direction that is centered on the axial line of the cam member  51 , the longitudinal direction of each of the cams  511  to  514  is displaced by 45 degrees, in a plan view, with respect to the mutually adjacent cam. When the left-right direction is taken as reference and the counter-clockwise direction is taken as a positive direction in the plan view, all the angles in the longitudinal direction of each of the cams  511  to  514  (hereinafter referred to as the “longitudinal direction angle”) are different. In  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the longitudinal direction angle of the cam  511  is 90 degrees, the longitudinal direction angle of the cam  512  is 135 degrees, the longitudinal direction angle of the cam  513  is zero degrees and the longitudinal direction angle of the cam  514  is 45 degrees. The cams  511  to  514  rotate integrally. In first cutting needle rotation processing that will be described later, the cams  511  to  514  rotate in the clockwise direction in the plan view and the longitudinal direction angle of each of the cams  511  to  514  thus changes every 45 degrees. 
         [0050]    The cam  511  is provided with a contact receiving portion  611 . Similarly, the cam  512  is provided with a contact receiving portion  612 , the cam  513  is provided with a contact receiving portion  613  and the cam  514  is provided with a contact receiving portion  614 . Each of the contact receiving portions  611  to  614  is formed of a pair of side wall portions that are symmetric with respect to the axial line of each of the cams  511  to  514 . Each of the contact receiving portions  611  to  614  extends in the longitudinal direction of each of the cams  511  to  514 . That is, the longitudinal direction of each of the contact receiving portions  611  to  614  is displaced by 45 degrees with respect to the adjacent one of the contact receiving portions  611  to  614 , in the rotational direction around the axial line of the cam member  51 . As will be described later, a contact portion  322  that is provided on the embroidery frame  9  comes into contact with one of the contact receiving portions  611  to  614 . 
         [0051]    The shaft hole (not shown in the drawings) is formed in a substantially D shape in a bottom view and extends upward from the bottom end surface of the cam member  51 . As will be described later, the top end of the cutting needle  8  is inserted into the shaft hole. A screw hole  544  is provided in the lower end of the outer peripheral wall of the cam member  51  and communicates with the shaft hole. 
         [0052]    The cutting needle  8  extends in the up-down direction and the lower end of the cutting needle  8  has the blade portion  89  that cuts out the work cloth. The blade portion  89  has a width in a direction that is orthogonal to the axial line of the cutting needle  8 . The upper end of the cutting needle  8  has a substantially D shape in a plan view and is provided with a flat surface portion  95  that extends in parallel with the axial direction. The upper end of the cutting needle  8  is inserted into the shaft hole of the cam member  51  and is fixed to the cam member  51  in a state in which the flat surface portion  95  is pressed by the leading end of a screw  20  that is screwed into the screw hole  544 . With the above-described structure, the cutting needle  8  rotates integrally with the cam member  51 . The direction in which the blade portion  89  extends (hereinafter referred to as the width direction) is a specific direction (the left-right direction in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0053]    Next, the embroidery frame  9  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The embroidery frame  9  has a known structure and is provided with an outer frame, an inner frame and an adjusting screw that is provided on the outer frame in order to adjust the size of the embroidery frame  9 . However, for convenience of explanation in the present embodiment, the inner frame and the adjusting screw are not illustrated in the drawings and only the outer frame is illustrated. The embroidery frame  9  is formed as a ring that is substantially rectangular in a plan view. On the embroidery frame  9 , a protruding portion  320  that protrudes upward is provided on a central portion, in the front-rear direction, of a right side portion of an outer frame  91 . The protruding portion  320  includes a support portion  321  and a contact portion  322 . The support portion  321  protrudes upward from the top surface of the central portion of the outer frame  91 . The contact portion  322  is a substantially rectangular plate shape that is longer in the left-right direction in a plan view, and extends to the right from the top end of the support portion  321 . The support portion  321  supports the contact portion  322 . The width of the contact portion  322  in the up-down direction is substantially the same as the width of each of the cams  511  to  514  in the up-down direction. 
         [0054]    When the first cutting needle rotation processing that will be described later is performed, a CPU  151  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) moves the embroidery frame  9  such that the contact portion  322  of the embroidery frame  9  comes into contact with and presses the cam member  51 . When the contact portion  322  comes into contact with and presses the cam member  51 , the cam member  51  rotates by 45 degrees. As a result of the above-mentioned processing, the width direction of the blade portion  89  of the cutting needle  8  also extends in the direction in which the cam member  51  has rotated by 45 degrees. Further, before the cutwork operation is started, the embroidery frame  9  is in a position in which the contact portion  322  is separated to the left from the cam member  51 . Hereinafter, this position is referred to as a withdrawn position. 
         [0055]    An electrical configuration of the sewing machine  1  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 6 . A control portion  105  of the sewing machine  1  is provided with the CPU  151 , a ROM  152 , a RAM  153 , a flash memory  64  and an input/output interface  66 . The CPU  151 , the ROM  152 , the RAM  153 , the flash memory  64  and the input/output interface  66  are electrically connected to each other via a bus  67 . Various programs, including programs for the CPU  151  to execute cutwork execution processing and the first cutting needle rotation processing to be explained later, are stored in the ROM  152 . Various information that is processed by the programs is temporarily stored in the RAM  153 . 
         [0056]    The flash memory  64  includes a cutwork data storage area  641 , a cam number data storage area  642 , a cutting needle angle storage area  643 , a drive shaft stop angle storage area  644  and a rotation difference amount storage area  645  etc. Each of the storage areas will be explained in more detail later. 
         [0057]    Cutting needle angles of the cutting needle  8  that are referred to in the cutwork execution processing (to be explained later) are stored in the cutting needle angle storage area  643 . Here, the cutting needle angle is an angle formed in a plan view between the width direction of the blade portion  89  of the cutting needle  8  and a reference direction (the left-right direction). The cutting needle angle is zero degrees when the width direction of the blade portion  89  extends in the left-right direction (a state of the blade portion  89  shown in  FIG. 2 ), and in a plan view in  FIG. 2 , the counterclockwise direction is the positive direction. The cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8  that is initially attached to the needle bar  6  is zero degrees, and an initial value of the cutting needle angle stored in the cutting needle angle storage area  643  is also “0 degrees.” 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the operation switches  35 , the touch panel  26 , a detection portion  27  and drive circuits  70  to  76  are electrically connected to the input/output interface  66 . The detection portion  27  detects a type of the embroidery frame that is mounted on the frame holder (not shown in the drawings). Although not shown in the drawings, the sewing machine  1  is provided with a plurality of types of the embroidery frame. The detection portion  27  detects at least which of the embroidery frame  9  and an embroidery frame  10  that will be explained later is mounted on the frame holder, and transmits a detection result to the CPU  151  via the input/output interface  66 . The drive circuits  70  to  76  drive the presser motor  99 , the sewing machine motor  79 , the movement motor  80 , the swinging motor  81 , the X axis motor  82 , the Y axis motor  83  and the liquid crystal display  15 , respectively. 
         [0059]    An encoder  77  is a detector that detects a rotation angle of the drive shaft  72 . The encoder  77  detects the rotation angle of the drive shaft  72  and transmits the detected rotation angle to the CPU  151  via the input/output interface  66 . 
         [0060]    Cutwork pattern data  100  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 7 . The cutwork pattern data  100  is stored in the cutwork data storage area  641  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). The cutwork pattern data  100  is data that is referred to by the CPU  151  in the cutwork execution processing and the first cutting needle rotation processing that will be explained later. The blade portion  89  of the cutting needle  8  has the width that is orthogonal to the axial line of the cutting needle  8  (the left-right direction in  FIG. 4 ). Thus, the direction of a cut formed in the work cloth (not shown in the drawings) by the cutting needle  8  is the same as the width direction. As a result, when the work cloth is cut using the cutting needle  8  along a contour of a specific pattern that is formed of a curved line, for example, along with moving the embroidery frame  9  in the X direction and the Y direction, it is necessary to rotate the cutting needle  8  and change the direction of the cuts formed in the work cloth. The cutwork pattern data  100  is data to generate a specific pattern etc. by cutting out the work cloth. The cutwork pattern data  100  is stored in the cutwork data storage area  641  for each cutwork pattern that is formed in the work cloth by the sewing machine  1 . 
         [0061]    The cutwork pattern data  100  includes a needle drop number N, X coordinate data, Y coordinate data and cutting needle angle data, and each of the data items are stored in association with each other. The needle drop number N is a variable that indicates an order in which the work cloth is cut. “CUT_END” that is noted in the lowest column of the needle drop number N is a final number of the needle drop number N and is a number such as  200  or  300  etc. In the following explanation, “CUT_END” is a maximum value of the needle drop number N of the cutwork pattern data  100 . The X coordinate data and the Y coordinate data are data of coordinates of needle drop points (points at which a center portion of the blade portion  89  pierces the work cloth) in an embroidery coordinate system that is specific to the sewing machine  1  and that is set in advance. It should be noted that a position at which a center point of the embroidery frame  9  is aligned with a needle drop point is an origin point of the embroidery coordinate system. The cutting needle angle data is data indicating the cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8 . 
         [0062]    The cam number data  210  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 8 . The cam number data  210  is stored in the cam number data storage area  642 . The cam number data  210  is data that is referred to by the CPU  151  in the first cutting needle rotation processing that will be explained later. The cam number data  210  includes cutting needle angle difference data and data of a current cutting needle angle. Here, the cutting needle angle difference refers to a value that is obtained by subtracting the cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8  at a present time (hereinafter referred to as a “current cutting needle angle”) from a cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8  that is desired to be set (hereinafter referred to as a “set cutting needle angle”). The data of the current cutting needle angle further includes a number of contacts P. As described above, in the cam number data  210 , data of the contact cam number is stored in association with each item of the cutting needle angle difference data, the current cutting needle angle and the number of contacts P. The data of the contact cam number is “1” to “4” and corresponds to each of the cams  511  to  514 . The cutting needle angle difference data is “45 degrees,” “90 degrees” and “135 degrees.” The current cutting needle angle data is “0 degrees,” “45 degrees,” “90 degrees” and “135 degrees.” The cutting needle angle difference data only has three values because the cutting needle  8  only rotates by 45 degrees at a time and when the cutting needle angle is 180 degrees, that is the same as 0 degrees. The number of contacts P is divided into “P=1,” “P=2” and “P=3” for each of the current cutting needle angle data. The number of contacts P is 1 to 3 because the cutting needle  8  only rotates by 45 degrees at a time and when the cutting needle  8  performs four rotations, the cutting needle angle becomes 180 degrees, which means that the cutting needle angle is essentially 0 degrees. 
         [0063]    Drive shaft stop angle data  220  that is stored in the drive shaft stop angle storage area  644  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) will be explained with reference to  FIG. 9 . The drive shaft stop angle data  220  is data that is referred to by the CPU  151  in the first cutting needle rotation processing that will be explained later. In the drive shaft stop angle data  220 , a cam number M and drive shaft stop angle data are stored in association with each other. The cam numbers M  1  to  4  correspond to the cams  511  to  514 , respectively. The drive shaft stop angle data  220  is data indicating a rotation angle at which the drive shaft  72  stops, and is data that is used to stop the needle bar  6  at a position at which the contact portion  322  is the same height as the contact receiving portion of the cam that corresponds to the cam number M. 
         [0064]    Rotation difference amount data  230  that is stored in the rotation difference amount storage area  645  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) will be explained with reference to  FIG. 10 . The rotation difference amount data  230  is data that is referred to by the CPU  151  in the first cutting needle rotation processing that will be explained later. As will be described later, when the CPU  151  causes the contact portion  322  to successively come into contact with the cams  511  to  514 , the CPU  151  refers to the rotation difference amount data  230 . Here, the rotation difference amount data  230  is data of a rotation amount of the drive shaft  72  that is used to move and stop the needle bar  6  such that, after the contact portion  322  has come into contact with one of the cams  511  to  514 , the contact portion  322  is at a height at which it can come into contact with another of the cams  511  to  514 . In the rotation difference amount data  230 , data of the rotation difference amount is set and stored in association with each of the current cam number M and the cam number M with which contact will next be caused (hereinafter referred to as the next contact cam number M). The current cam number M is the number of the cam that was in contact with the contact portion  322  immediately before. The numbers 1 to 4 of the current cam numbers M correspond to the cams  511  to  514 , respectively. When the contact portion  322  comes successively into contact with the cams  511  to  514 , the next contact cam number M is the number of the cam that will next come into contact with the contact portion  322 . The numbers 1 to 4 of the next contact cam numbers M correspond to the cams  511  to  514 , respectively. 
         [0065]    The cutwork execution processing that is performed by the CPU  151  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 11 . The cutwork execution processing is started when the power source of the sewing machine  1  is turned on and the user inputs a command using the operation switches  35  and the touch panel  26  etc. When the CPU  151  of the sewing machine  1  detects the input of the start command of the cutwork execution processing, the CPU  151  reads the program to perform the cutwork execution processing from the ROM  152  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) into the RAM  153 . Then, the CPU  151  performs each step of the processing as explained below, in accordance with instructions included in the program. The user uses the operation switches  35  and the touch panel  26  etc. to select the cutwork pattern to be made on the work cloth (not shown in the drawings), and commands the cutwork to be executed. 
         [0066]    In the cutwork execution processing, first the CPU  151  acquires the cutwork pattern data  100  (step S 11 ). The CPU  15  refers to the cutwork data storage area  641 , and acquires the cutwork pattern data  100  associated with the cutwork pattern selected by the user. The CPU  151  sets the needle drop number N to “1” (step S 13 ). The set needle drop number N is stored in the RAM  153 . Next, the CPU  151  performs the first cutting needle rotation processing (step S 15 ). 
         [0067]    The first cutting needle rotation processing will be explained with reference to  FIG. 12 . The first cutting needle rotation processing is processing to match the angle indicated by the cutting needle angle data stored in association with the needle drop number N in the cutwork pattern data  100  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) acquired at step S 11  with the cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8 . 
         [0068]    In the first cutting needle rotation processing, first the CPU  151  acquires the current cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8  (step S 30 ). The CPU  151  refers to the cutting needle angle storage area  643  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) and acquires the cutting needle angle stored therein. The CPU  151  determines whether the current cutting needle angle is the same as the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N in the cutwork pattern data  100  (step S 31 ) The CPU  151  refers to the cutwork pattern data  100  stored in the cutwork data storage area  641  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), acquires the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N, and compares the acquired cutting needle angle with the current cutting needle angle acquired at step S 30 . When the current cutting needle angle and the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N are the same (yes at step S 31 ), the CPU  151  ends the first cutting needle rotation processing and returns the processing to the cutwork execution processing (refer to  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0069]    When the cutting needle angle data acquired from the cutting needle angle storage area  643  is “0 degrees,” for example (step S 30 ), and the needle drop number N is “1,” the cutting needle angle data stored in the cutwork pattern data  100  is also “0 degrees” (yes at step S 31 ). In this case, the first cutting needle rotation processing is ended. 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , after the first cutting needle rotation processing is ended, the CPU  151  performs the cutwork of one stitch associated with the needle drop number N (step S 17 ). After the cutwork is performed, the sewing machine motor  79  drives the needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism  84  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) until the needle bar  6  (that is, the cutting needle  8 ) moves to the top needle position. For example, when the needle drop number N is “1,” in the cutwork pattern data  100 , the X coordinate data of the needle drop point is “x1” and the Y coordinate data is “y1” as shown in  FIG. 7 . The CPU  151  therefore controls the drive circuits  74  and  75 , drives the X axis motor  82  and the Y axis motor  83 , and moves the embroidery frame  9  such that the needle drop point is at the X coordinate “x1” and the Y coordinate “y1.” Then the CPU  151  controls the drive circuit  71 , drives the sewing machine motor  79 , and lowers the needle bar  6 . As a result of the above-described processing, the cutwork is performed in which the blade portion  89  of the cutting needle  8  cuts the work cloth. The CPU  151  controls the drive circuit  71  and drives the sewing machine motor  79 , and thus drives the needle bar up-and-down movement mechanism  84  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) until the cutting needle  8  moves to the top needle position. 
         [0071]    Next, the CPU  151  determines whether the needle drop number N is “CUT_END” (step S 19 ). The CPU  151  performs the determination by referring to the needle drop number N stored in the RAM  153 , and then comparing this needle drop number N to the needle drop number N “CUT_END” of the cutwork pattern data  100  that is stored in the cutwork data storage area  641  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0072]    When it is determined that the needle drop number N is not “CUT_END” (no at step S 19 ), the CPU  151  increments the needle drop number N (step S 21 ), and the incremented needle drop number N is stored in the RAM  153 . After this, the CPU  151  returns the processing to step S 15 . For example, when the needle drop number N is “1” (no at step S 19 ), the needle drop number N is incremented to “2” (step S 21 ). 
         [0073]    When the needle drop number N is “CUT_END” (yes at step S 19 ), the CPU  151  overwrites and stores the current cutting needle angle in the cutting needle angle storage area  643  (step S 23 ). 
         [0074]    For example, when the needle drop number N is “CUT_END” (yes at step S 19 ), the cutting needle angle data in the cutwork pattern data  100  is “0 degrees” (refer to  FIG. 7 ) and the current cutting needle angle is 0 degrees. The CPU  151  sets the current cutting needle angle as “0 degrees,” overwrites the cutting needle angle stored in the cutting needle angle storage area  643 , and stores the current cutting needle angle (step S 23 ). 
         [0075]    Next, the CPU  151  controls the drive circuits  74  and  75 , drives the X axis motor  82  and the Y axis motor  83 , thus moving the embroidery frame  9  to the withdrawn position (step S 25 ). After the embroidery frame  9  has been moved to the withdrawn position, the CPU  151  ends the cutwork execution processing. Note that, when the cutwork execution processing is ended, the cutting needle  8  is in the top needle position. 
         [0076]    In the first cutting needle rotation processing shown in  FIG. 12 , in a case in which the current cutting needle angle is different to the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N in the cutwork pattern data  100  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), an explanation will be made when the needle drop number N is “2.” When it is determined that the current cutting needle angle and the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N are different (no at step S 31 ), the CPU  151  acquires a cutting needle angle difference (step S 32 ). The CPU  151  refers to the cutwork pattern data  100  stored in the cutwork data storage area  641  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), and thus acquires the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N. The CPU  151  subtracts the value of the current cutting needle angle acquired at step S 30  from the acquired cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N, and thus acquires the cutting needle angle difference. 
         [0077]    For example, when the needle drop number N is “2,” at step S 17  of the cutwork execution processing (refer to  FIG. 11 ), the CPU  151  has completed the cutwork for one stitch when the needle drop number N is “1.” As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the needle drop number N is “1,” the corresponding cutting needle angle data is “0 degrees.” Specifically, the current cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8  is 0 degrees. When the needle drop number N is “2,” the corresponding cutting needle angle data is “45 degrees,” and is different to the current cutting needle angle (no at step S 31 ). The set cutting needle angle is 45 degrees. Thus, the CPU  151  subtracts the current cutting needle angle (0 degrees) from the set cutting needle angle (45 degrees) and thereby acquires 45 degrees as the cutting needle angle difference (step S 32 ). 
         [0078]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the CPU  151  next sets “1” as the number of contacts P (step S 33 ) and stores the set number of contacts P in the RAM  153 . After that, the CPU  151  acquires the next contact cam number M (step S 34 ). For example, when the needle drop number N is “2,” as described above, the current cutting needle angle is “0 degrees” and the cutting needle angle difference acquired at step S 32  is “45 degrees.” Further, the number of contacts P is “1” (step S 33 ). In this case, as shown in  FIG. 8 , in the cam number data  210 , the cam number “2” is stored in association with the cutting needle angle difference “45 degrees,” the current cutting needle angle “0 degrees” and the number of contacts P “1.” Thus, the CPU  151  acquires “2” as the next contact cam number M (step S 34 ). 
         [0079]    Next, the CPU  151  controls the drive circuits  74  and  75 , drives the X axis motor  82  and the Y axis motor  83 , and lowers the embroidery frame  9  to the withdrawn position (step S 35 ). For example, when the needle drop number N is “2,” at step S 17  of the cutwork execution processing (refer to  FIG. 11 ), the CPU  151  has completed the cutwork for one stitch when the needle drop number N is “1.” As shown in  FIG. 7 , when the needle drop number N is “1,” the X coordinate data of the corresponding needle drop point is “x1,” and the Y coordinate data is “y1.” In other words, the embroidery frame  9  is not in the withdrawn position and therefore the CPU  151  controls the drive circuits  74  and  75  and moves the embroidery frame  9  to the withdrawn position (step S 35 ). 
         [0080]    Next, the CPU  151  determines whether the needle bar  6  (that is, the cutting needle  8 ) is in the top needle position (step S 38 ). The CPU  151  determines whether the cutting needle  8  is in the top needle position, based on a signal output from the encoder  77  (refer to  FIG. 6 ). When it is determined that the cutting needle  8  is in the top needle position (yes at step S 38 ), the CPU  151  refers to the drive shaft stop angle data  220  that is stored in the drive shaft stop angle storage area  644  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), and thus acquires the drive shaft stop angle data associated with the cam number M acquired at step S 34  (step S 39 ). 
         [0081]    For example, when the needle drop number N is “2” and the number of contacts P is 1, by the processing by the CPU  151  at step S 17  of the cutwork execution processing (refer to  FIG. 11 ), the cutting needle  8  is in the top needle position (yes at step S 38 ). As described above, when the needle drop number N is “2,” the next contact cam number M acquired at step S 34  is “2.” In this case, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a drive shaft stop angle “A2” that is stored in the drive shaft stop angle data  220  is acquired (step S 39 ). The contact receiving portion of the cam associated with the next contact cam number M “2” is the contact receiving portion  612  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). Specifically, the drive shaft stop angle “A2” is set to move and stop the needle bar  6  such that the contact receiving portion  612  is at a height at which it can come into contact with the contact portion  322  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0082]    Next, the CPU  151  controls the drive circuit  71 , drives the sewing machine motor  79  such that the rotation angle of the drive shaft  72  is the drive shaft stop angle “A2” acquired at step S 39 , and moves the needle bar  6  (step S 43 ). 
         [0083]    Next, the CPU  151  controls the drive circuit  74 , drives the X axis motor  82 , and moves the embroidery frame  9  toward the right (the direction of an arrow A shown in  FIG. 13 ) (step S 49 ). By this movement, the contact portion  322  comes into contact with and presses the contact receiving portion  612  of the cam  512  that corresponds to the cam number M “2” acquired at step S 34 . More specifically, the contact portion  322  presses a portion of the contact receiving portion  612  that is to the front and the right of the cutting needle  8  to the right. By this pressing, the contact portion  322  causes the cam  512  to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction (the direction of an arrow B) in a plan view, around the axial line of the cam member  51 . The cam member  51 , the cutting needle  8 , the rotation member  43  and the plate spring  44  also rotate integrally with the rotation of the cam  512 . When the plate spring  44  rotates, the engagement portion  442  resists the urging force imparted by the plate spring  44 , is displaced from the engagement receiving portion  414  with which it was engaged, and moves along the groove portion  415  while rotating in the counter-clockwise direction in a plan view (in the direction of the arrow B). The engagement portion  442  engages with the engagement receiving portion  414  that is adjacent to the engagement receiving portion  414  with which it was hitherto engaged (hereinafter referred to as the next engagement receiving portion  414 ). By the above-described processing, the plate spring  44  once more imparts an urging force in the direction in which the engagement portion  442  engages with the next engagement receiving portion  414  (in the direction toward the axial line of the support member  41 ). By this urging, the rotation of the cam member  51 , the cutting needle  8  and the rotation member  43  is locked. After the rotation of the rotation member  43 , the angles in the longitudinal direction of the cams  511  to  514  are 135 degrees, 0 degrees, 45 degrees and 90 degrees, respectively. 
         [0084]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the CPU  151  next increments the number of contacts P (step S 54 ), and stores the incremented value P in the RAM  153 . After that, the CPU  151  determines whether the processing is complete (step S 55 ). The CPU  151  refers to the cam number data  210  (refer to  FIG. 8 ) stored in the cam number data storage area  642  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), and determines that the processing is complete when the cam number M associated with the current cutting needle angle acquired at step S 30 , the cutting needle angle difference acquired at step S 32  and the number of contacts P incremented at step S 54  is “_”. The CPU  151  further determines that the processing is complete when the number of contacts P is “4.” When it is determined that the processing is complete (yes at step S 55 ), the CPU  151  ends the first cutting needle rotation processing and returns the processing to the cutwork execution processing (refer to  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0085]    When the needle drop number N is “2,” for example, as described above, the current cutting needle angle acquired at step S 30  is “0 degrees” and the cutting needle angle difference acquired at step S 32  is “45 degrees.” When the number of contacts P is incremented from “1” to “2” (step S 54 ), in the cam number data  210 , the cam number associated with the cutting needle angle difference “45 degrees,” the current cutting needle angle “0 degrees” and the number of contacts P “2” is “-,” as shown in  FIG. 8 . It is therefore determined that the processing is complete (yes at step S 55 ) and the CPU  151  ends the first cutting needle rotation processing. 
         [0086]    Next, a case will be explained in which the execution of the first cutting needle rotation processing is started and it is determined at step S 55  that the processing is not complete. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the needle drop number N is “3.” When the needle drop number N is “3,” the outwork of one stitch has been performed when the needle drop number N is “2” at step S 17  in the cutwork execution processing (refer to  FIG. 11 ). In the cutwork pattern data  100  (refer to  FIG. 7 ), when the needle drop number N is “2,” the cutting needle angle data is “45 degrees,” and when the needle drop number N is. “3,” the cutting needle angle data is “135 degrees.” Therefore, the current cutting needle angle acquired at step S 30  is “45 degrees.” Further, the cutting needle angle difference acquired at step S 32  is “90 degrees,” which is obtained by subtracting 45 degrees from 135 degrees. In addition, in the cam number data  210  shown in  FIG. 8 , the cam number data associated with the current cutting needle angle “45 degrees,” the cutting needle angle difference “90 degrees” and the number of contacts P “1” is “1.” As a result, the contact cam number M acquired at step S 34  is “1.” 
         [0087]    When the needle drop number N is “3,” at step S 17  of the cutwork execution processing (refer to  FIG. 11 ), the cutwork of the one stitch associated with the needle drop number N of “2” has already been performed, and the needle drop number N is incremented at step S 21 . After that, the execution of the first cutting needle rotation processing is started once more. In this case, the processing from step S 30  to step S 54  is the same as in the above explanation. 
         [0088]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the CPU  151  determines whether the processing is complete (step S 55 ). When the needle drop number N is “3,” for example, as described above, the current cutting needle angle acquired at step S 30  is “45 degrees,” and the cutting needle angle difference acquired at step S 32  is “90 degrees.” As shown in  FIG. 8 , in the cam number data  210 , the cam number associated with the current cutting needle angle “45 degrees,” the cutting needle angle difference “90 degrees” and the number of contacts P “2” that is incremented at step S 54  is “4” and is not “-.” Further, the incremented number of contacts P is “2” and is not “4.” As a result, it is determined that the processing is not complete (no at step S 55 ). 
         [0089]    Next, the CPU  151  acquires the current cam number M (step S 57 ). The CPU  151  acquires the next contact cam number M (acquired at step S 34 ) as the current cam number. As described above, the cam number already acquired at step S 34  is “1,” for example. Therefore, the current cam number M is acquired as “1.” 
         [0090]    The CPU  151  acquires the next contact cam number of the current cam number (step S 34 ). For example, in the cam number data  210  shown in  FIG. 8 , the cam number associated with the current cutting needle angle “45 degrees,” the cutting needle angle difference “90 degrees” and the number of contacts P “2” is “4.” Thus, “4” is acquired as the next contact cam number M (step S 34 ). 
         [0091]    Next, the CPU  151  performs step S 35 . This processing is the same as in the explanation above and an explanation is therefore omitted here. 
         [0092]    Next, the CPU  151  determines whether the cutting needle  8  is in the top needle position (step S 38 ). When it is determined that the cutting needle  8  is not in the top needle position (no at step S 38 ), the CPU  151  advances the processing to step S 40 . For example, when the needle drop number N is “3” and the number of contacts P is “2,” the CPU  151  has already performed the processing associated with the number of contacts P “1.” In other words, the contact portion  322  is positioned at the height in which it can come into contact with the contact receiving portion  611 , and the cutting needle  8  is not in the top needle position (no at step S 38 ). 
         [0093]    Next, the CPU  151  acquires the rotation difference amount (step S 40 ). The CPU  151  refers to the current cam number M acquired at step S 57 , the next contact cam number M acquired at step S 34  and the rotation difference amount data  230  stored in the rotation difference amount storage area  645  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), and acquires the rotation difference amount. 
         [0094]    When the needle drop number N is “3,” and the number of contacts P is “2,” for example, as described above, the current cam number M acquired at step S 57  is “1” and the next contact cam number M acquired at step S 34  is “4.” As shown in  FIG. 10 , in the rotation difference amount data  230 , the rotation difference amount associated with the current cam number M “1” and the next contact cam number M “4” is “A14.” Therefore, the rotation difference amount “A14” is acquired (step S 40 ). The contact receiving portion of the cam that corresponds to the next contact cam number M “4” is the contact receiving portion  614  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). In other words, the rotation difference amount “A14” is set that moves and stops the needle bar  6  such that the contact receiving portion  614  is at a height at which it can come into contact with the contact portion  322  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0095]    Next, the CPU  151  controls the drive circuit  71 , drives the sewing machine motor  79  such that the drive shaft  72  is rotated by the rotation difference amount “A14” acquired at step S 40 , and moves the needle bar  6  (step S 43 ). 
         [0096]    Next, the CPU  151  performs the processing at step S 49 . This processing is the same as that in the above explanation. 
         [0097]    After incrementing the number of contacts P (step S 54 ), the CPU  151  determines whether the processing is complete (step S 55 ). For example, when the needle drop number N is “3” and the number of contacts P is “2,” the number of contacts P is incremented to “3” (step S 54 ). As described above, the current cutting needle angle acquired at step S 30  is “45 degrees” and the cutting needle angle difference acquired at step S 32  is “90 degrees.” As shown in  FIG. 8 , in the cam number data  210 , the cam number associated with the current cutting needle angle “45 degrees,” the cutting needle angle difference “90 degrees” and the number of contacts P “3” is “-” It is therefore determined that the processing is complete (yes at step S 55 ) and the first cutting needle rotation processing is ended. 
         [0098]    As explained above, the CPU  151  of the sewing machine  1  drives the sewing machine motor  79  and moves the cutting needle  8  to a position at which the contact portion  322  is the same height as one of the contact receiving portions  611  to  614  (step S 43 ). Then, the CPU  151  drives the X axis motor  82 , moves the embroidery frame  9  that is in the withdrawn position to the right, causes the contact portion  322  to come into contact with and rotate one of the contact receiving portions  611  to  614  (step S 49 ). By this rotation, the CPU  151  rotates the cutting needle  8  by 45 degrees in the counter-clockwise direction. Thus, the sewing machine  1  can automatically cause the cutting needle  8  to rotate. Further, as the contact receiving portions  611  to  614  have the width in the up-down direction, when the embroidery frame  9  moves to the right, the contact portion  322  reliably comes into contact with the contact receiving portion of the cam associated with the next contact cam number M acquired at step S 34 . As a result, the sewing machine  1  can cause the cutting needle  8  to rotate in a stable manner. 
         [0099]    In the rotation direction centered on the axial line of the cam member  51 , the longitudinal direction of each of the contact receiving portions  611  to  614  is displaced by 45 degrees, in a plan view, with respect to the mutually adjacent contact receiving portion. With the above-described structure, among the contact receiving portions  611  to  614 , the contact portion  322  comes into contact with the contact receiving portion of the cam whose longitudinal direction angle is 135 degrees and the cutting needle  8  is rotated by 45 degrees. After that, the longitudinal direction angle of one of the cams with which contact was not made becomes 135 degrees. In other words, when the cutting needle  8  rotates by 45 degrees at a time, the longitudinal direction angle of one of the cams  511  to  514  becomes 135 degrees. When causing the contact portion  322  to come into contact with one of the cams  511  to  514 , the sewing machine  1  can always position the embroidery frame  9  at the same coordinate position. Namely, the sewing machine  1  can simplify the movement control of the embroidery frame  9 . As a result, the sewing machine  1  can cause the cutting needle  8  to rotate in a more stable manner. 
         [0100]    In addition, the engagement portion  442  of the plate spring  44  engages with one of the plurality of engagement receiving portions  414 . As a result, the plate spring  44  urges the support member  41  in the direction in which the engagement portion  442  engages with the engagement receiving portion  414 . By this urging, the rotation of the rotation member  43  is locked and the rotation of the cutting needle  8  is also locked. The sewing machine  1  can suppress unnecessary rotation of the cutting needle  8  when performing the outwork on the work cloth. The sewing machine  1  can therefore perform the cutwork on the work cloth in a stable manner. Furthermore, the cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8  is determined by the position at which the engagement portion  442  engages with the next engagement receiving portion  414 . As a result, the sewing machine  1  can accurately control the cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8 . 
         [0101]    Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the four cams  511  to  514  of the cam member  51  are arranged such that their respective angles in the longitudinal direction are mutually displaced by 45 degrees in a plan view. In place of the above-described arrangement, six cams may be provided, and their respective angles in the longitudinal direction may be mutually displaced by 30 degrees. Further, each of the shape, the size, the number and the angle in the longitudinal direction of the cam may be changed as appropriate. 
         [0102]    Further, in the above-described embodiment, the contact portion  322  is provided such that it extends to the right from the support portion  321 . However, the shape, size and installation position of the contact portion may be changed as appropriate. For example, the contact portion  322  may extend to the front or to the rear, and the embroidery frame  9  may be moved to the front or to the rear and caused to come into contact with the cam member  51 . Further, the contact portion  322  is provided on the outer frame  91 , but it may be provided on the inner frame. 
         [0103]    Further, in the above-described embodiment, only the one protruding portion  320  is provided on the outer frame  91  of the embroidery frame  9 . Instead of the above-described structure, four protruding portions that correspond to each of the cams  511  to  514  may be provided. For example, as shown in  FIG. 14 , four protruding portions  111  to  114  are provided, from the front to the rear of the outer frame  91 . 
         [0104]    The protruding portion  111  is provided with a support portion  121  and a contact portion  131 , the protruding portion  112  is provided with a support portion  122  and a contact portion  132 , the protruding portion  113  is provided with a support portion  123  and a contact portion  133 , and the protruding portion  114  is provided with a support portion  124  and a contact portion  134 . The support portions  121  to  124  each protrude upward from the outer frame  91 . The height of each of the support portions  121  to  124  becomes increasingly higher in order, from the support portion  121  to the support portion  124 . Each of the contact portions  131  to  134  is a plate that extends to the right from the top end of each of the support portions  121  to  124 . The contact portions  131  to  134  all have the same shape and their width in the up-down direction is the same as the width of the cams  511  to  514  in the up-down direction. In a state in which the needle bar  6  is stopped such that the top surface of the cam  511  is at a same position as the top surface of the contact portion  134 , the top surfaces of the cams  512  to  514  are at the same heights as the contact portions  132  to  134 , respectively. 
         [0105]    Specifically, when the cutting needle  8  is lowered by a predetermined amount from the top needle position, the contact portion  131  is at a height at which it can come into contact with the contact receiving portion  614 , the contact portion  132  is at a height at which it can come into contact with the contact receiving portion  613 , the contact portion  133  is at a height at which it can come into contact with the contact receiving portion  612 , and the contact portion  134  is at a height at which it can come into contact with the contact receiving portion  611 . In addition, a coordinate position of the embroidery frame  9  at which each of the contact portions  131  to  134  can press the contact receiving portions  611  to  614  may be stored in a specific storage area of the flash memory  64 . In this case, when the CPU  151  rotates the cutting needle  8  a plurality of times, such as when the CPU  151  rotates the cutting needle  8  by 45 degrees three times, for example, it is not necessary to re-set the height of the needle bar  6  after the first rotation has ended. In other words, after the first contact has ended at step S 49  in the first cutting needle rotation processing, at step S 35 , the CPU  151  moves the embroidery frame  9  while referring to the specific storage area in the flash memory  64  in order to selectively cause one of the contact portions  131  to  134  to come into contact with the cam member  51 . With the above-described structure, from the second contact onward, it is possible to render the processing at step S 40  and step S 43  unnecessary in the first cutting needle rotation processing. 
         [0106]    Next, a sewing machine  2  according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained with reference to  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 21 . In  FIG. 15 , members that are the same as those of the sewing machine  1  are assigned the same reference numerals. In the following explanation, an explanation will be omitted of configurations and operations that are the same as those of the sewing machine  1  according to the first embodiment. Note that, in the present embodiment, the cutting needle angle is 0 degrees in a state in which the blade portion  89  extends in the left-right direction (a state of the blade portion  89  shown in  FIG. 16 ), and, in contrast to the first embodiment, the counter-clockwise direction in a plan view in  FIG. 15  is the positive direction. 
         [0107]    As shown in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 , the sewing machine  2  is different to the sewing machine  1  in that the sewing machine  2  is provided with a cutting needle rotation mechanism  60  instead of the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) that is provided on the sewing machine  1 . The other physical structure and the electrical configuration of the sewing machine  2  are basically the same as those of the sewing machine  1 . The cutting needle rotation mechanism  60  is provided with a support mechanism  61 , a holding member  62  and the cutting needle  8 . The shape of the cutting needle  8  of the cutting needle rotation mechanism  60  is the same as the shape of the cutting needle  8  of the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50 . 
         [0108]    The support mechanism  61  is provided with the support member  41 , a rotation member  63  and the plate spring  44 . The shape of the support member  41  and the plate spring  44  of the support mechanism  61  is the same as the shape of the support member  41  and the plate spring  44  of the support mechanism  40  and an explanation thereof is therefore omitted here. 
         [0109]    The rotation member  63  is substantially cylindrical and is rotatably supported by the lower end of the support member  41 . The axial line of the rotation member  63  is aligned with the axial line of the needle bar  6  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The rotation member  63  is provided with a protruding portion  621  that extends in a direction orthogonal to the axial line of the rotation member  63  (in the left-right direction in  FIG. 16 ). The protruding portion  621  is a shaft member that is pressed into a through hole (not shown in the drawings) provided in the rotation member  63 . The direction in which the protruding portion  621  extends is the same as the width direction of the blade portion  89  of the cutting needle  8 . The protruding portion  621  is provided with a first protruding portion  631  and a second protruding portion  632 . The first protruding portion  631  and the second protruding portion  632  protrude toward a direction that moves away from the axial line of the rotation member  63 . The first protruding portion  631  and the second protruding portion  632  are provided such that they are symmetrical, centering on the axial line of the rotation member  63 . Apart from the provision of the protruding portion  621 , the rotation member  63  of the support mechanism  61  is the same as the rotation member  43  of the support mechanism  40 . 
         [0110]    The holding member  62  is a substantially cylindrical member that extends downward from a central portion of the lower end surface of the rotation member  63 . The holding member  62  is integrally formed with the rotation member  63 . The axial line of the holding member  62  is aligned with the rotation member  63 . In a similar manner to the can member  51  of the cutting needle rotation mechanism  50 , a shaft hole (not shown in the drawings) is provided in the lower end of the holding member  62 . The upper end of the cutting needle  8  is inserted into the shaft hole and is fixed by the screw  20 . 
         [0111]    An embroidery frame  10  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 . The sewing machine  2  is provided with the embroidery frame  10  in place of the embroidery frame  9  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) with which the sewing machine  1  is provided. The embroidery frame  10  is the same as the embroidery frame  9 , apart from a support member  700  that is provided on the embroidery frame  10  in place of the protruding portion  320  provided on the embroidery frame  9 . 
         [0112]    The support member  700  is a substantially rectangular shape that is longer in the front-rear direction in a plan view. The support member  700  is provided on a right side portion of an outer frame  11  of the embroidery frame  10 . The support portion  700  is formed integrally with the outer frame  11 . Four guide portions  711  to  714  are provided in a row on the support portion  700 , from the front to the rear. As will be described below, each of the guide portions  711  to  714  guides the protruding portion  621  of the cutting needle rotation mechanism  60 , and the cutting needle  8  can thus be rotated and the cutting needle angle can be changed. 
         [0113]    The angle (the orientation) in a plan view of each of the four guide portions  711  to  714  is different, but apart from the angle, each of the guide portions  711  to  714  has the same shape. Thus, for ease of explanation, the structure of the guide portion  712  will be explained. Points of difference between the four guide portions  711  to  714  will be explained later. As shown in  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 , the guide portion  712  includes a first insertion hole  802 , a first inclined portion  812 , a second inclined portion  822 , a second insertion hole  872  and groove portions  832 . The first insertion hole  802  is a circular hole, in a plan view, that penetrates through the support portion  700  in the up-down direction. The inner diameter of the first insertion hole  802  is larger than the length between both ends of the protruding portion  621 . 
         [0114]    The first inclined portion  812  and the second inclined portion  822  are provided along the inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole  802 . The first inclined portion  812  and the second inclined portion  822  form a shape that has point symmetry with respect to the axial line of the first insertion hole  802 . A first guide surface  852  that is the top surface of the first inclined portion  812 , and a second guide surface  862  that is the top surface of the second inclined portion  822  are inclined downward along the inner peripheral surface of the first insertion hole  802 , in the clockwise direction in a plan view. 
         [0115]    The second insertion hole  872  is formed on the inside of the first inclined portion  812  and the second inclined portion  822 . The second insertion hole  872  is a circular hole in a plan view that penetrates through the support portion  700  in the up-down direction. The axial line of the second insertion hole  872  is aligned with an axial line of the first insertion hole  802 . 
         [0116]    The groove portions  832  are portions at which one end of the first inclined portion  812  (the end in the counter-clockwise direction in a plan view) and one end of the second inclined portion  822  (the end in the clockwise direction in a plan view) face each other and at which the other end of the first inclined portion  812  and the other end of the second inclined portion  822  face each other. The two groove portions  832  are provided on either side of the axial line of the first insertion hole  802 . The groove portions  832  are connected to the lower end of the first guide surface  852  and the lower end of the second guide surface  862 , respectively. The width of each of the groove portions  832  is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the protruding portion  621 . 
         [0117]    The groove portions  832  extend toward the front right side from the rear left side in a plan view. Taking the left-right direction as a reference, when the counter-clockwise direction is taken as the positive direction in a plan view, the angle of the direction in which the groove portions  832  extend in a plan view (hereinafter referred to as an “extending direction angle”) is 45 degrees. As will be explained later, the protruding portion  621  that moves while being guided by the first guide surface  852  and the second guide surface  862  fits into the groove portions  832 . Specifically, the protruding portion  621  is guided by the first guide surface  852  and the second guide surface  862  and rotates around the axial line of the second insertion hole  872 , and the cutting needle angle becomes the same as the extending direction angle of the groove portions  832 . At that time, the head portion of the screw  20  that is screwed into the holding member  62  also rotates, but the size of the second insertion hole  872  is set such that interference with the head portion of the screw  20  does not occur. 
         [0118]    As described above, the shape of the guide portions  711 ,  713  and  714  shown in  FIG. 17  is the same as that of the guide portion  712 , and each of the guide portions  711 ,  713  and  714  is provided with a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole. Meanwhile, the angles at which respective first inclined portions, second inclined portions and groove portions of the guide portions  711 ,  713  and  714  are provided are different in a plan view. The extending direction angle of groove portions  831  of the guide portion  711  is 0 degrees. The extending direction angle of groove portions  833  of the guide portion  713  is 90 degrees. The extending direction angle of groove portions  834  of the guide portion  714  is 135 degrees. The angle at which each of the inclined surfaces is provided is also different, in accordance with the angle of the groove portions. Note that, in  FIG. 17 , the reference numerals of the structural members of the guide portions  711 ,  713  and  714  are assigned in accordance with the reference numerals of the structural members of the guide portion  712 . 
         [0119]    Next, guide portion number data  300  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 19 . The guide portion number data  300  is stored in a guide portion number data storage area (not shown in the drawings) of the flash memory  64 . The guide portion number data  300  is data that is referred to by the CPU  151  in second cutting needle rotation processing that will be explained later. The guide portion number data  300  includes the cutting needle angle data, a guide portion number K, X coordinate data and Y coordinate data, and each of the data items are stored in association with each other. The guide portion number K is data indicating the guide portions  711  to  714 . The guide portion number K “1” corresponds to the guide portion  711 , the guide portion number K “2” corresponds to the guide portion  712 , the guide portion number K “3” corresponds to the guide portion  713 , and the guide portion number K “4” corresponds to the guide portion  714 . A value that is equal to the extending direction angle of the groove portions of the guide portion associated with the guide portion number K is stored in the cutting needle angle data. Among the guide portion  711  to  714 , the X coordinate data and the Y coordinate data indicate a coordinate position of the embroidery frame  10  at which a central position of the first insertion hole of the guide portion associated with the guide portion number K is the needle drop point. 
         [0120]    Cutwork execution processing that is performed by the CPU  151  of the sewing machine  2  will be explained with reference to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 20 . The cutwork execution processing performed by the sewing machine  2  is the same as that performed by the sewing machine  1  except that the first cutting needle rotation processing performed by the CPU  151  of the sewing machine  1  at step S 15  is replaced by the second cutting needle rotation processing performed by the CPU  151  of the sewing machine  2  at step S 15 . In the following explanation, the second cutting needle rotation processing will be explained for a case in which the needle drop number N is “2.” The second cutting needle rotation processing is processing to match the cutting needle angle data stored in association with the needle drop number N in the cutwork pattern data  100  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) with the cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8 . 
         [0121]    As shown in  FIG. 20 , in the second cutting needle rotation processing, first the CPU  151  acquires the current cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8  (step S 60 ). The CPU  151  refers to the cutting needle angle storage area  643  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) of the flash memory  64  and acquires the stored cutting needle angle. The CPU  151  determines whether the current cutting needle angle is the same as the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N in the cutwork pattern data  100  (refer to  FIG. 7 ) (step S 61 ). The CPU  151  refers to the cutwork pattern data  100  stored in the cutwork data storage area  641  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) of the flash memory  64  and acquires the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N, then compares it with the current cutting needle angle acquired at step S 30 . When the current cutting needle angle and the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N are the same (yes at step S 61 ), the CPU  151  ends the second cutting needle rotation processing and returns the processing to the cutwork execution processing (refer to  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0122]    For example, when the cutting needle angle data acquired from the flash memory  64  is “0 degrees” (step S 60 ) and the needle drop number N is “1,” the cutting needle angle data stored in the cutwork pattern data  100  is also “0 degrees” (yes at step S 61 ). In this case, the second cutting needle rotation processing is ended. 
         [0123]    When the current cutting needle angle and the cutting needle angle associated with the needle drop number N are different (no at step S 61 ), after acquiring the guide portion number K (step S 63 ), the CPU  151  sets the movement position of the embroidery frame  10  (step S 65 ). The CPU  151  refers to the guide portion number data  300  stored in the guide portion number data storage area (not shown in the drawings) of the flash memory  64 , and acquires the guide portion number K that is associated with the cutting needle angle data that is the same as the cutting needle angle acquired at step S 60 . Then, the CPU  151  refers to the guide portion number data  300  and acquires the coordinate data of the embroidery frame  10  associated with the acquired guide portion number K, then sets the movement position of the embroidery frame  10  (step S 65 ). The set movement position is stored in the RAM  153 . Next, the CPU  151  controls the drive circuits  74  and  75  and drives the X axis motor  82  and the Y axis motor  83 , thus moving the embroidery frame  10  toward the coordinate position set at step S 65  (step S 67 ). 
         [0124]    When the needle drop number N is “2,” for example, the cutting needle angle data associated with the needle drop number N “2” in the cutwork pattern data  100  is “45 degrees,” which is different to the current cutting needle angle (no at step S 61 ). Thus, the CPU  151  acquires, from the guide portion number data  300 , the guide portion number K “2” that is associated with the cutting needle angle data “45 degrees” (step S 63 ). When the guide portion number K is “2,” the X coordinate data of the embroidery frame  10  is “u2” and the Y coordinate data is “v2.” For the movement position of the embroidery frame  10 , the CPU  151  sets the X coordinate data to “u2” and the Y coordinate data to “v2” (step S 65 ). Then, the CPU  151  moves the embroidery frame  10  to the set position (step S 67 ). Through the above-described processing, the movement position of the embroidery frame  10  is determined and the embroidery frame  10  is moved such that the protruding portion  621  can fit with the guide portion  712 , which is associated with the guide portion number K “2.” 
         [0125]    Next, the CPU  151  controls the drive circuit  71  and drives the sewing machine motor  79 , thus lowering the needle bar  6  (namely, the cutting needle  8 ) from the top needle position to a bottom needle position (step S 73 ). More specifically, the CPU  151  rotates the drive shaft  72  by 180 degrees, based on a signal output from the encoder  77 . Here, the bottom needle position refers to a lowest position in the movement range of the needle bar  6  in the up-down direction. 
         [0126]    When the cutting needle  8  is moved from the top needle position to the bottom needle position, as shown in  FIG. 21 , when the cutting needle rotation mechanism  60  is lowered in the direction of an arrow C toward the guide portion  712 , the first protruding portion  631  comes into contact with the first guide surface  852  and the second protruding portion  632  comes into contact with the second guide surface  862 . When the cutting needle rotation mechanism  60  is then lowered further, the first protruding portion  631  is guided along the first guide surface  852  and the second protruding portion  632  is guided along the second guide surface  862  in the clockwise direction (the direction of an arrow D) in a plan view. Thus, the protruding portion  621  rotates in the clockwise direction in a plan view and finally fits into the groove portions  832 . 
         [0127]    In accordance with the rotation of the protruding portion  621 , the rotation member  63 , the holding member  62  and the plate spring  44  also rotate integrally in the clockwise direction in the plan view. When the plate spring  44  rotates, the engagement portion  442  resists the urging force imparted by the plate spring  44 , is displaced from the engagement receiving portion  414  with which it was engaged, and moves along the groove portion  415  while rotating in the clockwise direction in a plan view. The engagement portion  442  moves along the groove portion  415  while rotating in the clockwise direction (the direction of the arrow D) in the plan view. The engagement portion  442  engages with the engagement receiving portion  414  that is adjacent to the engagement receiving portion  414  with which it was hitherto engaged (hereinafter referred to as the adjacent engagement receiving portion  414 ). Due to the above-described structure, the plate spring  44  once more urges the support member  41 , in the direction in which the engagement portion  442  engages with the adjacent engagement receiving portion  414  (the direction toward the axial line of the support member  41 ). By this urging, the rotation of the rotation member  63  is locked. Through the above-described processing, the cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8  becomes 45 degrees, which is the same as the extending direction angle of the groove portions  832 . 
         [0128]    Next, the CPU  151  controls the drive circuit  71  and drives the sewing machine motor  79 , thus raising the needle bar  6  (namely, the cutting needle  8 ) from the bottom needle position to the top needle position (step S 79 ). More specifically, the CPU  151  rotates the drive shaft  72  by 180 degrees, based on a signal output from the encoder  77 . 
         [0129]    In the above explanation, the case is explained in which the needle drop number N is “2,” but the processing is performed in the same manner when the needle drop number N is “3,” “4,” or “CUT_END” etc. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the cutting needle angle data that is associated with the needle drop number N “3,” “4,” and “CUT_END” in the cutwork pattern data  100  is, respectively, “135 degrees,” “90 degrees” and “0 degrees.” In this case, as shown in the guide portion number data  300  shown in  FIG. 19 , the guide portion numbers K associated with the cutting needle angles “135 degrees,” “90 degrees” and “0 degrees” are, respectively, “4,” “3” and “1.” Thus, when the needle drop number N is “4,” “3” and “CUT_END,” the cutting needle  8  and the rotation member  63  are guided, respectively, by the guide portions  714 ,  713  and  711  and the cutting needle angle is thus adjusted. 
         [0130]    As explained above, after the embroidery frame  10  is moved to the position determined at step S 65 , the cutting needle  8  is lowered and thus the protruding portion  621  is guided by the first guide surface and the second guide surface of one of the guide portions  711  to  714 . The protruding portion  621  is rotated while being lowered to the position at which it fits with the groove portions  831  to  834  of the guide portions  711  to  714 . As a result; the sewing machine  2  can automatically rotate the cutting needle  8 . Further, the protruding portion  621  is guided by one of the first guide surfaces  851  to  854  and one of the second guide surfaces  861  to  864  of the guide portions  711  to  714 , and thus the protruding portion  621  rotates in a stable manner. The sewing machine  2  can therefore rotate the cutting needle  8  in a stable manner. 
         [0131]    Furthermore, the first guide surfaces  851  to  854  and the second guide surfaces  861  to  864  of each of the guide portions  711  to  714  are inclined downward along the circumferential direction of the insertion hole provided in each of the guide portions  711  to  714 . Further, the respective groove portions  831  to  834  of the guide portions  711  to  714  are connected to the lower ends of the first guide surfaces  851  to  854  and the second guide surfaces  861  to  864  of the guide portions  711  to  714 . Therefore, the protruding portion  621  that is guided by the first guide surfaces  851  to  854  and the second guide surfaces  861  to  864  of the guide portions  711  to  714  easily rotates while being lowered, and the rotation stops at the position at which the protruding portion  621  fits with the groove portions. The cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8  becomes the same as the extending direction angle of the groove portions  831  to  834  of each of the guide portions  711  to  714 . Thus, the sewing machine  2  can rotate the cutting needle  8  in a more stable manner and can also improve the accuracy of the set cutting needle angle of the cutting needle  8 . 
         [0132]    The first guide surfaces  851  to  854 , the second guide surfaces  861  to  864  and the two groove portions of each of the guide portions  711  to  714  are provided such that they are symmetrical with respect to the axial line of the first insertion hole of each of the guide portions  711  to  714 . The protruding portion  621  is provided such that it is symmetrical, centering on the axial line of the rotation member  63 . Thus, when the cutting needle  8  and the rotation member  63  are inserted into the first insertion hole of one of the guide portions  711  to  714 , the first protruding portion  631  and the second protruding portion  632  are guided by one of the first guide surfaces  851  to  854  and one of the second guide surfaces  861  to  864  of the guide portions  711  to  714 . As a result, the sewing machine  2  can rotate the cutting needle  8  in an even more stable manner, compared to a case in which only one end of the protruding portion  621  is guided. 
         [0133]    Further, by the engagement portion  442  of the plate spring  44  being engaged with one of the plurality of engagement receiving portion  414 , the plate spring  44  urges the support portion  41  in the direction in which the engagement portion  442  engages with the engagement receiving portion  414 . By this urging, the rotation of the rotation member  63  is locked and the rotation of the cutting needle  8  is also locked. The sewing machine  2  can inhibit the cutting needle  8  from rotating unnecessarily when performing the cutwork on the work cloth. As a result, the sewing machine  2  can perform the cutwork on the work cloth in a stable manner. 
         [0134]    It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the support portion  700  is formed integrally with the right side portion of the outer frame  11 . In place of the above-described structure, the support portion  700  may be a separate member from the outer frame  11  and may be fixed to the right side portion of the outer frame  11  by a screw or by adhesive. 
         [0135]    In the above-described embodiment, the support portion  700  is provided with the four guide portions  711  to  714  whose extending direction angles differ by 45 degrees, respectively. In place of the above-described structure, six guide portions may be provided whose extending direction angles differ by 30 degrees, respectively. In this case, the angle of the cutting blade of the cutting needle  8  can be adjusted at 30 degree intervals. Further, each of the shape, the size, the number and the extending direction angle of the guide portion may be changed as appropriate. 
         [0136]    In the above-described embodiment, the protruding portion  621  is a shaft member that penetrates through the rotation member  63 . In place of the above-described structure, the protruding portion may be formed integrally with the rotation member  63 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 3