The main advantage of the CHALLENGER series is the use of servomotors instead of stepper motors to move the pantograph. The servomotors generate higher and constant torque, resulting in increased performance, efficiency and stitch quality.
The servomotor results in reduced noise when moving the pantograph and a much smoother motion.

Figure 1 shows a comparison between a LBFB 1212-400 (700) and a CHALLENGER CLBF 1212-400 (700). The CHALLENGER series offers a maximum speed of 1,100 rpm up to 3.5 mm stitches, while the LBFB 1212 reduces the speed at 1.9 mm stitches. With an average design with a reasonable number of longer stitches, the CHALLENGER series offers increased performance of approximately 10 %.

Further information can be found here: PDF Comparison 

All CHALLENGER machines are equipped with LED lighting. Comparing a CXCF 1512 with an XCFB 1512 results in energy savings of approximately 750 kWh (24/5 operation, 50 weeks per year) in the CHALLENGER machine.

From the beginning of 2019, the CHALLENGER series will offer a new and optional color change that reduces color change time by up to 75 %. The standard CHALLENGER series already offers an improved color change time of about two seconds per process compared to a standard ZSK flat machine. The CHALLENGER series is equipped with a faster catcher motor and the speed of the last stitches before a color change and the first stitches after a color change have been improved.

All CHALLENGER series machines with 1,000 mm or larger stitching are equipped with 600 mm table cuts to give the operator greater access to the embroidery head. Other table designs can be offered on request.

The construction of the support bars under the table tops has been changed. The new design allows more free space for the operator, free under the machine and faster when changing bobbins.

Challenger machines are equipped with MCP 35 electronic cards. This allows for regular T8-2 software upgrades with the latest features.