Individuals used to knit their garments with great care and labour. Knitting machines have altered our perceptions of clothes and fabric. Since its conception in 1579, the business of creating garments has shifted to tiny cottage enterprises, making hand knitting a leisure pass time. It gradually evolved, and today's market is flooded with complicated machine knitting capable of producing a wide range of knitted fabrics.
Did You Know? Knitting is the second most used fabric production process after weaving, and knitting is creating loops and weaving strands through them to create a cloth.
What is Knitting?
Knitting was once thought to be a unique method of producing fabric from wool fibres that involves the interlacing of strands. Knitting is done by machine and can be done by hand too. Knitting is accomplished by looping yarn in a round, row or flat. Knitting is done using long sticks, known as needles. Wool knitting machines are classed according to fabric creation procedures, and machine configuration is used to categorise devices further.
Classification of Knitting Machines
There is two types of knitting machines: warp knitting and weft knitting. A succession makes warp-knitted textiles of yarn loops formed in the fabric's longitudinal direction. Weft-knitted textiles are made when one continuous yarn develops loops in opposite directions. Weft and warp knitting can be combined into the jacquard mechanism to create elaborate knitted materials.
1. Weft Knitting
2. Warp knitting machines
3. Socks knitting machines
4. Whole garment knitting machines
Also Read: What is Lead Time? How is it Significant in Inventory Management?
List of Knitting Machines types:-
Knitting machines can be of different types.Each type of knitting machine differs from the other based upon several factors such as,type of usage,industry requirements,difference in working mechanism etc. Some the types of knitting machines are as follows -
1. Weft knitting machine
Weft knitting occurs when the threads run through the fabric widthwise or crosswise about the direction of fabric production, and this is similar to the weft yarn knitting machine in woven textiles. The following are the many types of weft knitting machines.
-
Circular Knitting Machine
This machine is round in shape. It is the most common type of knitting machine, extensively used for creating cloth for apparel and garment uses. Circular knitting machines have the following components: a latching needle, a compound needle, a sinker, a cam, a cylinder, and a dial. Circular knitting machines can be further characterised as follows.
-
Single Jersey Circular Knitting Machine
Designed with a central adjustment mechanism that allows textiles with various densities to be adjusted simply and conveniently; typically furnished with various gauges of cylinders that are simple to change and can satisfy the various knitting market needs.
-
Plain Single Jersey -
The most common machine used to produce knitted fabric. It comes with a latch needle and a sinker set, and both revolve around the knitting cam mechanism, which produces a precise and down action. A set of one track of cam runs here, producing a fabric with the requisite thickness and density.
-
Two Track Four Track
This machine can generate a wide range of knitted fabric patterns at a fast production rate. The number of cameras may be changed here. With a fixed cam mechanism, it has a distinct action for each needle and sinker. It is used to make t-shirts, undergarments, polo shirts, and swimwear, among other things.
-
Terry and Fleece
This machine can generate a wide range of knitted fabric patterns at a fast rate of production. The number of cameras may be changed here. With a fixed cam mechanism, it has a distinct action for each needle and sinker. It is used to make t-shirts, undergarments, polo shirts, and swimwear, among other things.
-
Jacquards
This machine has three needle positions. It can create textured designs with flowers, brocade, damask, matelassé, paisleys, and animal motifs.
2. Warp knitting machine
If the yarns run in the same direction as the wrapped yarn in woven fabrics, the technique is known as warp knitting. Fabric is formed by generating loops from parallel sheets of yarn machine knitting that run in the direction of fabric production.
-
Raschel knitting machine
Although latch needles are most typically used, complex needles may also be employed. Sinkers are used to keep the cloth in place while the needle rises. There are more guide bars and warp beams operated than tricot machines. The warp beams are located at the top, and the machine speed is lower than that of tricot machines.
-
Tricot Knitting machine
Sinkers regulate the whole knitting cycle with this machine, which uses bearded or complex needles like single and double jersey knitting machines. Tricot machines employ fewer warp beams than raschel machines. The warp beams are in the rear, and the gauge is commonly specified as one needle per inch.
3. Socks Knitting machine
Circular knitting principles apply to knitting machines yarn. Good quality goods can be created only when the yarn-feeding and stop-motion features are correctly configured. Needles are knit in circular weft knitting, and loops are generated horizontally to form socks.
4. Whole garments Knitting machine
Seamless knitting is a trend in which an entire garment is knitted, eliminating the necessity for sewing cloth during garment manufacture. Manufacturers of seamless knitting machines include Santoni and Shima-Seiki. These machines are commonly employed in the production of sportswear and innerwear. Seamless technology produces a highly high-quality knit fabric for the waist, neck, chest, and buttocks and does not require seam moulding.
Double Jersey Circular Knitting Machine
Double jersey circular knitting machines can be of many types which are used all across the industry.The variations of double jersey circular knitting machines which exist are as follows-
Also Read: What are Inferior Goods? Meaning & Examples
Rib knitting machine
It is one of the most often used knitting machines to produce clothing fabric. This is a double bed machine with one cam track in each bed and one needle set in the other bed. Needles are placed perpendicular to the device, and the cylinder and dial needles move vertically. The fabric created is more stretchy than interlock fabric and single jersey. Rib knitting machine configurations are used in producing shirts, casual clothing, bottoms, and so on.
Interlock knitting machine
Interlock knitting is done on a double bed machine with two sets of tiny, long needles. Fabric produced by this machine on both the front and back has the same surface and is frequently used in innerwear, track trousers, and other applications.
Pique fabric knitting machine
The fabric knitting machine has a waffle weave appearance. The cloth has a rough feel and is commonly used to make polo shirts.
Straight Bar Knitting Machine
These machines have vertical bars with bearded needles. The exact construction of the cam system controls movement, and the divisions are evenly dispersed along the machine's length. These machines, sometimes called hand flats, are commonly utilised in producing sweaters, much like handloom weavers. There are two types of straight bar machines: single-needle and double-needle straight bar. This fabric may also be used to make rib and single jersey fabrics. The speed is slower than that of any industrial linear bar machine.
Flat Bar Knitting Machine
This machine is often used to create 3D structured knitted fabric. The fabric made is quite similar to that of a circular knitting machine. Needles are set on a straight bar that moves from front to back. These machines are used to make collars, armbands (cuffs), and even sweaters in some cases.
Also Read: Audit Report Definition, Types, Format, Tools, and Sample
Flatbed knitting machine or V-Bed
This flatbed knitting machine can have two flat needle beds with an upside-down action that resembles the English letter V. Flatbed knitting machine needle beds can span up to 2-3 meters in width.
Conclusion
These machines have a variety of applications in which they are employed in the industry. Furthermore, Knitting machine innovation has rapidly revolutionised the rising capabilities of knitting machines in making knitted materials. You can choose any of the above knitting machines for your textile sector.
Follow Khatabook for the latest updates, news blogs, and articles related to micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs), business tips, income tax, GST, salary, accounting.
