Statler Stitcher^TM

PrecisionStitch™ user guide

PrecisionStitch™

Version 8.0.0

Addendum for Version 8.5

June 2, 2006

Gammill Quilting Machine Company

Statler Stitcher Division

8801 East Columbus Court

Columbia, MO 65201

Toll-Free Phone 866-830-3738

Local Phone 573-474-0320

Fax 573-474-0315

Email: support@statlerstitcher.com

Table of Contents Video File

Statler Stitcher^TM 1

PrecisionStitch™ user guide. 1

1 Introduction. 6....................................................................................... intro

2 Changes with v 8.0.0. 7................................................................. Changes with V8

2.1 Added “As Designed” to File Open. 7

2.2 Freeze Aspect in Single Block. 7

2.3 Triangles in Single Block Mode. 7

2.4 Pattern Rotation with two Decimal place precision. 7

2.5 Gammill Owners – An Oiling Routine is Added. 7

2.6 Changed Minimum Line Length. 7

2.7 Quick Pause. 7

2.8 Audible Sound. 7

2.9 Restart Pattern in Record Sew Path/Pattern. 7

2.10 In Record to AutoSketch – Option button will hold left button down. 7

2.11 Stitch Length & SPI Setting retained. 7

2.12 Larger Fonts. 7

2.13 ‘Turn on/off’ Channel Lock in Regulated. 7

2.14 Change Channel Lock by 90° while Sewing. 7

2.15 Trim Added to Alternating Plus. 7

3 Install PrecisionStitch™ 8.0.0 Upgrade. 8

3.1 Download the Users Manual 8

3.2 Download and Install the Patterns. 8

4 Main Screen Menus. 9

4.1 File. 9

4.1.1 File > Open. 9............................................................... File-Open

4.1.2 File > Close. 10.................................................................... File-Close

4.1.3 File > Save Settings 10............................................ Save Settings

4.1.4 File > Make QLI 10......................................................... Make QLI

4.1.5 File > Print 10...................................................................... Print

4.1.6 File > Exit 10........................................................................ Exit

4.2.1 Options > Show/Edit Pattern Notes 11..................... Show Edit Pattern Notes

4.2.2 Options > Set Defaults 11...................................... Options-Set Defaults

4.2.3 Options > Stitch Count 11............................................. Stitch Count

4.2.4 Options > Automatic Control of Laser 11..................Automatic Control of Laser

4.2.5 Options > Show Restart Screen. 12.......................... Show Restart Screen

4.2.6 Options > Set Squaring Information. 12................. Reset Squaring Information

4.2.7 Options > Calibrate Stitcher Motor 12..................... Options-Set Minimum Line Length

4.2.8 Options > Show Diagnostics 12......................... Calibrate Stitcher Motor

4.2.9 Options > Technical Support 12.................................. Show Diagnostics

4.3 Pattern Installer. 13.................................................... Pattern Installer

4.4 Oil 14

4.5 Help. 14

4.5.1 Help > Contents 14....................................................... Help-Contents

4.5.2 Help > Tool Tips 14....................................................... Help-Tool Tips

4.5.3 Help > What's This 15................................................ Help-What's This

4.5.4 Help > About 15................................................................ Help-About

5 PrecisionStitch™ Main Screen. 16

5.1 Pattern Information. 16

5.1.1 Pattern Display. 16.................................................. Pattern Display

5.1.2 Rotating the Pattern. 17.......................................... Pattern Rotation

5.1.3Flip Horizontally. 17................................................. Flip Horizontally

5.1.4 Flip Vertically. 17....................................................... Flip Vertically

5.1.5 Reset 17................................................................. Pattern Reset

5.1.6 Show Patterns Segments 17................................ Patterns Segments

5.1.7 Pattern Width and Pattern Height 18............ Pattern Width and Height

5.1.8 Actual Width and Actual Height 18

5.1.9 Freeze Aspect 18..................................... Single Block Freeze Aspect

5.1.10Stitch in Points 18............................................. Stitch In Points

5.1.11Measure. 18

5.1.12 Restart Pattern. 18

5.1.13 Square Up Quilt 18

5.2 Speed. 18............................................................................. Speed

5.3 Stitches per Inch (SPI) 18................................................... Saved SPI

5.4 Tieoffs. 19....................................................................... Tieoffs

5.5 Alternating Patterns. 19................................................. Alt Plus Trim Ties

5.6 Pattern Mode. 20........................................................... Pattern Mode

5.7 Info. 20.................................................................. Verticle Difference

More Info Box Numbers Advanced

5.8 Channel Lock. 20............................................................ Channel Lock

5.8.1 Using Channel Lock for Cross Hatching. 20

5.9 Stitcher Mode. 21

5.10 Needle and Thread Break Controls. 21........................ Needle-Thread Break_Laser

5.11 Laser. 21

5.12 Controls. 21...................................................................... Controls

5.12.1 Cut Bobbin. 22

5.12.2 Chan Lock 22

5.12.3 Option - Next 22

5.12.4 Mode. 22

5.12.5 Single Stitch – Yes – OK. 22

5.12.6 Stop – No – Cancel 22

5.12.7 Start – Yes – OK. 22

5.13 System Status. 22............................................................ System Status

5.14 Handle Buttons. 22

6 Inputting Location Points. 23........................................... Inputting Locations

7 Pause & Quick Pause. 23....................................................... Pause Stitching

8 Needle Off Operation – Testing. 23............................... No Sew with Needle Off

9 Stitching and Appliqué. 24............................................. Stitching and Applique

10 Measure. 25............................................................................ Measure

10.1 Transferring Measurements to Main Screen. 25 Measure-Transfering Width and Height

10.1.1Transfer to Actual Width. 25

10.1.2Transfer to Total Width. 25

10.1.3Transfer to Actual Height 26

10.1.4Transfer to Total Height 26

10.2 Transferring Diagonal Measurement to Main Screen. 26...................... Transfering Diagonal

10.3 Calculate Repeats. 26..................................................................... Calculate Repeats

10.4 Calculate Rows. 26....................................................................... Calculate Rows

10.5 Calculate Repeats and Rows for the Entire Quilt. 26

11 Squaring Up the Quilt. 27............................................ Squaring up the quilt

11.1 Squaring Angle. 27

11.2 Square Up Quilt Tool 27

12 Automatic Mode. 29............................................................ Automatic Mode

12.1 Stitching Single Blocks. 29............................................ Define Block Single

12.1.1 Sizing the Pattern. 29

12.1.2 Orienting and Locating the Pattern in Single Block Mode. 29

12.2 Triangular Blocks. 30................................................................... Triangle

12.3 Stitching Repeat Blocks. 31

12.3.1 Using Start and End. 31

12.3.2 Locating Repeat Patterns 32

12.3.3 Offsets 33

12.4 Stitching One Repeat. 33

12.5 Borders and Sashes. 34

12.5.1 Stitch Top Border 34

12.5.2 Stitch Side Borders 35

12.5.3 Stitch Bottom Border 35

12.5.4 Border Corners 35

12.5.5 Connect with Free Motion Quilting. 35

12.5.6 Coordinating Patterns 35

12.5.7 Repeating Block Patterns in Borders or Sashes 36

12.5.8 Angled Sashes 36

13 Allover Patterns. 37......................................................... Allover Patterns

13.1 Sizing Allover Patterns. 37

13.2 Stitching Allover Patterns. 37

13.3 Stitching Patterns at Maximum Height for Your Machine. 38

14 Alternating Patterns. 39

14.1 Clamshells and Clouds. 39

15 Restart Pattern. 41............................................................ Restart Pattern

15.1 Restart a Pattern with Location Information in Memory. 41

15.2.1 Repeat Blocks 41

15.2.2 Single Blocks 41

16 Regulated Stitching. 43................................................ Regulated Stitching

17 Constant Speed Stitching. 44.............................. Constant Speed Stitching

18 Record Using AutoSketch. 45.................................................... Record 2 AS 2

18.1 Record the Pattern. 45

18.2 Drawing Tools. 45

18.2.1 Single Line. 45

18.2.2 Multiple Lines 45

18.2.3 Three Point Arc. 46

18.2.4 Sketch Polyline. 46

18.3 Complete the Drawing. 46

19 Record/Sew Path. 47.......................................................... Record Sew Path

20 Record / Sew Pattern. 49.............................................. Record Sew Pattern

1 Introduction

The PrecisionStitch™ system for the Statler Stitcher quilting system is simple and easy to use with just one Main Screen. Pattern files are drawn using AutoSketch or other drawing programs that can save files in the DXF format. For detailed information and instructions for using AutoSketch please refer to the AutoSketch User Guide.

The modes of operation are:

Automatic mode is used for stitching single or repeat patterns in blocks, borders, sashes and allover designs. Patterns can be flipped horizontally and vertically and rotated at any degree for proper orientation. Notes can be included with each pattern for future reference.

In Automatic mode you can utilize “No Sew” lines to position a pattern for sewing. There are two different methods of stitching Alternating Patterns Alternating Patterns and 5.5 Alternating Patterns

Regulated mode is used for stitching with a regulated stitch length. Regulated stitching can be done with the belts engaged or disengaged. In regulated mode you can use the Channel Lock feature to set any angle and use the Thread Break Sensor.

Constant Speed mode is for stitching with the motor set at a constant speed. This is the same as any machine without a stitch regulator or electronic control.

Record mode is for recording patterns that you trace with the needle off or on. The pattern is drawn directly in AutoSketch. In record mode you can use Record/Sew Path. Select points to define a path to sew straight lines between. Record/Sew Pattern is a feature that allows you to stitch a pattern between two points or more points.

2 Changes / Additions to 8.0.0

2.1 Added “As Designed” to File Open

Files will open into Precision Stitch at the size they were drawn.

2.2 Freeze Aspect in Single Block

Keeps patterns in proportion when used in single block mode.

2.3 Triangles in Single Block Mode

1. Three points of a triangle are defined to place triangular pattern.
2. View the layout on screen
3. Alter the pattern size as needed.
4. Use Freeze Aspect

2.4 Pattern Rotation with two Decimal place precision

Users can type in a rotation value with 2 decimal places, like 20.25

2.5 Gammill Owners – An Oiling Routine is Added

For Gammill Machines. An Oiling routine to help distribute oil.

2.6 Changed Minimum Line Length

A new minimum line length of .02 has been used. This is to assist patterns drawn with polylines, such as TEXT.

2.7 Quick Pause

While a pattern is being sewn, Quick Pause can be used to stop sewing. Sewing can be continued from the pause location.

2.8 Audible Sound

An audible Beep will sound when clicking points for a single block pattern

2.9 Restart Pattern in Record Sew Path/Pattern

Restart Pattern is now available in record sew path and record sew pattern.

2.10 In Record to AutoSketch – Option button will hold left button down

When recording to AutoSketch. The option button will ‘lock’ the left button down so you will not have to keep it depressed while sewing/tracing a pattern.

2.11 Stitch Length & SPI Setting retained

Each mode retains the stitch length setting from the last time it was used. Modes with SPI are also saved.

2.12 Larger Fonts

The font size has been increased to make setting easier to see from a distance.

2.13 ‘Turn on/off’ Channel Lock in Regulated

Channel lock can be turned on or off while in regulated mode

2.14 Change Channel Lock by 90° while Sewing

While sewing in regulated mode, pressing ‘mode-channel lock’ will change angle by 90°.

To position the needle up or down (a half stitch) hold down the Stop key and press Single Stitch

2.15 Trim Added to Alternating Plus

Trim the edge of any pattern set up in Alternating Plus. This will keep the left and right edges even, and no more sewing off the edge. An option allows for no-sew lines between broken segments.

3 Install PrecisionStitch™ 8.0.0 Upgrade

1. From the Statler Stitcher website you will download the PrecisionStitch™ Installation Manual and the PrecisionStitch™ version 8.0.0 software.

2. Click on the link below to enter the download area.

http://www.statlerstitcher.com/precisionstitch/index.html

or

www.statlerstitcher.com > TECH SUPPORT

3. In the blue shaded area of the screen you will see PrecisionStitch™ Version 8.0.0 on the first line and PrecisionStitch™ Installation Manual on the second.

4. Download the installation manual first by clicking on it. The file will open in Acrobat Reader. Click the disc icon and save a copy of the installation manual on your hard drive. Alternatively, you can click the printer icon to print a copy.

5. Click the button on your browser to return to the download page.

6. Next download the software by clicking on PrecisionStitch™ Version 8.0.0.

a. If you have a password click on Yes, proceed to download version 8.0.0.

b. If you do not have a password click on No, send mail to Statler Stitcher requesting the password to open your email software. Send an email to StatlerStitcher to obtain your user id and password.

7. Upon successful entry, you will be presented with a File Download window..Right Click on PrecisionStitch™ Version 8.0.0. Choose Save.Link As.

8. In the Save As window, select Desktop and then choose Save". This will download the file to your desktop. Assuming that you are using a computer different from your Statler Stitcher computer, you will now need to burn this file to a CD or use a USB Flash Drive™ (much easier) so that you can load it to your Statler Stitcher computer.

9. Follow the instructions in the PrecisionStitch™ Installation Manual to install the software.

3.1 Download the Users Manual

Under the blue shaded box are the links for the users manual. RIGHT CLICK on the manual of your choice and choose Save Link As.

The PDF version is for downloading, while the HTML version is intended for online viewing.

3.2 Download and Install the Patterns

Due to the download size of PrecisionStitch the patterns are included in a separate file. Download the pattern file to your desktop. Double click the icon and installation begins.

Included with the patterns for PrecisionStitch 8.0.0 are P2P and Tri patterns. P2P patterns (Point to Point) are used with the new Record / Sew Pattern function. Tri patterns are for triangular blocks.

.

4 Main Screen Menus

Double click on the PrecisionStitch™ Icon to open the program. A small introduction screen is displayed as the program opens. The intro screen disappears after the software finishes loading. Pressing enter now has no effect.

4.1 File

The File menu option is used to open and close pattern files, save pattern settings, exit the system and print the displayed pattern. At the bottom of the drop down menu is a list of the 20 most recently opened files. These files contain the settings displayed on the Main Screen at the time the file was closed. If you wish to start fresh, load the pattern from the File > Open option instead of clicking on the recent pattern listed.

To open the last file that was closed, with a blank screen click Start. The last closed file is displayed along with its saved settings.

4.5.1 File > Open

Clicking File > Open displays the File List with Preview dialog box shown below.

Use this screen to browse the pattern files on your computer. On the upper left section of the screen you can choose the drive where the pattern files are located. Just below that section the folders on the selected drive are displayed. A list of files in the open folder is shown on the lower left side.

Clicking on a file name displays a preview to the right. If the pattern includes Pattern

Designer Information or Pattern User Notes those are displayed as well on the far right side of the screen.

Pattern Designer Information – This is information added by the pattern designer. It can include any information the designer wishes to convey to the pattern user. Some things might include a copyright statement or information about sizing and using the pattern. To display the Pattern Designer Information click Info.

Pattern User Notes – This is information you can add to any pattern and can include sizing information, customer information or any notes you wish to save (see 4.2.1 Options > Show/Edit Pattern Notes) To display the Pattern User Notes click Notes.

If you have previously saved pattern settings, a frame “Select settings to use” gives you the option of loading the pattern with default or saved settings (see 4.1.3 File > Save Settings).

In Preview Type you have the option of viewing the Picture or the File Contents. A picture file is a WMF or MOV file that contains information you wish to note about a particular pattern. (MOV files are generated with the Build Function from older versions). The picture file is what is displayed. If you wish to display the file that the software sees, click File Contents. If you wish to see only the file contents, check Show File Contents Only.

Click OK to open the pattern or click Cancel to close the window.

After clicking OK to open the file and if there are no drawing errors, the pattern is displayed on the Main Screen. If there are errors in the file, the error is displayed in a pop up screen and the file will not open. You will need to edit the SKF file, save it as a DXF file and attempt to open the DXF file again. For drawing and editing pattern files please see the AutoSketch For PrecisionStitch User Guide.

4.5.2 File > Close

Clicking File > Close closes the file displayed on the Main Screen. The values displayed on the screen at the time the file is closed are saved. The saved version of the file is listed at the bottom of the File menu along with the 19 last opened files.

4.5.3 File > Save Settings

When a file is opened and the settings are determined for the quilt, you can save those settings for use later. Click File > Save Settings and the settings are saved in memory. The screen below is displayed to indicate that the settings have been saved. It is good practice to click Save Settings before you start sewing.

In the event of a system abort (such as if the sewing head hits the take up roller) or a power failure the settings for the file will be lost unless they have been saved by either using the Save Settings option or the file was closed then reopened.

4.5.4 File > Make QLI

This option is used by pattern designers to convert a drawing file, DXF, to a QLI file for distribution to other PrecisionStitch users. The QLI file cannot be edited which makes it less likely to be corrupted and insures proper stitching.

4.5.5 File > Print

This option prints a copy of the pattern displayed on the screen. If no pattern is displayed, this option is grayed out.

4.5.6 File > Exit

This option closes the file and exits the system. The pattern displayed at the time the system is exited is saved in the list of the last 20 opened files.

4.2 Options

The options menu allows you to change defaults, set squaring information, designate motor controllers and access other controller information with the help of technical support.

4.5.1 Options > Show/Edit Pattern Notes

You have the ability to write notes for each pattern. You might wish to note information about a height or a range of height values that look better for the pattern or any other information that would be helpful next time the pattern is opened.

The pattern notes may be viewed when the pattern is displayed via the File > Open screen. See 4.1.1 File > Open for more details. Or you can view/edit the pattern notes when the pattern is opened.

With the pattern opened and displayed on the screen choose Options > Show/Edit Pattern Notes to open the Pattern Notes screen shown below.

Type in the information you wish to save and click OK. The screen closes and the box labeled "Notes" shown below appears at the upper left of the screen whenever the pattern is displayed.

You must choose File > Save Settings to save the notes to the file.

Click on the Notes box to view and/or edit the information saved in the Pattern Notes screen. If there are no notes to view, the Notes box does not appear.

4.5.2 Options > Set Defaults

This option sets the default values for Needle On/Off, Thread Break Alarm, Sewing Speed, Stitches per Inch and Tieoffs. Set these values for your preference then choose Options > Set Defaults. The default settings will appear each time a file is open from the File > Open menu.

If you have changed any of these settings for a pattern then closed the file, or clicked File > Save Settings, the changed settings will appear when you open that file from the list of previously opened files.

4.5.3 Options > Stitch Count

When you first install PrecisionStitch or each time you upgrade, the stitch count is set to 0. Choose Options > Stitch Count to display the following screen.

As a pattern is stitched the system keeps track of the number of stitches for the pattern as well as a running total of all the stitches since the last software upgrade. Stitch Count gives the total number of stitches since PrecisionStitch was started. If you restart PrecisionStitch as you begin each quilt, you will have a stitch count of the amount of stitches used in that quilt. Total Count gives a running total of stitches from the last software upgrade.

4.5.4 Options > Automatic Control of Laser

Newer machines are equipped with a laser that can be set to automatically illuminate when position information is needed. The laser should be aligned (before starting the quilt) by manually lowering the needle into the fabric, retracting the needle again, and adjusting the laser so that it centers on the hole that the needle made in the fabric.

This option, when checked, allows the system to automatically turn the laser pointer on when needed for "clicking" to locate points, and turn it off otherwise. If this option is unchecked, the laser will operate manually only with the laser button located below the Needle and Thread Break buttons as shown below.

4.5.5 Options > Show Restart Screen

When restarting a pattern after the stitching has been interrupted such as for a thread break, you have the option of restarting the pattern by locating the restart point on the quilt or on the computer screen. To find the restart point via the computer screen choose Options > Show Restart Screen. A check mark will appear next to this option if it is chosen. To find the restart point via the quilt, choose Options > Show Restart Screen once again to clear the check mark. For more information on restarting a pattern see 5.1.12 Restart Pattern

4.5.6 Options > Set Squaring Information

When a quilt or part of a quilt has been squared up using the Square Up Quilt function a squaring angle is calculated and held in memory. This squaring angle is used each time a pattern is stitched in Pattern Mode – Repeat Blocks. Choosing Options > Set Squaring Information allows you to manually set the squaring angle.

Some cases you might use this function is to set the squaring angle to 0 or to reset a previously used value.

Options > Set Minimum Line Length

Patterns are drawn in AutoSketch with drawing entities such as three point arcs, line segments and poly lines. If a pattern is designed using three point arcs and straight lines, this value is not necessary.

If a pattern is designed using polylines (many very short lines) to simulate a circular arc, this option is used to speed up sewing. Choose Options > Set Minimum Line Length to set the smallest full-speed line.

In the picture above the minimum line length is set at .02 inch. This means that any line segment (drawing entity) that is .02 inch or smaller will be stitched at a slower speed.

If this option is set to 0 the pattern is stitched at full speed as set in the Speed section of the PrecisionStitch Main Screen.

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