The scope of embroidery machine seems limitless with beading, sequins, ribbons, cording, chenille, metallic, appliqué, cut work, etc. often carried out on the same machine, albeit with various attachments. Even laser engraving can be added to embroidery designs. The garment industry’s new drive towards high-value added products is prompted by increasing competition from other countries. Garment Technology Expo 2009 witnessed the latest technologies in not only embroidery, but also in cording, sequin attachment. Team StitchWorld takes a look at the new generation of embroidery machines at GTE-’09.
Peayush Machineries – Innovative Towel Embroidery Technique
Peayush Machineries showcased Dayu’s Towel Mix Embroidery Machine. The machine can support normal embroidery functions as well as towel embroidery in the very same head through the attachment of a loop making hook that gives it the appearance of a terry weave. The machine on display at GTE-’09 had 12 heads and 9 needle bars per head that avoids frequent thread change and hence reduces its downtime significantly. Another prominent modification that makes the machine more user-friendly than its previous versions is that the threads are fed from the top, as opposed to being fed from the bottom of the machine.
This machine provides an option to change colours automatically or manually up to 99 times in a single programme file giving it a lot of flexibility for complex motif embroidery. The designing software that is recommended by Dayu is Wings Xp because of its ease of use although the machine is compatible with any other designing software. The company recommends Wings Xp for embroidery designing. It works at a speed of 850 rpm. It can do normal embroidery as well.
Dayu’s Cording Machine was also displayed by Peayush Machineries. This machine too is suitable for normal embroidery functions as well as for attaching cord in different motif shapes. The basic stitch type that holds the cord to the fabric is a cross stitch that locks at the back. The production of 10” X 10” motif costs around Rs. 2 making it very economical for use in larger orders. The cord thickness can be varied up to 80 mm and the machine can hold multiple threads and cord cones, a feature that was not possible in the previous versions.
USHA Launches Embroidery Machine for Small-Scale Producers and Designers
Usha International presented its latest embroidery machine. MEMORY CRAFT Machine 2009 targeted for the small-scale producers, designers and the boutiques. The machine has Backlit LCD touch screen, helping clearer options. With the facility of rotating the design up to 45 degree it can adjust design sizes as well. The Janome software improves compati-bility allowing more creativity. The extra foot lit enables machine to work on thick fabric. Its multi-folder memory system gives more storage, thus more options.
“The machine has come in the market recently and we are projecting it as our special feature in this GTE,” says P.S. Chopra, Jt. Marketing Manager, USHA International. As the market has been on the low for some time, buying is mostly need-based; expansion has taken sort of rest by and large. “We are positioning the machine in the domestic market for the time being,” adds Chopra.
The company believes in providing better quality and services which it has indeed established in the Indian households over the years. The latest MEMORY CRAFT machine can perform at an average speed of 650 RPM. Moreover it is oil-free, hence dirt free and cleaning free also.
With the change in needle sizes varying from 9 to11, it can do very small designs also. Coming at a price of Rs. 42,000. “I think the blend of standard, quality, services and cost-effectiveness has generated lot of curiosity among the customers. We are looking forward to a better market possibility in the coming days,” avers an optimistic Chopra.
Indigenous Sequin Attachment Devices Receive a Warm Response at the Expo
The basic working of these machines is based on feeding of a sequin tape from the top or the side of the needle. A cutter separates the sequin which falls on the fabric while the thread and the needle affix the sequins to the fabric. An operator uses an embroidery frame to fix the area that is to be sequined and moves the frame on the machine bed to enable sequin attachment along the required pattern.
Gold International, a company based in Surat displayed a sequin attachment device that is attached to a single head machine with 50 pre-programmed settings that can be combined to give multiple options. For instance, one can specify how many stitches should be left between groups of sequins. Also, there is an option to programme the extent to which two sequins can be stitched overlapping with one another. Pravin told us that “The machine has the capability of overlapping sequins to up to 75% leaving a lot of scope for texture and appearance variations. There is no restriction on the shape of the sequin to be attached as long as it doesn’t exceed 9 mm in diameter.”
The speed of the machine is usually 700-800 RPM but it can go up to as high as 1500 RPM for a skilled worker. The hardware wired to the machines has been developed in Surat itself and has good response in Ahmedabad and other cities with about 215 machines being sold in 3 months.
Another company marketing its sequin attachment machines was Jing Gujarat, also from Surat. They are using a sequin attachment device by Wenzhou Jiayu Embroidery Machine Company from China. Apart from selling machines with single sequin attachment capability, they also have a twin sequin attachment device. “The software comprises of 100 pre-programmed settings that can give various combinations for the two sequins. Apart from sewing small pieces, these machines are used for alterations from multiple head sequin attaching machines as there is an option to drop one sequin at a time.” Said Shamim Jing Gujarat also has a machine specifically for attaching sequins to edges of fabrics. The machine finds application in dupattas and sarees.
Viable Central Asia & Keith Electronics: Laser Cutting on a Range of Materials
Viable Central Asia displayed FB700 series and Keith Electronics displayed Yueming Laser Cutting/Engraving Machines which can cut embroidered badges, embroidery appliqués, woven labels and many other products with clean and accurate edges. The laser light due to its property seals edges while cutting. The advantage of such machine is that they can cut at sharp angles and take tight radius that turns accurately. There is no need of cutting dies or blades and no deterioration of quality. The product is always consistent. The machine can cut all textile materials, including leather, vinyl, plastic and wood.
The unique design of FB700 includes a moving flat feed tray bed which enables faster loading and unloading of finished goods. An optional micro-video camera and electronic optical software locate logos, aligns and cuts accurately. The camera locates registration points above, below and next to each badge. This data is used to detect and compensate for any distortion in the fabric. The system is used to design for use with badges produced by multi-head or Schiffli Embroidery Machines, label weaving or printing machines. The machine is available with 30, 50 and 100 watt laser power to suit varying material and production demands.
The speed of the machine is 1000 mm/sec. “The machine is capable of Kiss cutting, which is the precision cutting of upper layer of fabrics as well as the obvious through cutting at one go,” says Sanjay Malik, Senior Manager – Sales, Viable Central Asia Exim “Our clients include famous export houses like the Orient Craft, Orient Fashions, SPL, Intime Garments and many more,” he concludes.
Tajima Displays Super Multi-Head TFGN Series Embroidery Machine
Tajima products are made with no compromise in quality. The next generation embroidery machines, introduced for the first time in the embroidery industry in India, are loaded with the craftsmanship and with latest technology.
Tajima’s Super Multi-Head TFGN Series Embroidery Machine, is useful in a wide range of fields from small design for emblems to large designs, and up to home textiles. Speaking to Team StitchWorld, Robert Jedrek, General Manager – Sales, said that this machine has 56 heads, which are flexible in terms of embroidery. It can even do the embroidery on very thin leather.
If a user wants to use only some heads and lock the others, it can be possible. Certain patterns can also be grouped together. Codes can be inserted and the pattern/design can be done with various combinations. “This machine is very similar to Schiffli Machine, but costs much less,” informed the confident Robert.
Maximum up to 6 colours of embroidery threads can be used. Besides, optional sequin devices can be mounted on all the heads. The rotary thread breakage detector is installed to constantly control the supply of thread. Automatic stitch correcting function is also applicable head by head and one does not need to correct it after embroidery nor dispose of remaining stitches. The machine runs at a maximum speed of 950 RPM, giving high volume production at a low cost. The embroidery space of 162.4 mm is six times as large as the head interval 27.07 mm of Schiffli Machine. The machine can be laid up to 487.2 mm to create original large designs, and even small designs like emblems. A wide range of applicable sequin spangles up to 3-9 mm in diameter, adding the value and quality of embroidery work.
Tajima has also built the powerful embroidery software solutions – the Tajima DG/ML By Pulse which has 10 best features including true vector based embroidery, vector import, advanced lettering features, special/decorative stitch effects and sophisticated embroidery creations. “Start with the basic tools you need and expand your software as your business grows, which Tajima DG/ML can provide,” concludes jubilant Robert.
SWF High Speed Embroidery Machines: Perfect for Bulk Embroidery
The SWF/SB-WA630-150, a high speed flat multi-head computerized embroidery machine caught the eyes of many at the expo. The machine has expanded memory size and is capable of storing a maximum of 100 designs. The basic memory size is 2 million stitches. The embroidery design can be enlarged and reduced from 50% to 200% by 1% increment step in X and Y axis. The needle bar is also selected automatically. Also, a single design can be repeated up to 63 times at different angles and directions. The frame automatically returns to the offset point when the embroidery is finished to make it easier to stitch frames. The ‘Automatic Offset’ mode allows moving frame automatically to the desired point, making it easier to do appliqués and to switch frames. However, manual offsetting can also be done if required. The frame and the needle bar can move back and forth by the units of 1/100/1000/10000 stitches without stitching.
“When the thread breaks or runs out of track, you can move the needle bar back to the starting point of the design in the units of one to ten stitches. When the power fails unexpectedly, the frame moves back to the exact point where the stitching stopped. This helps to reduce the number of defects”, said Megha of HCA, the sole agent for SWF machines.
Geared motor enables simultaneous operation of all heads, ensuring accurate timing. Also, the upper thread holder on each head can be individually turned on. The machine also has an AC servo motor for X-Y drive, making it more precise. It also has upper thread holding device which prevents unthreading in the heads stopped during embroidery, and thus leads to higher productivity. The greasing of arm and bed is done automatically at pre-set number of stitches.
