Tajima TMCE Series: Essential Maintenance Schedule & Wear Parts Guide

1. Needles high likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches, thread breaks, damaged fabric, dull or bent needle point, burrs on the needle eye. Needles should be changed proactively before they show obvious signs of wear.

Fix

1. Turn off the machine power.
2. Loosen the needle set screw for the affected needle bar.
3. Carefully pull the old needle straight down and out.
4. Insert a new Organ PH-C120 Crocheted Towel Embroidery Needle, ensuring the scarf is facing the correct direction (usually towards the back or left, consult your manual).
5. Push the needle up until it bottoms out in the needle bar.
6. Tighten the needle set screw securely.
7. Perform a test stitch to confirm proper function.

Parts involved: Needles & needle bars →

2. Rotary Hook Bobbin Case Assembly high likelihood

How to tell

Frequent thread breaks (especially bobbin thread), poor stitch quality, looping on the underside of the fabric, unusual noise from the hook area, visible nicks or burrs on the hook point or bobbin case.

Fix

1. Turn off the machine power.
2. Remove the needle plate and bobbin case.
3. Inspect the hook point for damage or wear. Check the bobbin case for burrs or rough spots, especially where the thread passes.
4. If damage is found, replace the entire rotary hook and bobbin case assembly. For the bobbin, use Onloyo 050260010020 Rotary Hook Bobbin:Regular for Tajima TMLH TLMX TMCE TCMX Embroidery Machines.
5. Clean the hook area thoroughly, removing any lint or thread debris.
6. Install the new rotary hook and bobbin case assembly, ensuring it is correctly seated and timed if necessary (consult your machine manual for timing procedures).
7. Apply a drop of hook oil to the rotary hook race.
8. Replace the needle plate and perform a test stitch.

The bobbin case is part of the rotary hook assembly. Often, if one is worn, the other is too, or will soon be. It's good practice to replace the entire hook assembly if significant wear is present.

Parts involved: Rotary hooks & bobbin cases →

3. Thread Block (Thread Guide) medium likelihood

How to tell

Increased thread breaks, fraying thread, visible grooves or sharp edges on the thread block where the thread passes, especially with metallic or abrasive threads.

Fix

1. Turn off the machine power.
2. Locate the thread block (Tajima 050320350000 Thread Block) in the thread path, typically near the tension assembly or take-up lever.
3. Carefully inspect the surfaces where the thread makes contact for any nicks, burrs, or deep grooves.
4. If damage is present, remove the old thread block (usually held by a screw or clip).
5. Install a new Tajima 050320350000 Thread Block, ensuring it is oriented correctly.
6. Secure the new thread block.
7. Thread the machine and perform a test stitch.

Parts involved: Thread path & tension →

4. Tension Base Adjustment Board low likelihood

How to tell

Inconsistent thread tension across multiple heads or colors that cannot be resolved with mechanical adjustments, erratic tension disc movement, or error codes related to tension control. This is typically an electronic failure, not wear.

Fix

1. Turn off the machine power and unplug it.
2. Access the control box or head where the tension base adjustment board (Tajima 0J2600900021 Tension Base Adjustment Board) is located. This often requires removing covers.
3. Carefully disconnect all wiring harnesses and connectors from the old board, noting their positions.
4. Unscrew and remove the faulty board.
5. Install the new Tajima 0J2600900021 Tension Base Adjustment Board, ensuring all connections are secure and correctly reattached.
6. Replace covers and power on the machine.
7. Perform a test stitch and recalibrate tension settings as per your machine manual if necessary.

While not a wear item, electronic components can fail. If you suspect this board, it's best to consult your machine manual or a qualified technician for diagnosis and replacement.

Parts involved: Circuit boards & electronics →

5. USB Linker External Reader low likelihood

How to tell

Machine fails to read design files from USB, intermittent connection issues, 'USB Error' messages, or the device not being recognized by the machine. This is typically a failure of the unit itself or its connection, not wear.

Fix

1. Turn off the machine power.
2. Disconnect the existing Tajima 9ZJ4040A0000 USB Linker External Reader from the machine's port.
3. Inspect the connection cables and ports for any visible damage.
4. Connect a new Tajima 9ZJ4040A0000 USB Linker External Reader to the machine.
5. Power on the machine and attempt to load a design from a known good USB drive.
6. If the issue persists, check the machine's internal USB port or main board for issues (may require a technician).

Ensure the USB drive itself is formatted correctly and not corrupted before suspecting the linker. Try multiple USB drives.

Parts involved: Floppy, USB & memory →