5 Important Factors That Impact Machine Embroidery Speed – Machine Speed Guide

 

You might think that the speed of your machine is one of the least important factors when it comes to embroidery. After all, how much time do you spend actually sitting at your machine? However, the truth is that the speed at which your machine can complete a task can have a big impact on its overall productivity. Whether you’re using your machine for business or personal use, a slow stitch speed is going to limit what you’re able to do with it. Luckily, there are several easy ways to improve your machine’s performance and increase its operating speed. Let’s take a look at some important factors that impact embroidery speed and tips for improving them.

Know the Speeds of Your Machine

Every machine has a speed rating (measured in stitches per minute, or spm), and most people assume that the machine is capable of running at its top speed at all times. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. There are several factors that can impact the stitching speed of your machine, including the number of spools installed, the thickness of the thread, the weight of the fabric, the type of stitch you’re using, and whether there’s an embroidery hoop installed. For example, let’s say you’re using a decorative stitch that requires a lot of thread. This type of stitch is typically slower than a straight stitch because the needle has to make larger loops as it feeds the thread through the fabric. If you’re using a decorative stitch on a heavy fabric with a full spool of thread, your machine might only be able to run at half speed or less.

Try Different Needles

The type of needle you use will have a big impact on the speed of your machine. In general, thicker needles are slower than thinner needles. If you’re using a general-purpose needle, you might want to try a thinner needle. For example, the 8/70 needle is a thinner version of the standard 8/90 needle. The type of fabric you’re sewing will also impact stitch speed. Some fabrics are thicker than others, which means the machine has to push the needle through them more slowly. If you’re sewing with a thick fabric and using a standard needle, it might be helpful to try a thinner needle.

Check the Threading

The way you thread your machine can have a big impact on its speed. Ideally, you want your thread to run as smoothly through your machine as possible. If you have trouble threading your machine or if it jams frequently, your stitches will take longer to complete than on a properly threaded machine. For best results, try these tips for smooth threading: Use the right threading sequence for your machine. – If you’re unsure about your machine’s threading sequence, check the owner’s manual. – If you don’t have your manual, you can find your machine’s threading sequence on the manufacturer’s website. – Make sure each spool has the right amount of thread. – If you’re using precut spools, make sure the thread is wound onto the spool correctly. – If you’re using a bobbin, make sure the thread is wound correctly and doesn’t have any tangles or knots.

Optimize Your Computer Setup

Before you even turn on your machine, you might want to optimize your computer for faster embroidery. This means making sure your computer is running as fast as possible and that all of your software settings are optimized for quick performance. This can make a big difference in the speed at which your machine completes tasks such as loading designs, starting a new project, and stitching. To optimize your computer for faster embroidery: – Make sure you have the latest version of your operating system. – Clean up your hard drive to give your computer more room to run efficiently. – Close out of open programs to reduce the demand on your computer’s processor. – Make sure your computer has enough RAM and storage space.

Check the Stitch Width and Stitch Length

As you experiment with different settings and fabrics, you might find that adjusting the stitch width and stitch length can have a big impact on stitch speed. – For example, a longer stitch length will typically increase stitch speed. However, longer stitches can also be more prone to distortion and puckering. – If you’re using a decorative stitch and notice that the stitch width is wider than normal, try adjusting the width. A wider stitch generally takes less time to stitch than a narrower stitch. – Similarly, if you’re stitching on a heavy fabric and find that the stitch length is longer than normal, try adjusting the stitch length to make it shorter.

Increase Rotational Speed

The speed at which your machine rotates the fabric will impact stitching speed. The faster your machine rotates the fabric, the faster it will complete stitches. If you’re sewing on a thick fabric that is slowing down your machine, you might want to increase the rotational speed. This can help reduce stitch times and give your machine more power to push the needle through the fabric. If you’re unsure how to adjust your machine’s rotational speed, check the owner’s manual. If you don’t have your manual, you can find your machine’s rotational speed on the manufacturer’s website.

Increase Feed Rate

The speed at which your machine feeds the fabric through the needle will impact stitching speed. The faster your machine feeds the fabric, the faster it will complete stitches. If you’re sewing on a heavy fabric that is slowing down your machine, you might want to increase the feed rate. This can help reduce stitch times and give your machine more power to pull the fabric through the needle. If you’re unsure how to adjust your machine’s feed rate, check the owner’s manual. If you don’t have your manual, you can find your machine’s feed rate on the manufacturer’s website.

Conclusion

If you’re trying to improve the speed of your machine, understanding the factors that impact embroidery speed is the first step. Once you understand how these factors impact your machine, you can start experimenting with ways to improve them. Be sure to check the threading, adjust the stitch width and length, and try different needles and rotational speeds to see what effects they have on your machine’s performance. With a little bit of work, you can greatly increase the speed of your machine and have more time to do what you love.