How to Use the Float Function on the SWF Control Panel

In this video, we demonstrate the floating function on the SWF control panel. Floating means advancing the machine forward or backward through a design without actually sewing. We typically use it for larger moves, such as several hundred or several thousand stitches, or by color, rather than for small corrections after a thread break. This can be useful when a thread break was not backed up far enough, or when thread shredding caused poor stitch coverage and an area needs to be sewn again.

In the example shown, the thread is still connected, so we first execute a trim by pressing the trim button and then pressing start. We then enter the float function by pressing the float button. From there, we can move one stitch at a time with no value selected, or choose to float by 100, 1,000, 10,000, or by color. After selecting 100 and pressing set, each press of the stop button moves the design backward by 100 stitches, while each press of the start button moves it forward by 100 stitches. Once we get close, we use the previous button to return to single-stitch movement and fine-tune the position until we are back far enough. We then press previous to exit the float function and press start to sew the missed area.

After repairing the missing section, we do not want to sew over the area that was already completed. Before backing up, we check the work information and note the stitch where sewing originally stopped. In this example, sewing stopped at stitch 6264, so we float forward to about stitch 6254 to allow a small overlap. Because there is thread in the sewing field, we trim again before floating forward. We then return to the float function, select 100, and use the start button to advance in 100-stitch increments until we are close. After that, we use previous to return to single-stitch movement and advance one stitch at a time to the target stitch, exit the float function, and press start to resume sewing.

The same process can also be used with the other float values, including color. When floating by color, each press of the start button advances forward one color. If we are in the middle of a color and press the stop button, the machine first moves to the beginning of the current color, and each additional press of the stop button then moves backward one color change.