CAD/CAM in Knitting (I)
Advanced development in flat bed
knitting machine
Jimmy K.C. Lam
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Learning Objectives
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Development of modern Computer-controlled Flat
Knitting Machine
Advanced knitting CAM systems
Gauge conversion and gaugeless knitting
Whole Garment Knitting – multiple needle beds
knitting
Knitting needles and presser foot development
Digital stitch control system for quality control
Machine setup and take down device control
Development in computerized
V-bed machine (1)
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The modern V-bed machine has gone through a
number of developments to achieve flexible and
integrated knitting in short cycle.
The development can be grouped into the following:
Development in CAM (knit/tuck/miss) system so as to
increase knitted pattern flexibility
Development in Gauge system (to tailor for fashion
market)
Development of new knitting concept (says from panel
knitting, fully fashion knitting, integral and whole
garment knitting)
Development in computerized
V-bed machine (2)
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Special needles development (compound needle and
slide needle) to facilitate pattern flexibility and
production efficiency
Special transfer jack and stitch presser development to
knit complicated design and fabric
Development of new take down tension device for
sequential knitting
Digital control loop length device to control fabric
quality (so loop length will be the same for different
panel)
Can you name any modern CAM
development in this picture
Modern Knitting
CAM development
Knitting Width
Offer a wide range of machine width, from 48 inches to 100
Inches for different product
Knitran System
Knitting CAM systems with knit, tuck, miss and transfer.
Knitting systems with single, double, triple, four- and sixconfigurations
Ultra Lightweight carriage
It allows for lower moment of inertia, increases stability and
Higher production.
Modern Knitting
Gauge development
Gauge Range
To increase product flexibility, and offer knitwear for all
Seasons, gauge range from E3,4,5,6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18,
20
Gauge Conversion
Gauge conversion incrases the capacity ofa single knitting
Machine to support production in different gauge
It is achieved by exchanging the needle bed with associated item
Gaugeless knitting
Using the concept of slide needle, different “gauge” sizes are
Possible to knit in a single garment.
Modern Knitting
New knitting concept
Whole Garment Knitting
3-dimensional knitting allows front body, back body and
Sleeves to be knitted together in one piece.
4-bed configuration (2X knitting + 2X transfer)
The additional of two transfer beds placed directly over a
Conventional V-bed machine results in greater transfer and
Patterning capacilities.
4-bed configuration (4X knitting)
For whole garment design with 4-bed configuration with –
Four independent needle beds for knitting
Whole Garment Flat Knitting
Machine
4-Needle beds Whole Garment
Knitting
Top Needle bed
Front Needle bed
Modern Knitting
Needle Development
Compound Needles
Compared with conventional latch needles, the compound
design offers significant reductions in stroke, a thinner
open/ close profile and higher operational stability for
uniform production quality.
Slide Needle
Using a two piece slide mechanism instead of
conventional transfer slip, the slide needle offer
complex transfer capability in knitwear design.
Modern Knitting
Jack and Presser
Transfer Jack
This transfer jack is specifically designed with slide needle
to improve transfer technology.
Stitch Presser
The motor driven stitch pressers hold down the yarn
gently and permit easy knockover for flexible product
variety.
Warp Insertion
A hybrid warp/weft machine features a special plating
cam and lace bars for performing warp knitting in
combination with conventional flat knitting
Modern Knitting
Stitch quality, racking
Digital Stitch Control System
Digital control offers consistency in loop length for
integral knitting and whole garment production.
Yarn cutter unit
A single unit cutting system consists with two yarn
grippers and a cutter.
Double Racking
Double racking is performed by simultaneous movement
of the front and back beds in both direction effectively
increasing the racking range for more flexibility in
patterning without unwanted in total racking movement.
Modern Knitting
Take down mechanism
Setup device
The setup device employs a row of fully active setup
needles for even takedown. Complete separation of knitted
parts are made possible sequential knitting.
Take down roller
The fabric take down system features two sets of
independently adjustable rollers. The main rollers
provide smooth and even fabric takedown, while the su
rollers are located in close to the needle bed for optimal
control
Modern Knitting
Other devices
Dust Cleaner
A blower-operated dust cleaner continuously removes and
prevents daily buildup of yarn dust and lint.
Schedule knitting
Schedule knitting allows an entire set of fully fashioned
pieces to be knitted sequentially, for one garment at a
time, support quick response in multiple variety small lot
production
Pattern memory
Pattern memory capacity is available up to 192MB
(12,582,913 bits or 1,024 wales by 4,096 courses).
Exercises
What is Knitran system for modern knitting
 What is Whole Garment Knitting
 Name the function of digital stitch control
system
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