17. Wild Card¶
Hero Shot of the Week¶
Summary¶
The last equipment of my FabLab that I do not know how to use is the embroidery machine. (TBH there is also the heat press that I never used but it looks less complicated than this machine) So this week I tried it out and I am figuring out how to use it.
Work Process¶
Calendar¶
| Date | To be done | What was done |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | - 10h local meeting - soldering |
|
| Friday | - FabLab normal work | - fablab normal work - embroidering |
| Saturday | - Nothing | |
| Sunday | - Nothing | |
| Monday | - Embroidering | |
| Tuesday | - FabLab normal work | |
| Wednesday | - 12h Local - 13h Regional - 15h Global |
Introduction¶
My work¶
Stitching & Embroidery¶
Getting Started¶
My machine is INNOV-IS F480 from BROTHER.
First Step: update InkScape
Second Step: install InkStich
RTFM¶
Third Step: RTFM
and other tutorials
- my fablab's
- my fablab 2nd tutorial that was made by an intern some years ago (only in pdf format (for now))
- InkStich Workflow
Threads
Sewing threads are distinguished from embroidery threads by their thickness. Embroidery threads are finer and shinier.
Needles
There are needles for every fabric.
To choose the right needle, we refer to the size of its point.
Sewing needles are distinguished from embroidery needles by their difference in color
| Type of fabric | Suitable size | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Universal fabric: natural, synthetic, etc... | 70-90 | Blue |
| Thick fabric: denim, leather, etc. | 80-110 | Blue |
| Embroidery | 70-90 | Red |
Following the tutorials I installed the different part onto the machine. I should add a section to the tutorials on how to disassemble the stuff.
Trying a default model¶
So I started with a default model that is already present in the machine.
So it seems that there is a tension issue when not using the same filament above and bellow. So I need to fill the cannets of the same filament.
I failed this step:
Wait, now that I made a cannet for each color...
How I am supposed to change it if the embroidery stuff is just above it ?!
Lets hope it does the bellow part does not go up.
...
Did not work.
But I have found how to skip colors.
At least making the different colored cannets was useful.
This is not optimal...
I need to disassemble the whole thing just to change the cannet below...
But the result is really great but what a f*cking headache it is.
And I still have issues. But I for not know if it is the filament or the machine or me...
Making Dylan¶
Fourth Step: Make a Dylan
So I converted a color image of Dylan via the bitmap converter of InkScape. After that I made some photoshop adjustment. Final product is a black and white image. Than used the InkStich extension.
Auto Fill¶
Time: 6m
Stich: 3373
I first tried the default parameters. This includes Auto Fill
Than saved it in PES format.
First Dylan try is a fail.
Dylan is too big and does not fit into the embroidery hoop.
Second result is not conclusive.
Linear Gradient Fill¶
Time: 5m
Stich: 2753
Naming the file differently does not help to select the right one. Seems I will need to add some color to it.
Well...
It failed for a different reason.
The cannette was almost empty...
Lets fill it up and try again.
In the meantime I started reading Charlotte's page.
I also checked Teo's page.
Meander Fill¶
Time:
Stich:
Dylan is too small...
It does not want to do it.
Even when making Dylan big it does not render anything...
Circular Fill¶
Time: 5m
Stich: 3263
So this was the point were I told myself I will try out all the fill options.
Contour Fill¶
Time: 5m
Stich: 2699
Why do I suddenly so much issue with this fill ?
It started correctly. Than I had this issue:
Than now it does not want to do it.
Undid all the filament and put them back. Now it works...
Guided Fill¶
Time: 6m
Stich: 3373
Tartan Fill¶
Time: 6m (total)
Stich: 3048
This is a bicolor fill.
Why ?
No clue 🙃
First gonna see what it give with one color.
Bicolor:
Legacy Fill¶
Time: 12m
Stich: 3997
Before post processing
Learning Outcome¶
This is more complicated than I thought.
Digital Files and Links¶
Assignment Check¶
- Design and produce something with a digital process (incorporating computer-aided design and manufacturing) not covered in another assignment, documenting the requirements that your assignment meets, and including everything necessary to reproduce it.