Flat knitting machine

1

energy chain, various cables, linear flat guide

2

energy chain, various cables

In modern textile production, knitting is of course no longer done by hand. Towards the middle of the 19th century, the first (initially hand-operated) knitting machines came onto the market. Today, a wide variety of textiles (clothing, home textiles or technical textiles such as insulating materials) are produced using knitting machines. There are circular and flat knitting machines.

Machine knitting works in the same way as manual knitting, it is based on the same principle. A thread or yarn is used to form the stitches one after the other with at least two needles, which are strung together to form a fabric or even a complete garment. However, there are not just two needles on the knitting machine, but an entire needle bed.

On circular knitting machines, the stitches are knitted in a circle with many needles to form a kind of "hose", which is how stockings are made, for example.

On a flat knitting machine, the stitches hang in a row on the latch needles and are knitted using a movable carriage. Most flat knitting machines have an identical design. The needle bed and the carriage guide are located on a base. At the top of the machine is the bobbin table with the yarn spools. You can get a good impression in this video.

Flat knitting machines can be further categorised into different types:

Single-gauge: These machines can only produce with one gauge and therefore only use one type of yarn.

Multi-gauge: As the name suggests, several gauges can be produced here. Multi-gauge machines are very flexible.

Jacquard: Two- or multi-coloured patterns are also incorporated into the textiles.

Intarsia: A special technique in which the pattern is only visible on one side of the fabric.

The advantage of igus® for the flat knitting machine
Quality, precision and cleanliness are essential in the textile industry. The use of igus®products in flat knitting stitches therefore speaks in favour of high reliability and absolute freedom from lubricants. After all, what could be uglier on a beautiful garment than a lubricant stain that won't come out even after the umpteenth wash?

E-chain® from the E2/000 series are ideal for driving the carriage, as they can supply it with energy with a high degree of reliability. The carriage guide can be precisely realised with the completely lubrication-free drylin® N linear flat guide. Both product groups are characterised by high possible travel speeds, abrasion resistance and quiet running. The low maintenance requirements also reduce downtimes.

igus® e-chain systems® work ideally in conjunction with igus® chainflex®®-cable. Just like the e-chain®, these can withstand the working conditions in the knitting machine environment, such as heat, dust from fibre residues and chemicals such as avivage required for textile processing.