How To Service Your Embroidery Machine
Are you one of the elite, one of the special few, who enjoy doing embroidery?
There are many brands of embroidery machines. There are machines designed for commercial use like those made by Melco and SWF. There are smaller units made for home use by well knows sewing machine companies like Janome and Babylock.
Many home embroidery machines combine computerized sewing machines with advanced embroidery features. Others are stand alone models that use one, two, or six needles.
Commercial embroidery equipment may have twelve to sixteen needles and thread assemblies. Janome and Brother offer smaller multi-needle and single needle stand alone embroidery machines or cottage industry and home use. Combo embroidery machines are single needle machines.
The embroidery design is produced by using an assembly program on a computer (commonly called embroidery software). The finished design is fed to the embroidery stitch one stitch at a time. The computer signal controls the movement of the needle and the hoop. A group of stitches sew out from one needle. Then the pre-threaded needle assembly automatically adjusts for the next needle. Different colored threads are threaded on different needles.
Does the embroidery machine look really complicated? It is. The idea of four, six, twelve, or sixteen needles all sewing on the same machine can make the novice feel really overwhelmed.
If, however, you think of the embroidery machine as a simple straight stitch sewing machine with a moving hoop arm, the machine becomes much less intimidating. Yes, the machine may have many needles, but they only work one at a time.
To properly care for your embroidery machine, treat it like a series of single stitch sewing machines.
Neglect is the number one cause of embroidery machine failure. The user must take responsibility for the care and maintenance of their machine. It must be kept clean and well lubricated. Dirt, lint, and gunk must be removed. Old dried out crystallized lubricants must be removed. Otherwise neglect will eventually lead to machine failure.
There are three crucial areas of the concern to the user. The bobbin area, the needle bar area (for each needle), and the hoop assembly are those three key areas.
Use a small brush and probe as needed to loosen debris. Use an air compressor, canned air, or a vacuum with special attachments to properly remove loose debris. Every three to four hours of sewing, clean these areas of your machine. Once clean place one drop of pure clean sewing machine oil wherever metal parts touch metal.
It is important to replace your embroidery needles frequently. Special titanium needles may last up to ten or twelve hours of use, but ordinary embroidery needles should be replaced every three to four hours. Avoid dull, bent, or needles with burrs.
When push comes to shove, rely on the experts. It is vital that you maintain your equipment in peak condition at all times, but at least once a year or ever 10,000,000 stitches have the experts provide thorough service. If the machine just wont work, rely on the pros.
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