Computerized embroidery

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Definition

Many modern sewing machines (including the ones for the home market) can be computer-controlled, either directly or by uploading files. I.e. we might distinguish between different kinds of models:

  • computer-controlled (directly from a computer). I imagine that these could exist in industry.
  • computer-controlled (via file upload, i.e. specific firmware in the machine will read the CNC file and execute). That's the solution existing in mid and high-end home machines (in the $500 to $10000 range). A good model (like a Swiss Bernina that can both sew and stitch will cost around CHF 3000.-)
  • Computer-powered, i.e. the machine will have more than a single motor and stuff is synchronized with a computer instead of complex mechanics. Typically, low and mid-end home machines.

In computer-powered or computer-controlled home sewing machines, “the computer directly controls several different motors, which precisely move the needle bar, the tensioning discs, the feed dog and other elements in the machine. [...] The computer drives the motors at just the right speed to move the needle bar up and down and from side to side in a particular stitch pattern. Typically, the computer programs for different stitches are stored in removable memory disks or cartridges. The sewing-machine computer may also hook up to a PC in order to download patterns directly from the Internet. Some electronic sewing machines also have the ability to create complex embroidery patterns. These machines have a motorized work area that holds the fabric in place underneath the needle assembly. They also have a series of sensors that tell the computer how all of the machine components are positioned. [...] The sewer simply loads a pattern from memory or creates an original one, and the computer does almost everything else.” Computerized Sewing Machines, retrieved 13:07, 15 April 2011 (CEST). With that kind of machines, a user can focus on design and the needs to learn how to interpret orders from machine like replacing the threads.

According to Wikipedia and other sources, the first modern day computer controlled sewing machine was built by Orisol in 1987 for making shoes.

Good sewing machines can both sew and stitch and some can quilt too. I.e. you get three machines in one. Design software exists in various form. Designs are both sold and also available as open "source". Converter software between various control formats exists.

Disclaimer: I know next to nothing about CNC and sewing machines. I probably will buy one for TECFA sometimes in the not so distant future. Might be a good tool to get young teenagers interested in 2D graphics and maybe even in some programming. Also, I could create cool EduTechWiki T-shirts ;) - Daniel K. Schneider 14 April 2011.

Computerized embroidery

More or less according to Wikipedia, the basic steps for creating an embroidery are as follows:

  • Get or create a digitized embroidery design file
  • Edit the design and/or combine with other designs (optional)
  • Translate to machine executable code (optional)
  • load the final design file into the embroidery machine
  • stabilize the fabric and place it in the machine
  • start and monitor the embroidery machine

Software and repositories

Disclaimer: None tested so far, therefore none we could recommend.

Franz Xaver Simm: Die Stickerin Oil on canvas, 94 x 68 cm

Design

Free just design tools

(these will just create patterns for hand stitching)

  • KXStitch aims to produce software to allow the creation and editing of cross stitch patterns. Runs under Linux/KDE. See kxstitch wiki
Free design tools

These can output CNC file formats. You may have to use a converter to get it working on your machine.

  • Embroidermodder. free software tool that allows the user to add custom modifications to their embroidery designs. Started in 2004 by Mark Pontius, last update on 11/2010 when last checked (15:57, 15 April 2011 (CEST)).
Free convertes or plugins for graphics programs
Commercial embroidery/stitching design tools
  • BuzzTools sells a series of design tools, e.g. design management software. graphics to stitches, words to stitches, etc. (between $99 and 300)
  • Bernina, the sewing machine company sells several products for their own machines. US link, Switzerland (de/fr). Prices fairly expensive, i.e. must have design program is about $2000. There is one free program ArtLink 6 (CH) / Artlink 6 (USA)
  • Embrilliance. A (relatively) cheap multi-purpose tool for converting/mergin/lettering etc. Supports most embroidery formats, but can't import "normal" 2D graphics. (Mac/PC)
  • Embroidery software by Pulse. Various products like Tajima DG/ML, Tajima Librarian, Tajima Passport, Embroidery/Illustrator. High end/expensive.

File formats

There are several kinds of formats, in particular

  • All sorts of 2D bitmap and vectore formats for the drawings
  • Embroidery and sewing specific file formats
  • Machine formats, that are mostly brand or even type specific
  • Major machine formats that could be used as exchange formats
Design formats
  • DST Tajima
  • EXP Melco's
  • FDR Barudan
Machine formats
  • PES (Brother)
  • ART (Bernina)
  • VIP
  • JEF
  • SEW
  • HUS
Conversion software
  • WILCOM TrueSizer. Read and convert many popular industrial and home expanded/condensed file formats. Windows/Free. (registration required)
  • Stitch & Sew multi-converter. (not tested, registration required)

Free repositories

Links

Sewing and embroidery websites
  • Sewing.org has free sew, quilt and craft projects
  • Sewing & Craft Alliance provides educational information and creative resources to the sewing and crafting enthusiast
  • SewReview, includes a blog with entries on various topics plus buying guides and reviews
  • eHow includes entries about sewing, embroidery, etc.
  • rumblr includes a few entries about sewing etc.
Blogs
Other links of links
  • Embroidermodder has some good links (including broken ones, last update was 2004)

Introductions

(Retrieved April 2011, unless otherwise stated)

Introductions to embroidery

(there are many, but we keep it down since we are interested in computer-created designs only here)

  • Embroidery (Wikipedia). follow-up the various Wikipedia links at the bottom.
Introductions to computerized embroidery
Introductions computerized sewing machine
Introductions to normal sewing machine

Software

Online retailers (multiple products)
File formats

Hardware

Do it yourself

Bibliography and journals

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