Projets:Lab:OpenEmbroiderer

Original content in french. Translation in progress.

= Motivation =

The idea is to transform a classic sewing machine into an embroiderer.

Mechanical modifications must be simples and reversibles (nondestructive).

The system is designed to be accessible and easily reproductible with common tools (no heavy machining like Electrolab's ones).

= Tech =

The system is quite simple:
 * a position sensor to know if the needle is up or down, and move only if it's outside the fabric.
 * a XY table with low precision requirements (0.1mm is already pretty good). In fact there is real constraints on the frame that hold the fabric, and the precision is hard to keep a good rigidity on every mechanical parts. It impacts maximum frame size and configuration of thread strain.
 * motor control: 2 viable solutions: reprap drivers, which are easy to acquire and works out of the box but are expensive. Or a fully diy driver, with a custom driver chip and pcb, which is cheaper but harder to acquire. We have chosen this last solution, because the Electrolab may sell mechanical and electronic kits, which can give an alternative solution to those who can't order parts or create/solder pcb.

= 1st prototype =

Not translated yet, sorry we are french, original page here

A video of the machine at work (at maximum speed :p) is visible on our blog: http://blog.electrolab.fr/2015/08/20/electrolabccc2015/

= Files =

All the code is in an early stage, so it's quite messy but already accessible.
 * OpenEmbroider software, no interface yet, approximative build system.
 * The firmware is not accessible yet, because few drivers are not free and we need to rewrite it. But not a lot, It's coming really soon.
 * CAD file, pressure foot is missing. All Stl to print.
 * Our slides at CCC2015 lightning talks.