Anyone using a servo motor with needle positioner?

[gavingear]

If you look at the ACF-500 A at:

http://www.artisansew.com/other.html

It's a servo motor with needle positioner. It seems that this would be very handy for stopping in the down position (as when you want to pivot the work to change sewing direction), and to stop with the needle up so that the work can be removed, and thread snipped. Anyone using one of these? How well does it work? What kind of speed ranges do you get, and does the motor have sufficient torque at lower speeds?

Thanks,

Gavin

[Bree]

If you look at the ACF-500 A at:

http://www.artisansew.com/other.html

It's a servo motor with needle positioner. It seems that this would be very handy for stopping in the down position (as when you want to pivot the work to change sewing direction), and to stop with the needle up so that the work can be removed, and thread snipped. Anyone using one of these? How well does it work? What kind of speed ranges do you get, and does the motor have sufficient torque at lower speeds?

Thanks,

Gavin

No I am using a non-positioning servo on my two machines with servos. I never felt the need for one because I am an expert flywheel jocky. I am always wanting to reach for the flywheel to do fine positioning. Jerry at Artisan had to convince me that it was easy to control their servo to sink the needle to the down position. I watched him do it on a T-3000 and he was right. It was easy. I have verified that on my own machine.

You kick up the servo's low end torque by adding a speed reducer. That allows you to give it more oomph than you could without the reducer... or just grab that flywheel and give it a torque boost!!

[hidepounder]

No I am using a non-positioning servo on my two machines with servos. I never felt the need for one because I am an expert flywheel jocky. I am always wanting to reach for the flywheel to do fine positioning. Jerry at Artisan had to convince me that it was easy to control their servo to sink the needle to the down position. I watched him do it on a T-3000 and he was right. It was easy. I have verified that on my own machine.

You kick up the servo's low end torque by adding a speed reducer. That allows you to give it more oomph than you could without the reducer... or just grab that flywheel and give it a torque boost!!

I'm with you Bree...I can't keep my hand off of the flywheel either. I think that's because I learned on an Adler 205 that went from 0-60 in about a 1/2" of pedal!

[Bree]

I'm with you Bree...I can't keep my hand off of the flywheel either. I think that's because I learned on an Adler 205 that went from 0-60 in about a 1/2" of pedal!

LOL!! I hear ya! My Juki would take off like bat out of hell with the clutch motor. I would get blisters from flywheeling it. And then I have all these treadle machines and you have to flywheel those all the time too. My mom flywheeled her old Singer which she taught me to sew on. I have done it on every sewing machine that I have owned so I guess it's burned into me.

[Hockeymender]

Goldstar GBSM-550S. I have four of these and have had them in service going on two years. They are easy to set up and work flawlessly. Plenty of power as well. 

http://store.allamericansewing.net/goldstar-gbsm-550-brushless-servo-motor-550-watt-34hp-with-needle-positioner

 

[Sonydaze]

I go with needle positioners.  They make corners faster and easier. I set mine so they stop down and go up when you rock back on the foot pedal.  I recently got a newer 750 watt servo, it has proven to have much better torque and slow speed control.  After several years with servo motors, I don't know how I used to sew with a clutch motor... although I do remember a sore hand from stopping and turning the wheel.

[dikman]

My first servo came with a needle positioner, mainly 'cos it seemed like a good idea at the time! I set it up, tried it and didn't really like it. In fact, I found with a servo set up to sew slowly I don't need the positioner. Also, be aware that a needle positioner won't work if a speed reducer is fitted.

[Hockeymender]

1 hour ago, dikman said:

My first servo came with a needle positioner, mainly 'cos it seemed like a good idea at the time! I set it up, tried it and didn't really like it. In fact, I found with a servo set up to sew slowly I don't need the positioner. Also, be aware that a needle positioner won't work if a speed reducer is fitted.

I have speed reducers on two of mine and they work just fine with the needle positioners. 

[Gregspitz]

I have one on my Techsew 5580RF and it is wonderful..full control fast and slow and great torque and the needle positioner works great with the servo.

I wouldn't do it any other way from now on.

[dikman]

I stand corrected then, Hockeymender. Mine goes into meltdown if I use a speed reducer . I have read of others having the same problem, but if yours works then it must depend on the servo brand?