Flat knitting

The second step is to prepare the conductive paths. For manual production each conductive path is applied on the foam and knitted fabric. For large-scale production the whole conductive path layer can be produced via flat knitting with a specified distance between the conductive paths. The contact between the cross-wise conductive paths and the control unit is made by sewing with conductive yam as shown in Figure 9.8. An overview of the steps needed for production of the movement sensors is given in Figure 9.9. 

In parallel with these developments in circular knitting, there was a steady development of competitive technology such as integral complete garment manufacture on flat knitting machines. 

A breakdown of U.S. domestic synthetic staple and tow fiber shipments by end use is given in Table 12.33. Organized by fiber type and application, these data show that acrylic fiber is strongest in hosiery, sweaters, craft yarns, pile fabrics, circular knits, flat knits, and blankets. Polyester, valued for its low cost and easy-care properties, has a strong hold on the fiberfil, nonwoven, flat-knit and broad-woven fabric markets. Nylon, valued for its durability and resiliency, dominates the carpet market. Olefin, a fiber type that appears to be growing in popularity, has great impact on the nonwovens market and has made inroads in the carpet face yarn markets versus nylon staple and filament. Table 12.34 shows the same type of data as Table 12.32, but arranged by distribution of end use for each type of synthetic staple and tow fiber. 

Flat knitting, weft knitting and warp knitting... 

The jersey stmcture is a single piece of knitted fabric that has a genuine two-layered structure. The knitting machine that was used to produce the fabrics was an ElO gauge, fully electronic flat knitting machine (Stoll Model CMS 440). The stmcture of the jersey stmcture is illustrated in Fig. 7.22. 

M Legner, (2001), Medical textiles with specific characteristics produced on flat knitting machines , S.C. Anand (ed.) Int Conf Medical Textiles-Proceedings, August 1999, Bolton, UK. Woodhead Publishing and CRC Press, England, 49-50.1999. 

Weft flat knitting machines, in conjunction with computer control, can produce a variety of 3-D structures from one yarn including boxes, cones and spheres. In warp knitting, it is normal to use an adapted Raschel machine fitted with two needle bars and several guide bars. Each needle bar produces a flat fabric, with the two flat fabrics simultaneously connected forming a sandwich, which can be readily impregnated with resin. 

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. 

Full-fashioned n. A term applied to fabrics produced on a flat-knitting machine, such as hosiery, sweater, and underwear, that have been shaped by adding or reducing stitches. 

Jersey j9r-ze (1587) n. (1) A circular-knit or flat-knit fabric made with a plain stitch in which the loops intermesh in only one direction. As a result, the appearance of the face and the back of a jersey fabric is wholly different. (2) A tricot fabric made with a simple stitch, characterized by excellent drape and wrinkle recovery properties. Vincenti R (ed) (1994) Elsevier s textile dictionary. Elsevier Science and Technology Books, New York. 

Plain-knit fabric See flat-knit fabric. 

Weft-knit fabric (1943) n. See circular-knit fabric and flat-knit fabric. 

Width width [ wide] (1627) n. A horizontal measurement of a material. In woven fabric, it is the distance from selvage to selvage, and in flat-knit fabric, the distance... 

A tubular fabric has also been considered of value as an implant in the repair of hernias and in closing defects in the walls of the abdomen and chest. A flat knitted mesh of polypropylene monofilament has generally been used successfully for the purpose however, such meshes require a selvedge in order to avoid fraying or unraveling and to serve as a securing point for the sutures. These selvedges have often been knitted from... 

Cover-seam chain stitches are used in binding operations in knitted undergarments, athletic shirts and infant wear. These stitches are very strong, and elastic, which are used extensively by manufacturers of knit garments to cover raw edges and prevent raveling. They may be used for attaching flat knit or ribbed knit collars. 

The flat knitting machine was fitted with sinkers, which controlled stitches in order to knit single-jersey tubular articles such as gloves, socks, and berets. 

Issac W. Lamb invented the first operational V-bed flat knitting machine including the latch needles. 

Choi, W., 2005. Three dimensional seamless garment knitting on V-bed flat knitting machines. J. Text. Appar. Technol. Manag. 4 (3), 1—33. 

Legner, M., 2003. 3D products for fasion and technical applications from flat knitting machines. Melliand Inter. 9 (3), 238-241. 

Maison, L., 1979. Flat Knitting Machines. FTF Maille, France, p. B-4. 

Medical compression stockings can be obtained in several pressure classes, seamless or flat knitted, below the knee or thigh high, ready to wear or custom made. Generally, in cases of prevention and mild CVI, class II (25-35 mmHg at the ankle), below-the-knee, custom-made stockings are preferable. It is essential that compression stockings fit perfectly for reasons of adequate compression, comfort to the wearer and therapy compliance. 

In case of previous deep-venous thrombosis, in more severe cases of CVI and after the occurrence of ulceration, class III (35-45 mmHg at the ankle) below-the-knee, custom-made, flat-knitted stockings will usually be the most effective. 

Figure 6.3 A computerised flat knitting machine (Stoll CMS 530, E7).

Similar to a computerised flat knitting machine with two needle beds, a double-needle bar Raschel machine has two needle bars. It is possible to knit tubes of different sizes on such a machine with a set of fully threaded guide bars to knit two separate fabrics... 

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