Sewing Machine Basics

RE: Sewing Machine Basics

beacon_dave — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 13:37:29 GMT

There is a good overview of the history of the sewing machine available here which may be of interest:

THE SECRET LIFE OF MACHINES: The Sewing Machine

https://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/SLOM/0104-The_Sewing_Machine.html

RE: Sewing Machine Basics

Andrew J — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 23:06:14 GMT

I read this yesterday and thought it was a bit random; didn’t know what to make of it. Looks like it is going to turn into something quite interesting.

sensors: not sure many would be needed - presence of thread; presence of material if it’s wholly automated? Presumably nothing would happen until a human pressed the pedal to drive the embroidery to completion, in which case would any sensors be required.

actuators: the computer would drive the machine (as it does during normal sewing?) so actuators for the feed dog and presser foot as necessary. First thought might be it would need to move the material side-to-side as well as through the machine for embroidery but there is no apparent means of doing that and it would be error prone and subject to the material construction. Therefore I would guess it is part of the needle mechanism and that under the presser foot, not shown, is a lateral slot to allow that. So actuators to needle position.

RE: Sewing Machine Basics

jw0752 — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 17:45:58 GMT

My Grandmother had an old treadle sewing machine. Knowing my propensity as a child for taking things apart she guarded it like a hawk and saw to it that there was always 3 feet between me and the sewing machine. I would be really curious how they use actuators in the sewing machine pictured to make the necessary mechanical adjustments to change the stitches. Go ahead and take it apart. I am sure the owner won't mind. [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-06e62b95-54f9-43d7-bd95-01104fac7ad4/contentimage_5F00_938.png:16:16]

John

RE: Sewing Machine Basics

mp2100 — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 17:27:36 GMT

The sewing machine I learned on in high school didn't have an LCD display and keypad. It had knobs that tightened springs. The "new one" my mother bought after that had replaceable cams that would pop into a round slot. Really high tech, I thought at the time. Each cam did a different stitch (straight, zigzag, button hole). Of course that was well back in the 20th century.

RE: Sewing Machine Basics

dubbie — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 16:59:52 GMT

So, are you going to take it apart now so we can see the insides?

Dubbie