Tajima TMEX Series: Essential Maintenance Schedule & Wear Parts Guide

1. Needles high likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches, thread breaks, dull or bent needle points, burrs on the needle eye. A needle that is not perfectly straight or sharp will cause problems.

Fix

1. Inspect needle points for sharpness and straightness before each use and after any thread break or collision.
2. Replace needles immediately if bent, dull, or burred.
3. Ensure the correct needle type and size are used for the fabric and thread.

Parts involved: Needles & needle bars →

2. Rotary Hook high likelihood

How to tell

Poor stitch quality, skipped stitches, thread breaks, excessive noise from the hook area, burrs or nicks on the hook point or race. The bobbin case may not sit correctly.

Fix

1. Remove the bobbin case and inspect the rotary hook for any burrs, nicks, or rough spots. Use a magnifying glass if necessary.
2. Gently polish small burrs with very fine sandpaper (600+ grit) or a specialized hook polishing tool, moving in the direction of thread travel. Do not change the hook's geometry.
3. If damage is significant or polishing doesn't resolve issues, replace the rotary hook.
4. Ensure the hook timing is correct after replacement (refer to your machine's manual).

Parts involved: Rotary hooks & bobbin cases →

3. Bobbin Case high likelihood

How to tell

Inconsistent bobbin tension, thread breaks, lint buildup, burrs or nicks on the thread path within the case. Bobbin may not spin freely.

Fix

1. Inspect the bobbin case for burrs, nicks, or grooves, especially where the thread passes.
2. Clean out any lint or debris from the bobbin case and tension spring.
3. Adjust bobbin tension as needed. If tension cannot be maintained or the case is visibly damaged, replace it.

Parts involved: Rotary hooks & bobbin cases →

4. Trimmer Knives (Fixed & Moving) high likelihood

How to tell

Incomplete thread trims, frayed thread ends after trimming, excessive noise during trimming, thread jams in the trimmer mechanism. Threads may be pulled instead of cut cleanly.

Fix

1. Carefully inspect both the fixed and moving trimmer knives for dullness, nicks, or damage.
2. Clean any lint or debris from the trimmer mechanism.
3. If knives are dull or damaged, replace both the fixed and moving knives as a set for optimal performance.
4. Ensure proper alignment and gap between the knives after replacement (refer to your machine's manual).

Parts involved: Cutters & trimmers →

5. Thread Guides & Tension Discs medium likelihood

How to tell

Thread breaks, inconsistent tension, grooving or wear marks on ceramic or metal guides, rough spots on tension discs. Thread may catch or fray as it passes through.

Fix

1. Visually inspect all thread guides (ceramic, metal, plastic) for grooves, nicks, or sharp edges.
2. Check tension discs for burrs, dirt, or signs of uneven wear. Ensure they open and close freely.
3. Clean guides and discs thoroughly.
4. Replace any guide or disc that shows significant wear or damage that could snag thread.

Parts involved: Thread path & tension →

6. Belts (X/Y Axis, Head Drive, Trimmer) medium likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches, misaligned designs, excessive noise (squealing, grinding), visible cracks, fraying, or stretching on the belt surface. Loss of tension or slippage.

Fix

1. Visually inspect all belts for cracks, fraying, missing teeth, or excessive slack.
2. Check belt tension according to your machine's manual. Belts should be taut but not overly tight.
3. Clean any lint or debris from belts and pulleys.
4. Replace any belt showing signs of wear or damage. Ensure correct belt type and length are used.

Parts involved: Belts, pulleys & gears →

7. Tajima 18-Tooth 3.5cm Fixed Wheel Pulley for TFMX TMEX TMEZ TFM 18-Axis Machines medium likelihood

How to tell

Excessive noise, vibration, belt slippage, or visible wear on the pulley teeth. May lead to inconsistent movement or timing issues.

Fix

1. Inspect the pulley for worn or damaged teeth, cracks, or excessive wobble.
2. Ensure the pulley is securely fastened to its shaft.
3. Clean any debris from the pulley teeth.
4. If damaged, replace with a new Tajima 18-Tooth 3.5cm Fixed Wheel Pulley.

Part number: Tajima 18-Tooth 3.5cm Fixed Wheel Pulley for TFMX TMEX TMEZ TFM 18-Axis Machines

Parts involved: Belts, pulleys & gears →

8. USB Emulator Converter 34-Pin to 26-Pin for Tajima TMEX TMFX Embroidery Machines medium likelihood

How to tell

Inability to load designs from USB, 'disk read error' messages, intermittent data transfer issues, or complete failure of the floppy drive replacement. The machine may not recognize the USB device.

Fix

1. Check connections of the USB emulator to the machine's mainboard.
2. Try a different USB stick to rule out media issues.
3. If the emulator is unresponsive or consistently fails to read, replace it with a new USB Emulator Converter 34-Pin to 26-Pin for Tajima TMEX TMFX Embroidery Machines.
4. Ensure the emulator is correctly configured (jumpers, if applicable) for your machine model.

Also consider Tajima 9ZJ4040A0000 USB Linker External Reader for TMEG, TMEF, TMBE, TMCE, TME-600, TME-DC, TMFD, TMFX Machines, SFRM72-FU USB Floppy Emulator for Tajima, Barudan, Happy, ZSK, Brother, Melco, Feiya, Ricoma Embroidery, Richpeace RP-SFDR-IV U-A720 USB Emulator Reader for Tajima TMFX TMEX TFHX & NEC FD1138C, or TAJIMA KP-BS-T-113 USB Reader for TME-C, TME-HC, TME-DC, TMEF, TMEF-H, TMEG, TMEG-XG, TMEG-VG, TMEX, TFHX, TMFX, TMFD Embroidery Machines depending on your specific setup.

Parts involved: Floppy, USB & memory →

9. Tajima 0J6104100000 CL0835000000 42mm Square Double-End Pulse Motor for TMEX TMFX TCMX Embroidery Machines low likelihood

How to tell

Head not moving correctly, inconsistent color changes, grinding noises from the head, or complete failure of a specific head function (e.g., needle bar up/down, color change). Error codes related to motor failure.

Fix

1. Check wiring connections to the pulse motor for looseness or damage.
2. Verify that the motor's shaft is not obstructed or binding.
3. If the motor is unresponsive or exhibits erratic behavior, it may need replacement. Consult your machine's manual for diagnostic steps.
4. Replace with a new Tajima 0J6104100000 CL0835000000 42mm Square Double-End Pulse Motor if diagnosed as faulty.

Part number: Tajima 0J6104100000 CL0835000000 42mm Square Double-End Pulse Motor for TMEX TMFX TCMX Embroidery Machines

Parts involved: Motors & drivers →

10. Tajima 090420060017 Stopper Lower Dead Point Needle Bar Connecting Stud for TMEG TMFD TMFX STNE TFKN STKN STKN-C TFGN TMEX TEMX TEHX TEJT TMLH TLMX low likelihood

How to tell

Inconsistent needle bar movement, excessive play in the needle bar, unusual noise from the needle bar mechanism, or incorrect needle depth. Can lead to skipped stitches or thread breaks.

Fix

1. Inspect the connecting stud for wear, looseness, or damage.
2. Ensure all fasteners securing the stud are tight.
3. If the stud is worn or damaged, replace it with a new Tajima 090420060017 Stopper Lower Dead Point Needle Bar Connecting Stud.
4. Verify needle bar timing and depth after replacement (refer to your machine's manual).

Part number: Tajima 090420060017 Stopper Lower Dead Point Needle Bar Connecting Stud for TMEG TMFD TMFX STNE TFKN STKN STKN-C TFGN TMEX TEMX TEHX TEJT TMLH TLMX

Parts involved: Needles & needle bars → Screws, springs & small parts →

11. Tajima Original Pantograph Servo Motor for TME, TMAR, TMEX Embroidery Machines low likelihood

How to tell

Pantograph not moving, jerky or inaccurate pantograph movement, loud grinding noises from the motor, or error codes related to X/Y axis movement. Designs may be distorted or misaligned.

Fix

1. Check all cable connections to the servo motor and its driver.
2. Inspect the motor for any physical damage or signs of overheating.
3. If the motor is unresponsive or exhibits severe operational issues, it may require replacement. This is a complex repair; consider professional assistance.
4. Replace with a new Tajima Original Pantograph Servo Motor if diagnosed as faulty.

Part number: Tajima Original Pantograph Servo Motor for TME, TMAR, TMEX Embroidery Machines

Parts involved: Motors & drivers →

12. Tajima EC6102050000 XY Axis Driver Card Board MP167-1 for Single Head Tajima TMEX TEHX-C1501 TMFX TFMX Embroidery Machines low likelihood

How to tell

Complete loss of X or Y axis movement, erratic pantograph movement, or specific error codes indicating driver board failure. Often accompanied by a non-responsive pantograph.

Fix

1. Visually inspect the board for any burnt components, swollen capacitors, or signs of damage.
2. Ensure all connectors are securely seated.
3. If diagnosed as faulty (often requiring specialized testing), replace the board with a new Tajima EC6102050000 XY Axis Driver Card Board MP167-1.
4. This is an advanced repair; consider professional assistance.

Part number: Tajima EC6102050000 XY Axis Driver Card Board MP167-1 for Single Head Tajima TMEX TEHX-C1501 TMFX TFMX Embroidery Machines

Parts involved: Circuit boards & electronics →