Foot controller for servo motor

[dina k]

On 2/19/2014 at 7:24 PM, Trox said:

Hi, The Pfaff 335 is a nice machine for small operations. The Efka variostops are from the 1980`ties (first of their kind). It is an electronic clutch (AC) motor, with electronic brake and clutch. It has needle position (adjusted in the position head on the hand wheel) It has six or twelve pre adjusted speeds on the pedal (depended of model number/year). Than means that if you use an speed reducer on it you will not alter the speed, only make it stronger; the electronics compensate for the speed loss and turns up the rpm on the motor (caused by the speed sensor and counted rotations by the pos. head)

Several operations can be controlled be air, I see it has a presser foot lift, normally activated by heeling the pedal hard (or by a separate switch) Light heeling of the sewing pedal lift the needle in up position, foot off the pedal and needle stops down (it can be altered by the switch on the control box to the opposite).

I have sewn allot with these motors, and they are OK.

Remember its a old motor, it do not add that much to the value of the machine. But complete with the air (if it all works well) it is more worth than with a clutch or an other cheap motor. I have had the biggest Adler machines with this same motor, it is more than strong enough for this little machine. It can be a bit fast in the start up, but let of your foot and you can do stitch by stitch with it. http://www.efka.net/pdf/index_en.php

Many more extras can be attached, like thread trimmer, back tacking etc. These motor are labor saving in production, these machines are very much used in factories for fabrics and small leather production.

The sub class H3 is the next heaviest sub class (from H1 to H4). There are difference in presser foot lift, needle height/type, thread thickness, hand wheel and pulley etc. on the subclasses. The 6/01 is equipment attached to it (you have to write to Pfaff industrial and ask for the manual) The letters are codes, B normally simply stands for : type "B", the "N" stands for maximum stitch length 6 mm and the "S" stands for "stoff" that means fabric in English (last time I checked). These codes are used on other Pfaff`s as well. The part about the "S" for fabric`s simply means it has a feed dog and feet's for use on fabric. You need to change or alter them to smooth leather transporters (feet and feed dog). it also applies to the needle system/ type or point of adjusted needle (normal needle the hook needle timing are adjusted with) In a factory setting they normally use the same type of needle all the time and the machine preforms optimally with it (but you can use three sizes up and down or more)

There are two types of bottom feed on these machines, normal and binding feed (feed dog goes back and forth only to propel a synchronized binder) The code 6/01 might apply to this, I do not know. If the feed dog make ugly markings on your leather you can smooth it (on the grinding wheel and polish it) or lower it to the level of the needle plate. Remember that original Pfaff part cost allot of dollars, check the aftermarket for parts.

I hope that helped you a bit.

Good luck

Tor

 

On 3/16/2023 at 6:42 AM, Uwe said:

Just one more wired floor pedal reference, this time from an EFKA motor setup:

is it possible to change efka pneumatic foot control ( with lift and cut functions) to electric foot control with same functions?

[GerryR]

On 7/7/2025 at 3:49 AM, dina k said:

 

is it possible to change efka pneumatic foot control ( with lift and cut functions) to electric foot control with same functions?

I'm not familiar with the pneumatic foot controls so I'll assume (ass-u-me) they actually are piped in to the actuating cylinders and are  pneumatic switches.  If this is the case, then yes, it can be done using electrically controlled solenoid valves and electrical foot switches and an appropriate power source, depending on the valves chosen.  If you want to replace the pneumatics completely, then that is more complicated.

Edited Wednesday at 06:33 PM by GerryR