Melco's commercial embroidery machines read EXP, Melco's own expanded stitch format, and, like most commercial machines, the Tajima DST format too. The free digitizer writes both.
Upload a logo, check the preview and download an EXP file, or a DST if you share files with shops that run other brands. There's no signup and nothing is uploaded.
EXP, DST and OFM on Melco machines
EXP stores stitches, jumps, trims and color changes, but no thread colors. DST is the same idea in Tajima's encoding. Either works on a Melco; EXP is Melco's own, DST travels better between shops.
Melco's DesignShop software saves designs as OFM, which keeps the design's shapes and settings so it can be edited, and Melco's digitizing software has also used CND, a condensed format. This tool writes EXP and DST, not OFM or CND. If you want to edit a design in DesignShop, open the EXP or DST there.
Getting designs onto a Melco
Melco machines are typically run from Melco's machine software on a connected computer. You load the EXP or DST there, set the needles and send the design to the machine. Older Amaya and Bravo machines run AMAYA OS; check which software version your machine uses.
The newer Melco SUMMIT has its own touchscreen, and Melco's SUMMIT Manager software, sold as a monthly subscription per machine, manages production across several machines.
Melco models and sewing fields
| Model | Notes | Sewing field |
|---|---|---|
| EMT16X | 16 needles, up to 1,500 stitches per minute | About 410 × 400 mm (16.1 × 15.7 in) with the XL hoop |
| SUMMIT | Newer model with a touchscreen | About 16.1 × 15.5 in |
The EMT16X also has a 270° cap sewing field. The digitizer's largest preset is 8×12 in (200 × 300 mm); for jacket backs, type the width, up to about 40 cm, and ignore the design check's note that the design is larger than an 8×12 in field.
Tips for Melco production
- Assign needles from the color sheet. It lists colors in sewing order with stitch counts, total trims and an estimated sew time.
- Price jobs before you sew. The stitch count calculator estimates stitches and run time from size and coverage.
- Caps need extra care. Caps sew best from the center out, and the digitizer doesn't sequence for caps. Test on a spare cap first.
- Choose the fabric preset so density and underlay suit polos, performance wear or fleece.
- Run a test before a full order.
Convert other formats to EXP
Turn customer files from home machines into EXP in your browser:
- PES to EXP for Brother and Baby Lock files
- JEF to EXP for Janome files
- VP3 to EXP and XXX to EXP for Viking, Pfaff and Singer files
- DST to EXP, or PES to DST if you prefer DST
For a logo image, start with image to EXP or image to DST.