Since the automatic buttonholing indexer carries out buttonholing successively, the operator conventionally has had waiting time while the sewing machine is in operation (for buttonholing). JUKI’s preset mechanism allows the operator to place the subsequent garment body to be sewn on the preset board while the sewing machine is still engaged in the sewing of the current garment body (so-called overlapping work). Consequently, the operator now can use his/her waiting time effectively during operation to achieve increased productivity.

The sewing machine comes with a sub-clamp device that prevents material slippage during transport from the preset mechanism to the sewing machine. The independent sub-clamp device of the carriage unit on the machine head clamps the material to keep it from slipping out of position. This function promises reliable delivery operation and consistent seam quality even when sewing vertical-striped fabrics. The machine is also equipped with a function to eliminate false starts by detecting whether or not a material is present.

The larger screen of the new color LCD touch panel displays sewing data such as the stitch shape and stitch number. The input function on the operation panel enhances ease of use by allowing the operator to input and edit sewing data while watching the area around the needle entry points. The operation panel is equipped with USB and CompactFlash ports for easier software upgrades and data-sharing with other devices.

The sewing mode can be easily switched between men’s dress shirts and ladies’ blouses on the operation panel. Sewing specifications (buttonhole size, buttonhole interval, etc.) can also be quickly and easily changed with a few touches of the panel interface. Buttonholes can be sewn from the top when sewing ladies’ garment bodies, just as they are with men’s. The machine can also space button-holes at different intervals on a garment, as required.

A stepping motor controls material feed amounts in increments of 0.1 mm to feed materials with both consistency and accuracy. The machine is able to sew 1 to 20 buttonholes and stores 20 different stitching patterns in its memory. The sewing machine is provided as standard with a facility that moves the carriage unit synchronously with the operation of the sewing machine during sewing, thereby enabling accurate and unfailing feed of the material while preventing material slack.

The stacker clamps the buttonholed garment body and automatically stacks it without fail. This operation increases productivity by improving the efficiency of the material taking/stacking by the operator.

The operator can use the knee switch to turn ON the machine start switch while holding a garment body with both hands. This feature increases the stability of material placement and shortens the time required to complete it. The height of the knee switch is adjustable. If the operator turns ON the machine start switch with a material placed on the preset mechanism, the sub-clamp device automatically carries the next material to the sewing position after the current material is buttonholed. This function improves productivity by allowing the operator to run two or more sewing machines or carry out other tasks while buttonholing is underway.

The LED light is equipped as standard under the arm jaw. The LED light lights up automatically whenever the sewing machine power is turned ON. This LED light provides a comfortable work environment to help the operator easily thread the needle and check the stitches.