What Exactly Is An "eps" (Electronic Positioning System)?

[Darren Brosowski]

Recently I had a 441 set up with a good quality clutch motor, 40mm pulley and no speed reducer. About a dozen saddlers played with the machine and all found it to have great control.

Most saddlers I talk to with 441's have disconnected the EPS if they can.

Steve, this is not a criticism of your setup on your machines, I am just pointing out the feelings of Australian saddlers. Keep in mind that most of these guys were taught on a Pearson 6.

[Hardin]

There is nothing like a needle positioned motor. I would never be without one. I have a Mitsubishi fully programable & computerized which costs about $900.00. Its worth every penny. 

[Haderimouve]

I have a Adler 467 that runs perfectly with the 750W Jacksew servo motor with  needle positioner available at www.college-sewing.co.uk  (But for sure also sold in the US).

I added an aluminium attachment that I made on my lathe for the Needle positioner BUT in the box there is a teflon piece that you can use as well and screw it at the end of your hand wheel , you just have to use a longer allen screw. 

https://www.college-sewing.co.uk/store/JK-561A-1-220V-750W-1-HP-SERVO-MOTOR-WITH-NEEDLE-POSITION

I completed optimizing the system in turning a smaller 40mm pulley for using it instead of the 75 mm delivered with the moto : I'm very happy with it ! The needle positioning when you 've tried it once, impossible to go behind ...

Edited April 26, 2017 by Haderimouve

[Wonderboy]

Hi.  Newbie here.

I'm considering purchasing either the Cobra Class 4 or the Cowboy CB4500 and wish to know how useful really is the ENPS?  I mean considering how slow these machines can sew I'm just not sure if it is a genuinely useful feature or just simply marketing.

I am leaning towards the CB4500 mainly due to it being about AU$600 cheaper (here in Australia), it's aesthetics (I don't like the brown look of the Class 4), and the stainless needle plates and feet.

[Wizcrafts]

14 hours ago, Wonderboy said:

Hi.  Newbie here.

I'm considering purchasing either the Cobra Class 4 or the Cowboy CB4500 and wish to know how useful really is the ENPS?  I mean considering how slow these machines can sew I'm just not sure if it is a genuinely useful feature or just simply marketing.

I am leaning towards the CB4500 mainly due to it being about AU$600 cheaper (here in Australia), it's aesthetics (I don't like the brown look of the Class 4), and the stainless needle plates and feet.

I use a CB4500 and can tell you with full confidence, that if you get one powered by a Family Sew motor, you will not need an EPS system to position the needle up or down. I can move the needle so slowly I can watch grass grow.

[Wonderboy]

17 hours ago, Wizcrafts said:

I use a CB4500 and can tell you with full confidence, that if you get one powered by a Family Sew motor, you will not need an EPS system to position the needle up or down. I can move the needle so slowly I can watch grass grow.

Thanks for replying Wiz.  Very helpful.

Sorry, can I please confirm is the Family Sew motor standard or extra? If extra what do the cost approximately?

[Russ498]

I see that this system is available on any Cobra Machine.  How much extra is it on a class 3 or class 4 machine?  the website doesn't give prices or specs.

[brmax]

I would pass on the positioner. At least on majority brands or types people get. 

The position part is a great advantage in many cases, but! In its function it can and does many times make two stitches.

The class 4 and cb4500 have bigger handwheel pulley so provide an even slower ratio than the upholstery class sizes with reducers of either style. 

 

Have a good day

Floyd

[DavidMillsSaddlery]

Would one of these work on a Singer 31-15 and a 153w103?

Edited April 14, 2019 by turbotexas

[Matt S]

4 minutes ago, turbotexas said:

Would one of these work on a Singer 31-15 and a 153w103?

No reason why not. I have one on my Seiko LCW-8, which is an updated version of the 153w. Biggest problem will be in fingering out how to fabricobble the sensor onto those machines. They were built well before such things were common. The sensor attaches to the handwheel by a little hub that's supplied in the kit. You unscrew the screw that holds the handwheel in place. The kit comes with a couple longer screws in common threads, so you screw the hub onto the handwheel through the hole left by the screw. There's some L-shaped screws which thread into a hole next to the handwheel, which prevent the sensor body from rotating. If these screws don't fit your machines you'll have to get out the calipers and start getting creative.