Brother rh-918a manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    RH-981A ELECTRONIC EYELET BUTTON HOLER ENGLISH[...]

  • Page 2

    RH-981A i Thank you very muc h for buying a BROT HER sewing m achine. Bef ore using your new machine, pl ease rea d the saf ety instruc tions belo w and the exp lanations g iven in th e instructio n m anual. W ith industrial se wing m achines, it is norm al to carr y out work while position ed directl y in front of m oving parts such as the needle [...]

  • Page 3

    RH-981A ii 2. Notes on safet y DA N GER Wait at least 5 minutes af ter tur nin g off the p ower s witch and disconnecti n g the p ower cord fro m the w all outl et before o p enin g the face p late of the control box. T ouchin g areas where hi g h volta g es are p resent c an result in seve re inju ry . CA UTION Environmental requirem ents Use the [...]

  • Page 4

    RH-981A iii CA UTION Sewing This sewing mac hine should onl y be used b y operators who have received t he necess ary training i n safe use bef orehand. The s ewin g mac hine should not b e used for an y applicatio ns other than s ewing. Be sure to wear p rotective g o gg les when usin g the m achine. If goggles are n ot worn, there is the danger t[...]

  • Page 5

    RH-981A iv Finger guard 3. W a rnin g lab e ls The f ollowing warnin g labels appear o n the sewin g mac hine. Please f ollow the i ns tr uc tions on the labe ls at a ll t im es when us ing t he m ach ine. If the lab els h av e bee n r em oved or are diffic ult to read, please c ontact your nearest Br other de aler . Safety de vice s Eye guard Fing[...]

  • Page 6

    RH-981A CONTE NTS 1. NAMES OF EACH P ART ................................ 1 2. SPECIFICA TIONS .............................................. 2 2-1. Specif ic ations ...................................................... 2 2-2. Sewing sh ape ..................................................... 3 2-3. Optional parts ................................[...]

  • Page 7

    RH-981A 9-5. Adj usting the c learance be tween the looper and needle ............................................ 58 9-6. Adjusting t he needle g uard .............................. 59 9-7. Adjusting the spreade r mounting positions ........ 59 9-8. Adjusting t he spreader tim ing .......................... 60 9-9. Adjus ting the need le rack ing [...]

  • Page 8

    1. NA MES O F EA CH PA RT RH-981A 1 1. NAMES OF EACH PART (1) Front c over (2) Hand switc h (3) Cloth pres ser switch (4) Start s witch (5) EMERGENC Y STO P switch (6) Upper s haft pulle y (7) Feed br acket (8) Spool stan d (9) Power s witch (10) Motor (11) Oper ation panel (12) Control box Fly indexer (-52 specifications) 3123Q Fly indexer 2380Q[...]

  • Page 9

    2. SPECIFIC A TION S RH-981A 2 2. SPECIFICA TIONS 2-1. Specifications Specific ation RH-981A-00 RH-981A-01 RH-981A-02, RH-9 81A-52 Applicatio n Men’s cloth es and ladies ’ clothes Jeans and work clothes Sewing speed 1,000 - 2,200rpm (100- rpm steps) Stitch length 5 - 50 mm 5 - 38 mm L1 14 - 18 mm L5 28 - 32 mm L2 18 - 22 mm L6 32 - 36 mm L3 22 [...]

  • Page 10

    2. SPECIFIC A TION S RH-981A 3 2-2. Se w ing shape Eyelet buttonhole S t r a i g h t b u t t o n h o l e W ithout bar tacking W ith taper W ith straight bar tacking ( *) W ithout bar tacking W ith taper W ith straight bar tacking ( *) * The DIP s witch settings m ust be changed. ( Refer to page 74.) 2-3. Optional parts Parts nam e Parts code Two-pe[...]

  • Page 11

    2. SPECIFIC A TION S RH-981A 4 2-5. Replacement parts list fo r specific ation changes The sewing m achine can be c hanged t o an y one of L1 - L7 f or -02 and -52 spec ific ations by replac ing the s pecif ied parts with the appropriate parts given belo w. -02 specifications Plate R ass embl y Specific ations (buttonhole l ength) Replac emen t par[...]

  • Page 12

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 5 3. INST ALLA TION CA UTION Machine instal lation should onl y be carried o ut by a qualif ied technic ian. Conta ct you r Brothe r dealer or a quali fied ele ctrician for an y electrical w ork tha t may ne ed to be done. The sewing m achine weighs m ore than 87 kg . The ins tallation should b e carried out b y two or more[...]

  • Page 13

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 6 3-2. Installing the motor 1. Inser t the four nuts (1) into the work table. 2. T urn the work table upside down to m ake it easier to install the motor (2). 3. Align the holder pla te (3) and the m otor plate (4) with the nuts (1), and t hen install them with the four washers (5), the four s pring washers ( 6) and the fou[...]

  • Page 14

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 7 3-3. Installing the motor pulle y 1. Place the m otor pulley (1) on to the s haft of the motor (2) so that the k ey grooves are alig ned, and then tighten the set screws ( 3) so that the center of the V groove in t he m otor pulle y (1) is ali gned as closely as pos sible with the ce nter of the belt ho le in the power ta[...]

  • Page 15

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 8 3-5. Installing the machine head 1. Insert the accessor y bed bas e cushions A (1) into the bed base, and then plac e the mac hine head on top of the work table. Note: W hen placing the mac hine head on top of the work table, have two or mor e people there to ho ld the handles and rear of the head as indicated in t he ill[...]

  • Page 16

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 9 Raisin g the ma ch ine head 1. W hile holding th e handles of the mac hine head (1) with bot h hands, gent ly raise the m achine head. Note: Be sure to turn t he power s upply off bef ore rais ing the machine head. 2. If you wish to keep the m achine head in the raised pos ition, ins ert the head support lev er (2) secure[...]

  • Page 17

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 10 3-6. Installing the o il container 1. Install the oi l drainin g c ap support (2) to the bas e of the bed base ( 1) with the two sc rews (3). 2. Scr ew the oil conta iner (4) into the oil dr aining cap support (2). 3. Pus h the oil draining s pring pin (5) into t he bed base (1) until th e pin is flus h with the surf ace[...]

  • Page 18

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 11 3-8. Tightening the V-belt 1. O pen the rear cover . 2. Pas s the V-belt ( 1) through the b ase of the bed b ase and thr ough the hole in the work table. 3. Plac e the V-be lt (1) onto the m otor pulle y (2). 4. Chec k that ther e is approx imatel y 10 mm of deflection in the V-be lt (1) when it is pushe d in the m iddle[...]

  • Page 19

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 12 3-9. Installi ng the spool stand 1. T o assemble the spool stand (1), f ollow the instruct ions in the m anual that c ame with the spoo l stand (1). 2. Secure the spool s tand (1) to the rear righ t corner of the work table with the was her and nut (2). 3-10. Installing the hand s witch Ins tall the hand s witch (1) with[...]

  • Page 20

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 13 3-12. Connecting the w iring 1. Pass the cable and air tube which ar e com ing out of the belt cover (1) and the m achine head (2) through the cable hol e (3) in the work table. 2. Pass the c ables an d air tube which are c oming out of the f eed bracket ( 4) and the left side of the bed base (5) and the cab le for the h[...]

  • Page 21

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 14 3-12-1. Connections inside th e control box 1. Open the r ear cover ( 1) of the contr ol box. 2. Pass the cables throu gh the holes (2) and (3) in the side of the c ontrol box. 3. Loos en the scre w (5), and then conn ect the three ground cables (4) that ar e com ing f r om the m ac hine head. 4. Secur ely insert each of[...]

  • Page 22

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 15 3-12-2. Connecting the motor cabl es 1. Rem ove the screws (1) , and then open the t erm inal block cover (2) o f the motor. 2. Loosen the scre w (3) and connect the ground cabl e (4) for the motor. 3. Loosen the scre w (5) and connect the ground cabl e (6) from the control box. 4. Connect the cables so that the cabl e m[...]

  • Page 23

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 16 3-12-4. Secu ring the c ables Note: Leave enough looseness in the cabl es so that they will not b e pu lle d when the m achine head is tilted bac k. 1. Pas s the cable through the c able holder (1), and then secure the c able holder (1) to the und erside of the work table with the scr ew. 2. Pass the air tube and the han[...]

  • Page 24

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 17 3-13. Installing the air tubes Connect the air tube from the compr essor to the air unit underneath t he work table. 1. Turn the nut (1) at the en d of the air tu be, and then connect the tub e to the valve (2) . 2. Open the air coc k (3) on the com pressor . Check that there is no air leak ing from the valve connection.[...]

  • Page 25

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 18 3-14. Connecting the pow er co rd CA UTION Contact your Br other dealer or a qualif ied electric ian for an y electrical wor k that m ay need to be done. Be sure to connec t the ground. If the ground connec tion is not secure, you run a high risk of receiving a serious elec tric shock , and problem s with correc t operat[...]

  • Page 26

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 19 3-15. Installing the programmer (sold separate ly) 1. Install the pr ogramm er support (2) to the work table with the t wo screws ( 1). 2. Insert the progr amm er connector (4) sec urely into the left s ide of the operatio n panel (3). 3-16. I nstalling the foot sw itch (option) Insert the connec tor (3) of the foot s wi[...]

  • Page 27

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 20 3-17. Installing th e indexer (option) 3-17-1. Instal ling the ind exer m a in unit 1. Af ter disc onnecting air tubes [20] and [21], insert the two plugs (3) into joints (1) and (2). In add ition, remove par ts (4), (5) and (6) indic ated in the illustrati on. 2. Rem ove the screws (7) from feed brack et cover (L) (8), [...]

  • Page 28

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 21 3-17-2. Installing the upper thre ad pres ser 1. Loos en the screw (1), and then r emove the thr ead guide (2). 2. Install the upp er thread press er suppor t (3) with the screw (1 ). * Adjust the height of the upper thread pr esser support (3) so that it pr esses agains t the upper thread press er plate (5) when the upp[...]

  • Page 29

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 22 3-17-5. Connecting t he connec tors 1. Ins ert the 3-pin c onnectors [8], [9] a nd [10] of the valve har ness into th e solen oid valves of the valve unit (1) so that t he label num bers m atch. 2. Insert the 15-pin connector (2) into the conn ector of the indexer cord (3). 3. Open the r ear cover ( 4) of the contr ol bo[...]

  • Page 30

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 23 3-17-6. Connecting t he air t ube s Connect air tubes [50], [51], [5 2] an d [53] to the plac es with the cor responding num bers on the val ve unit. Label No. Solenoid valv e type [50], [51] For cloth feed drive c ylinder [52] For chuck ing c ylinder [53] For holding cylinder 3-17-7. Secu ring the ai r tubes and c ables[...]

  • Page 31

    3. INST ALLATION RH-981A 24 Insert the index er specif ication harness (1) into the control box c onnector (2). * If another specif ication harn ess has been i nserted into this c onnector, fir st disc onnect this harness and then inser t the indexer s pecific ation harness (1) . Note: Chec k that the labe l number on the indexer specif ication har[...]

  • Page 32

    4. LUBRICATION RH-981A 25 4. LUBRICA TION CA UTION Turn of f the power switch bef ore s tarting lubric ating, other wise the m achine m ay operate if the start switch is press ed by mist ake, which could re sult in injur y . Be sure to wear protec tive goggles and gloves when handling the l ubricating oil and greas e, so that the y do not get into [...]

  • Page 33

    4. LUBRICATION RH-981A 26 Oiling the looper, spreade r and looper base <Removing the work clamp p lates> 1. Turn the upper shaf t pulley (1) toward you until the mar k on the pulley (A) is aligned with the n otch in the pulle y cover (2 ). 2. Move the feed brac ket (3) toward you. 3. T urn the lef t and right plate press ers (4) in the d irec[...]

  • Page 34

    5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 27 5. CORRECT USE 5-1. Data initialization W hen using the sewing m achine f or the first tim e, initialize t he data b y following th e procedure b elow. 1. W hile pressing the RE SET k ey (1), turn on the powe r switch . * W hile the data is being initia lized, al l LEDs wil l illuminate a nd the bu zzer will so und a seri [...]

  • Page 35

    5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 28 5-3. Installing the needle CAUTION Turn of f the power s witch before i nstalling t he needle , otherwise the m achine m ay operate if the s tart switch is pres sed b y mistake, which c ould result i n injury . Use only Schm etz DO x 558 Nm 80 - Nm 120 needles. 1. Raise the f inger guard ( 1). 2. Loosen the scre w (2), and[...]

  • Page 36

    5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 29 5-5. Threading the lo wer thread Remove the work clamp plates (refer to page 26), and the n thread the lo wer thread as s hown in the il lustration below. For upper th read trimming spec ifications (-00) For upper and lower thread trimming s pecifications (-01, -02 and -52) 0879Q 0881Q 0880Q 0882Q 0881Q 0883Q[...]

  • Page 37

    5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 30 5-6. Threading the gimp Remove the wor k clam p plates (refer to page 26), and then thr ead the gim p as shown in the illustr ation below. Once threading is com plete, replace the work clamp plates. <-00,-01 > 0884Q 0885Q 3041Q <-02,-52 > Pass the gimp t hroug h the hole of the thread tensi on stud (1). Refer t[...]

  • Page 38

    5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 31 5-7. Sett ing the ma terial <-00, -01, -02 specification s> 1. Ins ert the m aterial so that it touc hes the right an d left cloth guid es (1). 2. T he sewing m argin can be adj usted to within 10 - 30 m m. 3. Loos en the scre ws (2) at left and r ight and m ove the cloth guid es (1) back and for th to adjust the sew[...]

  • Page 39

    5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 32 Cloth setting positio n The s ewing start position c an be set to either the lef t setting posit ion or the hor izontal sett ing positio n. (Refer to page 73.) When set to the left se tting position This is the normal s etting position f or the clot h. * After the las t buttonhole is sewn, the cl oth feed bar retur ns to t[...]

  • Page 40

    5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 33 5-8 . Setting the ins tallation position for cloth feed pla te (L) (-52 specificat ions) The installation p osition f or cloth f eed plate (L) can b e set to on e of f our positions depending on the spac ing between buttonholes and the num ber of buttonholes to be sewn. W hen the s pacing between buttonho les and the num b[...]

  • Page 41

    5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 34 5-9. Replacing the PRO Ms Refer to the f ollowing when replac ing the PROMs ( for exam ple, when upgrading the version num ber). At this time, be particular ly careful not to mak e a mistake with the direc tion of the PRO M. <Contro l circuit board > <Panel circuit board> The PRO M which is m arked “ MN” is[...]

  • Page 42

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 35 6. OPERA TION 6-1. Name and funct ion of each opera tion panel item (1) Powe r indicato r Illuminates when the power is turned on. (2) Warning i ndica tor Illuminates when an error occurs. (3) RESET key Press to r eset errors , and to clear the produc tion counter. (4) BEF ORE indic ator Illuminates when cutting b efore sew[...]

  • Page 43

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 36 (13) Progr am mode indicator Illuminates during progr am m ode. (14) Cycle program mode indic ator Illuminates during c y cle progr am m ode. (15) SEL ECT k ey Press to c hange the mode. • W hen an independe nt program (1 - 9) is s elected, the m ode changes in the f ollowing or der. Automatic mode → T est feed m ode ?[...]

  • Page 44

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 37 6-3. Program setting method 1. Pres s the SELECT k ey (1) to change the m ode to automatic , manual or test feed m ode. 2. Press the and ke y s to selec t the pr ogram number (1 - 9) for the independent pr ogram to be changed. Note: Program mode is not availab le if a cycle prog ram has been selected. 3. Pres s the SELECT k[...]

  • Page 45

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 38 No. Setting item s Setting range Unit Default 04 Offset 0.5 - 2.0 mm 0.1 1.5 05 Stitch pitch 0.5 - 2.0 mm 0.1 1.0 06 Number of eyelet stitches 4 - 20 stitches 1 9 07 Cutting space -0.3 - 0.5 mm 0.1 0 08 Knife X pos ition com pensation -0.5 - 0.5 mm 0.1 0 09 Knife Y position com pensation -0.7 - 0.7 mm 0.1 0 10 Start tying s[...]

  • Page 46

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 39 No. Setting item s Setting range Unit Default 13 Y alignm ent -1 - 6 1 0 14 θ 1 alignm ent -3 - 3 1 0 15 θ 2 alignm ent -3 - 3 1 0 16 Eyelet m achine speed (*2) -600 - 0 rpm 100 0 17 Eyelet radius OFF, 1 - 5 1 OFF 18 Taper tac t radius OFF , 1 - 5 1 OFF 19 Taper tac t angle - 5 - 5 1 0 20 Slow start s titches 0 - 3 stitc [...]

  • Page 47

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 40 6-3-2. P arameter table ( St raight b ar tac king ) The allo w able setti ng range for s o me par a meters ma y var y from the range spec ified, depending on the settings of other param eters. No. Setting item s Setting range Unit Default 00 Sewing speed 1,000 - 2,200 rpm 100 1,800 01 Eyelet pattern 1 - 6 1 2 02 Button hole[...]

  • Page 48

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 41 No. Setting item s Setting range Unit Default 08 Knife X pos ition com pensation -0.5 - 0.5 m m 0.1 0 09 Knife Y position com pensation -0.7 - 0.7 mm 0.1 0 10 Start tying stitc hes 0 - 2 stitches 1 0 11 End t ying stitches 0 - 2 stitc hes 1 0 12 X alignm ent -1 - 6 1 0 13 Y alignm ent -1 - 6 1 0 14 θ 1 alignm ent -3 - 3 1 [...]

  • Page 49

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 42 No. Setting item s Setting range Unit Default 17 Eyelet radius OFF, 1 - 5 1 OFF 18 W idth correction value -1.0 - 0 m m 0.1 0 19 Tack ing overlap am ount 0 - 2.0 mm 0.1 1.0 20 Slow start s titches 0 - 3 stitches 1 0 21 Slow start s peed (*3) 400 - 1,500 rpm 100 1,000 22 Stitch width c orrection -1.0 - 1.0 mm 0.1 0 23 Tack i[...]

  • Page 50

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 43 6-4. Cy cle prog ram Cycle program s can c onsist of up to a m aximum of four independent progr ams (A to D). A single c y cle pro gram can contain up to a m aximum of eight steps. The follo wing shows an ex ample of stor ing a cycle progr am into cycle program A that consists of four st eps of program 1 with knife oper ati[...]

  • Page 51

    6. OPER ATION RH-981A 44 6-5. Production counter 1. Press the SELECT key (1) to cha nge the m ode to autom atic mode. 2. Press the k ey and key s imultaneous ly. * "PC " will flash in the pr ogram number displa y ( 2), and the pr oduction counter value will appe ar in the deta il displ ay (3). 3. Pres s the keys to change t he produc tion[...]

  • Page 52

    7. SEWING RH-981A 45 7. SEWING CAUTION Turn off the power s witch at th e follo wing tim es, otherwise the m achine m ay operate if the start switch is pressed b y mistak e, which could result i n injur y. • When threading th e needle • When replac ing the needle • When not using the m achine and when leavi ng the m achine unattended. Do not [...]

  • Page 53

    7. SEWING RH-981A 46 7-2. Using the E MERGENCY STOP switch 1. Press the EMERG ENCY ST OP switch (1). * All s ewing o perati ons will s top and the buzzer will so und. At th is tim e, the warn ing indic ator (2) will flash an d "E-60" will flash in t he detai l displa y (3). * If the upper shaf t could not s top in th e needle up stop pos [...]

  • Page 54

    7. SEWING RH-981A 47 7-3. A djusting the thre ad tension Turn off the po wer. Never adjust the t hread tens ion while se wing. <Reference v alues> W oolen material s + wo ol gi m p s Denim (3 lay ers) Upper thread tens ion 0.9 N 1.0 N Lower thread t ension 0.3 N 0.8 N Thread tak e-up spring tension 0.05 N 0.07N Thread tak e-up spring str oke [...]

  • Page 55

    7. SEWING RH-981A 48 7-4. Needle and knife position The feed br acket is electronicall y controlled b y means of pulse m otors. It is not nec essar y to change the posit ion of the k nife when switchin g between cutt ing befor e sewing and c utting after sewing. It is not necessar y to change th e needle down pos ition in order to k eep enough spac[...]

  • Page 56

    7. SEWING RH-981A 49 7-5. Setting the feed b r acket to the f ront position Setting the m aterial will be e asier if the feed brack et is m oved forward f rom the standar d cloth setting pos ition. Cycle tim e will be reduced with this setting, partic ularly if cutting after sewing is selected. 1. Turn off the power. 2. Set panel DIP s witch No. 3 [...]

  • Page 57

    7. SEWING RH-981A 50 7-7. Using test feed mode In this m ode, the feed brac ket can be m oved while the nee dle stopped. It is usef ul for check ing the relative pos itions of the needle and the work clamp. 1. Press the SEL ECT k ey (1) to change the m ode to test f eed m ode. * The progr am number will appear in the progr am num ber display (2), a[...]

  • Page 58

    7. SEWING RH-981A 51 7-8. Using manual mode In this m ode, the feed brac ket can be m oved one stitch a t a tim e by turning the up per shaft pulle y by hand. This is useful when car rying out tim ing adjustm ent. 1. Press the SEL ECT k ey (1) to change t he mode to m anual m ode. * T he program number will appear in the progr am number display (2)[...]

  • Page 59

    7. SEWING RH-981A 52 7-9. Changing the mode du ring an operation • If y ou press the SELECT k ey (1) during test feeding, you can cha nge the mode to manual s ewing in manual s ewing mode. • If y ou press the SELECT k ey (1) while press ing and holding the ENT ER k ey (2) during tes t feeding, you can change th e m ode to resewing en abled in a[...]

  • Page 60

    8. CLEANING A ND M A INTENANCE RH-981A 53 8. CLEA NING AND MA INTENANCE CAUTION Turn off the power switch befor e starting any cleaning wor k, other wise the m achine m ay operate if the star t switch is pres sed b y mistake, which c ould result i n injury . Be sure to wear protec tive goggles and gloves when handling the l ubricating oil and greas[...]

  • Page 61

    8. CLEANING A ND M A INTENANCE RH-981A 54 8-2. Draining the oil W hen the oil container (1) is f ull of oil, rem ove the oil container (1) and let the oi l drain out. Note: Clean up any oil that m a y have been sp ilt o nto the floor. 8-3. Checking the a ir filter 1. Clos e the air coc k (1). 2. Turn the s crew (2) to release an y air a nd water in[...]

  • Page 62

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 55 9. ST ANDARD ADJU STMENTS CAUTION Maintenance and i nspection of the sewing machine should onl y be carried out b y a qualified tec hnician. Ask your Brother dealer or a qualified elec trician to carr y out an y maintenanc e and inspec tion of the electric al system . Turn o ff the pow er switch and d isconnec[...]

  • Page 63

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 56 9-2. A djusting the needle and looper ti mi ng The dis tance by which the needle bar rises fr om its lowest position t o the position where t he tip of the eye looper and the center of the needle are aligned s hould be the s ame as the distance f rom its lowest position t o the positi on where the tip of the r[...]

  • Page 64

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 57 9-3. A djusting the loop stroke The loop strok e is the distance the needl e bar ris es f rom its lowest position to the pos ition where t he tips of the eye looper and right looper are align ed with the center of the nee dle. The standard loop strok e is 2.7 mm. (T he loop stroke m ay need changing d epending[...]

  • Page 65

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 58 9-4. A djusting the height of the needle bar The s tandard height f or the needle bar is 2. 5 mm . (The needle bar height ma y need cha nging depending o n the mater ial and thread bein g used.) 1. Align the tip of the eye looper (1) with the center of the needle (2) wh en the needle (2) is at the inside s ewi[...]

  • Page 66

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 59 9-6. A djusting the needle guard Be sure to car ry out this adj ustm ent after changing the s ize of the ne edle. The needle m ust rem ain stationar y with respect to the needle guard unt il the ti p of the looper r eaches the need le. Loosen the scr e w ( 1) and th en m ove the n eedle guard (3) in the d irec[...]

  • Page 67

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 60 9-8. A djusting the spre ader timing W h en the needle is at the inside s ewing position, the l eft spreader should touc h the left spreader s topper and stop immediatel y before the ne edle bar reaches its lo west position. W hen the needle is at the outs ide sewing pos ition, t he right stopper shou ld touch[...]

  • Page 68

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 61 9-10. Changing the knife cutting length (Replacing the hamme r) 1. Gr ind or replace th e hamm er after changing the k nife c utting length. 2. Loosen the s crew (1), and th en rem ove the hamm er (2). Because the k n if e cu tting length is s et in ac cor danc e with the len gth of the h am mer, grind the ham[...]

  • Page 69

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 62 9-11. A djusting the contact bet w een the knif e and the ham mer 1. Rem ove the ham mer. (Ref er to the previous pa ge.) 2. If the k nif e inc is ion on t he surf ac e of the hamm er is very deep, if there are two or m or e incis ions on the hamm er because different k nives were used, or if only part of the [...]

  • Page 70

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 63 9-12. Rep lacing the kn ife 1. After checking that there is no c learance between the stopper pla te (1) and the knif e (2), loosen the bolt (3) and then rem ove the knif e (2). 2. Ins ert the new k nife (2) into the s topper plat e (1), and then t ighten it with th e bolt (3). Note: For L1 - L4 specif ication[...]

  • Page 71

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 64 9-14. A djusting the position of the work clamp plate Adjust so that the t hroat plate (1) and the need le plate R (2) d o not mak e contact during se wing. The s tandard clearance between the throat plate (1) a nd the needle plate R (2) is 1.3 mm (when the cutting spac e is set to 0). 1. Use the param eter se[...]

  • Page 72

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 65 9-15. A djusting the cloth opening amount 1. Loosen the screw (1), and th en insert a screwdriver int o the notch in the side of the feed brack et and turn the adjusting sc rew (2) to adjust the opening amount. 2. Af ter tightening th e screw (1) , meas ure the opening am ount. Note: Adj ust so that the open i[...]

  • Page 73

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 66 9-16. Adjusting the trimming of the upper thread The upper thr ead should be trimm ed at the correct tim e after s ewing is completed. <-00, -01 > Adjust s o that the upper m ovable k nife (1) c uts only one of the threa ds in front of the right looper (2) . Note: If both strands of the thread loop are c[...]

  • Page 74

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 67 <-02,-52 > The lower thread and gim p should be trimm ed at the correct tim e after the work clam ps ris e at the feed home position. Thread tr imming operation c an be chec ked in steps while m anual mode is ac tive. (R efer to “ 7-8. Using m anual mode” .) 1. T he mec hanism is adjusted so that the[...]

  • Page 75

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 68 9-20. A uxiliary clamp arm (-02, -52 specifi cation s) Trimm ing of the lower thread and gim p is carried out when the work clam ps rise. The aux iliary clam p arm (1) endures that the m aterial does not m ove during thread trim ming, in order to m aintain a s table t hread length after trimming. 9-21. A djust[...]

  • Page 76

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 69 9-22. Adjusting the clot h feed bar home positi on (-52 specifications) The c loth feed bar hom e position is adj usted by m eans of the bolt which is ins talled to f eed base L. After c arrying out this adj ustment, adj ust the insta llation positio n for lim it switch (R ). (Refer to page 71.) 1. Loos en the[...]

  • Page 77

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 70 9-23. A djusting the indexer hol e spacing (-52 specif ications ) Before c arrying out this adjustm ent, check that the hom e position adj ustm ent for the cloth feed bar has been carried out correc tly. (Refer to page 69.) 1. Loos en the bolt ( 1). 2. Pus h the cloth f eed bar (2) aga inst the bolt (3) . 3. M[...]

  • Page 78

    9. ST A ND ARD ADJUSTM ENTS RH-981A 71 9-24. A djusting the position of li mit switch L (-52 specificat ions) Limit s witch L mus t turn on when the f eed movable bl ock is touching the stopper b lock . 1. Loos en the two bo lts (1). 2. Plac e the feed m ovable b lock ( 2) and the stop block (3) firm ly against each ot her. 3. Adjust the position o[...]

  • Page 79

    10. CHANGING FUNCT IONS USING THE M EMORY SWITCHES RH-981A 72 10. CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE MEMOR Y SWITCHES The m emory switches ar e valid f or all program s. 1. Pr ess the SEL ECT k ey (1) to cha nge the m ode to program or cycle program mode. 2. W hile pressing the ENTER key (2), press the k e y . * The progr am mode indic ator (3) and th e [...]

  • Page 80

    10. CHANGING FUNCT IONS USING THE M EMORY SWITCHES RH-981A 73 10-1. Memory sw itch table The m emory switch settin gs are applie d imm ediately to all pr ogram s once the settings have been c hanged. However, m emor y switches m ark ed with * are only applied af ter the po wer is turned on. No. Setting it ems Setting range Unit Default 00. Cloth pr[...]

  • Page 81

    11. CHANGING FUNCT IONS USING THE DI P SWICHE S RH-981A 74 1 1. CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE DIP SWITCHES Always turn of f the power s upply before changi ng any of the DI P switch s ettings. 11-1. Panel D IP s w itches The ON /OFF positions of the DIP switc hes inside the op eration panel are check ed only once when th e power is turned on. Any ch[...]

  • Page 82

    11. CHANGING FUNCT IONS USING THE DI P SWICHE S RH-981A 75 11-2. Circuit boa rd DIP s w itches DA NG ER W ait at least 5 minutes after turning of f the power switch and d isconnecting t he power cord fr om the wall outlet bef ore opening the f ace plate of the c ontrol box. T ouching areas where hig h voltages ar e present can resul t in se vere i [...]

  • Page 83

    11. CHANGING FUNCT IONS USING THE DI P SWICHE S RH-981A 76 Circuit board DIP switch D No. ON/OFF Setti ng items Default ON - 1 OFF - OFF ON - 2 OFF - OFF ON - 3 OFF - OFF ON - 4 OFF - OFF ON - 5 OFF - OFF ON - 6 OFF - OFF ON - 7 OFF - OFF ON - 8 OFF - OFF 1001Q[...]

  • Page 84

    12. LIST OF ERROR CODES RH-981A 77 12. LIST OF ERROR CO DES DA NG ER W ait at least 5 minutes after turning of f the power switch and d isconnecting t he power cord fr om the wall outlet bef ore opening the f ace plate of the c ontrol box. T ouching areas where hig h voltages ar e present can resul t in se vere i njury . W hen an error occ urs, the[...]

  • Page 85

    12. LIST OF ERROR CODES RH-981A 78 Errors bef ore oper ation and aft e r the EMERGENCY STOP swi tch is pr essed Code Explanati on Resetti ng me tho d E-30 EM ERGENCY STO P switch w as pressed. Releas e the EMERG ENCY ST OP switch an d then pr ess the RESET key. E-32 M achine head is tilted back. Turn off th e pow er and return th e machine hea d to[...]

  • Page 86

    12. LIST OF ERROR CODES RH-981A 79 Errors during opera tion Code Explanati on Resetti ng me tho d E-71 Needle down sensor is no t activa ted w ithin a specifie d tim e. Turn off the pow er and che ck that conne ctor P2 on the contr ol circuit b oard i s pro perly connect ed. E-72 Cutter sen sor is not a ctivate d withi n a specifie d tim e. 1. Turn[...]

  • Page 87

    13. TROUBLESHOOT ING RH-981A 80 13. TROUBLESHOOTING If there is a problem with operation, firs t check that the threads are cor rectly threaded and that th e needle is corr ectly installed. CAUTION Turn of f the power switch an d disconnec t the power c ord before c arrying out troublesh ooting, oth erwise the ma chine will operate if the star t sw[...]

  • Page 88

    13. TROUBLESHOOT ING RH-981A 81 Problem Cause Remedy Page Knife is blu nt. Replace with a new k nife. 63 Knife does not m ove to the full strok e because air pres sure is too weak. Adjus t the air press ure. 63 Upper thread trim mer knife is not pick ing up the upper thr ead. Install the upp er thread trimm er knife s o that it cuts onl y one side [...]

  • Page 89

    INSTRUCTION MAN UAL 1 18-981 SA0279-101 2003.01.H (1) Printed in Japan[...]