Madeira Automates Patches

May 01, 2007

Madeira USA Ltd. used ISS Atlantic City for the U.S. debut of its Automated Frame System (AFS), a device that not only automates the embroidery of patches, emblems and logos but also offers an easy method for adding personalization.

According to Hajo Voeller, president of the Laconia, N.H., company, patchmaking is very labor intensive; however, the AFS not only simplifies that process but also offers another benefit. It helps the owners of small shops tackle small orders ranging from 10 to 250 patches, he says, adding, "You now have the possibility to pre-embroider and personalize as a separate working step."

The AFS works on the principle of the perforated continuous paper feed system used on printers. In this case, the perforated paper border frames a clear, four and eleven sixteenths-inch-square plastic material to which the embroidery design is sewn. When the design is complete, the AFS advances the paper frames so the machine can embroider the next design, and so forth.

The plastic material, which can be torn away from the embroidery, becomes an integral part of the patch, which can then be applied by sewing or heat transfer. To personalize patches, just leave them in the paper and run it through the machine again to add the individual's name. — R.L.