Computer controlled sewing machine with cutting needles

An apparatus, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory configured to store a plurality of cut length data items and computer-readable instructions, wherein the plurality of cut length data items indicate lengths of a plurality of cuts configured to be formed by a plurality of cutting blades, each of the plurality of cutting blades is configured to be attachable to one of a plurality of needle bars of a sewing machine, and the computer-readable instructions instruct the apparatus to execute steps comprising:
• acquiring pattern data, wherein the pattern data represent a position of a point on a pattern line and the pattern line indicates a shape of a pattern to be cut along the pattern line;
• setting, as a plurality of first cutting needle drop points, a plurality of points on the pattern line at predetermined intervals, wherein each of the plurality of first cutting needle drop points is a position at which one of the plurality of cutting blades is to be inserted;
• setting a cut angle corresponding to each of the plurality of first cutting needle drop points, wherein the cut angle is an angle that is determined based on a direction in which the pattern line extends at a position of each of the plurality of first cutting needle drop points;
• determining a plurality of second cutting needle drop points among the plurality of first cutting needle drop points, wherein the second cutting needle drop points are arranged consecutively along the pattern line, and the cut angles of the plurality of the second cutting needle drop points are same;
• consolidating, based on the plurality of cut length data items, at least some of the plurality of second cutting needle drop points into at least one third cutting needle drop point;
• identifying a cutting blade corresponding to each of a plurality of fourth cutting needle drop points among the plurality of cutting blades based on the plurality of cut length data items, wherein the plurality of fourth cutting needle drop points include at least one first cutting needle drop point which is unconsolidated among the plurality of first cutting needle drop points and at least one third cutting needle drop point which is consolidated;
• and
• generating cut data for the sewing machine, wherein the cut data are configured to cause the sewing machine to sequentially insert the identified cutting blades at the plurality of fourth cutting needle drop points along the pattern line.