New XTS not stiching so hot

[gcannon]

Hey folks,
It's been a while since I've had any real problems with my four XT's; but my boss bought me a new XTS about 2 weeks ago- and problems appeared that I haven't been able to solve by myself so far, so I turn to you before I spend hours on the phone with Melco support. We are using Ver. 9 to run it, just like the XT's; but the acti-feed function doesn't seem to be functioning at all. No matter what I put the thread feed settings on or what I set the presser-foot height at, the acti-feed display always stays at 2. I have to run it on standard or I get all sorts of problems- looping, broken needles, and bobbin breaks- all day long. I have tried everything I can think of, but still have to run on standard to get good results. And for some periods of time each day, the thread feed gear does not want to go to the home position, and then the clicking starts on color changes- and, of course I have to stop the machine and manually send the thread feed gear home. Like I said, we are running this machine with the ver. 9 I already had- could this be a software problem? The new machine came with new software, but the boss wanted to let the IT guy downstairs take a look at it first to see if we could just "drop-in" text on my files. Do any of you out there think I need to install the new software immediately or do you think that possibly I have gotten a new machine with a faulty sensor or something? Any help is appreciated. PM me if you think you have the fix- that way I will notice the icon on the desktop & can see the answer right away, as I have a backlog you would not believe. Thank you in advance for any help you all offer. A couple more things- almost every trim, the thread sling-shots out of the needle, so by the end of a seven-color design, I will have at least 5 needles to rethread & it also makes a horrible groaning noise every time it trims. Also, while I'm moaning, the 1st click on the presser-foot height adjustment is only about 1/2 of a click- is this the way it is supposed to be? And the presser foot itself is about 1/32nd of an inch higher on the left than it is on the right- is this something new or is this a defective presser foot? Aarrghh!

[ January 27, 2011, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: gcannon ]

[GF]

First thing to do is call Melco Tech Support. That sounds like a pretty definitive issue they can pinpoint. Sounds software related to me. Maybe a reinstall would fix. Make sure everything previous to Melco software is deleted from your system (except of course your design files and styles) just to avoid any overlap in the software versions causing conflicts.

GF

[Linda H]

Hi Greg

I agree, you have a new machine, you should call Melco. I do on-site training for Melco, when we go to a customer to do training, we also suggest that you do a full maintenance on the machine, just to ensure that everything has the proper lubrication. I'm sure the tech guys will help you out or send out a tech to get it up and running properly.

Linda
All Things By Design
West Branch MI

[Rod or Sharon]

Greg...

You did not say whether or not the other four machines are running ok. You also did not say whether or not the new XTS is net worked together with the other four XT's or not. I will assume that it is.

Assuming the other four are performing ok, this would seem to put software issues down the list of possibilities for starters.

My first guess is either the threadbreak sensor or a bad threadfeed stepper motor or a cable connection , etc, is causing the problem.

As the folks have suggested, because the machine is still under warranty, give Melco a call. this way they will start a machine history and get to the bottom of what is going on with the XTS.

At this point you have not supplied enough information for a proper diagnosis to go farther than what I have described. Everything is a maybe without doing some tests.

Give some feedback to the group as to what is discovered, I'm sure they would like to here the results....

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[gcannon]

Thank you for all the replies guys- I had a feeling about what you all were going to say; but I am under so much pressure here (at this place); I guess I was hoping for a "magic bullet". I will use your advice & my own common sense ( which I should have done in the first place) & give Melco a call this evening. I have a feeling that they are going to want to know why in the world I haven't installed the new software. We'll go from there- will post everything I learn. And yes Rod-all 5 are networked together and the other 4 are fine. That's why I hoped installing the new software would fix this mess.

[Rod or Sharon]

Greg,

Hummm, that is how we spell "hear" in I-de-ho.."here"....fast fingered that one.

I guess I also did not read your full message. the presserfoot issue sounds like it is slightly bent to one side. You should be able to straighten it by carefully applying pressure in the opposite direction.

As far as the sling-shotting, it sounds as if the trimmer is not functioning properly and either not cutting or partially cutting the thread during a trim. Go into Tools, Maintenance, Steppers. At the bottom of the display page you will see where it has clean and detect trimmer tabs. Click on these and then press any key on the machine keypad. You also may try pressing the "Adjustment" key(looks like a hammer) and the "trace" key together and then pressing any key on the machine key pad which will also do a trimmer clean sequence.

I wouldn't fret to much over the first click thing on the presserfoot adjustment wheel. A minor adjustment could take care of that if it presents a problem. It means that the wheel is not traveling far enough to allow the cog locking tab to settle all the way down in the gear valley and needs to be moved a tiny bit. I don't see this as a major issue tho. If a tech has to come out for the other issues, have him re-adjust this but mention this to Melco too......

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[gcannon]

Thanks for all your suggestions, Rod. I will do all of these things after we get done with our production day. Except for the trimmer clean & detect- which I am going to do as soon as the garment that's on it is finished running.

[MG Davis]

The XTS was released with V10 software. If It was last ran with V10... you need to do a "force download" when connecting to V9. Not sure if the RSA/CSA files that run the XTS are available in V9. V10 will run the older machines.

[gcannon]

Okay folks, doing the trimmer clean & detect seemed to help some, Rod. I have just checked the force download box, before I begin for the day, and I hope this helps too, MG. As far as everything else goes, I am having to run Ver 9 till I get "caught up"- the software is being held hostage downstairs. I think that one of the biggest problems I have here is that the environment is so dry- humidity is never above 25% in my shop- my thread just shreads.

[gcannon]

I told you I'd get back to ya'll, and I finally have the time. I came in early one morning & installed the new software. Viola- everything's great again. Thanks so much for all of your input.