The embroidery set-up that we have now, is the result of tests and experiments on 2 previous prototypes since 2014, as explain in the historic.
Unlike other embroidery projects we could find on the internet ( other DIY embroidery machine )we built it in a way that it would easily work on any other sewing machine (as a part of it not a separate set-up)
The potential we had of repairing the complete machine seemed obvious and non negotiable for aesthetic reasons and liability. We make it easier for everyone deciding not to change anything on the sewing machine. That choice included external sensors to locate the needle and an automatic pedal control (work in progress) to easily monitor the speed.
The vast majority of embroidery machines on the market as we speak own a graphic tablet as well as a memory card reader providing them an autonomous use.
Adding a screen (doubling up often with the laptop that created/uploaded the pattern)and or a memory card reader didn’t seems to be interesting for our project in terms of money and development .
This is why we chose to pilot it with a laptop and a software we created ourselves. It’s him that sends orders directly to the command card and inform us of the progress of the embroidery and any threads that need some changes. The command card is piloted by Bluetooth hence it is completely wireless.
The choice of separating the screen and the monitor allow us to easily make the system evolve quite fast. It it completely feasible to imagine that a day we will pilot the machine through a tablet or even a phone via Bluetooth if the software is compatible.
With our set-up it is our machine that guides the movements of the frame. The electronic set-up just waits for the needle to extract itself from the fabric to move the XY table.
In this case if the engines stops in the sewing machine it will automatically stop the one in the embroidery set-up. (for instance if the thread keeps on jamming or if it breaks) and the embroider set-up will settle on the rhythm of the sewing machine.
The foot is a necessity to prevent the fabric to get stuck around the needle , it offers a support and is extremely efficient for our sensor. It will not disturb the user of sewing machines who are use to change it.
But of course it also brings an inconvenience, the thread of the sensor must be located along the arm of the machine to reach the embroidery set-up.