Method for welding a curved seam

Abstract

A system and method for welding flexible fabric is presented. A welding system for flexible fabric includes a welding machine with a roller and a user interface. The welding machine is adapted to weld a first fabric to a second fabric using a first heat. The roller on the welding machine can be used to roll at a first speed the first fabric and/and or the second fabric through the welding machine. Later, an operator of the welding machine through the user interface sends a single speed control signal to the welding machine. Response of the single speed control signal, the welding machine changes from the first heat to a second heat and also changes the speed of the roller from the first speed to a second speed.

1 . A method for welding two pieces of flexible fabric comprising:
 rotating a turntable to deliver a first region of an edge of a first fabric to a welding machine;   rotating a belt on a conveyer table to deliver a first region of an edge of a second fabric to the welding machine;   welding the first regions of the edges of the first and second fabrics together;   forming a welded fabric section; and   guiding the welded fabric section from the welding machine onto the rotating turntable via a chute.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 feeding a non-welded length of the second fabric onto a first end of the belt on the conveyor table.   
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the step of feeding the non-welded length of the second fabric includes:
 placing the second fabric onto a movable platform; and   moving the movable platform linearly from a first position to a second position to move the non-welded length of the second fabric from the movable platform and onto the first end of the conveyor table.   
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 2 , further comprising,
 rotating the belt to advance the non-welded length of the second fabric from the first end of the conveyor table to a second end of the conveyor table and then delivering the non-welded length of the second fabric into the welding machine.   
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising feeding the delivered non-welded length of the second fabric through rollers on the welding machine. 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising:
 delivering the non-welded length of the second fabric to the welding machine at a same rate as a speed of rotation of the rollers on the welding machine.   
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 determining, via an alignment detection device, if the edge of the non-welded length of the second fabric is aligned with a predetermined location.   
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 causing, by way of an alignment adjustment logic, the movable platform to move to align the edge of the non-welded length of the second fabric with the predetermined location when the edge of the non-welded length of the second fabric is not aligned with the predetermined location   
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 positioning the alignment detection device proximate an end region of the movable platform.   
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the alignment detection device is a photoelectric sensor; and the step of positioning the alignment detection device includes directing the photoelectric sensor toward the end region of the movable platform. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising;
 receiving any part of the welded fabric section that overhangs an edge of a top wall of the turntable or a side wall of the turntable into a trough provided on the turntable.   
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 rotating the turntable at a first speed;   rotating the belt on the conveyer table to deliver the first region of edge of the second fabric to the welding machine at the first speed; and   welding the first regions of the edges of the first and second fabrics together with a first heat.   
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 receiving a single speed change request to change the first speed to a second speed.   
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 responsive to the single speed change request, switching from welding the first regions of the edges of the first and second fabrics with the first heat to welding the first regions of the edges of the first and second fabrics together with a second heat.   
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 13 , further comprising:
 responsive to the single speed change request, rotating the turntable to deliver the first region of the edge of the first fabric to the welding machine at the second speed.   
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 15 , further comprising:
 rotating the conveyer table to deliver the first region of the edge of the second fabric to the welding machine at the second speed.   
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising slowing down the rotation of the turntable and the conveyor belt when welding a curved section of the edges of the first and second fabrics. 
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 17 , further comprising reducing a level of heat applied by the welding machine when the rotation of the turntable and conveyor belt is slowed down. 
     
     
         19 . A method for welding two pieces of flexible fabric comprising:
 rotating a turntable to deliver an edge of a first fabric to a welding machine at a first speed;   rotating a conveyer belt to deliver an edge of a second fabric to the welding machine at the first speed;   welding the first fabric and the second fabric with a first heat;   receiving a single speed change request to change the first speed to a second speed;   responsive to the single speed change request, switching from welding the first fabric and the second fabric with the first heat to welding the first fabric and the second fabric with a second heat; and   responsive to the single speed change request, rotating the turntable to deliver the edge of the first fabric to the welding machine at the second speed and rotating the conveyer belt to deliver the edge of the second fabric to the welding machine at the second speed.   
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 19 , further comprising:
 providing a chute between the welding machine and the rotating turntable; and   transferring welded fabric from the welding machine back to the rotating turntable via the chute.