Sweater Knitting Machine:
Sweater knitting machine also referred to as flat bed or v-bed knitting machine. That have two rib gated, diagonally-approaching needle beds, set at between 90 and 104 degrees to each other and are positioned so that the upper ends form an inverted “V”. Sweater knitting machine has two needle beds arranged in an inverted v-shape. This machine can be hand-operated or controlled by computer. The flat bed machine is widely used in the sweater industry. The interactions between yarn and knitting elements that create the fabric occur at the apex of the V and the fabric moves away downward between the two beds, drawn down by the take-down system. During knitting in v-bed knitting machine, the edges of the knock-over bits restrain the sinker loops as they pass between the needles and thus assist in the knocking over of the old loops and in the formation of the new loops.
Modern V-bed knitting machine is fully automated, electronically controlled, precision knitting system. The operation and supervision of the machines of the simpler type are also less arduous than for other weft knitting machines.
Features of Sweater Knitting Machine:
The main features of a modern computerized sweater knitting machine or V-bed flat knitting machine are listed below:
- Numerically these are the most important industrial knitting machines.
- Individual needle selection. According to the knitting process, needles can be put in and out of action during the knitting operation.
- The needles, mounted in beds opposed in an inverted ‘V’ formation, are operated by cams in a reciprocating carriage.
- Three-way technique. Knit, tuck and miss can be easily realized in the same knitting course.
- The hand flat machine is still widely used but most modern machines are powered.
- Many are employed to produce collars and rib trimmings for garments made on other machines, but because of the almost unlimited patterning scope available with jacquard flat machines considerable numbers are used for the production of patterned fabrics and garment lengths. Automatic narrowing has been common on these machines for some time and models are now being offered with full fashioning capability.
- Their main disadvantage is low productivity compared with other type.
- Loop length change facility. Each loop size can be chosen according to knitting requirements.
- Most have a single knitting head or section but versions with 2 to 6 sections arranged side by side are produced.
- Loop transfer facility. Stitch loops can be easily transferred between two needle beds. A machine with four needle beds has been developed to realize double knitted structure with increased facility.
- Arrangement of 2 sections back to back allows knitting to take place in one direction using 15 or more carriages that traverse over the front section and return over the back one; the resulting machine is thus a hybrid circular flat machine.
- Holding down sinkers and special take-down systems. Different take-down requirements can be met.
These capabilities make computerized sweater knitting a very suitable knitting technology for 3D structure production.
Uses of Sweater Knitting Machine:
Sweater knitting machine is widely used in our country. This machine is traditionally used for the production of pullovers and other outerwear garments. These machines can easily be operated and can yield versatile products. Following products are manufactured with sweater knitting machine,
- Half cardigan or royal rib
- Full cardigan or polka rib
- Fisherman’s rib
- Sweater stitch
- Racked rib
- The cable stitch
Editor of Fashion2Apparel. She is a fashion designer and ex-lecturer in Fashion Designing. She wants to spread fashion knowledge throughout the world.
