Circular Knitting Machines

In contrast to flat-bed knitting where the needles are raised by movable cams, in circular knitting the cams stand still and the needles move around. The threads are fed through tensioners ( fournisseur ) to keep yarn tension constant. The produced fabric is taken up inside the needle bed cylinder, where the take-up also rotates together with the needle bed (Fig. 5.11). 

Circular knitting machines can produce one-by-one knits as well as purl knits (Fig. 5.12). Plain-knitting machines, in addition to the cylinder with the needle beds, have a rib disk, as seen in Fig. 5.5. In this disc, the needles can move radially. During knitting, the disc rotates and the needles then pass along the stationary rip cams. 

Machines for purl knits have two rotating cylinders on top of each other. When the needle channels are aligned, needles can change from one cylinder to the other. 

Cylinder or a circular knitting machine (Courtesy of Beck) 

The threads are fed via a creel that normally is located on top of the machine (Fig. 5.14). 

---

Textile Learner, 2012. Interlock circular knitting machine/Knitting action of interlock circular knitting machine, http //textileleamer.blogspot.hk/2012/01/interlock-circular-knitting-machine.html. 

As the name implies, yarns run horizontally across the width of the fabric. The knitting needles form the loops in horizontal courses, with one loop built on top of the other, and are generally made from a single yarn. Weft knits can be made flat on a flat bed machine, or tubular on a circular knitting machine. Weft knits are basic loop structures and can be stretched in both directions (Figure 21.16). 

Burr A device that assists in loop formation on circular-knitting machines equipped with spring needles. 

Dial dl(-o)l [ME dyaly fr. ML dialis clock wheel revolving daily mfr. L dies day] (15c) n. In a circular-knitting machine, a circular steel plate with radically arranged slots for needles. A knitting machine equipped with both a dial and a cylinder can produce double-knit fabrics. Tortora PG, Merkel RS (2000) Fairchild s dictionary of textiles, 7th edn. Fairchield Publications, New York. 

Double knit fabric (1895) n. A fabric produced on a circular-knitting machine equipped with two sets of latch needles situated at right angles to each other (dial and cylinder). 

Flat knit fabric n. (1) A fabric made on a flatknitting machine, as distinguished from tubular fabrics made on a circular-knitting machine. While tricot and milanese warp-knit fabrics (non-run) are knit in flat form. 

Pattern wheel n. In a circular-knitting machine, a slotted device for controlling individual needles so that patterns can be knit in the fabric. 

Pelerine pe-b- ren [obs. F, neckerchief, fr. F pelerine, feminine of pelerin pilgrim, fr. LL pelegrinus] (1744) n. A device for transferring stitches from the cylinder to the dial or vice versa on a circular-knitting machine. 

Seamless garments can be knit either on a circular knitting machine or on a hat (V-bed) knitting machine (warp-knit double-layer machines that can create more open work... 

Orizio, the circular knitting machine manufacturer, has two versions MTM/BE Bodysize and MTM/CE Bodysize. The diameter is 21" and the gauge is 20—28" (Choi, 2005). 

In order to obtain the circuit layout design shown in Fig. 3.9 on the garment, production of seamless products is considered. Hence, a MBS Merz single-jersey circular knitting machine with a cylinder diameter of 13 inches and E28 gage is used to produce a base structure of interactive garment as seen in Fig. 3.10. 

Flat Knit Fabric n (1) A fabric made on a flat-knitting machine, as distinguished from tubular fabrics made on a circular-knitting machine. While tricot and mil-anese warp-knit fabrics (non-run) are knit in flat form, the trade uses the term flat-knit fabric to refer to weft-knits fabrics made on a flat machine, rather than warp-knit fabrics. (2) A term used in the underwear trade for plain stitch fabrics made on a circular-knitting machine. These fabrics have a flat surface and are often called flat-knit fabrics to differentiate them from ribbed-knit or Swiss rib fabrics. In this case, the term refers to the texture, not the type of machine on which the fabric was knit (Kadolph SJJ, Langford AL (2001) Textiles. Pearson Education, New York Vincenti R (ed) (1994) Elsevier s textile dictionary. Elsevier Science and Technology Books, New York). 

Knitting machines can be classified into flat-bed and circular machines. They differ in the arrangement of the needles. Whereas in flat-bed knitting machines, the knitting process moves sideways (left to right to left...), in circular knitting machines the knitting process is rotational. 

Spacer fabrics can be produced on both flat-bed and circular knitting machines. Between the needle beds (cylinder and rib disc, respectively.), there is a small gap. For the manufacturing of such a structure, three thread systems are required one for each cover fabric and the pile yarn that connects the fabrics (Fig. 5.16). 

High binding varieties (such as by electronic single-needle selection) and short preparation time for circular knitting machines. 

Seamless circular knitting machines further developed. 

Cellulose 35, 56, 266 Cellulosic fibers 66 Chemical bonding 213 Chemical fibers 50 China 25 Chlorination 262 Circular braiding 228 Circular braids 222 Circular knitting machines 182... 

Ring spinning machine Production of guncotton Circular knitting machine... 

---