Industrial Sewing Machine Feed Systems

Machines can be categorized under a number of different feed types. The following are the more common types: Drop Feed / Regular feed Drop feed or regular feed is the most common feed system. This system incorporates a feed dogwhich is a mechanical surface with teeth that helps transport the material by dropping and then rising beneath it.

Examples of Drop Feed Machines: Techsew 8500, Juki 8700, Techsew 20U, Techsew 810, Techsew GA51

Needle Feed In a needle feed system, the needle itself feeds the material as well as the feed dog. This helps prevent multiple layers of material from slipping off each other. Examples of Needle Feed Machines: Pfaff 142, Pfaff 542, Singer 212

Compound Feed / Compound Walking-Foot Compound feed machines are a combination of needle feed and drop feed, and also feature alternating presser feet. Compound feed machines are used mostly for projects such as auto and marine upholstery, awnings and sails. Examples of Compound Feed Machines: Consew 206, Techsew 106, Techsew 2603, Techsew 2605

Drop Feed Walking-Foot Drop feed walking-foot machines feature a drop feed as well as alternating presser feet. Examples of Drop Feed Walking-Foot machines: Techsew 0302, Techsew 2301, Juki 141, Consew 277, Techsew GB6-180-2

Compound feed system

Compound Feed is a combination of synchronized drop feed and needle feed. Feeding occurs while the needle is still in the material by combined motion of needle bar and the feed dog. Since needle holds the plies of material in registration of feeding this reduces pucker and slippage between the plies of material. Used mainly for edge stitching, checks and stripes.

Variable Top and Bottom Feed (before the needle) is a feed mechanism where the feeding foot similar to presser foot is provided with two rows of teeth and acts alongside the presser foot. The strokes of the feeding foot and the feed dog can be adjusted independently.

Variable Top and Bottom Feed (after the needle) mechanism is when the feeding foot operates behind the needle to deliver especially smooth seams.

Alternating Compound Feed This system involves a combination of three types of feeding; feed dog, needle feed and feeding foot. In this process fabric cannot be gathered. This application is used when sewing multiple plies and sewing bulky seams in heavy fabrics.

Puller/Roller Feed is an auxiliary feed using a wheel or roller positioned behind normal feed mechanism. This roller operates either continuously or intermittently. This is suitable for long straight seams without causing puckering.

Reverse Feed is the feed used in majority of Lockstitches to move the fabric material away from need towards sewer for bar tacking. Chain stitch machines rarely have this bar tacking feed mechanism. Special feeding devices - like Clamp Feed are used for automatic sewing machines like button hole, bar tack and small parts making machine using Jig. The jig is driven automatically and guides the material under the needle according to the required pattern.