Typically this problem is caused by improper thread tension where the top thread tension is too loose.\u00a0 Many times this will occur as an embroiderer switches between a rayon and polyester thread.\u00a0 These thread types require different tension.\u00a0 If thread tension is not adjusted after switching a rayon for polyester (or vice versa)\u00a0thread looping will often result.\u00a0 In the past this problem was much more prevalent \u00a0with polyester threads but even modern thread can still be prone to this problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n While thread tension is the usual suspect the following issues should also be reviewed if looping continues to be a problem:<\/p>\n Bobbin Thread Appearing on Top Side of Embroidery<\/strong><\/p>\n Bobbin thread appearing on the top side of the embroidery is always<\/span> a problem with tension and never\u00a0caused by digitizing.\u00a0 Typically this problem is caused because the bobbin thread tension is too loose as compared to the top tension.\u00a0 However, it is important to remember your bobbin tension can’t be too tight either.\u00a0<\/p>\n One easy way to test bobbin tension is to remove your bobbin case from your machine and do a drop test.\u00a0 To do this remove the bobbin thread from the pig tail on your bobbin and suspend the bobbin case from the bobbin thread.\u00a0 Give the bobbin thread a little tug (like a yoyo) and the bobbin case should drop about 1.5″ and then stop.\u00a0 If your bobbin does not drop at all your bobbin is too tight.\u00a0 If your bobbin drops to the floor it is too loose.<\/p>\n Adjust the tension on your bobbin case by tightening or loosing the screw shown in the image below.\u00a0 You should never need to turn this screw more than a half turn in either direction.\u00a0 If you do, this spring has probably been sprung and I would highly recommend you replace the bobbin case.\u00a0 You can replace this spring if you want but it is a pain in the rear end and\u00a0unless you have very young eyes, steady hands and a lot of patience you will go bonkers.<\/p>\n Many times you will find a ball of lint will gather under the spring.\u00a0 You can clear this by gently running a business card between the spring and the bobbin case.\u00a0 However, resist the urge to push up on the spring.\u00a0 Once this spring is even slightly deformed it is useless and cannot be saved.\u00a0 Also, never use a needle or other metal object to try and clear a lint ball.\u00a0 A scratch on your bobbin case can be very problematic.<\/p>\n \u00a0Breaking Needles I have been working in commercial embroidery for almost 30 years and I have never seen an instance where a broken needle could be attributed to digitizing.\u00a0\u00a0 It could be argued that a design can be SO DENSE it would cause a needle to break.\u00a0 OK, I guess but one time I accidentally turned an embroidery head on with a phone book under the needle case.\u00a0 The machine dropped the needle one time (jammed the machine) and penetrated more than 400 pages in the phone book without breaking the needle.\u00a0 I promise you will never get a design that is more dense than 400 sheets of yellow pages!<\/p>\n But seriously…Broken needles are caused by a mechanical failure 99.99% of the time.\u00a0\u00a0 Usually this will be found in:<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0The preceding issues are the most common non-digitizing related embroidery failures.\u00a0 There are others but if you pay close attention to these three area alone you can dramatically reduce the amount of product and equipment failure you experience in your facility.<\/p>\n If anyone out there has any questions or topics you would like me to address I hope you will reach out to me at steve.freeman@qdigitizing.com<\/a> or reply to me here.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.qdigitizing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/looping.png\" "\\"looping\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/a><\/p>\n