WILDCARD WEEK

18.WEEK

This week we can chose what we want to make, but it has to be something that we didn't do in any other assignments. Also to document requirements, processes from bottom to top, failures and success.

In our FabLab Bottrop is one not so ordinary machine, but so cool and after this assignment I want one for our FabLab.hr . It is stitching machine from company called Brother(link), to be correct it is the Brother PR670E embroidery machine.

I asked my instructor Lukas to help me with it a little bit, to tell me what software is best to use, as what format I need to save it, what to keep in mind when I’m using the machine and so on.

First I need software to prepare files with my design. For this I asked my colleague Patrick to suggest me, because he was familiar with the machine and he recommended INKSCAPE, but that’s not enough, also need to install INK/STITCH, that’s like extension for embroidering.

To make those two work as one, as followed needs to be done.

1. Open Inkscape-go to “edit>preferences”-there is directory under “System-User extensions” so go to that folder-unzip downloaded .zip files there. Than exit Inkscape and open it again. Under “extensions” should be Ink/Stitch

Now we are prepared to make or load some design.

Before even starting with the task I knew what I want to make, it is logo from my rowing club in Zagreb. Already had it on computer so I just import it in Inkscape.

Note: because I use that logo in the past, I have it like vector. But if you are downloading regular picture than you need to convert it to vectors. Now I’ll show how to do that.

Select picture-“path>trace bitmap”, now the new windows opens in which you can press on bottom “Live Preview” to see directly all your changes. On left side by “Mode” you can play with parameters and when you are satisfied just press “OK” and now you can see your design in vectors. BUT DON’T FORGET TO DELET ORIGINAL PICTURE, IT’S RIGHT BELOW THE NEW ONE.

For final steps need to go to “path>object to path” than “extensions>Ink/Stitch>Embroider” and select Output file format, for me it’s Brother Embroidery Format (PEC). Now to preview simulation of stitching job, press “extensions>Ink/Stitch>Simulate”.

Now is time to save it to USB, but for this machine is really important that the format is “PAS” and “PEC”. When saving is done, don’t forget to save remove your USB 😉

EMBROIDERY PROCERS

Let see what is this machine capable off, now the name is well known Brother PR670E embroidery machine, work area is 300 x 200 mm, high resolution LCD screen, also has LED red pointer so you know perfect needle position. Possible of embroidering with 6 colors for one job, speed can be adjusted from 400 to 1000 stitches per minute. You can also make your design directly on machine because it has built in to fonts and you can install all kind of patterns. And it comes with four different sizes frames.

Until now there was no problems, but then I got to the machine with my USB, plugged it in and open file to see is it looking good. Now took t-shirt and put the frame on it so the material can be tightened as much as possible. Then the frame is inserted until I hear click. To be sure all is good just need to be checked layers, are they matching colors with machines.

First four stitches were great, but then problems showed up. Problem was that my shirt was to thin and elastic and I didn’t put additional layer under shirt so it can be tighter. Unfortunately didn't tak a picture of that but it was one of my favorite shirts.

When I wanted to remove shirt from machine it got stuck on bottom of machine where strings got crossed. Problem is that it got stuck if you are not cleaning it after using. So here is view from below and not cleaned machine.

On second try, my red string broke so I needed to fix that, to attach end of it to needle. At this point I was very happy that I can use this hi-tech embroidery machine because you can return steps, so I got chance to continue where it stop.

Third time was charm and finally my t-shirt had logo of my rowing club on. After some time of learning to work the machine and loosing some of my nerves it is finnished and looks really good.

WILCARD WEEK .ZIP