Khulna University of Engineering & Technology

Experiment No: 03
Name of the Experiment:
Study on various parts of knitting machine and their maintenance.

Remark:

Date of Performance:- 13-04-2021 Name: Naimul Hasan

Date of Submission:- 04-06-2021 Roll: 1621060
Year: 4th
Term: 2nd
 Department of Textile Engineering

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Knitting is the process of manufacturing fabric by transforming continuous strands of yarn into a
series of interlocking loops, each row of such loops hanging from the one immediately preceding
it. The basic element of knit fabric structure is the loop intermeshed with the loop adjacent to it
on both sides and above and below it.Knitting machines are mainly two types; they are Circular
Knitting Machine and Flatbed or V-bed Knitting Machine. These two types are hugely used in
knitting production. A knitting machine is composed of lots of parts. Every parts of a machine
are important for run the machine smoothly. Every part has a specific function during operation.

Circular knitting or knitting in the round is a form of knitting that creates a seamless tube. When
knitting circularly, the knitting is cast on and the circle of stitches is joined. Knitting is worked in
rounds in a spiral. Originally, circular knitting was done using a set of four or five double-
pointed needles. Most single-jersey fabric is produced on circular machines whose latch needle
cylinder and sinker ring revolve through the stationary knitting cam systems that, together with
their yarn feeders, are situated at regular intervals around the circumference of the cylinder. The
yarns are supplied from cones, placed either on an integral overhead bobbin stand or on a free-
standing creel, through tensioners, stop motion sand guide eyes down to the yarn feeder guides.

Flat Bed Knitting Machine produces flat pieces. Most common knitting machine for hobbyists
and boutique producers. Garments produced from a flatbed knitting machine normally have side
seams. It is not possible to knit in the round on a flatbed knitting machine. Flatbed knitting
machines cannot work purl stitches or garter stitch automatically. A flat bed knitting
machine comprising a flat elongate bed on which is retained a plurality of parallel, latch able,
needles equally spaced along the length of the bed and each movable relative to the bed in a
direction lengthwise of the needles and transverse of the bed length.

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2.0 OBJECTIVES

 To know the different parts and functions of the circular knitting machine.
 To know the different parts and functions of the flatbed or V-bed knitting machine.
 To know the maintenance of the different parts associated with circular and flatbed
knitting m/c.
 To study the regular inspection and proper cleaning procedure of knitting machine parts.

3.0 APPARATUS

Tools that are used to complete the experiment

 Personal Computer (PC)

 Keyboard
 Mouse

4.0 EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE/DESIGN

4.1 Circular Knitting Machine Equipment’s Function and Maintenance

4.1.1 Needle:

Function: It is a principal element and master part of the knitting machine. Needle receive yarn
from the feeder, create a loop as well as release old loop and finally produce the fabric. Prior to
yarn feeding the needle is raised to clear the old loop from the hook, and received the new loop
above it on needle stem. The new loop is then enclosed in the needle hook as the needle starts to
descend.

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Maintenance: Proper cleaning of the various parts of the needle (latch, butt) and routine
checkup is necessary so that better conditionneedles should be sorted out from old set ofneedles
and should be used as replacementwhenever, needle brakes occur on knitting machine.

Figure 1:Knitting Machine Needle

4.1.2 Sinker:

Function: Sinker is another master part of the knitting machine. It supports yarn to form the
desired loop. Sinker is located at each and every gap of the needle. It is most important element
of the machine. Its help to loop forming, knocking over and holding down the loop.

Maintenance: Proper cleaning of the various parts of the sinker (butt, shank, throat etc.) and
routine checkup is necessary so that better conditionsinkers should be sorted out from old set of
sinkers and should be used as replacementwhenever, sinker brakes occur on knitting machine.

Figure 2:Knitting Machine Sinker

4.1.3 Cam:

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Function:Cam is the device which converts the rotary motion into a definite reciprocating
motion for the needles and some other devices. It is the third primary knitting element.

Maintenance: Proper cleaning and routine checkup is essential so that the dirt, dust and foreign
particles will not be accumulated in the cam truck.

4.1.4 Cam Box:

Figure 3: Knitting Machine Cams

Function: Cam box holds and supports cam and cams are set horizontally. Knit, truck and miss
cam are arranged horizontally according to fabric design in the cam box.

Maintenance: Proper lubrication and inspection. Cleaning is necessary for the cam boxes.

4.1.5 VDQ Pulley:

Figure 4: Knitting m/c Cam Box

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Function: VDQ means Variable Diameter for Quality. As this pulley controls the quality of
knitted fabric by adjusting GSM & stitch length during the knitting process, so it is called VDQ
pulley. To increase the fabric GSM the pulley is moved towards the positive direction and to
decrease the fabric GSM the pulley is moved towards the reverse direction. This pulley also
called quality adjustment pulley (QAP) or Quality adjustment Disk (QAD). Pulley belt gives the
motion to pulley.

Maintenance: Proper cleaning, regular checkup and proper lubrication, this will result last
longer life span of the VDQ Pulley and Pulley Belt in addition to smooth operation.

Figure 5: Knitting m/c VDQ Pulley

4.1.6 MPF Device:

Function:MPF means Memminger Positive Feed. It receives yarn from aluminum telescopic

tube. As this device gives a positive feed of yarn to the needles, so it is called Memminger
Positive Feed device. MPF provides uniform tension to yarn, reduces machine stoppage, identify
and remove yarn knot and give a signal if yarn breaks.

Maintenance: Proper inspection and regular checkup of the yarn tension which is attached with
this device and maintain proper lubrication.

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Figure 6: MPF Device of Knitting Machine

4.1.7 Creel and Cone Holder:

Function:Creel is a vertical aluminum stick where creel is placed for holding the yarn cone. It
also known as side creel. Creel is a part of a knitting machine. Here yarn package is stored and
ready to feed in the knitting machine. And, Cone holder is an inclined metallic stick where yarn
cone is placed for feeding the yarn to the feeder easily. It is also known as cone carrier.

Maintenance: Proper cleaning and inspection so that the dust particles is not adhered with the
yarn, maintain or controlling yarn tension towards the machine. Regular checkup is necessary so
that the cone holders will not be in empty state.

4.1.8 Cylinder:
Figure 7: Creel and Cone Holders

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Function:Cylinder is another master part of the knitting machine. Cylinder adjustment is one of
the most important technical work. The cylinder holds and carries needle, cam box, sinker, etc.
Needle tracks are situated here. Needles are attached in the trick portion of the cylinder.

Maintenance: Proper cleaning,

regular checkup and proper lubrication at
every part of the cylinder, this will
result last longer life span of the cylinder
in addition to smooth operation.

Figure 8: Circular Knitting m/c Cylinder

4.1.9 Yarn Guide and Feeder Guide:

Function: Yarn guide receive yarn from the MPF. It is used to guide the yarn and sent yarn to
the feeder guide. It maintains the smooth tension on the yarn. Feeder guide receive yarn from
yarn guide and feed yarn to the needle. It is the last device which releases yarn to the knit fabric.

Maintenance: Proper cleaning and regular monitoring is necessary so that the foreign particles
from outside will not be adhered to the guide hole, ensuring smooth flow of the yarn to the
machine.

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Figure 9: Yarn Guide and Feeder Guide

4.1.10 Adjustable Fan

Function:Generally, two sets of running fans are continuously circulated from the center of
machine dia. These fans are faced with the needle points that remove dust, hairy fiber as well as
keep needle cool. Adjustable fans are rotated in the opposite motion of the cylinder.

Maintenance:Proper cleaning and regular monitoring is necessary so that the foreign particles
from outside will not be attachedwith the fan, ensuring smooth flow of the operation to the
machine.

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Figure 10: Adjustable Fans of Knitting m/c

4.1.11 Lycra Attachment Device

Function:Lycra is placed here. And feeding to the machine. Lycra yarn is feed by the following
device.

Maintenance: Regular checkup and maintaining proper tension of lycra yarn towards the
machine.Maintaining proper inspection of this device.

Figure 11: Lycra Attachment Device

4.2 Flatbed or V-bed Knitting

Machine Equipment’s Function and
Maintenance

4.2.1 Needle Bed

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Function:The needle bed is a metal plate in which precisely measured slots (tricks) are milled.
The needles are inserted in these tricks and are forced to slide backwards and forwards to form
the knitting sequence.The distance between the tricks and thickness of the needles determine the
thickness of yarn can be processed by the machine.There are front and back bed present in the
flat knitting machine.

Maintenance: Regular cleaning and inspection is necessary so that unwanted foreign particles
will not be stored in the trick of the needle where the needles are placed. And maintaining proper
lubrication, ensuring smooth flow of the needles’ movement.

Figure 12: Needle bed of the Flatbed knitting m/c

4.2.2 Cam-Carriage

Function: The cam-carriage either slides, or runs on ball-bearings or wheels, along guide rails,
one of which is fixed over the lower end of each needle bed. It is propelled either by hand or
from a motor-driven continuous roller chain or rubber belt. Cam-carriage also controls the
motion of the needle. The needle butts will enter the traversing cam system from the right during
a left-to-right carriage traverse and from the left during a right-to-left traverse. For each needle
bed in the cam-carriage there are two raising cams (R), two cardigan cams (C) and two stitch
cams (S). 

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Maintenance: Proper cleaning, regular inspection of the cam-carriage system because this is the
vital part of the flatbed knitting machine for loop formation. Regular lubrication is necessary for
each part of the cam-carriage system.

Figure 13: Cam-carriage device

5.0 DISCUSSION

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In this experiment we have learned about different parts of knitting machine and their
maintenance process. It is very important to learn about the different parts of knitting machine in
order to operate a knitting machine. A knitting machine has lots of parts and they play a very
important role to make sure that all the knitting functions are going correctly. In this experiment
the name and function of those knitting machine parts are studied. The working mechanism of
different parts of knitting machine are also been studied in order to know more about their
functionality. This experiment has taught us how to change the knitting parameters as per
buyer’s requirements. In this experiment, the maintenance procedure of those knitting machine
parts are also been studied. Maintenance is very important in case of correct functionality of the
knitting machine. So the maintenance processes of the knitting machine parts are studied
thoroughly as well.

6.0 CONCLUSION

A knitting machine is consisted of various parts. Those parts have their own functionality and
maintenance procedure. In this experiment the functionality and maintenance of different
knitting machine parts are studied. This will come to help in future in order to operate a knitting
machine successfully. It will also help to maintain the knitting machine in a good condition and
if any unexpected things occur, then it can be easily fixed. This will also help us to gain the
expected output from the knitting machine and make any changes as per requirements.

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