How to
How to change your gas assisted lift on an Innova
This is a very quick and easy process, just like most tasks on an Innova machine. Our technician, Noah, will show you how you can do this process with just a flat blade screwdriver and a 1/2 inch hex wrench. It's always best to order two assemblies ...
Digital vs analog
DIGITAL VS ANALOG What does it mean or what is the difference between digital and analog electronics? This might best be answered in relative terms as to how these two levels of technology have affected consumers. For instance, a good example of ...
Proprietary Robotics and Stitch Regulation
PROPRIETARY ROBOTICS AND STITCH REGULATION A longarm quilting machine, like an appliance, is a hard durable good. Even so you should anticipate your longarm (just like your other appliances) will need to be repaired on occasion. Further, as with any ...
Hopping foot height
HOPPING FOOT HEIGHT You will need to have three tools handy to help with this process: a 3 mm Allen wrench, a dime, and a nickel. Yes, we like to keep quilting easy, and adjusting your hopping foot height is one example of a very easy task. The ...
What is Lightning Stitch?
WHAT IS LIGHTNING STITCH? The Lightning Stitch™ is a revolutionary feature of the Innova Longarm. On the outside, Lighting Stitch is an easy-to-use color touchscreen interface that gives you total control and feedback about your machine. This ...
Auto Pilot E2E instructions
AutoPilot Mach 3 Edge to Edge Setup Instructions Turn on machine first, turn on white box, hold yellow button until white box has a green light, you may hear a soft click under the machine. THEN turn on the computer and enter the AutoPilot Mach 3 ...
Thread Break Bobbin Empty Recovery
FOR THREAD BREAK (OR BOBBIN CHANGE) IN THE MIDDLE OF QUILTING When your thread breaks or the bobbin runs out, click on the Stop button if you do not have the thread break sensor. If you do have the thread break sensor and it stops with the fault on ...
Benefits of the Dead Bar
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A DEAD BAR SYSTEM? Many features of the INNOVA Pro-Frame benefit the longarm quilter. The two-bar take up system is one of those features. The term “dead bar” refers to the lowest bar of the two-bar take-up system. Why is it ...
Needle types and tips
NEEDLE TYPES AND TIPS We are often asked about the needles that we prefer to use in the Innova machines, and we always answer that we prefer Groz Beckert Titanium Needles. There are many needles to chose from, so we thought we would show you a couple ...
Check Spring Replacement
REPLACING THE CHECK SPRING Tools you’ll need: 2 mm hex wrench and/or small flat head screwdriver. Remove each piece on the tensioner and set each item down in front of you keeping them in same order, this makes reassembly much easier. Start with the ...
Machine sensitivity, and how can I change it?
MACHINE SENSITIVITY The sensitivity on Innova machines can be adjusted from 1 to 10 in the setup settings of the machine. The higher number the sensitivity is set to the more “responsive” the machine will be to speed changes. Michael from ABM has ...
Timing and needle bar height
TIMING AND NEEDLE BAR HEIGHT It’s not often that you will need to check your timing. It can be caused by a minor “accident” if you hit something such as a pair of scissors, pin, or any other hard surface item the needle bar can be driven up into the ...
What is Backlash?
WHAT IS BACKLASH, AND HOW DO I CONTROL IT? Lay the bobbin case down flat like a bowl with a bobbin in it. Verify the bobbin does not stick up above the sides of the bobbin case more than the width of the top red section of the bobbin. The cause of ...
Cross-hatch ruler bar system
CROSS HATCH RULER BAR SYSTEM The Crosshatch Ruler System can be added to any Innova frame for quilters that perform ruler work. This unique system replaces the dead bar with a slotted guide rail. The crosshatch ruler attaches to this slotted guide ...
What are your training opportunities?
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES We have lots of training and learning opportunities. AQ – we Answer Questions before you buy and after! We have lots of classes to choose from, and you can find them on our calendar here: ...
Do Surge Protectors Wear Out?
DO SURGE PROTECTORS WEAR OUT? Yes, over time a surge protector can be exposed to quite a few different "episodes" or inconsistent electrical activity, and that can cause them to wear out. You will always want to be sure that you are using ...
What is a Sew Zone for Innova Computerized Longarm Machines?
WHAT IS A SEW ZONE? Why do I need one? How do I make one? What do I do if it does not work? Innova Longarm Robotics -- Navigator, AutoPilot (pre-Mach 3 generation) and Mach3 AutoPilot For Innova Longarm Robotics a Sew Zone is a “safe area” for the ...
Drive Tuning
NOISY MACHINE – DRIVE TUNING If you encounter a “squealing” or “screeching” sound, particularly after updating Auto Pilot or Navigator, a drive tune is necessary. ABM has assured us that one of the three parameters (either smooth, default or medium) ...
What Threads Can I use on an Innova Longarm Quilting Machine?
What kind of thread can I use on an Innova Longarm? This is a question we get often when people are considering an Innova longarm. People often have this question because they have heard from some longarmers that their machine only likes a ...
Micro-Flex Handles
MICRO-FLEX HANDLES Innova longarm quilting machines come with easily adjustable handles. You can simply move the handles to the position that is most comfortable to you. On Classic machines you can also add Micro-Flex Handles which give the quilter ...
What are EZ Locks? Can I add them to my machine?
EZ LOCKS EZ Locks allow the quilter to lock your roller bars with a simple twist of the wrist. This helps keep your quilt in place for more precise quilting. All new Innova quilting machines come standard with EZ locks. If you already have a machine ...
Channel Locks
CHANNEL LOCKS The channel locks on the Innova longarm quilting machines come in two different styles. The Electric and Insta-Grip channel locks are available for Classic and M Series machines. Both style channel locks allow you to lock your machine ...
Preventative maintenance
INNOVA MAINTENANCE Innovas require very little maintenance. The only routine maintenance required on an Innova is brushing the lint out of the bobbin hook area and oiling the bobbin hook at every bobbin change. That’s it! It’s just that simple to ...
Moving your Innova machine
MOVING YOUR INNOVA 1) Wrap leaders with plastic wrap to protect them. 2) Remove top leader bar by removing OUTSIDE collar on right side of roller end plate. Do not loosen or move inside gear collar as that will mess up centers. (2 mm hex ...
Tips for using the masking tool in Auto Pilot Mach 3
TIPS FOR USING THE MASKING TOOL IN AUTO PILOT MACH 3 The Mask Tool will let you select a pattern as a mask object and a pattern to be masked. The mask tool operates like a cookie-cutter. Mask will remove everything either inside of the mask, or ...
Adjusting tension
TIPS FOR ADJUSTING TENSION Most longarm machines are capable of producing balanced stitches that lock in the middle of the batting layer and that are equally attractive on the top and back of the quilt with commonly accepted brands of machine ...
How many yards of thread are there on my Red Innova Vortex bobbin?
HOW MANY YARDS OF THREAD ARE ON MY RED INNOVA VORTEX BOBBIN? The number of yards on a bobbin can be estimated/calculated by a thread manufacturer. This information is sometimes found on their website based on the standard sizes of bobbins L and M ...
Preparing a Business Plan for Quilt Finishing
PREPARING A BUSINESS PLAN FOR QUILT FINISHING Thank you for your interest in INNOVA Quilting Machines and Accomplish Quilting. If you are looking at buying your INNOVA Quilting Machine to start a business, or maybe you have an existing business, this ...