Melco Amaya XT Purchase

[tsu55]

Hi, I am considering purchasing 1 or 2 Amaya XTs. Could I get some feedback on reliability and performance good or bad. Does the Acti-feed system really live up to promised? Do some of you us the XTs manually (not acti-feed on)? If so why? If you had a manual tension before would you still buy the acti-feed? I have read about roller issues but have heard they have changed to the yellow roller and not had any issues. One post read He had many thread breaks and thread pulling out of needles? Others had some motor issues and Y axis errors? Not sure what to make of these problems? Just trying to make a sound business decision. Thanks for any input.

[Judy]

I just upgraded from the Amaya to the Amaya XT. Three little words...go for it. I use the auto tensioning when I run poly thread, and standard tensioning when I run Rayon. Rayon and auto tensioning = lots of thread breaks. I do have a problem with the bobbin not always catching after a trim, and an occasional thread pulling out before it catches. I only have about a million stitches on Smokey, but I forsee a long and beautiful friendship. When Red arrived (the first machine), she arrived with a Y motor problem...apparently there was a batch of motors that got oil in them during the manufacturing process. Melco sent out a tech and changed it out without any hesitation. You can NEVER go wrong with Melco tech support and customer service. They are very solidly committed to having happy customers. I'll never own anything other than an Amaya.

[oldkush]

I think it is safe to say that most Amaya users here will tell you that they are happy with their XT's. Of course if you asked members of a Barudan, SWF or Tajima group the same question about their respective machines, they also will likely give their machines a positive review too.

I do not own an Amaya but joined this group because we have considered purchasing one and I wanted to learn more about the machine. So for what it is worth, for me personally the positives are:

- the XT is a better machine than the original Amaya
- Melco service for the most part is very good and their commitment to continually improving the Amaya certainly deserves recognition
- this AmayaUsers group is very active and a big help to all Amaya owners
- actual stitching speed with the Amaya is faster than any other machine out there
- the Amaya's networking capabilities make for very flexible multiple head configurations [although some other machines also offer these networking features]
- the smaller tubular arm can be a plus when doing things pockets, gloves, etc.
- the new cap frame is an improvement over the older one and probably offers one of the larger sewing fields

Now for things that I'm personally still not sold on in the Amaya [just my opinion ... so no one get mad]:

- the thread auto tensioning system. I personally prefer the simpler manual system ... less thread issues, less maintenance and less things to go wrong [I think]. Of course, other will like auto tensioning.
- the importance of minute presser foot height adjustments for various materials. Something that is not needed in other machines.
- the Amaya seems to be a little louder than some of the other machines out there. Granted, it is stitching faster so maybe that is the reason but level of noise may be a concern to some.
- the Amaya does seem to depreciate faster than some of the other brands
- physical space under and around the machine when the job involves large bulky items [bags, heavy jackets, etc.]

Bottom line .... we each have to find the machine that fits our own needs, a machine that we feel comfortable using and a dealer that we can count on for support. For some, that will mean the Amaya and for others, it may lead to another brand.

Take your time, do your homework and good luck in finding the right machine for you.

Bob

[Rod or Sharon]

tsu55,
I am third party tech, meaning I am not on Melco payroll status, but I do work on Melco EMT, Amaya and Amaya XT's. Unlike Bob, I do own two Amaya's, one of which is an XT, the other is a 2004 version of the Amaya.

First to answer your question about the auto-actifeed. There are a great number of Amaya's in the field right now. Lets just say that the auto-actifeed system has gone through a development stage of continuing improvement. It is my understnding that additional features are being worked on to make the auto-actifeed even more versital. These improvements have been contributed to mainly software improvements. The auto-actifeed system works superbly on both my XT and my standard Amaya.

The system does not "tension" the thread as in other brands of machines using manual thread tensioning dials. It may be viewed as a matter of semantics,but this is not an auto tensioning system as Bob has stated. Hence the name "Auto Acti-feed." The Amaya and XT Amaya have a thread feed motor, controlled by the on-board computer system. A very simplfied version of what is happening, is this system feeds thread to the needle, the needle penetrates the material picking up the bobbin thread and the take-up levers pull the thread up tight in the material tieing the stitch. Enroute from the thread cone to the needle, the tread is wound around a thread break sensor tube and the friction caused by thread moving over it's surface causes static electricity. As the material gets thicker, the computer will sense a change in the static electrical charge from the thread being pulled tighter against the thread break sensor tube and automatically feeds more thread on the next down stroke of the needle. It is because of this "thread feed system" the Amaya's can run the speeds that they do.

Why would we ever want sew without the acti-feed on? Well in the case of some ultra thin materials, shear linen hankerchiefs would be a good example, and using no backing other than Solvy of some sort on both sides, it may be benificial to have the thread feed at a constant rate and not rely on a computer to do it for you. It gives you just another tool to be more flexible in customizing your embroidery to your needs.

The only issues we have encountered with the yellow thread feed roller system is failure on the part of the operator to keep them properly lubricated and/or allowing oil, grease or other contaminates to get on the surface of the rollers. These rollers are a vast improvement over the old black roller material.

Thread breaks, pull-outs, fraying, unfortuately is a fact of embroidery, but if it is happening on a regular and consistant basis, then it becomes a matter of trouble shooting to find out "why." The one biggest problem area falls into the arena of a poorly digitized design with ultra thin columns and tiny lettering. Created lettering without proper tie-in and tie-offs, proper densities, column width adjustment and increased speed, etc, will lead to breaking, fraying and pull outs. Can it be a mechinical failure of the machine, yes, but my experience so far is that is is 99% operator failure and 1% machine error. Bobbins in backwards, needles in backwards, needles not oriented properly, using the wrong backing materials, hooping issues, burrs on the needles, old or bad thread, lack of lubrication on the machine....this list could go on, and on, and on......

Y motor axis proplem? The worst case senario would be an actual failure of the Y axis motor. Anytime the Y-axis motor senses binding in the Y-axis, as a failsafe, it will give you this error. This could be too heavy of a garment being placed on the machine and is dragging heavily on the tabletop. It could be lack of lubrication to the reciprocator shaft and needle bars that is now causing drag. One thing to remember, the higher the speed of any equipment, the more friction is being generated and this means more heat which immediately translates to "lubrication." This goes right back to the operator being dedicated to taking care of their machines. All machines need maintanance and the Amayas are no exception, they are machines and cannot totally take care of all the lubrication needs for themselves. It needs the operator to provide this care for them.......

Varible presser foot adjustment? As the speed of an embroidery machine increases, higher heat will be generated to the needle which will cause more flagging of the material and therefore it becomes more important to be able to adjust the presser foot height to hold this material down to prevent thread breaking issues from happening...it is certainly important when running caps at 1200 stitches per minute on the XT with properly digitized designs.

As a tech, my expeience with Melco support and them backing up their product has been second to none. Their technical support group has been very, very good. Do Sharon and I like our Amayas, yes we do. Is Bob giving you sound advice on doing your homework and finding the machine that best fits you, yes he is. But, I am sure when you look over the field, you will see the Amaya system offer many things that the others do not. Can the others get the job done, well some of them are better than others, but yes they can get the job done.

Find someone to give you a demonstration of the machine and software of several brands before you make your decision...it should be an easy decision after that...

Rod Springer
Melco EMT & Amaya tech & trainer....

[levelbest]

Wow Rod - I was going to reply... but I think you covered it all!

=)

[oldkush]

Hi Rod

You are right .... I did not use the correct terminolgy and I stand corrected.

The Amaya uses an "auto-feed" thread system, which in turn together with the take up levers translates to proper thread tensions to the stitchout.

Also, we certainly both agree that this is a good group and one of the reasons is because of people like you who are willing to share their time and knowledge with others.

Have a great day and happy stitching.

Bob

[Image Embroidery]

I have one of each. The "Princess" is my non-XT, I've had her for almost 2 years, and the "Prince", my XT is almost 1 year old.
I LOVE both of them. I use the acti-feed almost 100% of the time. I had some trim issues with the XT when he first arrived, but they were resolved with a tech visit.
I personally have found that any problems I have had with either machine have been operator or design error.
I don't think you will regret your purchase!
JMO
LuAnn

[dsldan]

Hello Amaya Users
I have been dealing very hard on a NEW Amaya XT. But first I need to sell my small Happy HCS. I have learned so much about the XT just from reading the forum. It will be used part hobby, & part business. Hopefully I can pull this off before the first of the year for tax purposes, and I hope to learn alot more, because as touchy as the XT is, I'm going to need it. Thanks for letting me into your world.
Dan C.