Sewing with Industrial Sewing Machines: A Novice’s Guide

Your first foray into the world of industrial sewing machines can be daunting, but you don’t have to let the unfamiliarity intimidate you. Whether you are planning to get industrial sewing machines for your business or for personal use, you should be happy to know that there are a lot materials online that can help you get acquainted with these wonderful machines. Brand guides, video demonstrations, and forums discussing virtually all types of topics you might have in mind are all just a click away.

If you’re new to sewing with industrial sewing machines, you can begin by reading this this short guide we’ve compiled. This article covers some of the things you can expect when using with these professional equipment, and it also offers some ideas regarding the features and functionalities you can take advantage of in order to make your work easier and more efficient.

Selecting stitch types

If you’ve used regular domestic sewing machines for quite some time, you’d be familiar with the useful features they possess. Domestic sewing machines, for instance, can easily switch between various stitch styles. The same can’t be said of industrial sewing machines, which are very specialized. In a garment manufacturing facility, it is normal to find machines that only do specific types of stitches — from lockstitch and chainstitch sewing machines to coverstitch and overlock stitch sewing machines.

The rationale behind this specialization is the emphasis on performance and quality. If you have a machine that has been engineered to do just a single task, you tend to get more efficient performance in addition to more sophisticated results in terms of stitch quality.

Machines for special tasks

Additionally, there are also special machines that can perform other tasks in a professional sewing environment. For instance, you might be surprised to find out that there are industrial machines that were specially created for doing embroidery and quilting, as well as machines that were made just for sewing buttons and installing zippers. These focused machines help businesses streamline their production lines and make it easier for them to complete their manufacturing goals on time.

Computerized machines offer efficient control

One great thing about the modern sewing industry is that businesses can enjoy the plethora of benefits afforded by the digital age. Lower-cost industrial sewing machines that use manual control systems are very reliable, but their computerized cousins provide significantly better levels of control for users. At the push of a button, you’ll be able to have more accurate tension, adjust for fabric thicknesses, change the needle stop position, perform reverse stitches to reinforce the workpiece, and so many more.

Enjoy great speeds and performance

Industrial sewing machines can do stitches between 5 to 20 times faster than home sewing machines, making them ideal for those who need equipment that can perform rapid stitch rates. Additionally, on a per day basis, industrial sewing machines can also operate for much longer than domestic sewing machines. The driving force behind this greatly improved performance is the machines’ large motors, which come in two basic varieties: clutch motors and servo motors.

Clutch motors are a staple in the sewing industry. They are robust and reliable, but are likewise rather noisy and energy-hungry. The newer servo motors create less noise and consume between 60 to 80 percent less energy than clutch motors, but some say they lack the kind of brawn that clutch motors possess. It goes without saying that you should choose machines whose motors serve your needs best.

Which type of feed mechanism?

Sewing with industrial sewing machines also gives you an opportunity to choose from several types of feed mechanisms. A lot of times, devices that change the feed mechanism can be attached as add-ons, depending on the kind of material you are handling. Drop feed mechanism is the simplest form of sewing machine feed mechanism, which consists mainly of the presser foot and the feed dog. Additionally, there are also modified drop feed systems, like the differential bottom feed mechanism, which feature two dog feeds instead of one.

Other types of feed mechanisms are also available. For instance, with a walking foot feed mechanism, you get a foot that moves as you feed the fabric into the machine, making it ideal when you’re sewing thick or cushioned workpieces. Conversely, there’s also the puller feed mechanism, which has a device that can pull the material being fed to the machine. Industrial sewing machines can also have a needle feed mechanism, in which the needle itself moves forward and backward.

Sewing with industrial sewing machines offer a different kind of sewing experience compared to working on ordinary sewing machines. Choosing the right equipment with functionalities that meet your needs can truly make a difference in the quality and efficiency of your work.

If you want to learn more about your options when it comes to industrial units, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with ABC Sewing Machine.