The awesome invention of the sewing machine has inspired creativity for over 150 years.
When Elias Howe invented the sewing machine in 1846, it was an amazing mechanical device driven by human power. The evolution of the sewing machine included foot power, hand power, and eventually electrical power.
The power system of the sewing machine in those days involved the use of levers, gear, belts, and wheels. The user would start the process either by hand or foot power, and the sewing machine would transfer that movement across the sewing machine to its various parts. This enabled the machine to move the needle, hook, and feed systems to generate sewing.
Electrical motors were eventually introduced, but doing so required a new wave of invention. The mechanical devices previously used were replaced by the electrical motor. It was necessary to convert the electrical energy from the motor to mechanical energy within the sewing machine. The result was the use of a belt to transfer the power to the upper shaft of the sewing machine.
The electric motor made sewing faster, easier, and more reliable. It never got tired pumping or cranking. In the early years of this change over, existing sewing machine were often converted by replacing the hand cranks or treadles with motors mounted, aligned, and connected by belt to the machine. While the treadle and hand crank machines are now nostalgic treasures, they do not compare to the productive ability of the motorized sewing machine.
The electrical motors are AC motors which means they operate on standard Alternating Current from your home outlet. The term alternating describes the flow of electricity first in one direction and then in the other cycling back and forth. This electricity in the United States uses 120 volts and cycles 60 times a second. Electricity inside the motor creates a magnetic flux between coil windings and the motor core. As the voltage cycles, it causes the motor shaft to turn. Thus electric energy is converted to mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is then transferred to the sewing machine by a belt or gear drive mechanism.
Electricity must run in a complete circuit. The flow of energy moves from positive source to negative end only when the a continuous loop is established called a circuit. When this circuit is broken by opening a switch, no electricity flows. There are two basic types of electricity " AC and DC. AC or Alternating Current is electricity that runs in one direction for a moment and then back the other direction alternating repeatedly. DC or Direct Current electricity flows in only one direction and continues to run in that direction endlessly until the circuit is interrupted. Conversion from one to the other can be made using a transformer.
Machines that depend on the use of AC motors, levers, gears, and associated mechanical devices are known as mechanical sewing machines. For many years this was the only kind of sewing machine. Today most low end sewing machines and many commercial sewing machines continue to use AC motors.
More modern sewing machines including the most advanced computerized sewing machines have introduced the use of DC motors. Electronic circuits and integrated circuits are used to convert AC electricity into DC electricity. It then uses DC motors to directly control stitch functions and machine operations. This advance has enabled the modern sewing machine to achieve convenience and stitch capabilities never dreamed of before.
To repair sewing machines, it is essential that you identify and understand the sewing machine power system. As a sewing machine user, it helps to understand how the sewing machine should work. If you are considering the purchase of a new sewing machine, consider the features of its power system.
When Elias Howe invented the sewing machine in 1846, it was an amazing mechanical device driven by human power. The evolution of the sewing machine included foot power, hand power, and eventually electrical power.
The power system of the sewing machine in those days involved the use of levers, gear, belts, and wheels. The user would start the process either by hand or foot power, and the sewing machine would transfer that movement across the sewing machine to its various parts. This enabled the machine to move the needle, hook, and feed systems to generate sewing.
Electrical motors were eventually introduced, but doing so required a new wave of invention. The mechanical devices previously used were replaced by the electrical motor. It was necessary to convert the electrical energy from the motor to mechanical energy within the sewing machine. The result was the use of a belt to transfer the power to the upper shaft of the sewing machine.
The electric motor made sewing faster, easier, and more reliable. It never got tired pumping or cranking. In the early years of this change over, existing sewing machine were often converted by replacing the hand cranks or treadles with motors mounted, aligned, and connected by belt to the machine. While the treadle and hand crank machines are now nostalgic treasures, they do not compare to the productive ability of the motorized sewing machine.
The electrical motors are AC motors which means they operate on standard Alternating Current from your home outlet. The term alternating describes the flow of electricity first in one direction and then in the other cycling back and forth. This electricity in the United States uses 120 volts and cycles 60 times a second. Electricity inside the motor creates a magnetic flux between coil windings and the motor core. As the voltage cycles, it causes the motor shaft to turn. Thus electric energy is converted to mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is then transferred to the sewing machine by a belt or gear drive mechanism.
Electricity must run in a complete circuit. The flow of energy moves from positive source to negative end only when the a continuous loop is established called a circuit. When this circuit is broken by opening a switch, no electricity flows. There are two basic types of electricity " AC and DC. AC or Alternating Current is electricity that runs in one direction for a moment and then back the other direction alternating repeatedly. DC or Direct Current electricity flows in only one direction and continues to run in that direction endlessly until the circuit is interrupted. Conversion from one to the other can be made using a transformer.
Machines that depend on the use of AC motors, levers, gears, and associated mechanical devices are known as mechanical sewing machines. For many years this was the only kind of sewing machine. Today most low end sewing machines and many commercial sewing machines continue to use AC motors.
More modern sewing machines including the most advanced computerized sewing machines have introduced the use of DC motors. Electronic circuits and integrated circuits are used to convert AC electricity into DC electricity. It then uses DC motors to directly control stitch functions and machine operations. This advance has enabled the modern sewing machine to achieve convenience and stitch capabilities never dreamed of before.
To repair sewing machines, it is essential that you identify and understand the sewing machine power system. As a sewing machine user, it helps to understand how the sewing machine should work. If you are considering the purchase of a new sewing machine, consider the features of its power system.
About the Author:
Download your free beginner's course: 7 Steps To Peak Performance For Your Sewing Machine. Now Read the Secrets Of Sewing Machine Repair. Dr. David Trumble writes several comprehensive sewing machine repair courses.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment