Show & Tell: Thumb Controller For Needle Positioning

[Uwe]

I'm just the nerdy little kid at the science fair where most people shake their heads as they walk past the display and only a few pause to nod in appreciation.

The project is really about solving the engineering puzzle of building a programmable, computer controlled motor drive system from scratch to learn how these technologies work. I enjoy solving engineering puzzles like others enjoy reaching the next level in Candy Crush Saga.

I'm not expecting other leatherworkers to actually do this. I wanted to show a practical application of an Arduino based controller for powerful stepper motors with fingertip control. It's mainly a contribution to encourage folks in the Arduino and Maker community.

I also wanted to have a functional motor drive system that behaves exactly the way I want it to with precision and power, and to be able to teach it new tricks with just a few lines of software code.

It's not marketable for various reasons. It's also not adaptable to make the current crop of servo motors (let alone clutch motors) behave like this. It's not a DIY project for the masses, but rather for the very geeky few.

I pieced things together from various sources, including Arduino Sketch software code snippets to interpret the rotary dial's grey-code signals. The hardware was sourced from my local music store, Ebay, Amazon, Adafruit, etc. I'll do a more detailed write-up and video with parts lists and software code over the next week or two.

[LumpenDoodle2]

This looks a fascinating project. I'm not a very techie nerdy, but I can appreciate nerdiness in others.

I would love to hear more about this.

[dbusarow]

I pieced things together from various sources, including Arduino Sketch software code snippets to interpret the rotary dial's grey-code signals. The hardware was sourced from my local music store, Ebay, Amazon, Adafruit, etc. I'll do a more detailed write-up and video with parts lists and software code over the next week or two.

Uwe,

I'm looking forward to the write up and parts lists. This looks like fun.

Dan

[Constabulary]

Hope you did not get me wrong - I seriously like your ideas. I was just thinking about the purpose. Anyway I´m looking forward to your next project and will follow this one as well!

[gottaknow]

Well done Uwe. There are applications in a factory when this is needed. I could give plenty of examples, but suffice to say most high end control boxes have an output plug just for this purpose. We call it jogging. I can either mount it near where the operators hands are or sometimes on a knee switch. It is an absolute must on a memory stitch machine while programming a new pattern (we set all of our woven labels on a Brother memory stitch machine). The oldest one I have is on a Union Special coverstitch machine used for doing elastic waistbands. It's from the early 80's.

So at some point, someone got their geek on and came up with this for apparel manufacturers. Nothing advances in my industry unless there is a need and a market. Keep tinkering.

Regards, Eric

[Darren Brosowski]

My good friend - ex girlfriend - has been in the sewing industry for nearly 40 years and she started off in a factory with 100 year old machines run off a common shaft under a bench running 6 machines.

Over the years she has done everything from high speed mass production through custom fetish wear, pattern making, custom clothing and one off period corsets

She mostly uses high speed machines and has five different industrial machines but when she wants to do a job with absolute control she jumps on one of her treadle machines.

You can spend thousands to achieve the ultimate electronic control or you can just run the machine on a treadle base and adjust the speed to the work without moving your hands.

.

[gottaknow]

I wanted to share this with Uwe so he could see an application where a needle positioning "jog" button is used in a production setting. The machine is a Union Special 34700. It's a 3 needle coverstitch machine used to topstitch stretch waist bands. We most recently used it for some high end equestrian riding britches. A coverstitch machine produces a very stretchy stitch. It has 3 needles and 1 looper. There's no backtacking with a coverstitch, so a precise overlap is required. The jog button allows the operator to make a very controlled tie in. Elastic has ribs, and you have to stay in the same rib with the needles to secure the seam. In the picture, the small green button is plugged right into the control box. This is a Tele Dyne motor with using a Quick Rotan control box. The feature gives the operator complete control of the overlap.

Regards, Eric

[TZBrown]

I also like geeky stuff. That is pretty cool.

I probably don't have the drive to develop anything like that but I do appreciate the function and can see the uses for it

[Darren Brosowski]

All of the geeky stuff is great in the right place.

For the speeds that people want to run a 441 they would be better off with a treadle.

The motor that gives the perfect control costs nearly as much as a 441 machine head.

[Hockeymender]

All of the geeky stuff is great in the right place.

For the speeds that people want to run a 441 they would be better off with a treadle.

The motor that gives the perfect control costs nearly as much as a 441 machine head.

That's not even close to accurate. Mine came set up with a servo and a speed reducer and I can run that one stitch at a time. The motor price did not rival that of the machine head. I would hate to think of trying to be precise with a treadle on that type machine.