Needle Heating during High-Speed Sewing

Abstract

A review of the literature and extensive field interviews have been conducted on the subject of needle heating in high-speed sewing. As a result of this investigation, a survey of the current state of the art and knowledge available in the field has been completed and is presented in the following categories: (1) the nature of the problem and the difficulties which arise in commercial operations; (2) quantitative methods of measuring needle temperatures; (3) the influence of machine factors such as sewing speed, length of sewing time, and needle design on the heat generated during sewing; (4) the influence of material factors such as fabric structure and finish, layers of fabric, and sewing thread on needle heating; (5) techniques for alleviating needle heating problems; and (6) the mechanism of generation and dissipation of heat in the sewing process. Some heretofore unpublished data are presented.