Cutting products made of dense materials, such as tarpaulin, requires specialized equipment capable of overcoming the resistance of the fabric. Conventional household models do not cope with a multilayer seam, breaking needles and passing stitches. Industrial sewing machine For the tarpaulin is not just a tool, but a complex mechanism where each node is sharpened to work with high loads.
Owners of workshops for the production of awnings, car covers or workwear need to clearly understand the difference between the class of equipment. swaying shuttle vertical shuttle These are the terms you will find when choosing a technique. Properly selected technique allows sewing even through thickenings, where four or more layers of dense tissue converge.
The wrong choice of the unit will lead not only to the defect of products, but also to the rapid breakdown of an expensive device. In this article, we will discuss the key characteristics that turn a simple machine into a powerful machine for working with the computer. heavy-material.
Design features of equipment for heavy tissues
The main difference between a professional machine for tarpaulin is the type tissue. In household models, the material is supplied only by the lower transporter (tooth rail), which when working with the tarp leads to the displacement of the layers. The bottom layer stretches faster, the top lags behind, and the seam turns skewed.
To eliminate this defect, a mechanism known as foot-foot (walking foot) This node synchronizes the movement of the upper and lower layers of tissue. The foot not only presses the material, but actively promotes it along with the lower rack. This provides a perfectly smooth seam even on slippery or very thick surfaces.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to sew a tarp on a household typewriter, forcibly pushing the fabric with your hands. This will cause the needle driver to break or the needle to curve, which can fly off to the operator at high speed.
The second critical element is needle-maker and the lubrication system. Canvas machines often use a vertical or gorisal swinging shuttle, which allows the use of thicker threads. The mechanism should have automatic lubrication, since friction during puncture of a dense tarpaulin generates significant heat.
When working with a tarpaulin, always use a Teflon foot or roller-sided foot to ensure that the fabric slides unimpeded under the needle.
Selection criteria: power and type of shuttle
When choosing equipment, first of all, pay attention to the type of equipment. shuttle. For the tarpaulin, a vertical swinging shuttle is considered optimal. It allows the needle to pass through the material at right angles, minimizing the risk of breakage. Horizontal shuttles, popular in lighter machines, are less efficient here because of the thread thickness limitation.
The power of the engine also plays a crucial role. For sewing awnings and covers for special equipment, engines with a capacity of 550 W to 1000 W and above are required. A weak motor will constantly stop at the thickening of the seam, overheat and quickly fail. Servo motors In modern models, they allow you to save electricity and give full torque even at low revs.
An important parameter is the length of the stitch. A tarp often requires an elongated stitch for strength and aesthetics. A good machine should provide adjustment of the length of the stitch in a wide range, up to 10-12 mm.
Below is a comparative table of characteristics that helps to determine the class of equipment:
| Characteristics | Household class | Semi-industrial | Industrial (Sheet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of shuttle | Horizontal | Vertical/Horizontal | Vertical swinging |
| Max. seam-thickness | 5 mm | 10 mm | up to 20-25 mm |
| Length of stitch | 5 mm | 7 mm | up to 12 mm and more |
| Tissue promotion | Lower | Down + rack | Walking foot (top + bottom) |
Needles and threads: the basis of quality seam
Even the most expensive sewing-machine It will not be able to sew the tarp without properly selected fittings. Needles for dense fabrics have markings LR (left point) or LL (left edge, elongated). This tip does not cut through the fibers of the fabric, but pushes them apart, which prevents damage to the structure of the tarpaulin and reduces the risk of rupture of the seam when stretched.
The thickness of the needle is selected depending on the density of the material and the thickness of the thread. For standard tarpaulin, needles No. 100-130 (according to the European classification) or 16-20 (according to the American one) are most often used. Using a needle that is too thin will cause it to break, and too thick can damage the fabric.
The choice of threads is also critical. For tarpaulin, synthetic threads are used: lausan, capron or polyester. Natural cotton will quickly rot under the influence of moisture. The most popular threads 45LL, 70ll fatter reinforced thread. It is important that the needle number corresponds to the number of the thread: the thicker the thread, the larger the needle’s eye should be.
⚠️ Attention: Never use round-edged needles (standard household) to tailor the tarpaulin. They will cut through the fibers, making the seam unstable and watery.
Table of needle and thread correspondence
For 10LL-20LL threads, use needles number 70-80. For strings 30LL-45LL - needles number 90-110. For threads 70LL and thicker - needles No. 120-140. Failure to comply with proportions leads to a break of the thread.
Set up the machine before starting work
Before starting the sewing process, you need to set up correctly thread-string. For the tarpaulin, the upper tension is usually loosened, since the thick thread must pass freely through the needle's eye and regulator. If the tension is too strong, the thread will constantly break or tear the tissue.
The pressure of the foot on the fabric is another important parameter. On industrial machines with a walking foot, the pressure is regulated by a screw on the sleeve. For thin tarpaulin pressure is reduced, for very thick multilayer joints - increased to ensure stable progress.
It is also necessary to check the gap between the needle and the shuttle. In heavy fabric machines, this gap is minimal, but should not lead to a collision. Adjustment is made by turning the shuttle or needle driver according to the instructions for a particular model, for example, Juki or Jack.
☑️ Setting up the tarpaulin machine
Sewing technique and work with thickenings
The process of sewing a tarp requires a certain skill. The main rule is not to pull the fabric with your hands forward or backward. The walking foot machine itself promotes the material. Your task is only to direct the canvases, slightly holding them on the sides of the paw.
Particularly difficult are the intersection of the seams, where a sharp thickening is formed. When you get to a place like this, you need to slow down. If the car still gets up, you can not turn the flywheel against the turn (this will knock the settings of the shuttle). Carefully help the needle to thicken by lifting the back of the leg (if the design allows) or using a special wedge.
To fix the beginning and end of the line on the tarp, the reverse stroke (reverse) can be difficult due to the thickness of the material. In such cases, it is recommended to leave the long ends of the threads and bind them manually with a knot, or build the place of the fastener in place, slightly turning the fabric.
The key to a flat seam on the tarp is minimal hand interference in the process of moving the fabric; trust this to the walking foot.
Maintenance and maintenance of equipment
Working with tarpaulin generates a lot of dust and pile that settles inside the mechanism. Therefore, cleaning the machine should be carried out daily, and with intensive work - several times a shift. The accumulation of hair in the shuttle area is the main cause of missing stitches and breaking needles.
Lubrication is the second most important aspect of care. Unlike household models, industrial tarpaulin machines require regular lubrication with special oil. In models with automatic lubrication, you need to monitor the level of oil in the pallet. In dry machines (without a bathtub), oil is dripped manually into the points before each run.
Regularly check the condition of the needle driver and clamping paw. Worn-out parts can start to hit the needle, which will cause it to collapse instantly. Timely replacement of consumables will prolong the life of an expensive machine.
⚠️ Attention: Use only special sewing oil. Motor or vegetable oils thicken, oxidize and can permanently jam the machine mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make a tarp on a regular home car?
Theoretically, you can try to sew one layer of thin tarpaulin, if you replace the needle with No. 100-110 and use thick threads. However, to make a high-quality durable seam, especially with a gateway or in several layers, on a household car ("Seagull", "Podolsk" with a horizontal shuttle) is almost impossible. It is likely to break the mechanism or burn the engine.
Which needle is better for a tarpaulin: with a round or sharp tip?
For tarpaulin and other dense tissues, it is strongly recommended to use needles with left-handed (marking LR or LL). They're pushing the fibers apart, not cutting them. Round-pointed needles (standard) will cut through the fabric, making the seam leaky and unstable, and also blunt faster.
Why does the machine miss stitches when sewing the tarp?
Main causes: (1) Needle incorrectly installed (not to the point or deployed); (2) Too strong tension of the upper thread; (3) Weared or contaminated shuttle; (4) Needle number mismatched with thread thickness. Also, the reason may be too long a line for this thickness of the fabric.
Which car to choose for the start: new or used?
For the start, it is often recommended to use the tested used models of Soviet production (for example, 1022nd class) or Japanese. JukiBecause they have a huge resource. New Chinese Comparisons (Brands) Jack, Typical) with servo motors will be more economical, quieter and easier to set up, which may be more important for a beginner.