Intermittent Tapping Sound

[TheresaJane]

We have an XT that gets used somewhat sparingly.
We try to stay ahead of the lubrication schedule.

After sitting for about a month, we sewed out a design last night. Sewed fine, however, an intermittent tapping sound was heard. Sewing at ~750spm, every 15 seconds or so, we hear a series of about 5 or 6 taps and then they stop. Watching closely, when the taps occur, you can see all of the takeup levers shake/move.


So that leaves me with three basic questions.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Is this potentially a self repair/clean operation?
How to locate a good technician in the MD area?

Much thanks to all who may be able to help.

Theresa

[Body Cover]

I'm sure you will get one of the Techs that monitor the board to chime in.
But, I would think if you machine has been setting that the oil tends to dry up so to speak and that before you do any thing you should go through one of the maintenance procedures and make sure things get oiled and lubed before restarting things. Which one is better left to the techs. But we used to have to oil the v-rail and fill the oil reservoirs with oil and then oil the hook for sure. We thought we were doing things up to par and following the instructions but found they were merely a guideline and should be altered to fit your needs and and usage. Of course we have a first gen Amaya (Red one) but got noises from the same area, and found that when we applied liberal oil the noise was gone and so was the problem...

Hope it helps...
Ron

[TheresaJane]

Thanks Ron.

Prior to startig the job, we did oil the hook, the oil reservoir and cleaned and oiled the vrails. Additionally, we lubed the takeup lever cam and follower.

Could just be a case of needing to run and get things lubed up. Maybe, as you mentioned, we just need to give it a little time settle in and lube up.

Thanks
Theresa

[YDCustom]

You weren't by any chance near the hoop limits were you?

I've had this happen once or twice on our XT when we were near the hoop limit. Even though everything said that we were inside and I'd traced the design with no problem, the presser foot was hitting the hoop on the downstroke and making everything shake a bit. I moved to a bigger hoop on that design and everything seems fine now.

[Rod or Sharon]

Addressing the V rails first. The V rails on the XT should be cleaned but NOT oiled. Only the V rails on the Big Reds need to be cleaned AND oiled. The V rail slider blocks on the XT's are oil impregnated and do not need to be oiled. The step thru process indicates this on the popup instructions.

As has been mentioned, do a complete lubrication sequence.

Are you sewing caps or flats?

How high is the presser foot? Are you sewing over a seam when you hear the tapping?

Is the presser foot clearance to the back of the needle sufficient? 1/8th to 3/16th inch approx at bottom center?

Is the back side of the presser foot shank/shaft clearing the grabber trap?

Is this happening on all needles or just one?

Have you at any time had the needlecase front cover off. It must be positioned such that the takeup levers to not rub or strike the sides of their respective slots.

Are you using bobbins that may be ticking on the inside of the bobbin case as they are spinning?

Guess I could go on, but thats enough for now.

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[Hugo Torbidoni]

Theresa,

I'm near Frederick MD right now, only live about 20 minutes from there. Where are you located.

Call me if you would like be to stop by one day.

Hugo Torbidoni
MelcoTech
301-471-3157

Always better to call me,,,,I'll be on the road in about 1/2 an hour.

[TheresaJane]

Thank you all for the help.
Rod, we looked at every one of your suggestions. Surprisingly, the bobbin spool was rather tattered.

We followed thru with the lubrication schedule over the weekend. afterwards sewed a few basic designs and then went back to the original design. Everything sewed nicely and quietly. As was suggested, seems that it took just a little while for the oil to work its way into the right spots.

Once again - thanks! And Hugo, nice to know there is a technician close by. We will definately keep your number handy.