Why do we still use bobbins?

[AlZilla]

In case anyone is curious, here's the patent.

 

US1009749.pdf

[Cumberland Highpower]

I'm sure you could design a stitcher to simply accept a 1lb spool as a bobbin.  Therefore, no bobbin required! lol

The challenge would be speed of operation though. With so much thread moving through space and time, looping around the massive shuttle, you probably would have a pretty low SPM, defeating the whole idea. Would require lubed thread for sure, but could be done.  I hate winding bobbins.......

There's a bit of a trend that's phasing out sewing as an operation in manufacturing, outside of clothing.  Molded parts, ultrasonic welding, adhesives, etc.  Your 2024 Chrysler might have a good deal of stitching in the interior, but I'm guessing your 2054 Geely SUV won't?

Probably not enough future demand for new sewing technology I think?

Just some thoughts.

 

 

Edited December 18, 2024 by Cumberland Highpower

[Wizcrafts]

The main advantage of a lockstitch sewing machine is the stitches resemble each other on the top and bottom. As leather sewers, we are accustomed to a different result on the bottom and sometimes fight to hide the lockstitch knots from both sides. This stitch is very strong and can hold together somewhat if some of the stitches get cut, or simply break under stress. Off course. a lockstitch machines stops forming stitches the moment it runs out of bobbin thread.

The answer to this is the chainstitch machine. It only has a top thread. There is a looper mechanism on the bottom, under the needle plate, which forms a loop around the thread on the bottom. The top will almost always look perfect, unless the tension is way too tight. The stitches are as strong as the thread rating. But, if one stitch breaks, the entire chain could unravel.

In the days of yore, hard shell rifle cases, some boots and luggage were sewn on chainstitch machines. The loops were hidden behind material glued to the inside of the cases, or the insole on the boot. In many instances, the machine had a top mounted wax pot containing heated beeswax that the thread ran through. The hot wax hardened after a minute or so and those stitches could last a century. From the late 1800s through the mid-1900s, Puritan was the premier brand of needle and awl chainstitch machines. Some are still in use in the RedWing factory, making work boots using two or three needle chainstitch machines. But, now they usually run dry, bonded polyester thread.