Ceramic Coated Needles?

[KERRMINATOR]

Has anyone used ceramic coated needles? I'm having issues with the needles we're currently using because the tips keep breaking and cutting shirts. The tiniest little bit of the needle tip breaks off and continues to stitch despite being broken - it's not broken to the eye, so it doesn't know to stop.

The fabric is a fine knit (adidas polo shirts), we're currently using ball point 70's, and we can't figure out why our shirts are looking like swiss cheese!! We've tried other things like stitching slower, changing backings, solvie, no solvie, brand new needles, but still holes. I heard about ceramic needles a while ago and I was wondering if they are a stronger needle that wouldn't break so easily.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Rod or Sharon]

Ker....

First thing to do is ask yourself why the needles are breaking in the first place. It is not normal to be breaking needles like this. Have you checked your hook timing? How is the machine trimming, meaning is the needle possibly hitting either the selector or the knife.

How about the needlecase calibration? When you drop a needle to bottom center, is it aligned to the center of the needleplate hole? Try that on the number one needle and then make sure the needle plate is adjusted to the center of the hole, if possible, and then check the other 15 needles to see if ALL of them are centered. If they are not then the needle(s) may be hitting the needleplate and cuasing the breakage you have described. The needlecase will need to be recalibrated to the machine if they are not centered.....

In your case, I don't think stronger needles will be the answer...the needles are impacting something somewhere..

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[KERRMINATOR]

Thank-You

We are having a tech come in next week, so I'll certainly be bringing it up. . .it's happening randomly on 12 different heads and primarily white and black, but on other colors as well. Since it's on mulitple heads I thought we just have cheap-o needles.

[Mama Kass]

Rod's right, something is wrong. I've never even had a needle break unless I've done something stupid.

[Rod or Sharon]

12 different heads? You mean this is happening on more than one machine? How many machines are you running?

What brand of needles are you using and what size? I see you said 70's, but? Also how is the needle orientation? When your tech gets there , tell him that I suggested that he look at the following.......

Hook timings
Needle orientation
Needle depths
Needlecase calibrations
Trimmer specs
Remove the retaining support finger and check the face of the finger for burrs, nicks and/or vertical grooves
pressserfoot heights

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[sschroed2]

I use titanium ball point needles on polos, works well 75/11bppd