Quick Programming Guide for the Light Scanning Selection Box Models Including SUPERBA S48, SINGER 2330-2340 Memomatic Models, PHILDAR D120 Memomatic and WHITE 1602 Model Knitting Machines.

Greetings!


Did you just receive a Light Scanning Selection Box model Superba and need help on how to attach it to the machine? Forgotten how to insert a design card? Can't remember how to set the cursor?


Then follow the steps outlined in this quick reference guide for attaching and programming the Selection Box for Superba ~ Singer ~ White ~ Phildar Light Scanning models.

A Few Reminders About The Selection Box. 

• For first time users of the Selection Box, note that this part is very fragile and should be handled with care.

• When finished using the Selection Box, always remove it and store it safely in a cupboard wrapped in bubble wrap.

• Never leave the Selection Box plugged in to the machine with the power on for long periods of time. No, you won't start a fire; it's just there is no cooling fan in the box and the circuit boards can get hot and stop working. 

• Respect the weight limit of the yarns you use for knitting on this model of machine, especially for Double Bed Jacquard  or your machine will have difficulty knitting the stitches.

• If you just received your machine and are just itching to try the Double Bed Jacquard stitches then purchase the correct yarn for this technique. Go online and order coned yarn of the weight "2/24". Write that number down. That is a specific knitting machine yarn weight that you can easily purchase on the internet or from a local weaving supply store. This is the weight your machine was designed to knit with for "Double Bed" Jacquard.

• Do not try using any hand knitting yarn (sock yarn or baby yarn) for Double Bed Jacquard. These are too heavy for this stitch technique.

• You can use these weights for Fair Isle aka Single Bed Jacquard, which is knit on the Back Needle Bed only. 

I suggest the following Stitch Sizes when working with Hand Knitting yarn weights: 

• Light Worsted (Hand Knitting Needle size US #7 or 4.5mm) use Machine Stitch Size 9 thru 12.

• Double Knitting or Sport Weight in the US (Hand Knitting Needle size US#5-6 or 3.5mm -4mm)  use Machine Stitch Size 8 thru 11  

• 4-Ply Fingering/Baby Yarn/Sock Yarn (Hand Knitting Needle size US #2-4/2.75mm - 3.25mm) use Stitch Size 6 thru 9.

• Do not try knitting with a Worsted "Sayelle" Acrylic yarn. It won't fly. Too thick stiff and not enough elasticity. Do try Silks, Alpaca, Merino, and Cottons.

Ok- let's begin.

The most important point to remember when programming the Selection Box is:


 It's all about setting the Cursor!!!

• Before you attach the Selection Box to the machine you MUST position the Cursor on the Back Needle Bed at Centre "0" printed on the Needle Scale. . .
  

• Slide the Cursor across the Back Bed until it lines up with the "0" BEFORE attaching the Selcetion Box to the machine.

• On the Selection Box set the "Programme Switch" on the far right to the "Neutral" position, which is represented by the white dot that I am pointing too in the picture. . .
  

• This switch can be rather stiff to move and there is a reason for this.
  

Understand the Following:
The Programme Switch controls the connection between the Selection Box and the Cursor Belt on the underside of your machine.


When set at Neutral (middle - white dot) the Cursor Belt on the knitting machine is not engaged which means it is free to move. We use this Neutral setting to Position the Cursor on the Back Bed of the machine before aligning with the Cursor Indicator on the Selection Box.


When set at Neutral, when you slide the Cursor on the machine bed back and forth, it should move without any tension on it. Smoothly and easily.

• Insert the Selection Box and the Drive Shaft into the opening on the right-hand underside of the knitting machine. . . .

• Tighten the two mounting screws and ensure the unit is flush with the machine. Be very careful not to drop the Selection Box!

• Attach the power cord and turn on the Selection Box by raising the far right switch on the control panel . . . . 

• Note: you can perform the following steps with the Selection Box turned off BUT once the power is turned on, the small motors that control the movement off the Stitch Design Sheets are engaged and you need to ensure these are functioning.

• Push the "Programme Changer" button down to the Geometric Setting; this is the lower position with the checker board graphic. This switch is rather stiff to move so you may have press on it firmly . . . .
  

• NOTE: The reason for this stiffness is that in this lower position, the Selection Box Drive Shaft will engage the Cursor Belt on the underside of the Back Bed, to which the "Cursor" is attached. To test this connection, slide the cursor back and forth across the Back Bed. There should be a noticeable tension as you move the Cursor. If not, this indicates the machine is damaged in some way and it will not operate.

SET THE CURSOR
We need to align the Cursor Indicator on the Selection Box with the Cursor on the Back Needle Bed.

These two work in tandem and must be aligned before programming or the Selection Box will not scan properly! Now read the last two sentences again and burn them into your memory!

Step 1:
SET THE CURSOR INDICATOR AT NEEDLE #1 ON THE SELECTION BOX.

This is the Cursor Indicator on your machines Selection Box . . .

and you need to get one of two tiny little white squares to sit in the far left see-through window. . . 

To do this you must slide the Cursor on the Back Bed of the knitting machine back and forth. . .


As you do this look at the front of your Selection Box. Look at the clear indicator window which has a scale numbered 1-60 just below the scanner light. 


You should see 1 or 2 little white squares moving across this clear window as you move the Cursor on the back needle bed. This is the Cursor Indicator.


IT IS CRUCIAL TO MOVE ONE OF THOSE LITTLE WHITE SQUARES TO BOX NUMBER 1 ON THE FAR LEFT OF THE INDICATOR. 


It should be visible where I am pointing as in the photo below. This represents needle number 1 of your stitch pattern.

Step #2: 
SET THE PROGRAMME CHANGER TO NEUTRAL


• Slide the Programme Changer switch back to the middle position aligned with the dot symbol. The Cursor Indicator on the Selection Box is now locked in at Needle #1.




Step #3: 
SET NEEDLE #1 ON THE BACK BED.

• The Selection Box needs to know which of the 180 needles on the back bed it should use to centre your Stitch Design.

Slide the machine Cursor across the Back Bed until it the centre of the Cursor is positioned directly over needle #1L. 


This is the first needle to the Left of Centre "0" on the Needle Scale. This is the default setting for centring all stitches.

© Superba Knitting™

• Now slide the Programme Changer on the Selection Box back down to the to Geometric Setting.


• Then slide the Cursor back to the far right, firmly up against the Cursor Stop. 

VOILA! 


YOUR CURSOR INDICATOR ON THE SELECTION BOX IS NOW ALIGNED WITH THE CURSOR ON THE BACK NEEDLE BED.


To Begin Knitting:
•The Carriage will be on the Right end of the machine. Make sure it is to the right of the Cursor Stop.



• Remember: Slide the Cursor to the far right along the Back Needle Bed and push it firmly up against the Cursor Stop. The Cursor must be locked into postion here before proceeding.



• Set your Carriage Stitch Keys for the desired Stitch Technique.


• If working Fair Isle or Jacquard stitches, insert and thread the Second Yarn Guide onto the Back Carriage.


• Set the Selection Box Switches as per your Instruction Manual to achieve various stitch effects.



• Set the appropriate Stitch Size for the yarn you are knitting with and for the Stitch Technique you are using.


• Insert a Geometric Mylar Programme Card into it's plastic cover and clip this into place.

• Insert the Programme Card into the horizontal opening on the Selection Box. It's close to the top edge of the Box, just above the Cursor Indicator. 

• Turn the Card Guide Dial, on the right side of the Box, until the Programme Card is gripped by the internal wheels and starts to feed smoothly and level into the Selection Box. 

Roll the card all the way down, until you almost reach the end of the card.

• Next, take the metal Programme Card Guide and attach this to the Selection box. Position this directly over the Programme Card slot. 

This helps hold the Programme Card in position as it moves up and down in the unit.

• Now roll the Card back up and position it next to the stitch pattern you wish to knit. Use the first pattern for this test.

• Line up the Pattern Number you want to knit with. The pattern number is printed on the right hand column of the card in teeny tiny little numbers. I use - I kid you not - a magnifying glass to be able to see and read these.


In the photo below you can see the pattern #3 printed on the far right.


You will line this number up with a teeny-tiny white indicator at the far right of the opening.

• This is the white indicator I am talking about:

The little dash on the extreme right end of the opening where you insert you card. Just above and to the right of the Arrow printed on the box.


Here I show the card inserted. On the right column of the card are tiny numbers to denote the starting line of a stitch pattern. Line these numbers up with the white indicator.
WE ARE NOW READY TO KNIT.
ONCE THE PATTERN IS SET AND READY, GIVE TWO QUICK PULSES OF THE CARD ADVANCE SWITCH UPWARD. The Selection Box buzzer SHOULD go off, indicating you may begin knitting.

Knit your first row and the buzzer will stop.

Continue knitting as per your project.

Note:
If the Selection Box does not buzz, pulse the switch again. Repeat if necessary.
OR realign your Mylar pattern with the white indicator and try again.
OR if the card continues to reverse and the motor won't stop turning and it comes out of the Selection Box, turn the box off and on again. Insert the card and try again.

Note: If the card is marked as continuous, it will move back and forth in the Selection Box until you are done knitting.


NOTE: Some longer/larger stitch designs are marked to be knit once and then you will have to pause your knitting until the Selection Box motor has rewound the card back to line 1.
The Selection Box buzzer will buzz continuously cautioning you to stop knitting and wait until the card is back on row 1. Card 4, the Floral Design does this. Once the card has rewound back to row 1, it will buzz again until you knit the first row.




For All Stitch Techniques: Please refer to the stitch guide and instruction manual that came with your machine and set your Carriages and the Selection Box according to these instruction settings BEFORE you start knitting.

A Word About The Various Brands of French
Knitting Machines Produced by S.I.T./Groupe Superba

S.I.T./Groupe Superba of Mulhouse, France produced and marketed knitting machines world-wide under various brand names so this information applies to owners of home knitting machines with the following brand names and/or logos printed on their machines. To keep things simple I use the name Superba.


® The Superba brand was distributed all over the world and the model numbers include Superba S40, S46, S47, s48, System 624, System 9000.


® The White brand was distributed only in North America and includes model numbers 1402, 1502, 1602.

® The Singer Company** distributed home knitting machines in Europe produced by S.I.T./Superba. Many models and colours were produced including Memomatic & Singer Freestyle Models 600, Memo II, Singer 2310 - 2340, Singer System 624 & 9000.

(** In North and South America, the Singer Company distributed home knitting machines produced by the Silver Reed Company of Japan - a completely different style of home knitting machine and operating system. The information provided here is for Singer machines made in France. If it doesn't look like the machines pictured here then you are in the wrong place!)

® Phildar is a French textile company which retailed S.I.T./Superba knitting machines in their Phildar Yarn Stores throughout France and Belgium. Models included the Phildarmatic D120, D140.


Patrick Madden
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
www.superbaknitting.com

Knitting Machine Motor Drive For Superba, Singer, White & Phildar Brand Knitting Machines.

**NOTE: I wrote this post originally back in 2005 and since then my photography skills have improved and I have a new set of photos to add to this plus some additional information on the early style of motor drive to add, as well as information on how to repair the motor drive.


What I don't have is the time to edit and rewrite all this. 


I had pulled this post from the internet because I was not happy with layout but I'm putting it back up to provide some information, until I make the time to rewrite this. 


Patrick/2011.

S.I.T./Groupe SUPERBA of Mulhouse, France produced two models of table top Motor Drive accessories for home knitting machines.



These Motor Drive models were sold world-wide under the brand names SUPERBA, and under the name SINGER throughout Europe,  PHILDAR in France and the WHITE brand in North America.


Motor Drives are no longer produced but you do see them for sale on eBay and other online auctions. Motor Drives are more common in Europe than in North America.







The first table top Motor Drive, model 1460, positioned the motor at the far right of the machine and it was suspended over the edge of the table or stand. 

Their next model developed was a table top motor, known as the EMS-4 or 1480 which saw an improvement in the way the carriage connected to the drive arm, a new design for the drive belt and most importantly, one can set the course width (how wide the motor moves the carriage across the needle bed) directly on the control panel of the motor drive. 





The Motor was repositioned to sit on top of the stand with new, easily accessible controls for course width and speed. The EMS-4 is the model I own and is the focus of this post.





VERY IMPORTANT 
North American Power Requirements:

If you live in North America and you have purchased a SUPERBA, SINGER or PHILDAR brand Motor Drive, please be advised that you must also purchase a Step Up & Down Transformer to operate the Motor here in North America. Why?

The Motor Drive Units exported by S.I.T./Superba were wired for use in Europe, and come with what is known as a European Euro 2-Pin "C" Plug.

These Plugs will not fit into your wall socket here in Canada, The United States or Mexico. The shape is wrong. 

Also, European electrical home appliances are wired to operate at 220-240 Voltage, and here in North America, our home wall outlets, apart from those for our Clothes Dryer, Electric Stove and Furnace, provide only 110-120 Volts, which is not enough to operate these Motors meant for use in Europe.

To use these Motor Drives, you will have to invest in a Step Up & Down Transformer, which will ramp up our 110-120V electric current to the required 220-240V the Motors need to operate.

Step Up & Down Transformer

These units plug into our standard wall sockets and once turned on, will step up our North American 110 Voltage to the European 220 Volts that is required to operate the Motor Drive.  

Transformers are sold in various "sizes" of Watts, in a huge range. For the purpose of providing enough power to operate a Motor Drive, you would need a Transformer in the range of 500 Watts up to 1000 Watts.

Most of the Motor Drives available here in North America are wired for the European 220V. I did not know upon receiving my Motor Drive that this meant the purchase of a step-up transformer to run at 110V. And not the travel size for your hair dryer either, but a big, heavy duty unit that cost $100 Canadian. That's not to say you cannot find step-up transformers for less but that was the only available price point at the time. Buyer beware!





Below is a Parts Schematic for the EMS-4 Motor. If needing repair, please bring your Motor to a qualified repair person. Your local sewing machine repair shop is a good idea as the number of parts are numerous and your household "Mr. Fixit" could end up doing more damage than good if not experienced in small motor repair.

Modifying Your Knitting Machine 

For Use With The Motor Drive

This is a set of Alan Keys. These are essential to the following modifications you must make to the Knitting Machine and the Back Bed Carriage before attaching your Motor Drive. I was lucky that when I purchased my second hand S-48 machine it had already been modified for use with the motor.




The knitting machine needs to have the foot pads it was shipped with replaced with the set that come with the Motor Drive, shown in above schematic - top left. You will take the rubber pads off the set you're replacing and attach to the new pair.



This new pair (shown above left and right) are broader than the original and have an extension toward the back of the machine with a hook on them (see photo below) which allows the Motor Drive to attach to the machine base. You will use the appropriate size Alan Key to replace these.





Once the foot pads are changed you can clamp your Knitting Machine to your table or stand.



The next step is to attach the Connecting Arm for the Motor Drive to the Knitting Machine Back Bed Carriage. When completed it will look like this:



Pictured below are two photos of a Back Bed Carriage with the standard tripping arm attached. Remove this as shown in the schematic by using the Alan Key to remove these screws.





Now attach the Motor Drive bracket to the carriage and the plastic connecting arm pieces as per the schematic and the photos I've included. The long triangular extension shown in the first schematic is the tripping arm for the Forma Charting Accessory. Attach this piece as well if you intend to use this accessory.

Now move your Cursor on the back bed of the Knitting Machine to the far left and lock it into position with both Cursor Blocks in place.





TIP: Please remember to keep all tools and yarn away from this section of the knitting machine. The Cursor slides along the rail shown and is attached to the Cursor Belt. Electrical signals must pass through this unimpeded. Always lock your cursor to the side when not being used for an electronic stitch pattern.

CONNECTING THE MOTOR DRIVE 
TO THE KNITTING MACHINE

Once the modifications are completed to the knitting machine and it has been clamped to your table or stand I recommend you take a moment and turn your Motor Drive over so you can examine it's underside.





I want you to see the underside of the Motor Drive base so you can appreciate how compact this unit is and to make note of the Base Level that is to be found directly under the Motor on the right side. This allows you to balance the Motor Drive in case of an uneven table surface. Sometimes when the accessories are attached they can cause a bit of an imbalance to the weight along the belt track.





On the base of the Motor at the front edge is a slot which slips over the hook on the right end of the knitting machine. There is also an air vent on the bottom of the base and this needs to be kept free of lint and dust.

This photo shows the base of the left end of the Motor Drive. This slips over the hook on the left side of the knitting machine.





Ensure the Motor Drive is securely attached to the Knitting Machine frame before proceeding.




ATTACHING ACCESSORIES TO THE MOTOR DRIVE
On the back of the Motor Drive frame are two (2) distinct clamps.

A single clamp a hexagon shape washer that slides along the positioning slot on the back of the Motor Drive. This is for attaching the Yarn Mast/Row Counter and the Lamp unit.


Note: For persons attaching a Digi Form accessory, there will be another single clamp like this packaged with this accessory for attaching it to the Motor Drive.



The second style of clamp is a pair with rectangular metal brackets which are for attaching the Forma Charting Accessory.



• YARN MAST + ROW COUNTER



You must remove the row counter from the bracket it was originally attached too by removing the screws on the back and attaching the counter to the bracket for the Motor Drive - shown below in the schematic - on top right.

Once the row counter is attached you can mount the bracket on the Motor Drive and tighten.

Take the Yarn Mast itself and insert the top end (the locking notches are about 1" down from the end) into the Yarn Tension Guide. Ensure this is inserted fully or the yarn guide will swing around.

Insert the yarn mast into the Motor Drive bracket and secure.

Attach the plastic yarn guide to the mast and Voila! You are ready to thread your machine.

THE LAMP
If you wanted to secure your Lamp to the Motor Drive then it is attached along with the Yarn Mast/Row Counter as shown in the following photos:

As shown in the above schematic, the Lamp has an additional bracket that attaches it to the Motor Drive Bracket and stabilizes the unit with screws into the foot of the Lamp.

The Yarn Mast bracket goes on first, followed by the lamp and then tightened.

Insert the Yarn Mast and you are on your way.

THE FORMA 1/2 SCALE CHARTING ACCESSORY
As mentioned in a previous post, this is my favourite charting accessory. If you see one for sale - buy it! They are a great accessory.
Depending on how you purchased your knitting machine and accessories, your Forma Charting Accessory may have the standard base plate attahed or it might be removed as the photo above shows. For use with the Motor Drive we need it removed.

If still attached to the base turn the Forma over and remove the screws from the bottom.

You will then remove the two cylinder shaped height extenders. Keep all these parts in a ziplock or container for storage.

Next you will note the grooves on the left and right side of the base of the Forma. This is where the Motor Drive clamps attach.
The two clamps on the back of the Motor Drive with the brackets should be loosened and spread apart to the width of the Forma. Loosen the clamps to the point of almost removing them.


Rest the Forma against the back of the Motor Drive and position the clamps and lock into place.

MOTOR DRIVE & KNITTING MACHINE CARRIAGE ALIGNMENT
We are now going to attach the Front and Back Carriages to the Knitting Machine and check the clearance and alignment of the connecting arm we attached to the back carriage, either with or without the Forma Charting Accessory.

As shown in the photo below, slide the Front and Back Bed Carriages onto the left side of the knitting machine and connect these.
Before connecting the Back Carriage to the Motor Drive we want to manually verify that there is no obstruction of the Cursor, that the tripping arm is long enough to activate the row advance lever on the Forma and the row counter and that this arm passes infront of the Motor Drive controls freely.
Once you have verified that the Back Carriage Connecting Arm moves freely and trips the appropriate levers smoothly then you may position this over the Motor Drive Arm and push down on the locking lever to lock it in place.
You may have to tap on the Motor Drive Foot Control to bring the Drive Arm in position.

DO NOT PUSH ANY NEEDLES INTO WORKING POSITION UNTIL YOU HAVE TESTED THE MOTOR DRIVE FUNCTIONS AND SET THE COURSE WIDTH AND SPEED

At this stage I would have the Motor Drive set to the slow speed and practice adjusting the width of the motor course AKA how wide of a pass the carriage will make before changing directions. Make changes to the width when the carriage is at the opposite side, ie, carrriage on Left: adjust course width on Right Side.
The course width settings on the front of the Motor Drive are simply guidelines and each machines accuaracy will be slightly different from the next. You will have to fine tune the settings to have the carriages return with not too wide of a gap between carriage and needles in working position.
Remember that the High Speed setting is for basic Jersey or Stockinette Stitch only. It is not recommended using this speed for stitches using electronic needle selection.
Enjoy your Motor Drive.


S.I.T./Groupe Superba of Mulhouse, France produced and marketed knitting machines worldwide under various brand names, so this information applies to owners of home knitting machines that have the following names and/or logos printed on their machines:



® The Superba brand was distributed all over the world and the model numbers include Superba S40, S46, S47, s48, System 624, System 9000.


® The White brand was distributed only in North America and includes model numbers 1402, 1502, 1602.

® The Singer Company** distributed home knitting machines in Europe produced by S.I.T./Superba. Many models and colours were produced including Memomatic & Singer Freestyle Models 600, Memo II, Singer 2310 - 2340, Singer System 624 & 9000.

(**Note: In North and South America, the Singer Company distributed home knitting machines produced by the Silver Reed Company of Japan - a completely different style and format of knitting machine. )

® Phildar is a French textile company which retailed S.I.T./Superba knitting machines in their Phildar Yarn Stores throughout France and Belgium. Models included the Phildarmatic D120, D140.