Types of Sewing Machines

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Types of Industrial Sewing Machines There are four main types of industrial sewing machines. The differentiation between them is based on the design of the arm and needle post. These four types are: • Flatbed: The most common type, these machines resemble traditional sewing machines in that the arm and needle extend to the flat base of the machine. Workers typically use this machine for sewing flat pieces of fabric together. • Cylinder-bed: These machines feature a narrow, horizontal column as opposed to a flat base. This allows fabric to pass around and under the column. The diameter of the cylinder-bed varies from 5 cm to 16 cm. Workers employ the cylinder-bed machine for sewing cylindrical pieces such as cuffs, but it is also useful for bulky items such as saddles and shoes. • Post-bed: These machines feature bobbins, feed dogs and/or loopers in a vertical column that rises above the flat base of the machine. The height of this column ranges from 10 cm to 45 cm. Applications that make access to the sewing area difficult, such as attaching emblems, boot making and glove making utilize the post-bed machine. • Off-the-arm: The least common group, these machines require workers to feed material along the axis of a horizontal column. The design limits the length of the seam sewn to the length of the column, but is useful for applications such as sleeve and shoulder seams. Sewing Machines Sewing machines are now available in various models such as domestic model, tailor model, industrial model, portable and cabinet models. They may be operated by hand, treadle or electric motor. • Hand – Operated Sewing Machine: This is the simplest form of sewing machine which is operated by hand. A detachable handle provided to the flywheel is used to operate the machine. This machine is generally suitable for domestic purpose because it does not help in speeding up the

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