Serial bus control system for sewing equipment

A control system for a sewing station for sewing a work piece as the work piece is moved along a sewing path, the control system comprising:

• a system controller for interfacing with an operator;
• a serial bus cable having a series of connectors attached therealong;
• at least one input module connected to said bus cable for receiving and transmitting information about the operation of the sewing station to said system controller;
• and
• at least one output module connected to said bus cable and receiving instructions from said system controller for controlling the operation of selected elements of the sewing station;
• wherein said input and output modules each include a connector for enabling quick connection and disconnection of said modules from said bus cable for ease of set up and replacement of said modules.

A method of controlling a sewing assembly of the type having a sewing machine with a sewing needle and a drive system for moving a work piece along a sewing path past the sewing needle for sewing the work piece, the method comprising:

• initiating an operation program for controlling the operation of the sewing assembly through a system controller connected to a serial bus control system;
• transmitting input information regarding the movement and sewing of the work piece to the system controller from at least one input module via the serial bus control system;
• communicating program instructions for operation of the sewing machine and drive system along the serial bus control system to a series of output modules;
• and
• controlling the operation of the sewing machine and drive system with the output modules for sewing the work piece.

An automated sewing station for sewing a work piece moving along a sewing path through the sewing station, comprising,

• at least one sewing needle positioned along the sewing path of the work piece;
• a drive system for moving the work piece along the sewing path;
• a system controller for monitoring and controlling the sewing station;
• and
• a serial bus system in communication with said system controller and including:
• a serial bus cable;
• at least one input module mountable along said serial bus cable for transmitting information about the sewing of the work piece by the sewing station to said system controller via said serial bus cable;
• and
• at least one output module mountable along said serial bus cable and receiving instructions via said serial bus cable for controlling operation of selected operative elements of the sewing station for sewing the work piece as it is moved through the sewing station.

A method of controlling a sewing assembly of the type having a sewing machine with a sewing needle and a drive system for moving a work piece along a sewing path past the sewing needle for sewing the work piece, the method comprising:

• activating an operations program for controlling the operation of the sewing assembly for sewing the work piece through a system controller
• communicating program instructions for operation of the sewing machine and drive system from the system controller along a serial bus cable to a series of output modules;
• monitoring and transmitting input information regarding the movement and sewing of the work piece from at least one input module to the system controller along the serial bus cable;
• and
• in response to the input information, controlling the operation of the sewing machine and drive system with the output modules for sewing the work piece.