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.
Hand cranks, treadle devices, wheels, belts, and gears turned by the force of the users hand or foot. Sewing was resulted by the transfer of this movement across an upper and lower shaft to the various parts of the sewing machine. This movement caused the needle to rise and fall, while the hook and feed systems moved in concert.
A major advancement occurred when the human power was replaced by electrical power. Electric motors were mounted behind the sewing machine with a small pulley connected by a belt drove a larger wheel on the upper shaft. The electric power was essentially changed into mechanical power.
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.
AC motors use Alternating Current or standard household electricity from the electric outlet on your wall. This electricity cycles electric flow in one direction and then in the other all at 120 volts. Inside the motor, this alternating current is processed through a coil winding around a core with a motor shaft in the center. The coil produces a magnetic field pulling one way, and then cycles the opposite direction. The result is that shaft starts to revolve or turn. The electrical energy from the wall is converted into mechanical energy in the motor. A belt or gear is then used to turn the sewing machine.
Electric motors come in two types AC and DC. In both cases the electricity used to run the motor must operate in a continuous unbroken circuit or loop. If the flow of electricity in the circuit flows in one direction and then in the opposite direction, it is called alternating current. If the flow is in only one direction within the loop, it is DC or direct current. Use of a transformer can convert AC to DC or the reverse.
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.
In recent years, another revolution has begun. The introduction of integrated computer circuits and other electronics have brought huge improvements in the reliability and smoothness of operations. Another advancement has been the introduction of DC pulse motors to control the sewing machine and produce stitches. The result has been amazing. These modern sewing machines make sewing so much easier and enjoyable.
Understanding the power system of your sewing machine will help you understand when it is functioning properly or improperly. If the machine is not working they way you expect, understanding will help you make adjustments and repairs. - 15431
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.
Hand cranks, treadle devices, wheels, belts, and gears turned by the force of the users hand or foot. Sewing was resulted by the transfer of this movement across an upper and lower shaft to the various parts of the sewing machine. This movement caused the needle to rise and fall, while the hook and feed systems moved in concert.
A major advancement occurred when the human power was replaced by electrical power. Electric motors were mounted behind the sewing machine with a small pulley connected by a belt drove a larger wheel on the upper shaft. The electric power was essentially changed into mechanical power.
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.
AC motors use Alternating Current or standard household electricity from the electric outlet on your wall. This electricity cycles electric flow in one direction and then in the other all at 120 volts. Inside the motor, this alternating current is processed through a coil winding around a core with a motor shaft in the center. The coil produces a magnetic field pulling one way, and then cycles the opposite direction. The result is that shaft starts to revolve or turn. The electrical energy from the wall is converted into mechanical energy in the motor. A belt or gear is then used to turn the sewing machine.
Electric motors come in two types AC and DC. In both cases the electricity used to run the motor must operate in a continuous unbroken circuit or loop. If the flow of electricity in the circuit flows in one direction and then in the opposite direction, it is called alternating current. If the flow is in only one direction within the loop, it is DC or direct current. Use of a transformer can convert AC to DC or the reverse.
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.
In recent years, another revolution has begun. The introduction of integrated computer circuits and other electronics have brought huge improvements in the reliability and smoothness of operations. Another advancement has been the introduction of DC pulse motors to control the sewing machine and produce stitches. The result has been amazing. These modern sewing machines make sewing so much easier and enjoyable.
Understanding the power system of your sewing machine will help you understand when it is functioning properly or improperly. If the machine is not working they way you expect, understanding will help you make adjustments and repairs. - 15431
About the Author:
Get 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.
