Embroidery machine with multi-station continuous worktable
By designing a multi-station continuous worktable embroidery machine, the problems of process fragmentation, pattern misalignment, and maintenance difficulties in traditional embroidery machines have been solved, achieving efficient, precise, and flexible embroidery production and improving the overall process quality and equipment adaptability of the embroidery machine.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FUJIAN XIN GANG TEXTILE MACHINERY
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
Smart Images

Figure CN224337913U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the textile field, and in particular to an embroidery machine with a multi-station continuous worktable. Background Technology
[0002] An embroidery machine is an automated processing device that embroiders pre-set patterns onto fabrics using needle punching. It is widely used in clothing, home textiles, window coverings, footwear, automotive interiors, and other fields. Based on different working principles, existing embroidery equipment is mainly divided into single-head embroidery machines, multi-head embroidery machines, flat embroidery machines, and vertical embroidery machines. Among them, multi-head embroidery machines are widely used due to their high efficiency and large output.
[0003] Traditional embroidery production typically involves two separate stages: first, the initial weaving of the fabric using warp knitting machines, weft knitting machines, or shuttle weaving equipment; second, the woven fabric is rolled up and unrolled before the embroidery stage, where the pattern is aligned using a positioning device or manual labor before embroidery begins. This "weave first, then embroider, segmented processing" process presents the following technical challenges:
[0004] Fragmented processes and low efficiency: Weaving and embroidery belong to different process segments, requiring multiple steps such as winding, transferring, unfolding, and positioning, resulting in a complex production process, long time, and large manpower input, which restricts the overall production capacity efficiency.
[0005] Pattern misalignment and alignment difficulties: Due to the tension changes and fabric deformation that occur during the winding and unwinding process, it is difficult to accurately align the subsequent embroidery pattern with the original warp-knitted structure, affecting the overall decorative effect and craftsmanship quality.
[0006] Unstable fabric transport: Most existing embroidery machines use friction rollers or pressure rollers for fabric transport and positioning, which makes it difficult to ensure that the fabric surface is always in a stable tension state during high-speed embroidery. This can easily lead to quality problems such as "deviation", "wrinkling", and "stitch deviation", especially when dealing with thin, elastic or multi-layered fabrics.
[0007] Limited lateral adjustment of embroidery heads: Common multi-head embroidery machines adopt an integrated beam structure, with each embroidery head fixedly arranged and the lateral movement usually being a whole-body sliding movement, resulting in complex control, slow response, and inability to flexibly meet the needs of diverse and personalized pattern arrangement.
[0008] Dense structure and difficult maintenance: In order to improve the unit output efficiency, existing embroidery machines often arrange multiple embroidery heads densely, resulting in a small space for manual inspection, limited field of vision, inconvenience for equipment fault diagnosis and maintenance, and certain safety hazards and operational obstacles.
[0009] Poor system scalability: Traditional embroidery equipment has a closed, integrated structure, which makes it difficult to expand or replace modules once the finished product is formed. It lacks the ability to flexibly assemble lines and is difficult to adapt to the modern trend of small-batch, multi-variety, customized, and flexible manufacturing.
[0010] Based on the above problems, existing technologies urgently need a new type of embroidery machine system with a higher degree of integration, more accurate embroidery alignment, more stable transmission, more flexible structure, more intelligent control, and more convenient operation and maintenance, in order to improve the overall process quality, production efficiency and equipment adaptability, and meet the application needs of efficient embroidery processing of new warp-knitted fabrics. Utility Model Content
[0011] This invention proposes an embroidery machine with a multi-station continuous worktable. Through collaborative optimization of the process flow, equipment structure, control strategy, traction method, and manual interaction, this machine successfully overcomes the technical bottlenecks of traditional embroidery processes, such as "process fragmentation, fabric slippage, pattern misalignment, bulky structure, and difficult inspection." It achieves high-precision, high-stability, high-flexibility, and high-efficiency continuous embroidery production. Its overall technical effectiveness is not only reflected in the significant improvement of mechanical performance and embroidery quality, but also demonstrates high engineering practicality and industrialization value in system design and practical application.
[0012] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows:
[0013] An embroidery machine with a multi-station continuous worktable includes:
[0014] A warp knitting loop mechanism is used to weave and form the fabric to be embroidered;
[0015] The pulling mechanism, located behind the warp knitting loop forming mechanism, is used to pull out the woven fabric after knitting.
[0016] Multiple embroidery workbenches are arranged sequentially along the fabric's direction of travel, and each embroidery workbench is equipped with multiple embroidery heads;
[0017] An embroidery control system is used to control the embroidery head to perform embroidery according to the pattern;
[0018] The fabric conveying mechanism is used to sequentially transport the fabric to each embroidery workbench and finally to the fabric rolling mechanism;
[0019] The multiple embroidery heads are arranged horizontally in a staggered manner on each embroidery workbench, with a manual inspection channel reserved between adjacent embroidery workbench to form an S-shaped manual inspection path.
[0020] The warp knitting loop-forming mechanism includes a needle bed, a comb bar, yarn guide needles, and a loop release plate, used to knit multiple sets of warp yarns into loops to form a warp-knitted fabric.
[0021] The fabric conveying mechanism includes:
[0022] Synchronous guide rollers are installed at both ends of each embroidery workbench;
[0023] The guide belt is tensioned on the guide roller; the upper surface of the guide belt is densely covered with vertically upward fine barbs to fix the fabric.
[0024] A stepper drive device that is linked to the embroidery control system.
[0025] The multiple embroidery workbenches are independent modular structures, each equipped with a local control unit, power supply interface, and quick-release fabric rails for modular expansion and maintenance.
[0026] Each embroidery head is mounted on a horizontal slide rail, which is equipped with a fine-tuning device to fine-tune the horizontal position of the embroidery head to match the pattern layout.
[0027] The embroidery head is a computer-controlled embroidery module, which includes an independent drive motor, a presser foot mechanism, an upper and lower thread supply structure, and a rotary shuttle system.
[0028] The manual inspection channel is no less than mm wide and runs in an S-shape between each embroidery workbench, which is suitable for operators to inspect all embroidery heads and the condition of the fabric.
[0029] The embroidery head is equipped with status indicator lights and a control panel, which can display information such as running, pause, and fault, and communicate with the embroidery control system in real time.
[0030] The embroidery control system includes:
[0031] The central control module is used for pattern scheduling throughout the entire process;
[0032] Distributed workstation control nodes are used to independently manage the embroidery parameters of each embroidery workstation;
[0033] The pattern alignment module is used to keep the embroidery pattern aligned with the warp-knitted pattern.
[0034] The fabric rolling mechanism is located after the embroidery workbench at the very end. It is used to roll up the warp-knitted fabric that has been embroidered and is equipped with a guide roller and a fabric rolling motor.
[0035] This invention proposes a multi-station continuous worktable embroidery machine that highly couples the processes of "warp knitting—continuous traction—multi-station embroidery—synchronous control—fabric stabilization—manual inspection—intelligent winding" by reconstructing and integrating the structures of traditional embroidery equipment and warp knitting equipment. The main advantages of this structure are reflected in the following aspects:
[0036] Firstly, the overall structure achieves integrated operation of the entire process from warp-knitted fabric weaving, conveying, positioning to pattern embroidery. In traditional production methods, warp-knitted fabric and embroidery are often two separate processes. The fabric needs to be wound up, transferred, re-mounted on the machine, and aligned for embroidery after weaving. This not only makes the process complex and difficult to align, but also easily leads to pattern misalignment due to fabric slack and deformation. This invention connects the warp-knitting loop mechanism and the embroidery system in series. The pulling mechanism enables continuous fabric output, while the guide belt structure transmits and positions the fabric synchronously and stably. This allows the embroidery pattern to correspond and naturally align with the warp-knitted structure in real time, eliminating pattern errors caused by repeated alignment and secondary fabric pulling, and effectively improving processing efficiency and embroidery accuracy.
[0037] Secondly, compared to the traditional multi-head embroidery machine structure where "a whole row of embroidery heads slides horizontally uniformly," this solution proposes a method where "embroidery heads are independently installed on the horizontal slide rail and independently controlled by an electric horizontal movement mechanism," enabling each embroidery head to have free horizontal positioning capability. This design breaks through the bottleneck of pattern arrangement limitations in the whole-row drive mode, allowing each embroidery head to dynamically adjust horizontally according to the actual pattern distribution, adapting to complex pattern requirements such as irregular shapes, asymmetry, partial repetition, and edge splicing. Furthermore, because the horizontal movement mechanism is an independent electronic control unit, the structure is lighter, has less inertia, higher positioning accuracy, and more flexible control cycle, which is conducive to integrated linkage with the pattern generation system and visual positioning system, making it particularly suitable for flexible production scenarios involving personalized customization or mixed multi-pattern arrangement.
[0038] Regarding fabric traction, this invention employs a guide belt structure with vertical fine barbs on its surface to replace conventional pressure rollers or friction rollers. Traditional fabric traction often relies on rolling clamping or surface friction, but in scenarios such as multi-layer embroidery, thin warp-knitted fabrics, and elastic fabrics, problems such as slippage, uneven tension, fabric edge curling, and misalignment of embroidery points easily occur. The fine-barbed guide belt, without damaging the fabric, forms a stable attachment by piercing the weft yarns, ensuring the fabric surface remains precisely tensioned throughout the embroidery process. This avoids common quality defects such as "deviation," "wrinkled fabric," or "pattern breakage" from the source, guaranteeing the consistency and accuracy of the pattern presentation.
[0039] Furthermore, this solution employs a staggered arrangement of manual inspection channels along the workbenches, ensuring reasonable spatial spacing between each pair of workstations and creating an overall S-shaped, meandering inspection path. Compared to the compact, cramped structure of traditional embroidery production lines, this solution effectively improves operator accessibility and inspection efficiency without wasting space, making it suitable for daily inspections, rapid maintenance, and emergency response. It also includes status indicator lights, an operating panel, and an emergency stop switch, forming a comprehensive human-machine interface system that significantly reduces the risk of misoperation and enhances overall operational convenience.
[0040] At the control system level, this invention constructs a flexible scheduling architecture of "central pattern control platform + distributed workstation control nodes". The central control module can logically divide the fabric length according to the overall pattern layout strategy and generate task segments to be distributed to each workstation. The workstation controllers independently drive all embroidery heads in their respective areas to perform local embroidery actions. The system supports operation modes such as zone control, partial rollback, and dynamic compensation, and has an alignment control module that can automatically match the starting position of the pattern according to the texture characteristics of the warp-knitted fabric, ensuring that the pattern maintains precise alignment in both the axial and transverse directions of the fabric, ultimately achieving a harmonious integration of the pattern and the structure.
[0041] In terms of equipment expandability and maintainability, each embroidery workbench is designed as an independent modular unit, equipped with quick electrical interfaces, communication interfaces, and mechanical guide rail structures, supporting plug-and-play and hot-swapping for easy replacement. This structure greatly reduces the overall design complexity and maintenance costs of the equipment, while providing open space for subsequent flexible upgrades, capacity expansion, or structural modifications to the production line.
[0042] In summary, this invention, through synergistic optimization of process flow, equipment structure, control strategy, traction method, and manual interaction, successfully overcomes the technical bottlenecks of traditional embroidery techniques, such as "process fragmentation, fabric slippage, pattern misalignment, cumbersome structure, and difficult inspection," achieving high-precision, high-stability, high-flexibility, and high-efficiency continuous embroidery production. Its overall technical effectiveness is not only reflected in the significant improvement of mechanical performance and embroidery quality, but also demonstrates high engineering practicality and industrialization value in system design and practical application. Attached Figure Description
[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of the embroidery heads of this utility model on the embroidery workbench;
[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of the manual inspection channels around the embroidery workbench according to this utility model;
[0045] Figure 3 This is a side view of the combined embroidery machine and warp knitting machine of this utility model.
[0046] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the guide belt and synchronous guide roller of this utility model;
[0047] Figure 5 This is a partial schematic diagram of the cooperation between the guide belt and the synchronous guide roller of this utility model.
[0048] The reference numerals in the figure are as follows:
[0049] 1. Warp knitting loop forming mechanism; 11. Needle bed; 12. Comb bar; 2. Pulling mechanism; 3. Fabric; 4. Embroidery workbench; 5. Embroidery head; 6. Fabric transfer mechanism; 61. Synchronous guide roller; 62. Guide belt; 63. Fine bar; 64. Toothed belt structure; 65. Gear structure; 7. Fabric winding mechanism; 8. Manual inspection channel. Detailed Implementation
[0050] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0051] See Figures 1 to 5 This utility model relates to an embroidery machine with a multi-station continuous worktable. It integrates warp knitting, automatic pulling, multiple embroidery worktables and fabric conveying, automatic alignment, modular control and manual inspection into one system, realizing continuous embroidery processing of warp-knitted fabrics, improving pattern coordination, production line flexibility and operation convenience.
[0052] The multi-station continuous worktable embroidery machine in this embodiment includes:
[0053] The system includes: 1. Warp knitting loop mechanism; 2. Pulling mechanism; 3. Multiple embroidery workbenches; 4. Multiple embroidery heads; 5. Fabric conveying mechanism; 6. Embroidery control system; 7. Fabric rolling mechanism; and 8. S-shaped manual inspection channel.
[0054] The warp knitting loop-forming mechanism 1 is used to knit warp yarns into fabric 3 through loop-forming motion. It includes a needle bed 11, a guide bar 12, guide needles, needle cores, and a loop-removing plate. Each warp yarn passes through the guide bar and the loop-removing plate in sequence under the guidance of the guide needles, and performs loop-forming motion under the drive of the needle bed.
[0055] This part can utilize mature equipment such as Jacquard warp knitting machines and Raschel warp knitting machines. Its key feature is efficient and continuous weft knitting, which can achieve different weft structure according to different patterns. The fabric 3 forms a preliminary pattern base during the weaving process, which facilitates the subsequent superposition of embroidery patterns.
[0056] The pulling mechanism 2 is located after the warp knitting loop mechanism 1 and includes upper and lower pulling roller groups, guide plates, and tension regulators. It is used to stably pull the fabric 3 out of the knitting area, maintain uniform tension, and transport it to the embroidery area.
[0057] The tension regulator fine-tunes the pulling speed in real time by feeding back changes in the fabric curvature to ensure that the fabric is taut but not deformed, thus preventing misalignment of the embroidery.
[0058] The multiple embroidery workbenches 4 are arranged sequentially along the forward direction of the fabric 3. Each embroidery workbench is an independent modular structure, equipped with a rigid support frame, a fabric guiding mechanism, multiple embroidery heads 5, a positioning platform, and a lighting and status indication system.
[0059] Each embroidery workbench is equipped with a local control unit, power interface, communication node, and quick-installation guide rail interface, which allows for easy addition or reduction of the number of workstations, enabling flexible assembly and maintenance replacement.
[0060] This utility model employs a "horizontally staggered arrangement" to deploy multiple embroidery heads 5, meaning that two rows of embroidery heads are alternately arranged on the left and right sides of the worktable, so that adjacent embroidery heads are staggered and crisscrossed. This structure offers the following advantages:
[0061] Avoid dense, side-by-side placement that could cause interference between needles;
[0062] Increase the number of embroidery heads per unit area to improve production efficiency;
[0063] A visible passage is provided for manual inspection and maintenance.
[0064] This utility model further optimizes the embroidery head installation structure: each embroidery head 5 is installed on a corresponding transverse slide rail, and each transverse slide rail is driven and controlled by an electric transverse movement mechanism.
[0065] The specific structure is as follows: A connecting slider assembly is located below the embroidery head, and the slider is fitted into a horizontal guide rail. One end of the guide rail is connected to a stepper motor or a servo motor, and the other end is connected to a limit switch. The motor drives the slider to move on the guide rail through a lead screw or a synchronous belt, realizing independent horizontal drive control.
[0066] The central control system can distribute the pattern coordinates to each embroidery head in real time. The workstation control unit analyzes the target position and drives the electric transverse movement mechanism to automatically move the embroidery head laterally to the designated position.
[0067] This structure has the following advantages compared to the traditional integral beam sliding scheme:
[0068] Each embroidery head can be controlled independently in the horizontal direction, eliminating the need for lateral movement of the overall structure and resulting in low mechanical inertia;
[0069] It can dynamically adjust the pattern alignment to adapt to local fabric offsets or adaptive pattern.
[0070] The pattern path scheduling is more flexible, supporting irregular layouts, left-right symmetrical division of labor, and multi-row parallel operation;
[0071] The system offers precise control and is compatible with visual guidance systems and edge alignment algorithms.
[0072] The electric transverse system supports a lateral range adjustment of ±20~50mm, with a repeatability of no less than 0.2mm. The control signal is generated by the central control system and the pattern segmentation module, and combined with the synchronous guide cloth rhythm, it can achieve strict matching between the pattern embroidery points and the movement nodes.
[0073] The fabric conveying mechanism 6 is mainly used to transport the pulled-out fabric 3 to multiple embroidery worktables and maintain tension and synchronization.
[0074] Each embroidery workbench is equipped with a synchronous guide roller 61 on both sides, with a guide belt 62 wound around it to form a closed loop. The upper surface of the guide belt 62 is provided with evenly distributed vertically upward fine barbs 63. These barbs can slightly penetrate the weft yarn structure at the edge of the fabric without damaging the fabric, thereby fixing the fabric to the surface of the guide belt and preventing deviation or slippage during embroidery. The lower surface is a toothed belt structure 64; the outer circumference of the guide roller 61 is provided with a gear structure 65 corresponding to the toothed belt structure 64.
[0075] Compared to traditional friction or pressure roller traction, fine-barbed guide belts have the following technical advantages:
[0076] It adheres more firmly to fabric and is suitable for multi-layered embroidery patterns;
[0077] To avoid quality defects such as "deviation" and "wrinkled fabric" during the embroidery process;
[0078] It is compatible with lightweight warp-knitted fabrics, elastic fabrics, and other materials that are difficult to pull.
[0079] The guide belt is driven by a servo stepper motor, operating in sync with the embroidery control system. After each section of the pattern is completed, the guide belt advances one pitch to achieve continuous pattern arrangement. The servo system supports "positive compensation" and "partial return" control, making it suitable for complex segmented pattern embroidery.
[0080] This system serves as the core of the machine's intelligent control and includes the following modules:
[0081] Central control module: reads the set pattern file; processes the pattern into workstation segments; assigns control tasks to each embroidery workstation; coordinates the guide fabric stepping and embroidery rhythm.
[0082] Workstation control nodes: Each embroidery workstation is equipped with an independent workstation controller, which communicates with the central system to receive tasks and drive the movement of all embroidery heads at this workstation. It supports functions such as embroidery head self-check, thread breakage alarm, and abnormal return.
[0083] Pattern alignment module: The system has a pattern alignment function module. When importing pattern files, it automatically matches alignment points according to the characteristics of warp knitting patterns, ensuring that the embroidery pattern and the knitting pattern are accurately superimposed in the longitudinal and transverse directions, realizing "texture filling embroidery".
[0084] The manual inspection channel 8 is staggered between multiple embroidery workbenches, forming an overall S-shaped serpentine path. The channel width is no less than 600mm, sufficient for single-person movement and temporary accommodation between equipment.
[0085] The following factors should be considered in the design of the passageway:
[0086] The visible range covers the entire embroidery head;
[0087] The passageway is well-lit and equipped with non-illuminated warning lines.
[0088] Each workbench has a status indicator light on its side to show the running / standby / abnormal status;
[0089] Maintenance doors and tool platforms are reserved at the ends of the passage.
[0090] Compared to straight-line inspection, S-shaped deployment has the advantage of "short path and multiple coverages", making it suitable for workers to patrol and inspect lines, perform rapid maintenance, and inspect sample fabrics.
[0091] The fabric rolling mechanism is located after the last embroidery workbench and is used to organize and roll up the warp-knitted fabric that has been embroidered.
[0092] The system includes: a fabric winding motor (with constant speed or tension tracking control), guide rollers (in conjunction with a correction arm), a tension detection device (for feedback control), and a fabric breakage alarm and length counting system (for measurement and alarm). After fabric preparation, it is neatly wound up, facilitating subsequent slitting, inspection, or unwinding.
[0093] The overall operation process is as follows:
[0094] ① The warp knitting loop mechanism 1 continuously weaves the base fabric 3;
[0095] ② The tensioning mechanism 2 outputs the fabric with constant tension;
[0096] ③ The fabric is guided to the guide belts 62 on both sides of the first embroidery workbench, and the edges are lightly pricked and fixed by the fine needles 63;
[0097] ④ The central control module reads the floral pattern, divides the embroidery tasks according to the fabric length, and distributes them to the corresponding workstations;
[0098] ⑤ Each embroidery head 5 embroiders according to the pattern. After each section is completed, the guide belt advances step by step.
[0099] ⑥ Workers can check the operating status of each workstation and the quality of the embroidery at any time along the S-shaped inspection channel 8;
[0100] ⑦ Once all the embroidery is completed, the fabric is rolled up by the fabric rolling mechanism 7.
[0101] The above description is merely an embodiment of this utility model and does not limit the patent scope of this utility model. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of this utility model specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. An embroidery machine with a multi-station continuous worktable, characterized in that, include: Warp knitting loop mechanism (1) is used to knit the fabric (3) to be embroidered; The pulling mechanism (2) is located behind the warp knitting loop mechanism (1) and is used to pull out the woven fabric (3); Multiple embroidery worktables (4) are arranged sequentially along the fabric's forward direction, and multiple embroidery heads (5) are provided on the embroidery worktables (4). An embroidery control system is used to control the embroidery head (5) to perform embroidery according to the pattern; Fabric conveying mechanism (6) is used to convey fabric (3) sequentially to each embroidery workbench (4) and finally to the fabric rolling mechanism (7). The multiple embroidery heads (5) are arranged horizontally and staggered on each embroidery workbench (4), and a manual inspection channel (8) is reserved between adjacent embroidery workbench (4) to form an S-shaped manual inspection path.
2. The embroidery machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The warp knitting loop-forming mechanism (1) includes a needle bed (11), a comb bar (12), a yarn guide needle, and a loop release plate, used to knit multiple sets of warp yarns into a warp-knitted fabric (3).
3. The embroidery machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fabric conveying mechanism (6) includes: Synchronous guide rollers (61) are installed at both ends of each embroidery worktable. The guide belt (62) is tensioned on the guide roller (61); the upper surface of the guide belt (62) is densely distributed with vertically upward fine barbs (63) to fix the fabric (3). A stepper drive device that is linked to the embroidery control system.
4. The embroidery machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple embroidery workbenches (4) are independent modular structures. Each embroidery workbench (4) is equipped with a local control unit, power supply interface and quick-release fabric rail for modular expansion and maintenance.
5. The embroidery machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Each embroidery head (5) is mounted on a horizontal slide rail, which is equipped with a fine-tuning device to fine-tune the horizontal position of the embroidery head to match the pattern arrangement.
6. The embroidery machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The embroidery head (5) is a computer-controlled embroidery module, which includes an independent drive motor, a presser foot mechanism, an upper and lower thread supply structure, and a rotary shuttle system.
7. The embroidery machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The manual inspection channel (8) is no less than 600mm wide and runs in an S-shape between each embroidery workbench (4), which is suitable for operators to inspect all embroidery heads (5) and the condition of the fabric.
8. The embroidery machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The embroidery head (5) is equipped with a status indicator light and a control panel, which can display information such as running, pause, and fault, and communicate with the embroidery control system in real time.
9. The embroidery machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The embroidery control system includes: The central control module is used for pattern scheduling throughout the entire process; Distributed workstation control nodes are used to independently manage the embroidery parameters of each embroidery workstation (4); The pattern alignment module is used to keep the embroidery pattern aligned with the warp-knitted pattern.
10. The embroidery machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fabric rolling mechanism (7) is located after the last embroidery worktable (4) and is used to roll up the warp-knitted fabric that has been embroidered. It is equipped with a guide roller and a fabric rolling motor.