Mechatronic approach to the feeding system of an overlock sewing machine

This paper describes the initial study of the research program being carrie d out on the feeding system of an industrial overlock sewing machine. The r esults obtained from the displacement and compression force, together with the graphic kinematic analysis, which includes the velocity and acceleratio n taken from the displacement-time curves of the presser foot bar, led to f urther understanding of the feeding system dynamics. This study is expected to provide the basis for the development of a redesigned and optimised fab ric feeding system, in which the role of an actuator integrated in the pres ser foot bar will also be discussed as a major contribution to achieving a desired dynamic behaviour at high sewing speeds. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.