Acti-feed is the system that calculates and feeds the correct amount of thread per stitch during sewing. The amount of thread feed per stitch is dependent on material thickness
If the acti-feed setting is inappropriate for the product being embroidered, it can cause thread breaks, false bobbin breaks, puckering, design registration loss, and/or looping.
When troubleshooting your acti-feed settings, watch for the following items.
Acti-feed Setting is Too Low
Having an acti-feed setting that is too low may result in inadequate amounts of thread being feed for each stitch in the material you're sewing. This can result in thread breaks as well as the following:
- Satin stitches - You can see bobbin thread on the top of the design.
- Satin stitches - Too much bobbin is showing on the back of the design.
- Fill stitches - You can see bobbin thread on the top of the design.
- Fill stitches - There is not enough top thread showing on the back of the design.
- Registration Loss - Designs not lining up may be cause from too little thread being fed into the system.
Feeding too little thread can even lead to breaking needles if the thread pull is great enough to deflect a needle.
Feed more thread. If running in auto acti-feed mode, raise the autofeed lower limit. If running in standard actifeed more, raise the material thickness. See how in the acti-feed section.
Acti-feed Setting is Too High
Having an acti-feed setting that is too high can also occasionally result in a thread break. Feeding too much thread into the system can change the location of the loop of thread behind the needle when the rotary hook comes around to catch it. This can result in thread breaks as well as the following symptoms:
- Satin stitches - The stitches in the design are looping.
- Satin stitches - Not enough bobbin is showing on the back of the design.
- False Bobbin Breaks - When the software detects bobbin breaks that are not really breaks, it could be that your material thickness is too high.
Feed less thread. If running in auto acti-feed mode, lower the autofeed lower limit. If running in standard actifeed more, lower the material thickness. See how in the acti-feed section.