Barudan BENT-ZQ-201U Embroidery Machine

Overview

The Barudan BENT-ZQ-201U "Elite" is a 15 needle single head professional embroidery machine - this means you can have 15 colors in a design without stopping to change thread colors - but only do one piece of art at a time. (Barudan also makes multiple head machines that can embroider multiple pieces of art at the same time)

• When we called shopBarudan, they pronounce the name BEAR - EWW - DAN
• BENT designates the electronics - series and model of the machine - The BENT has a built-in driver box and a monochrome graphic LCD "automat"
• ZQ is the head style designator ZQ is a 15 needle inline geometry with individual takeup
• 201 indicates this model has a ositive Drive presser foot lift mechanism"
• U is an option code for the "Under-thread Sensor Mechanism"
• This model is also sometimes called "Tanto"
• These machines were manufactured between 1997 and 2003
• Reference - Barudan Model Decoder (PDF)
• Our photo album for the Barudan Elite on Flickr

An example of the BENT-ZQ-201U

Current State

• Machine has been donated, we are working through issues to get the machine operational.
• Broken - Barudan LA250051 Head Cover HQ (LA200051) - $45.88
• Broken - Barudan P732014 Cover (E-stop) - Pic - (P732014) - $36.90
• Plastics are yellowed - Retr0bright might be a good project to restore the color
• Tension Post Sensor Wheels (HT240290) are cracking / broken. Ian ordered a new set from China to arrive late Jan. AliExpress - Tension Post Sensor Wheel HT240290 for Barudan embroidery

Completed Items

• Graphic LCD (Hitachi LMG6911RPBC-00T (specs) was not working due to a bad -24 inverter power supply. Neil made a small PS board and mounted it inside the electronic chassis. Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3
• Needle Change Errors - The machine needed a full degreasing, cleaning and lubrication. We'd purchased stepper motor drivers in the event they needed to be replaced, they will now be stored as parts. MTD2001 - Replacement ordered (qty 2). Datasheet
• Lithium battery - Internal memory is good, the machine had stored stitch files
• Training CD (NB10035) - Obtained; to be loaded on device to stay near machine
• Operators Manual (B8300) ordered from shopBarudan on 1/08/2017 - Obtained; will be located with machine

Parts

• Cap Frames - Cap Frames at shopBarudan - Barudan Cap Frame parts manual
  • Advantage Cap Frame Drive Unit ("original") EFP008126 - Pic 1 - Pic 2 - shopBarudan
  • Advantage Cap Frame Only - Pic 1 - Pic 2 - shopBarudan
• Hoops - There are a number of hoops with the machine, need to inventory and check condition of frames. Pic Blue Hoops at shopBarudan
• Barudan Parts Store Online - Looks like great parts availablity
• AliExpress - Barudan parts

Consumables

• There is a box of L-sized pre-wound white thread bobbins with the machine (they are marked L-120) Pic
• There is a box of various embroidery thread cones with the machine Pic
• There is a box of various embroidery backing with the machine Pic

To Research

• Floppy Drive emulator - PLR Electronics - $325 Amazon - $55.00
• "Black Box" USB reader & file transmission (serial) to Barudan Embroidery Machines - Demo Video - $585 (yikes!) - Time for Octoprint for Embroidery...this is a perfect maker project...
• Barudan Serial Adapter - $48.25
• Bobbin Tension Gauge - $55 (need to verify correct part)

Floppy Drive Replacement

• Gotek brand drive - Bill provided one to test, if it works we will return / replace it - Amazon link
• Flashfloppy - better software for the gotek drives, and will let us set for 720k if needed

Software Support

• Barudan TES - Full embroidery design software from Barudan. There is a free viewer version that will convert .dst to .fmc if needed. There is a TES CD (version?) with the machine, we have not tested it. TES Supports serial transfer to the embroidery machine. (Could be good for reverse engineering the protocol)
• Embird support for Barudan serial transfer - Embird cable wiring (Embird has been emailed to inquire about non-profit pricing)
• Wilcom - Serial Connection - Note that the "Tanto" designation is used here instead of BENT or Elite
• File Formats list - Looks like Barudan added .DST file support at some point, need to confirm BENT can take .DST vs. the Barudan specific .FMC
• Embrilliance (used by Tiffany & Mike Smith) for mac can output .DST files, but not .FMC files (quick scan of website). Embrilliance does not seem to have serial port support.

Resources

• Barudan Model Decoder (PDF)
• Barudan BENT-ZQ Parts List found here - Note there are machines assembled in US and Japan with two different manuals
• Barudan Technical Sewing Head Maintenance Manual - found here
• Needle Depth Adjustment, ZQ/ZN sewing heads - found here
• Hook Timing, ZQ/ZN sewing heads - found here
• BENT System Floppy Disk Images - Current Release V2.50 R01 (posted 11//2007)
• Advantage Cap Frame - Need to verify model of cap frame\
• Technicians - Several listed in Orlando
• Barudan Board Repair

Internal Parts

• NEC 16-bit microprocessor D70236AGD-16 Datasheet Pic
• NEC RS-232 Line Driver Datasheet Pic
• Mitsubishi Inverter - FR-U120S-NO.1K-28 Manual - Pic of label

Serial Communication Specs

These specs come from the Wilcom Serial Support page

• Protocol=Standard Serial
• Baud=9600, or 38400
• Data bits=8
• Stop bits=1
• Parity=None
• Handshaking=Embroidery Machine