Tattoo Machine Frames
Tattoo machine frames are devices that are used to imprint a tattoo on the body. Tattoos are permanent markings of the skin with an indelible ink. Current tattoo machines use electromagnetic coils to move a frame bar up and down. Connected to the frame is a barred needle that pushes the ink into the skin.
How tattoo machine frames work
The current tattoo machines are operated using a foot pedal; use a sterilized needle and an electric motor. The needle is dipped into indelible ink to penetrate the skin 80 to 150 times a minute. The needle is injected into the skin’s upper layer, deep down into the dermis, it doesn’t require anesthetic. The skin must be thoroughly cleaned before this application. To hold the tattoo machine, the tattoist use tattoo machine frames.
Types of tattoo machine frames
Rotary tattoo machine frames:
These were the original tattoo machine frames, founded on rotary technology. It was invented by Samuel O’Reilly and has been used by the tattoo artists through the years. These machines use an electric motor to drive the needles. There have been improvements on this machine pneumatic instead of the electric motor that was being used.
Coil tattoo machine frames:
It uses an electromagnetic circuit to move the needle. There are different types, from single coiled to triple coiled tattoo machines frames. They can be made from different types of materials, sizes and shapes. The dual coiled machines are the best, they have coils which range from 8 to 10 wrap, and they regulate the machines power and speed, causing less trauma to the skin.
Liner tattoo machine frames
Its purpose is to lay the ink on the skin in order to create a dominant line. Usually uses a short contact circuit which causes the machine to cycle faster.
Pneumatic tattoo machine frames:
These tattoo machine frames were invented by a tattoo artist Carson Hill in 2000. It is a machine that’s powered by an air compressor and they are very light weight. They use pressurized air to power the tattoo machine in order to drive the needles up and down. They are completely autoclavable so unlike the other coil machines they don’t need to be disabled in order to be placed in the autoclave and be sterilized fully.
The benefits of using rotary tattoo machine frames
Weight:
Compared to the dual coils machines, the rotary tattoo machine frames are very light due to absence of the electromagnetic copper-wound coils that weigh it down at the back. Thereby, the tattoo artist can work longer at a single sitting also there will be less finger and hand cramping hence there will be fewer mistakes.
Noise:
These types of tattoo machine frames usually makes less amount of noise unlike the coil type tattoo machine that has a lot of noise , this can turn off customers for fear that the tattoo is painful.
Versatility:
Depending on the type of needle bar you use, the rotary tattoo machine frames can be either a liner or a shader. This means that no matter how complex the design is the tattoo artist can complete the whole tattoo using only one machine.
Problems caused by tattoo machine frames
Frame rust:
The only tattoo machine frame that can be put into an autoclave for sterilization is the Neuma; the other traditional tattoo machine frame need to be wiped down after each procedure. If they are improperly removed they cause the frame to start rusting. This may lead to some rust falling into the client’s skin during a tattoo procedure; hence, it can cause pathogens such as hepatitis C, from the blood of one client transmitted to another client.
Springs:
They are attached to the coils and sit above the armature bar. There are usually two springs on a tattoo machine. Holes can be formed in the front and the back springs when running your tattoo machines hence the contact screws rub the springs thereby, causing friction. By cleaning in between the contact screws and springs after each procedure usually prevents build up that can hinder the machine from running.
Armature bar:
It is one of the most important components in tattoo machine frames that is responsible for conducting power to the machine. If the armature bar is immobile, the contact screws are too tight thereby forcing the armature bar down to the coils, by freeing the armature bar from the coils, there will be reduction of sticking and immobility of the armature bar.
Clip cord:
When the clip cord that is attached to the tattoo machine is faulty or torn, power will not get to the machine. It usually bridges the gap between the power supplies to the tattoo machine frame. The only way to identify a faulty clip cord is by checking the cord while attached to another tattoo machine that works with other clip cords and power supplies.
Before getting a tattoo, one should be aware of the safety requirements for tattoo guns and needles. A tattoo artist should use only new sterilized needles. The package with the needles should be opened and put into the gun in front of the client. All tattoo machine frames should be sterilized in an autoclave to avoid infection and spread of diseases.