neuma FOUR

Neuma FOUR is a response to a need that Carson Hill, the Neuma creator, noticed in tattoo machines. Several years ago, the Neuma Team did an in-depth analysis of many popular coil and rotary tattoo machines. They discovered some fundamental differences between these machines, related to the action and behavior of needles. This illustrated a list of problems with traditional rotary machines. The Neuma FOUR is the solution.

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Low Center Of Gravity

Variable Frequency Waveform

Variable Stroke Length

Comfortable Ergonomics

Powerful Motor

Compact Diameter & Length

Variable
Weight

Disposable & Autoclavable Grip

Options with Multiple Grip Sizes Avail.

Protected RCA Jack

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Specifications:

Diameter: 27mm/33mm/33mm Shift (dual-position)/38mm

Length: 88mm

Weights: 115-370 Grams

Output: 8.5W

Operating Range: 4.5-9V

Drive: Direct

Strokes Available: 2.75mm, 3.6mm, 4.2mm

Stroke Profiles: 20% (liner), 28% (shader), 33% (blends/layering), 40% (packer)

Bearing Arms Available: Brass (standard, harder hit), Aluminum (softer hit)

Metal Grips Available: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Nickel-Plated

Interchangeable cams, no tools necessary

PROBLEMS WITH ROTARYS

-A rotary machine with a standard stroke profile will cause a needle to dwell inside the skin during a stroke cycle

-A typical cam and follower relationship limits the amount of variations that can be made to the stroke profiles

-Implementing a cushion into a rotary machine extends the amount of time a needle dwells inside the skin

-Standard rotary machines restrict movement of the artists hand by not allowing the needle to retract quick enough for the artist to move their hand quickly across the skin without causing unnecessary tissue damage

-Normal pen-style tattoo machines are built around cartridge technology and their dimensions are increasing to accommodate angled configurations

-Normal pen-style machines have a layout which puts the motor weight outside of the hand, making the ergonomics awkward due to the imbalanced design

-Machines with variable stroke lengths require disassembly of the machine in order to vary the stroke, which cannot be done quickly during a tattoo

-The stroke profiles of normal rotary machines cannot be altered

-The grip of pen-style rotary machines does not cover the entirety of the machine, and thereby they are susceptible to contamination.

NEUMA 4 SOLUTIONS

-Manipulate the shape of the cam such that a desirable stroke profile is achieved, reducing the needles dwell-time in the skin

-Reverse the order of the cam and follower relationship in order to maximize the potential for different stroke profile variations

-Simplify the ability to change cams quickly for varied stroke profiles, dramatically changing the behavior of the needle for different effects

-Traditional cam can be used as well as any other variation of stroke profile

-Remove the cushion from the cam mechanism to allow for a clean needle hit

-Redesign the motor and mechanism in order to get max power output with a smaller overall design

-Reduce the length and diameter of the machine for improved weight and balance, thereby reducing fatigue and strain on the artists hand

-Design the Neuma FOUR such that the sterilizable grip covers the entirety of the machine to prevent cross-contamination

-Create multiple grip sizes and weights to accommodate any artists preference

DESCRIPTION

When rotary machines became popular, many people had decided that lack of “cushion” or “give” is the main differentiating factor between coil machines and rotary machines. Coil machines have an inherent “give” and rotary machines do not. This creates a number of issues with rotary machines, related to the way a needle is interacting with the skin.

To begin, needles push back against the resistance of the skin, whereas a coil would normally back off. This action can cause additional trauma/damage to skin tissue, when using a rotary. In addition, when the needle is inserted into the skin, there is a significant amount of dwell time the needle experiences. Roughly 40% of the duration of a stroke cycle the needle is inside the skin, versus roughly 10-15% of a cycle that is spent in the skin for a coil machine. The resulting effect of this is a snagging (“catching”) effect that results in more tissue damage.

When a “cushion” is integrated to a rotary machine, the needle is no longer forced to complete all of its downward stroke. However, this is actually creating a flat spot in the worst possible position of that stroke cycle, the position in which the needle is contacting the skin. What this does is lengthen the amount of time that the needle is dwelling inside the skin to about 50% of a stroke cycle, thereby causing even more tissue damage.

This began an exploration by Neuma developers of possible ways to manipulate the shape of a cam in order to reduce the amount of time a needle would dwell in the skin. The Neuma FOUR’s original (20%) cam gets a needle in and out of the skin very quickly, greatly reducing tissue trauma. Additional cams have also been developed to create different results. The 28% has a slightly slower insertion speed with the same fast recoil of the original cam, and the 33% has an even slower insertion speed with that same recoil. These two cams are great for use with softer shading or multi-pass layering, as compared with the 20% which has been touted as an amazing liner. The 40% cam is great for packing, when single-pass solid packing is desired.

Additional priorities placed on the Neuma FOUR are:

-Ability to sterilize or dispose of external housing with ease

-Ease of variability of stroke profiles and lengths

-Reduced size with highest power available in a pen

-Emphasis being placed on function over form

-Minimal maintenance, maximum lifetime

-Durability, performance, and simplicity

-Endless possibility for different configurations

n 2

Neuma was created in 2000 with the birth of its first prototype. It went through a series of other prototypes before it was ready to be sold to the tattooing public. The Neuma 2 was a monumental hit in the tattoo industry, including some of the industry’s best and most well known artists. The N2 is the first available pneumatic tattoo machine in history, and is also the first and only tattoo machine in the world that can be autoclaved, other than the Neuma Hybrid. To date, many thousands of tattooists have used and loved the results of the Neuma 2 tattoo machine. The N2 played a very big part in the popularity and development of rotary tattoo machines.

neuma HYBRID

The Neuma Hybrid was the second machine in our product history. Neuma worked for two years to create a new and improved pneumatic tattoo machine. It was much more tattoo machine than the N2. The Hybrid is a two-year answer to seven years of questions, comments, and suggestions. It has a longer stroke, an integrated cushioning system, and higher rpm’s at a more consistent rate ,with more torque and the ability for an even softer hit. Also, to make things easier for those who don’t want a compressor or who don’t want to travel with one, the Hybrid can be made into an electric machine by combining it with the Neuma Electric Module, so an artist can leave the compressor out of the equation.

neuma ELECTRIC MODULE

Just a few steps behind the Hybrid came the Hybrid Electric Module for electric use of the otherwise pneumatic Neuma Hybrid. Neuma is the very first to offer, maybe even the very first to suggest the idea of a multiple type power source for use in a single machine for tattooing. And not only is the idea sound, but the engineering behind it is absolutely phenomenal. The motors are German made, and they are some of the worlds best electric motors. The Hybrid coupled with its electric module are actually cheaper than buying the original N2 machine with a compressor.

Tools to Create

Ideal for any Tattooing Style
Finest Quality German Motors
Refined and Balanced Design
Configurable with Many Options
Compact and Lightweight
Sterilizable and Disposable options
Antimicrobial-impregnated plastics

Get Your Hands On Neuma Technology

Neuma 4 comes in 3 finishes and 12 color choices

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