Sewing Dynamics

Abstract

A measuring system has been developed to capture and analyze forces directly encountered by the needle bar and presser bar from a high speed sewing machine. The forces recorded from the needle bar reflect those encountered by needle penetration and withdrawal. The forces recorded from the presser bar are those transferred by the feed dog as it advances the fabric each sewing cycle. A measuring system known as the ncsu sewing dynamometer is capable of detecting changing sewing parameters, including variations in the material being sewn, increasing plies of fabric, frictional forces on the sewing needle, and the dynamics of the feeding system.