15. Wildcard Week¶
Our assignment for wildcard week was to use a digital fabrication process not covered during the course. I chose to investigate embroidery since our lab has an embroidery machine.
I used our lab’s PR67OE embroidery machine. I referenced the machine manual while using the machine.
I had used the machine in my 9th grade engineering class, but I do not have much experience using it. Our instructed Dr. Taylor refreshed us on how to use the machine, including changing threads, loading files, and operating the machine.
Software¶
I decided to embroider a Penn State logo since both my parents went there. I used the software SewArt since it allowed me to quickly turn images into toolpaths for our embroidery machine. I started by selecting an image.
I imported the image into SewArt and applied some modifications to it. First, I adjusted the size down to 2 inches so it wouldn’t be too large for the machine.
Next, I decreased the total color count, which would allow me to generate the toolpaths based on color. I set the total color count to 2- blue and white.
Finally, I created the toolpath. I selected the blue and white regions, and SewArt did all the work for me.
Finally, I exported the file into a USB stick and prepared to start embroidering.
Embroidering¶
To start, I changed the color of the thread to the blue and white colors I would use. I followed the arrows on the machine with the thread and the machine pulled it through the eye of the needle on its own. This is the part of the process that’s easiest to mess up and break the machine since the paddle has to thread the thread through the eye of a needle, so it would be very difficult to fix.
Next, I attached my material to the mount. I added a paper backing and my material very tightly and attached the bracket.
I then added my file to the machine through a USB drive and started the embroidery.
It laid down very well, and the final project turned out fairly well.
My files for this week can be found in this zip file.