Experiment No.

: 05

Name of the experiment: Study on the maintenance procedure of industrial overlock stitch-
ing machine.

Introduction:

Machines are subjected to deterioration due to their use and exposure to environmental condition.
Process of deterioration if unchecked culminates in rendering these facilities unserviceable and brings them to
standstill. Industry therefore has no choice but to attend to them from time to time, to repair to maintain and to
recondition them so as to elongate their life to the extent it is economically and physically possible to do so.
Thus repair, maintenance, accurate setting and replacement of components assume importance as an engi-
neering function.

Objectives:

1. To know the repair procedure of different components used in over edge stitch machine.

2. To learn the way of maintenance of the machine for its longer life.

3. To know the different setting points of the over edge stitch machine.

4. To gather knowledge on how and when the replacement needs to be carried out.

5. To acquaint ourselves with various machinery tools.

Apparatus:

1. Flat screw driver.

2. Star screw driver.

3. Hammer.

4. Pliers.

5. Lubricating oil.

6. Grease.
Different parts and controlling points of a overlock machine is given bellow

Procedure:

The repair, maintenance, setting and replacement procedure are described below:

1. Repair: Repair work is carried out when a component requires slight modification. To carry out
such job the machine needs to be switched off first. The component under repair is then screwed off
by suitable apparatus. After repairing, the part is fixed to its designated place and hence its correctness
is measured by running the machine. In an over edge stitch machine looper, presser foot, tensioner,
check spring, motor belt etc can undergo repair job.
2. Maintenance: Maintenance can be of different types. But following types are important in this as-
pect:
Routine maintenance: Lubrication and regular inspection are the constituents of routine
maintenance. Lubrication ensures long life and safe working of all the equipments, Inspection tries to
detect faults in equipment so that repairs and replacements may be undertaken at the right time.
Scheduled maintenance: This type of maintenance provides for inspection, overhaul
lubrication and servicing of the machine at predetermined dates. Overhauling of machine, cleaning of
all components is normally done in this manner. It involves opening of the machine into its smallest
components and carry out lubrication.

3. Setting: The setting of the over edge stitch machine is of immense importance. Following setting
points needs to be ensured before running the machine.

Needle: Needle undergoes accurate setting to ensure proper sewing. Needle is attached
by means of a screw which needs to be tightened enough to produce easy sewing. Again the
needle size is also important from fabric point of view. In this machine, one or two needles
may be used and it may be 3 thread, 4 thread or 5 thread machine.

Stitch density controller: It controls the no of stitches per inch. Before starting the ma-
chine, stitches per inch is determined by rotating the knob and fixing it at the desired position.
Pressure foot: The type of pressure foot to be used and its proper setting is important, which is
ensured by proper attachment with the motor through machine pulley.

Tensioner: Proper stitching depends on appropriate tension on sewing thread. The ten-
sioner is defective and if it is not properly adjust, then the stitch may be tight or loose or the
sewing thread may be break down. So, tensioners are to be adjusted properly. In this machine
three or more thread may be used, so, here more tensioning device is used.

Motor: Motor rpm depicts the speed of the machine. The rpm is controlled by tighten-
ing or loosing the belt over machine and motor pulley.

Conclusion:
Over lock stitching machine is necessary for stitching garments fabric. By doing this experi-
ment, we can know about the various parts of the machine and its parts setting & it’s working
procedure. We can learn it’s repairing procedure also. So we have learn about this machine me-
chanism properly & maintain proper lubrication for smooth operation.