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What sets Neuma Apart from the Competition

Problems with Modern
Tattoo Machines

  • -A rotary machine with a standard cam/drive mechanism will cause a needle to dwell/hesitate inside the skin during each stroke cycle. This causes a “catching/snagging” sensation for the artist and also causes additional damage to skin tissue during tattooing.
  • A typical cam/drive mechanism of a rotary tattoo machine cannot vary the dwell time of a needle in its extended position, or “down-stroke,” which means that it will always have a hesitation in the bottom of its down stroke or when extended the most. Similarly, a coil is limited in exactly the opposite manner, meaning that it cannot alter the speed of the needle retraction or “up-stroke.”
  • There are currently three different types of effects being achieved by using varying methods and/or mechanisms that are all being called “give,” which are not creating the same function. There is “mechanical give” (the implementation of flexible drive bars or rubber cushions between drive linkages), “digital give” (a switchable version of a motor slowing down when it encounters resistance from the skin), and actual “give” (this is the type experienced with a coil machine wherein the entire profile of the stroke is literally shortened when skin resistance is encountered).
  • “Mechanical give” alters the geometry of the “stroke-profile” (the waveform of each stroke cycle of a needle stroke) in a way that causes the needle to hesitate substantially longer in the extended portion of the stroke, increasing snagging and causing additional skin tissue damage. From the artist’s side of the experience, less skin resistance is apparent, but from the skin side, there is actually more.
  • “Digital give” is not technically give since the geometry of the stroke cycle is not being changed at all. Rather the speed is being altered (this, ironically, is the default reaction of a traditional rotary tattoo machine, meaning the added function on a machine with digital give is actually a machine that will add current when it detects a motor that has slowed due to skin resistance. This feature can also be varied).
  • Actual give will indeed shorten the geometry of a given stroke profile/waveform. However, the waveform geometry itself cannot be altered to the degree that the needle “dwell” is extended, for example. This creates a limitation for coil tattoo machines.
  • Standard rotary machines restrict the movement of the artist’s hand by not allowing the needle to retract fast enough for the artist to move their hand across the skin quickly without a feeling of snagging and without causing unnecessary tissue damage. They are also unable to vary the stroke profile of their drive mechanisms.
  • Normal pen-style tattoo machines are built around cartridge technology and their dimensions are continuously increasing to accommodate angle-drive configurations that are contained within a cylindrical-shaped machine.
  • Normal pen-style machines have a design layout that puts the motor weight outside of the hand (at the top of the machine), making the ergonomics awkward due to the imbalanced design.
  • Machines with variable stroke lengths often require disassembly of the machine in order to vary the stroke, which cannot be done quickly during a tattoo.
  • The grip of pen-style rotary machines does not cover the entirety of the machine, and thereby they are susceptible to contamination.
  • Grip sizes, materials, and shapes of typical rotary tattoo machines are extremely limited. Ergonomically and functionally, it is what it is, and the artist must adapt to it.

Neuma FOUR Solutions

  • Neuma 4 is a tattoo machine that utilizes a variety of cams with different stroke cycles, utilizing the correct dwell-time in the correct position of a given stroke cycle for the desired result. For example, when lining, the 20% cam inserts and retracts the needle very quickly, and then the needle hesitates in its retracted position, eliminating snagging and allowing an artist to quickly tattoo lines of any size, effectively and efficiently.
  • By inverting the configuration of the cam and follower relationship, we have been able not only to alter stroke profiles and lengths, but also do so quickly and without the use of any tools, which makes altering a machine from a liner to a shader, color packer, or blender extremely easy to do.
  • We have discovered that the implementation of ‘give’ mechanisms in rotary tattoo machines do not achieve their intended result (less skin trauma and better healing). This is because the give is only being applied to the artists’ side of the experience and not the skin being tattooed. In other words, it feels smoother from the artist’s perspective, but the “dwell” time of the needle is actually increased, causing additional tissue damage. By removing all forms of “give” from our drive mechanisms, we eliminate unknown variables and can control the “dwell” time with the cam that we select.
  • When designing Neuma 4, we placed extra emphasis on maximizing power output within a small and balanced platform. Our machines are fast and powerful. The frame is small, which allows the grip size to vary from one of the smallest to oversized. The weight is configured as close to the needle as possible to create a balance that assists in the tattooing process, while reducing strain on the artists’ hand. In short, our machines conform to your personal preferences and tattooing styles.
  • We have designed the Neuma FOUR so that the grips cover the full length of the machine, which prevents cross-contamination of the machine itself. The grips we offer are anodized aluminum and stainless steel, which can be autoclaved or cold-sterilized for a totally clean practice.
  • Our machines are the most configurable machines on the planet. If you want a softer hit/needle strike force, you can swap the brass bearing arm with an aluminum one and enjoy a very soft hit. You can select the grip size you want (there are multiple options), you can opt for a lightweight, heavyweight, or midweight grip (all of which are interchangeable with the motor assemblies). You want a liner? We got you covered. A shader, packer, or blender? There are set ups for each of those too. In fact, each machine will come standard with all stroke profile variations, so you can decide for yourself which ones you’ll use for what projects.
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