Page 2 - SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS; Safety indications and their meanings; Indications; D A N G E R; Symbols
RH-981A i Thank you very much for buying a BROTHER sewing machine. Before using your new machine, please read the safetyinstructions below and the explanations given in the instruction manual. With industrial sewing machines, it is normal to carry out work while positioned directly in front of movin...
Page 3 - Notes on safety; DANGER; Environmental requirements; Installation
RH-981A ii 2. Notes on safety DANGER Wait at least 5 minutes after turning off the power switch and disconnecting the power cord from the wall outletbefore opening the face plate of the control box. Touching areas where high voltages are present can result insevere injury. CAUTION Environmental requ...
Page 4 - CAUTION; Sewing; Cleaning
RH-981A iii CAUTION Sewing This sewing machine should only be used byoperators who have received the necessarytraining in safe use beforehand. The sewing machine should not be used for anyapplications other than sewing. Be sure to wear protective goggles when using themachine.If goggles are not worn...
Page 5 - Warning labels
RH-981A iv Finger guard 3. Warning labels The following warning labels appear on the sewing machine.Please follow the instructions on the labels at all times when using the machine. If the labels have been removedor are difficult to read, please contact your nearest Brother dealer. Safety devices Ey...
Page 6 - CONTENTS; NAMES OF EACH PART
RH-981A CONTENTS 1. NAMES OF EACH PART ................................ 1 2. SPECIFICATIONS .............................................. 2 2-1. Specifications ...................................................... 22-2. Sewing shape ..................................................... 32-3. Optio...
Page 7 - CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING
RH-981A 9-5. Adjusting the clearance between the looper and needle ............................................ 58 9-6. Adjusting the needle guard .............................. 599-7. Adjusting the spreader mounting positions ........ 599-8. Adjusting the spreader timing .......................... ...
Page 11 - -5. Replacement parts list for specification changes
2. SPECIFICATIONS RH-981A 4 2-5. Replacement parts list for specification changes The sewing machine can be changed to any one of L1 - L7 for -02 and -52 specifications by replacing the specifiedparts with the appropriate parts given below. -02 specifications Plate R assembly Specifications (buttonh...
Page 16 - Raising the machine head
3. INSTALLATION RH-981A 9 Raising the machine head 1. While holding the handles of the machine head (1) with both hands, gently raise the machine head. Note: Be sure to turn the power supply off before raising the machine head. 2. If you wish to keep the machine head in the raised position, insert t...
Page 19 - -11. Installing the air unit and the valve unit
3. INSTALLATION RH-981A 12 3-9. Installing the spool stand 1. To assemble the spool stand (1), follow the instructions in the manual that came with the spoolstand (1). 2. Secure the spool stand (1) to the rear right corner of the work table with the washer and nut (2). 3-10. Installing the hand swit...
Page 32 - Filling the arm oil tank
4. LUBRICATION RH-981A 25 4. LUBRICATION CAUTION Turn off the power switch before starting lubricating, otherwise the machine may operate if the start switchis pressed by mistake, which could result in injury. Be sure to wear protective goggles and gloves when handling the lubricating oil and grease...
Page 33 - Oiling the looper, spreader and looper base
4. LUBRICATION RH-981A 26 Oiling the looper, spreader and looper base <Removing the work clamp plates> 1. Turn the upper shaft pulley (1) toward you until the mark on the pulley (A) is aligned with the notch in the pulley cover (2). 2. Move the feed bracket (3) toward you.3. Turn the left and ...
Page 34 - -2. Changing the lower thread and gimp trimming
5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 27 5. CORRECT USE 5-1. Data initialization When using the sewing machine for the first time, initialize the data by following the procedure below. 1. While pressing the RESET key (1), turn on the power switch. * While the data is being initialized, all LEDs will illuminate and...
Page 39 - Cloth setting position
5. CORRECT USE RH-981A 32 Cloth setting position The sewing start position can be set to either the left setting position or the horizontal setting position. (Refer to page73.) When set to the left setting position This is the normal setting position for the cloth.* After the last buttonhole is sewn...
Page 42 - -1. Name and function of each operation panel item
6. OPERATION RH-981A 35 6. OPERATION 6-1. Name and function of each operation panel item (1) Power indicator Illuminates when the power is turned on. (2) Warning indicator Illuminates when an error occurs. (3) RESET key Press to reset errors, and to clear the production counter. (4) BEFORE indicator...
Page 54 - Upper thread tension
7. SEWING RH-981A 47 7-3. Adjusting the thread tension Turn off the power.Never adjust the thread tension while sewing. <Reference values> Woolen materials + wool gimps Denim (3 layers) Upper thread tension 0.9 N 1.0 N Lower thread tension 0.3 N 0.8 N Thread take-up spring tension 0.05 N 0.07N...
Page 55 - Relationship between knife position and eyelet shape; Explanation of the cutting space function
7. SEWING RH-981A 48 7-4. Needle and knife position The feed bracket is electronically controlled by means of pulse motors.It is not necessary to change the position of the knife when switching between cutting before sewing and cutting aftersewing.It is not necessary to change the needle down positi...
Page 56 - -5. Setting the feed bracket to the front position
7. SEWING RH-981A 49 7-5. Setting the feed bracket to the front position Setting the material will be easier if the feed bracket is moved forward from the standard cloth setting position.Cycle time will be reduced with this setting, particularly if cutting after sewing is selected. 1. Turn off the p...
Page 59 - -9. Changing the mode during an operation
7. SEWING RH-981A 52 7-9. Changing the mode during an operation • If you press the SELECT key (1) during test feeding, you can change the mode to manual sewing inmanual sewing mode. • If you press the SELECT key (1) while pressing and holding the ENTER key (2) during test feeding, youcan change the ...
Page 60 - CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
8. CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE RH-981A 53 8. CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE CAUTION Turn off the power switch before starting any cleaning work, otherwise the machine may operate if the startswitch is pressed by mistake, which could result in injury. Be sure to wear protective goggles and gloves when handlin...
Page 62 - STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS; -1. Adjusting the height of the spreader and looper; Spreader height
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 55 9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS CAUTION Maintenance and inspection of the sewingmachine should only be carried out by aqualified technician. Ask your Brother dealer or a qualified electricianto carry out any maintenance and inspection ofthe electrical system. Turn off the ...
Page 63 - -2. Adjusting the needle and looper timing
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 56 9-2. Adjusting the needle and looper timing The distance by which the needle bar rises from its lowest position to the position where the tip of the eye looper andthe center of the needle are aligned should be the same as the distance from its lowest position to th...
Page 65 - -4. Adjusting the height of the needle bar
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 58 9-4. Adjusting the height of the needle bar The standard height for the needle bar is 2.5 mm. (The needle bar height may need changing depending on thematerial and thread being used.) 1. Align the tip of the eye looper (1) with the center of the needle (2) when the...
Page 66 - -7. Adjusting the spreader mounting positions
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 59 9-6. Adjusting the needle guard Be sure to carry out this adjustment after changing the size of the needle.The needle must remain stationary with respect to the needle guard until the tip of the looper reaches the needle. Loosen the screw (1) and then move the need...
Page 69 - -11. Adjusting the contact between the knife and the hammer; Adjusting the contact between the knife and the hammer; Filing the cutting surface of the hammer
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 62 9-11. Adjusting the contact between the knife and the hammer 1. Remove the hammer. (Refer to the previous page.)2. If the knife incision on the surface of the hammer is very deep, if there are two or more incisions on thehammer because different knives were used, o...
Page 71 - -14. Adjusting the position of the work clamp plate
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 64 9-14. Adjusting the position of the work clamp plate Adjust so that the throat plate (1) and the needle plate R (2) do not make contact during sewing.The standard clearance between the throat plate (1) and the needle plate R (2) is 1.3 mm (when the cutting space is...
Page 72 - Measuring the opening amount
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 65 9-15. Adjusting the cloth opening amount 1. Loosen the screw (1), and then insert a screwdriver into the notch in the side of the feed bracket and turn the adjusting screw (2) to adjust the opening amount. 2. After tightening the screw (1), measure the opening amou...
Page 73 - -16. Adjusting the trimming of the upper thread
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 66 9-16. Adjusting the trimming of the upper thread The upper thread should be trimmed at the correct time after sewing is completed. <-00, -01>Adjust so that the upper movable knife (1) cuts onlyone of the threads in front of the right looper (2). Note: If both...
Page 74 - -18. Adjusting the gimp length after trimming
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 67 <-02,-52>The lower thread and gimp should be trimmed at the correct time after the work clamps rise at the feed homeposition.Thread trimming operation can be checked in steps while manual mode is active. (Refer to “7-8. Using manualmode”.) 1. The mechanism is...
Page 77 - Using the set screw collar
9. STANDARD ADJUSTMENTS RH-981A 70 9-23. Adjusting the indexer hole spacing (-52 specifications) Before carrying out this adjustment, check that the home position adjustment for the cloth feed bar has been carriedout correctly. (Refer to page 69.) 1. Loosen the bolt (1).2. Push the cloth feed bar (2...
Page 79 - CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE MEMORY SWITCHES
10. CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE MEMORY SWITCHES RH-981A 72 10. CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE MEMORY SWITCHES The memory switches are valid for all programs. 1. Press the SELECT key (1) to change the mode to program or cycle program mode.2. While pressing the ENTER key (2), press the key. * The progr...
Page 81 - CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE DIP SWITCHES
11. CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE DIP SWICHES RH-981A 74 11. CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE DIP SWITCHES Always turn off the power supply before changing any of the DIP switch settings. 11-1. Panel DIP switches The ON/OFF positions of the DIP switches inside the operation panel are checked only once wh...
Page 82 - Circuit board DIP switch C
11. CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE DIP SWICHES RH-981A 75 11-2. Circuit board DIP switches DANGER Wait at least 5 minutes after turning off the power switch and disconnecting the power cord from the walloutlet before opening the face plate of the control box. Touching areas where high voltages are pre...
Page 83 - Circuit board DIP switch D
11. CHANGING FUNCTIONS USING THE DIP SWICHES RH-981A 76 Circuit board DIP switch D No. ON/OFF Setting items Default ON - 1 OFF - OFF ON - 2 OFF - OFF ON - 3 OFF - OFF ON - 4 OFF - OFF ON - 5 OFF - OFF ON - 6 OFF - OFF ON - 7 OFF - OFF ON - 8 OFF - OFF 1001Q
Page 84 - LIST OF ERROR CODES
12. LIST OF ERROR CODES RH-981A 77 12. LIST OF ERROR CODES DANGER Wait at least 5 minutes after turning off the power switch and disconnecting the power cord from the walloutlet before opening the face plate of the control box. Touching areas where high voltages are present canresult in severe injur...
Page 87 - MACHINE HEAD
13. TROUBLESHOOTING RH-981A 80 13. TROUBLESHOOTING If there is a problem with operation, first check that the threads are correctly threaded and that the needle is correctlyinstalled. CAUTION Turn off the power switch and disconnect the power cord before carrying out troubleshooting, otherwisethe ma...
Page 89 - INSTRUCTION MANUAL
INSTRUCTION MANUAL 118-981 SA0279-101 2003.01.H (1) Printed in Japan
