CAD/CAM in Knitting (I)CAD/CAM in Knitting (I)Advanced development in flat bed Advanced development in flat bed

knitting machineknitting machine

Jimmy K.C. LamJimmy K.C. Lam

The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Development of modern Computer-controlled Flat Development of modern Computer-controlled Flat Knitting MachineKnitting Machine

Advanced knitting CAM systemsAdvanced knitting CAM systems Gauge conversion and gaugeless knittingGauge conversion and gaugeless knitting Whole Garment Knitting – multiple needle beds Whole Garment Knitting – multiple needle beds

knittingknitting Knitting needles and presser foot developmentKnitting needles and presser foot development Digital stitch control system for quality controlDigital stitch control system for quality control Machine setup and take down device controlMachine setup and take down device control

Development in computerizedDevelopment in computerizedV-bed machine (1)V-bed machine (1)

The modern V-bed machine has gone through a number of The modern V-bed machine has gone through a number of developments to achieve flexible and integrated knitting in developments to achieve flexible and integrated knitting in short cycle.short cycle.

The development can be grouped into the following:The development can be grouped into the following: Development in CAM (knit/tuck/miss) system so as to Development in CAM (knit/tuck/miss) system so as to

increase knitted pattern flexibilityincrease knitted pattern flexibility Development in Gauge system (to tailor for fashion market)Development in Gauge system (to tailor for fashion market) Development of new knitting concept (says from panel Development of new knitting concept (says from panel

knitting, fully fashion knitting, integral and whole garment knitting, fully fashion knitting, integral and whole garment knitting)knitting)

Development in computerizedDevelopment in computerizedV-bed machine (2)V-bed machine (2)

Special needles development (compound needle and slide Special needles development (compound needle and slide needle) to facilitate pattern flexibility and production needle) to facilitate pattern flexibility and production efficiencyefficiency

Special transfer jack and stitch presser development to knit Special transfer jack and stitch presser development to knit complicated design and fabriccomplicated design and fabric

Development of new take down tension device for sequential Development of new take down tension device for sequential knittingknitting

Digital control loop length device to control fabric quality Digital control loop length device to control fabric quality (so loop length will be the same for different panel)(so loop length will be the same for different panel)

Can you name any modern CAM Can you name any modern CAM development in this picturedevelopment in this picture

Modern Knitting Modern Knitting CAM developmentCAM development

Knitting WidthOffer a wide range of machine width, from 48 inches to 100Inches for different product

Knitran SystemKnitting CAM systems with knit, tuck, miss and transfer.Knitting systems with single, double, triple, four- and six-configurations

Ultra Lightweight carriageIt allows for lower moment of inertia, increases stability andHigher production.

Modern Knitting Modern Knitting Gauge development Gauge development

Gauge RangeTo increase product flexibility, and offer knitwear for all Seasons, gauge range from E3,4,5,6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20Gauge ConversionGauge conversion incrases the capacity ofa single knitting Machine to support production in different gaugeIt is achieved by exchanging the needle bed with associated items.

Gaugeless knittingUsing the concept of slide needle, different “gauge” sizes are Possible to knit in a single garment.

Modern Knitting Modern Knitting New knitting concept New knitting concept

Whole Garment Knitting3-dimensional knitting allows front body, back body andSleeves 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 andPatterning 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 Whole Garment Flat Knitting MachineMachine

4-Needle beds Whole Garment 4-Needle beds Whole Garment KnittingKnitting

Front Needle bed

Top Needle bed

Modern Knitting Modern Knitting Needle Development Needle Development

Compound NeedlesCompared 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 NeedleUsing a two piece slide mechanism instead of conventional transfer slip, the slide needle offer complex transfer capability in knitwear design.

Modern Knitting Modern Knitting Jack and Presser Jack and Presser

Transfer JackThis transfer jack is specifically designed with slide needle to improve transfer technology.

Stitch PresserThe motor driven stitch pressers hold down the yarn gently and permit easy knockover for flexible product variety.

Warp InsertionA hybrid warp/weft machine features a special plating cam and lace bars for performing warp knitting in combination with conventional flat knitting

Modern Knitting Modern Knitting Stitch quality, racking Stitch quality, racking

Digital Stitch Control SystemDigital control offers consistency in loop length for integral knitting and whole garment production.

Yarn cutter unitA single unit cutting system consists with two yarn grippers and a cutter.

Double RackingDouble 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 Modern Knitting Take down mechanism Take down mechanismSetup deviceThe 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 rollerThe 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 Modern Knitting Other devices Other devices

Dust CleanerA blower-operated dust cleaner continuously removes and prevents daily buildup of yarn dust and lint.

Schedule knittingSchedule 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 memoryPattern memory capacity is available up to 192MB(12,582,913 bits or 1,024 wales by 4,096 courses).

ExercisesExercises

What is Knitran system for modern knittingWhat is Knitran system for modern knitting What is Whole Garment KnittingWhat is Whole Garment Knitting Name the function of digital stitch control Name the function of digital stitch control

systemsystem