Department of Textile Engineering, KUET

Khulna University of Engineering & Technology

Experiment No: 03
Name of the Experiment: Study on Lock stitch sewing machine

Remark:

Date of Performance:- 20-04-2021 Name:- Naimul Hasan

Date of Submission:- 05-06-2021 Roll:-1621060
Year:-4th
Term:-2nd

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 Department of Textile Engineering, KUET

1.0 INTRODUCTION:

A sewing machine is a textile machine used to stitch fabric, paper, card and other material
together with thread. It is an important part of the garment manufacturing industry as well. The
machine which produces stitches by interlacing of threads is called lock stitch machine. This
machine produces durable stitches and is very popular in garments industries. Lock stitch is one
of the important stitch types among all the stitches. It is used to make pant, shirt, dresses and
various parts of the apparels. Plain sewing machine is used for lock stitch. Plain sewing machine
is also called the lock stitch sewing machine. To operate this machine, one should have practical
knowledge about plain sewing machine. Sewing machines generally require basic maintenance
of cleaning, oiling, and lubricating. These procedures are covered in the use and care booklet that
comes with the machine. It is the best reference for the specific care required by the machine.
Some machines are designed to be oil and lubricant-free, so follow the directions in the booklet
carefully.

2.0 OBJECTIVES:

From this experiment we will be able to learn following objectives

1. To know about lock stitch machine.

2. To know different parts of the machine.
3. To know about maintenance points of the machine.
4. To know about the features of the lock stitch sewing machine.

FEATURES:

 Plain sewing machine is used for lock stitch formation. Following are the features of
the lock stitch sewing machine:
 Lock stitch is formed by single needle of a plain sewing machine.
 The speed of a lock stitch sewing machine is up to 6000 rpm.
 During stitch formation; the needle thread is interlaced with the bobbin thread by
means of a hook.
 Lock stitch machine can be distinguished by the winding device provided for bobbin
thread.
 Programmable plain sewing machine is used for repetitive sew operation.
 Lock stitch sewing machine has different feed mechanism.

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 Department of Textile Engineering, KUET

4.0 MAIN PARTS OF SEWING MACHINE & THEIR FUNCTION:

Bed:
Function: It is the flat portion of the machine and beneath is the feed dog where it is mounted,
and the shuttle and lower thread are placed. The role of this part is to stabilize the machine to rest
in a permanent place.
Head:
Function: It is the complete sewing machine without a cabinet or stand.
Arm:
Function: It is the curve part of the head containing mechanism for operating the needle.
Bobbin:
Function: Bobbin holds the thread inside the machine. Bobbin is a small yarn package. It is used
for storing specific amount of sewing thread on it (Lower thread). Bobbin is a spool underneath
the bed that provides the lower thread.
Bobbin Case:
Function: It holds the bobbin in the machine and regulates the tension of the bobbin thread.
Bobbin Cover:
Function: It covers the bobbin and bobbin case in the machine.
Bobbin Winder Spindle:
Function: It winds the thread from the spool to the bobbin, mechanically.

Figure 1: Main Parts of Lock Stitch Sewing Machine

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 Department of Textile Engineering, KUET

Throat/Needle Plate:
Function: It is a semi-circular disc with a hole to allow the needle to pass through it.
Needle:
Function: This is the essential and most sensitive instrument of the machine which holds the
thread and sews the fabric.
Needle Bar:
Function: It holds the needle in place.
Needle Clamp:
Function: It holds and tightens the needle.
Feed Dogs:
Function: The feed dogs feed and move the fabric in the sewing direction.
Presser Foot:
Function: The presser foot applies pressure consistently on the fabric as the sewing takes place.
Attach the appropriate presser foot for the selected stitching.
Presser Foot Lever:
Function: The primary function of this part is to raise or lower the foot level.
Thread Guides:
Function: This is a small hole that guides the thread from the spool to the needle also keeps the
thread in position.
Thread Take-up lever:
Function: The take-up lever pulls the thread back after each stitch, so that the stitches will lay
evenly into the fabric.
Thread Tension Control:
This determines the tightness or looseness of the stitch.
Spool Pin:
Function: The Spool pin holds the spool of thread. It can be horizontal or vertical in place.
Hand Wheel:
Function: It is used to manually raise and lower the needle.
Pattern/Stitch selector:
Function: It determines the stitch type such as straight stitches or an embroidery stitch or zig-zag.
Stitch Width Regulator:
Function: It determines the length of the stitches on the fabric. The range on this machine is from
0 to 4 (0=the shortest stitch, 4=the longest).
Food Pedal:
Function: Foot Pedal regulates the starting, running, and stopping of the machine.
Reverse Lever:
Function: The liver works to depress the lever which enables the mechanism to move backward
or in reverse.
Stitch Length Regulator:
Function: It determines the length of the stitches on the fabric. The range on this machine is from
0 to 4 (0=the shortest stitch, 4=the longest).

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 Department of Textile Engineering, KUET

5.0 MAINTENANCE OF SEWING MACHINE:

Maintenance can be of different types. But following types are important in this aspect:

a. Routine maintenance: Lubrication and regular inspection is the constituent of routine

maintenance. Lubrication ensures long life and safe working of all equipment’s. Inspection
tries to detect faults in equipment so that repairs and replacements may be undertaken at the
right time.
b. Scheduled maintenance: This type of maintenance provides for inspection, overhaul
lubrication and servicing of the machine at predetermined dates. Overhauling of the 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.

6.0 SETTING OF THE MACHINE:

The setting of the lock stitch machine is of imminence importance. Following Setting points
needs to be ensured before running the machine.
1. Stitch density controller: It controls the no of stitches per inch. Before starting the
machine, stitches per inch is determined by rotating the knob and fixing it at the desired position.
2. Motor: Motor rpm decides the speed of the machine. The rpm is controlled by tightening
or loosening the belt over machine and motor pulley.
3. 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.
4. Presser foot: The type of presser foot to be used and its proper setting is important,
which is ensured by proper attachment with the moor through machine pulley.
5. Feed dog: It is often found that due to random working the feed dog is subjected to be
loose which may cause accident also. Thus, the dog must be set properly with the screw.

7.0 PRECAUTION:
Following precaution must be followed when repair, setting maintenance or replacement is
carried out in the lock stitch machine:
1. All repair and maintenance work must be carried out by switching off the machine.
2. Right tools should be used at right place.
3. Skilled personnel should be involved for specialized job.
4. Careful handling of all the components is necessary.
5. The components should not be too tight or too lose.

8.0 CONCLUSION:
From this experiment we have learned about lock stitch sewing machine. It can also be called
plain stitch machine. Here different sizes of needles can be used as per requirements. This
machine is mostly used in our garments industries. We have learned about different parts, setting
point and precaution of this machine. So, it was very important lab for us.

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