Tajima TFMX Series: Essential Maintenance Schedule & Wear Parts Guide

1. Timing Belts (e.g., MBL S5M1270, S5M1680, S5M1145, W35-S5M) high likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches, inconsistent stitch quality, machine making knocking or grinding noises, jerky movements of the head or frame, visible cracks, fraying, or missing teeth on the belt. Machine may also stop or display errors related to motor synchronization.

Fix

1. Power off and unplug the machine.
2. Locate all timing belts (main shaft, X/Y axis, color change).
3. Visually inspect each belt for signs of wear, cracks, fraying, or missing teeth.
4. Check belt tension; it should be firm but not overly tight. Refer to your machine manual for specific tensioning procedures.
5. If a belt is worn or damaged, carefully remove it, noting its path and orientation.
6. Install a new, correct timing belt (e.g., Genuine Japanese MBL S5M1270 Timing Belt 20mm for Tajima TFMX, MITSUBOSHI MBL S5M1680 Timing Belt for Tajima TFMX, Tajima MBL S5M1145 Timing Belt 15mm for TFMX-II, Tajima W35-S5M Synchronous Belt for TFMX).
7. Adjust tension according to the manual.
8. Manually rotate the main shaft to ensure smooth movement and proper alignment before powering on.

Various timing belts are used throughout the machine for different functions (main drive, X/Y axis, color change). Always ensure you have the correct length and width for the specific belt being replaced.

Parts involved: Belts, pulleys & gears →

2. Presser Foot Bushing Guide Collar (Tajima EF0613220000) high likelihood

How to tell

Loose or wobbly presser foot, inconsistent fabric hold-down, thread looping or birdnesting, needle deflection, or excessive noise from the needle bar area during operation. Stitch quality may degrade, especially on delicate fabrics.

Fix

1. Power off and unplug the machine.
2. Gently move the presser foot up and down and side to side to check for excessive play.
3. If play is detected, locate the presser foot bushing guide collar.
4. Loosen any retaining screws or clips holding the old bushing in place.
5. Carefully remove the worn Tajima EF0613220000 EF0613210000 090460040020 090460040031 Presser Foot Bushing Guide Collar.
6. Clean the area thoroughly.
7. Install the new bushing, ensuring it seats correctly.
8. Tighten retaining screws, ensuring the presser foot moves smoothly without excessive play or binding.

Parts involved: Presser feet & sewing parts → Shafts, bearings & bushings →

3. Needle Bar Reciprocator Assembly (e.g., Tajima EF053202S000) medium likelihood

How to tell

Excessive noise or vibration from the needle bar, needle deflection, frequent needle breaks, inconsistent stitch formation, or the needle bar not moving smoothly up and down. May also cause thread fraying or shredding.

Fix

1. Power off and unplug the machine.
2. Observe the needle bar movement for any binding or uneven motion.
3. Inspect the needle bar reciprocator assembly for visible wear, looseness, or damage.
4. If significant wear or damage is found, the assembly may need replacement.
5. Consult your machine's service manual for the exact procedure to remove and replace the Tajima Needle Bar Reciprocator Assembly (e.g., Tajima EF053202S000 Needle Bar Reciprocator Assembly, Tajima Needle Bar Drive Reciprocator Assembly). This often involves disassembling parts of the head.
6. Ensure all connections are secure and the needle bar moves freely after replacement.

Parts involved: Needles & needle bars → Head & mechanical parts →

4. TC Sensor Card & Thread Contact Set (Tajima 0J2602300A22) medium likelihood

How to tell

Frequent false thread breaks, machine stopping unexpectedly with a thread break error when the thread is intact, or failure to detect actual thread breaks. Inconsistent thread tension or looping can also be symptoms if the sensor is misreading.

Fix

1. Power off and unplug the machine.
2. Inspect the thread path around the TC sensor for lint, debris, or thread wraps.
3. Gently clean the sensor contacts with a soft brush or compressed air.
4. Check the thread contact set for any bending, corrosion, or damage.
5. If cleaning doesn't resolve the issue, the sensor card or contact set may be faulty.
6. Carefully disconnect the old Tajima TC Sensor Card & Thread Contact Set 0J2602300A22 0J2602300A23 FG7204010000 0J2602100010.
7. Install the new sensor card and contact set, ensuring all connections are secure and correctly oriented.

Parts involved: Sensors & switches → Circuit boards & electronics →

5. Jump Solenoid (Tajima JP1-A-36) medium likelihood

How to tell

Skipped trims, thread tails left on the fabric, machine not trimming at the correct times, or the trimmer mechanism not engaging or disengaging properly. A clicking sound may be heard but the mechanism doesn't move, or no sound at all.

Fix

1. Power off and unplug the machine.
2. Observe the trimmer mechanism during a test sew to see if the solenoid is actuating.
3. Check for any obstructions around the solenoid or trimmer blades.
4. Test the solenoid's continuity with a multimeter if you have the expertise (refer to manual for expected values).
5. If the solenoid is faulty, carefully disconnect its wiring and mounting screws.
6. Replace with a new Tajima JP1-A-36 Jump Solenoid for TFMX.
7. Ensure wiring is reconnected correctly and the solenoid is securely mounted.

Parts involved: Solenoids & magnets →

6. Timing Belt Pulleys (e.g., Tajima W20-16, W35-60) low likelihood

How to tell

Excessive belt wear, belts slipping, unusual noises (squealing, grinding), or inconsistent machine movement. The pulley teeth may appear worn down, chipped, or have excessive play on the shaft.

Fix

1. Power off and unplug the machine.
2. Inspect all accessible timing belt pulleys for wear on the teeth, cracks, or looseness on their shafts.
3. If a pulley is worn or damaged, carefully remove the associated belt.
4. Loosen any set screws or retaining nuts holding the pulley.
5. Remove the worn Tajima W20-16 Timing Belt Pulley CX0170000000 501440030000 S5M 20mm or Tajima W35-60 501474090000 Timing Pulley.
6. Install the new pulley, ensuring it is correctly aligned with the belt path.
7. Tighten set screws securely and reinstall the timing belt, adjusting tension as needed.

Parts involved: Belts, pulleys & gears →

7. USB Floppy Emulator (e.g., Gotek SFRM72-FU) low likelihood

How to tell

Machine unable to read designs from USB, 'disk read error' messages, slow design loading, or intermittent failure to recognize the USB drive. The emulator's display may show errors or remain blank.

Fix

1. Power off and unplug the machine.
2. Ensure the USB drive is properly formatted and contains compatible design files.
3. Try a different, known-good USB drive.
4. If the issue persists, the emulator itself may be faulty.
5. Carefully remove the existing floppy drive emulator (e.g., Gotek SFRM72-FU USB Floppy Emulator, SFR1M44-FU, SFR1M44-DU26, EILASUNG FDD-UDD U144K).
6. Install the new USB floppy emulator, ensuring all ribbon cables and power connections are secure.
7. Test with a known-good USB drive.

Parts involved: Floppy, USB & memory →

8. XY Axis Driver Card Board (Tajima EC6102050000) low likelihood

How to tell

Machine frame not moving in X or Y direction, jerky or erratic frame movement, frame moving in only one direction, or specific error codes related to X/Y axis motors or drivers. Machine may stop mid-design.

Fix

1. Power off and unplug the machine.
2. Check all cable connections to the X and Y axis motors and the driver card for looseness or damage.
3. Inspect the Tajima EC6102050000 XY Axis Driver Card Board MP167-1 for any visible signs of damage (e.g., burnt components, bulging capacitors).
4. If other troubleshooting steps fail and symptoms point to a driver issue, replacement may be necessary.
5. Carefully disconnect all cables from the old driver card, noting their positions.
6. Remove the old card and install the new one, ensuring all connections are correctly re-established.
7. This is an advanced repair; if unsure, consult a qualified technician.

Parts involved: Circuit boards & electronics → Motors & drivers →