List of Knitted Fabric Manufacturing Machines | Layout Plan of a Knitting Lab

List of Knitting Machines in Lab with Specifications, Features and Applications

Md. Zahidul Islam,
Department of Textile Engineering,
BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT)
Email: zahid201428@gmail.com

Introduction:
Knitted fabric is a textile that results from knitting, the process of inter-looping of yarns or inter-meshing of loops. Its properties are distinct from woven fabric in that it is more flexible and can be more readily constructed into smaller pieces, making it ideal for socks and hats. Knitting is a method by which yarn is manipulated to create a textile or fabric; it’s used in many types of garments. Knitting may be done by hand or by machine. Knitting creates stitches: loops of yarn in a row, either flat or in the round (tubular). There are usually many active stitches on the knitting needle at one time. Knitted fabric consists of a number of consecutive rows of connected loops that intermesh with the next and previous rows. As each row is formed, each newly created loop is pulled through one or more loops from the prior row and placed on the gaining needle so that the loops from the prior row can be pulled off the other needle without unraveling.

Objectives of This Study:

1. To know about different types of knitting machines.
2. To know about machine maintenance of knitted machine.
3. To know about which machine are used in knitting process for make a knitted fabric.
4. To know about the layout plan of a knitting production.
5. To know about specifications of knitting machines and their applications.

Layout Plan of a Knitting Lab:

Layout description:
The entrance to the lab is along the east side. Yarn packages are located in the creel holder. Use of air compressor to remove dust from the yarn. Then on the right side of the entrance is a single, double jersey circular knit machine. Where single jersey machine uses one set of needles and its needle bed is cylinder &dial type. On the left side there will be a lab in charge who will take care of the total lab. There is a store room next door where final products can be stored. And in one serial flat type knitting machine is installed.

List of the Knitted Fabric Manufacturing Machineries:

1. Weft Knitting Machine-
   • Circular Knitting Machine
     • Single Jersey Circular Knitting Machine
       • Plain Single Jersey
       • 2 Track 4 Track
       • Terry and Fleece
       • Jacquards
     • Double Jersey Circular Knitting Machine
       • Rib
       • Interlock
       • Pique
   • Straight Bar Knitting Machine
     • Single Needle Straight Bar Knitting Machine
     • Double Needle Straight Bar Knitting Machine
   • Flat Bar Knitting Machine
     • Flat Bed or V-Bed
     • Single-Bed
     • Unidirectional Bed
2. Warp Knitting Machine-
   • Raschel Knitting Machine
   • Tricot Knitting Machine.

Specifications and applications of knitting machines are describe below:

Single jersey circular knitting machine:

Specification:

• Model: HFSJ
• Gauge: 16-32G
• Diameter: 12-44”
• Feeders: 24-132F
• Motor: 1.1-7.5 KW

Features:
Adopting the 4 track cams seal design and equipped with knit cams, tuck cams and MissCams. High precision central raising and falling System can adjust the fabric weight conveniently and quickly. The special design of the feeding yarn carrier makes the option of Lycra more proficient. Featuring an ergonomic design, the additional middle feeding yarn transfer ring makes it easy for personnel to monitor and carry yarn, without the machine touching the operator’s body; at the same time, the yarn carrying system is freer and steadier, satisfying the demand of machine operating and knitting at high speeds.

You may also like: Recent Development of Circular Knitting Machine

Products / Applications:
Vest, T-Shirt, Polo shirts, functional sportswear and underwear or seamless clothes.

Double jersey circular knitting machine (Rib):

Specification:

• Model: DJR
• Cylinder diameter: 30”-38”
• Machine gauge: 10-22g
• No. Of feeders: 52-72 f/inch
• Speed: 15-30rpm

Features:
Widely used in high-volume production of soft and comfortable underwear fabric. Sintelli’s main gear systems are all embedded in an oil bath to lubricate and prolong the lifespan of the gear system. All gears are fluted simultaneously to minimize backlash between dial and cylinder needles. Users can handle different fabric changes by choosing Sintelli’s double series.

Products:
Widely used in high-volume production of soft and comfortable underwear fabric. Most popular model, capable of knitting various kinds of double jersey fabric. Each model can be fitted with an optional lycra feeder.

Double jersey circular knitting machine (Interlock):

Specification:

• Model: DJI
• Cylinder Diameter: 16”-40”
• Machine Gauges: 10-36g
• No. Of feeders: 32f-96/Inch
• Speed: 15-30RPM

Features:
The cams on the lower and upper dials of this machine feature a closed-track design with cams of knit, tuck and miss. The yarn feeder can be adjusted independently allowing knitting of elastic double jersey fiber by installing an additional Lycra attachment. Also comes equipped with varying types of cylinder, easy and quick to transfer, enabling this machine to meet the never-ending demands of the knitting market.

Products:
Interlock knit fabric is used in all sorts of elastic garments, such as T-Shirts, tops and sportswear. It is relatively simple to use, but be careful not to stretch the fabric while sewing. Interlock knit fabric are usually used for the production of T-Shirts, Polo and dresses.

V-bed knitting machine:

Specification:

• Brand: PROTTI
• Feeder no: 4
• Gauge: 8
• Width: 48 inch
• Cam per bed:
• Knit Cam- 2 no’s
• Tuck Cam- 2 no’s
• Stitch Cam- 2 no’s

Features:
A flat or v-bed knitting machine consists of 2 flat needle beds arranged in an upside-down V formation. A carriage, also known as Cam box or Head, moves backwards and forwards across these needle beds, working the needles to selectively, knit or transfer stitches.

You may also like: V-bed Knitting Machine: Parts, Cam Arrangement and Knitting Action

Products:
V-bed flat machines are used mainly for the production of knitwear for children, women and men. Flat-bed knitting machines are traditionally used for the production of pullovers and other outerwear garments.

Modern flat bed knitting machine:

Specification:

• Machine Name: Automatic computerized flat modern Knitting machine
• Knitting Width: 44”-52”
• Gauge: 3G 5G 7G 8G 9G 12G 13G 14G
• Yarn feeder: 6 yarn feeders
• Knitting Speed: 1.2 meters/Second
• Driving Mode: AC motor
• Density Control: 64 Sections
• Needle Displacement: ¼-8 needles

Features:

• Pattern memory 64MB
• Built in controller, stored program for knitting machine
• Data input via USB Memory interface
• Monochrome LCD panel, editing possible via display panel operation. Available in Chinese and English.
• Power supply for resuming knitting after power failure.

Products:
These machines are using for automatic knitting of sweaters, sleeves, trousers and many more. This machine made beautiful knitting designs.

Circular auto stripe machine:

Specification:

• Applicable Industries: Textile & Knitting Industry
• Product Type: STRIPE Fabric.
• Place of Origin: Fujian, China
• Brand Name: REL-TEX
• Power: 5.5 KW
• Knitting Style: Weft
• Knitting Method: Single
• Computerized: Yes

Features:
Auto stripe is the fabric knitted on auto stripe machine. The machine specially manufactured for knitting bigger stripe repeat. It has an extra device named “Finger” that can feed extra thread for knitting. It has no limitation of stripe width/height. It is used to produce variation of design by using finger box. Usually 4 color and 6 color finger box are used. Auto stripe is large stripe. Repeat over 1-3/4”. Only Special machine can do this stripe.

Products:
Auto Stripe is stripe pattern more than 1.9 inch or 5 cm but repeatedly comes in the garment.

Raschel warp knitting machine:

Features:

1. Raschel machines used latch needles together with a latch wire or blade.
2. Raschel machines have a gauge expressed in needles per two inches (5cm) so that for example, a 36 gauge Raschel will have 18 needles per inch.
3. Their chain links are usually numbered in even numbers 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 etc., generally with two links per course.
4. Raschel sinkers only perform the function of holding down the loops whilst the needles rise.
5. Raschel sinkers are not joined together by a lead across their ends nearest to the needle bar so they can move away towards the back of the machine for the rest of the knitting cycle.
6. The needle trick-plate verge acts as a fabric support ledge and knock-over surface.
7. The fabric is drawn downwards from the needles almost parallel to the needle bar at an angle of 120 to 160 degrees by a series of take-down rollers.
8. The warp beams are arranged above the needle bar centered over the rocker shaft so that warp sheets pass down to the guide bars on either side of it.
9. The beams are placed above the machine so it is accessible at the front for fabric inspection and at the back for mechanical attention to the knitting elements.

You may also like: Features and Uses of the Raschel Warp Knitting Machine

Products:
Made for heavier yarns, Raschel knit are used for manufacturing versatile and flexible fabrics. These are more textured and can be used for a wide range of technical textile application. Such as-automotive textiles, home textiles, lingerie, mosquito nets, lightweight coating substrates, sportswear/swimwear, lining fabrics, outerwear, etc.

Conclusion:
From this experiment we can know about the lab layout of knitting machineries and its modern features, and function of all the parts and how we can maintenance of this machine. This would be very helpful in our future career.

References:

1. Knitting Technology by David J Spencer
2. Fundamentals and Advances in Knitting Technology by Sadhan C. Ray
3. Understanding Textiles for a Merchandiser by Shah Alimujjaman Belal
4. Fabric Lab incharge, BUFT, Dhaka, 2021.
5. http://en.jyjx.com
6. Textilecoach,20 January 2021.[Online].Available: https://textilecoach.net/post/types-of-creels-creels-in-warping-.html.
7. Kumar , `Slideshare,1`Manager ar NITRA,25 sep 2015.[Online].Available: https://slideshare.com/2014/02/warping-types.html.

You may also like:

1. List of Machinery with Details Specification of Knitting Lab
2. Tricot Warp Knitting Machine: Parts & Working Principle
3. Single Truck Single Jersey Circular Knitting Machine: Parts, Gearing & Yarn Path Diagram
4. Rib Circular Knitting Machine: Parts, Specification & Knitting Action
5. Interlock Circular Knitting Machine: Parts, Knitting Action & Cam System
6. Comparison between Mechanical & Electrical Interlock Circular Knitting Machine
7. Compare between Single Jersey 4 Truck & Rib Circular Knitting Machine
8. Types of Weft Knitting Machines with Features
9. Difference between Raschel and Tricot Warp Knitting Machine
10. Features and Parts of Crochet Warp Knitting Machine

Mazharul Islam Kiron

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. He is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.

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