There are essentially many types of knitting machine available, but generally there are two primary types: weft knitting machine and warp knitting machine. Circular knitting machines, flat knitting machines, single jersey machines, rib machines, interlock machines, Raschel machines and Tricot machines are some of the industrial type textile machines used for making industrial textiles and other fabrics like wovens etc. These each create different fabric types to make textiles such as clothes.
What types of knitting machines are there?
Fabric is made on a knitting machine by looping yarn over each other. The fabric structure depends upon the needle arrangement, yarn feeding system and stitch forming system of the machine.
There are two types of knitting machines – weft and warp knitting machines, which are further broken down into various special machines according to the XD Knit Machinery’s guide to knitting machine types.
1. Weft Knitting Machines
Weft knitting assures that yarn makes loop across width of fabric. It is generally adopted for manufacturing knitted apparel fabrics.
Circular Knitting Machine
In a circular knitting machine the needles are all spread around a cylinder. It continuously creates fabric; typically in a tubular form and ideal for high scale fabric production.
Common uses are T-shirt fabric, casual, sporting garments and other knitted articles.
Single Jersey Knitting Machine
One jersey machine – One knit fabric. The material thus formed will have a distinct front and rear.
Fabrics made: Single jersey with plain stitch, single jersey with different stitch designs, selected fleece/ Terry stitches on suitable machines.
Uses of common: Casual and lightweight tops and t-shirts.
Rib Knitting Machine
A rib knitting machine is achieved by the combination of two sets of needles in cylinder and two sets of needles in a dial position. Makes alternating face and back loops—results in ribbed construction for good stretch and recovery.
Rib structures made: 1×1 rib, 2×2 rib and others.
Typical applications: neckbands for T-shirts, cuffs for sleeves, waistbands and clothes that are fitted.
Interlock Knitting Machine
Interlaced machine is a circular knitting machine which knits double jersey. The needles form a nice double knit with smooth surface on either side.
Fabric made: Interlock fabric.
Applications: polo shirts, high quality tee shirts, baby wear and articles that need a firm double knitth fabric.
Terry and Fleece Knitting Machines
Special circular machines are used to make fabrics with extra loops or backing yarns to cool material and make it thicker, coarser.
Fabrics made: Terry and fleece fabrics – depending on the machine configuration.
Example of uses: Bathrobes, towels, sweatshirts and some winter equipment.
Jacquard Knitting Machine
A jacquard knitted fabric is a machine made fabric made with a jacquard machine. It can yield single jersey or double jersey designs, according to its construction.
Fabrics made: Patterned knit Jersey, jacquard rib patterned knitted structure etc.
Applications: Fashion clothes, sports and decorative knitters.
2. Flat Knitting Machines
Flat knitting machines are machines that have a straight needle bed (as opposed to circular machines). The bed is used for making stitches with a carriage.
Flat Bed or V-Bed Knitting Machine
A V-bed machine consists of two beds stacked side-by-side in a V shape. It can make panels of different shapes and stitch structures in fabric.
Textiles and items made: Flat knitted panels, ribs, collars and shaped knitwear pieces.
Uses: Sweaters, cardigans, collars, cuffs and some fully fashioned articles.
Sometimes it’s easier to make a garment that doesn’t involve shaping but simply requires flat knitting, like a letterman’s jacket, for example.
3. Warp Knitting Machines
Warp knitting is unlike weft knitting machines where a number of yarns are laid row-wise or across the fabric. These yarns run through the sides of the material linking the top and bottom ends of the side in a loop.
There are two important types of knitting machines: Raschel and Tricot knitting machines.
Raschel Knitting Machine
The warp-knitted fabric manufacturing machine to open mesh /lace / technical fabrics is called raschel machine. It is dependent on the needle arrangement, guide bars and yarn configuration of a machine.
Fabrics manufactured: lace, meshes, net-like fabrics and some technical textiles.
Common applications: Fabrics and decorative fabrics, nets, outdoor products and technical textile applications.
Tricot Knitting Machine
A Tricot machine is a machine that is used to make fine fabric by cutting warps and wefts with the help of machine knitting. It is used to manipulate the warps and create the necessary stitch pattern using guide bars.
It has been used to make fabrics like fine and lightweight warp knitted fabrics.
Common uses: Lingerie, swimwear, sportswear and linings.
XD Knit Machinery also classifies straight bar knit machine and flat bar knit machine. Here are some other types of machines, but again, not all of them are equally important for any specific textile usage.
Which Knitting Machine is the best for making which fabric?
The quick reference table below is provided for the use of textile students and professionals.
| Knitting machine | Typical fabric produced | Common application |
| Single jersey circular | Single jersey | T-shirts |
| Rib circular | Rib fabric | Cuffs and neckbands |
| Interlock circular | Interlock | Double-knit garments |
| Terry or fleece circular | Terry or fleece | Towels and sweatshirts |
| Jacquard circular | Patterned knitted fabric | Fashionwear |
| Flat bed or V-bed | Flat-knit panels and shaped knitwear | Sweaters and collars |
| Raschel warp knitting | Lace, mesh and net structures | Decorative and technical textiles |
| Tricot warp knitting | Fine warp-knitted fabric | Lingerie and linings |
Warp knitting is the same as knitting except that it uses a fine warp instead of yarns. Tricot warp knitting is fine warp knitted fabric for lingerie and linings.
This will vary based on the machine’s design, needle size, type of yarn used and stitch count.
How Do You Identify the Correct Knitting Machine Type?
Begin to think in terms of fabric vs. machine.
Single machine circular machine is suitable for a factory that has the requirement of producing large amounts of single jersey for t-shirts. The rib fabric should be produced using the proper machine which will be able to perform a rib. The sweater panels and shaped knitwear indicate the beginning of flat knitting, and the lace and fine warp knitted fabrics show the use of Raschel and Tricot machines.
Avoid using each machine names as an individual primary category. Circular, flat – machine configuration; single jersey, rib and interlock – type of fabric structure, related to a specific knitting mechanism. Jacquard is an ability to form patterns.
Research more about Circular Knitting Machine, Difference Between Warp knitting and Weft knitting and Single Jersey Fabric vs interlock Fabric.
When studying textile engineering or working in a knitting department, simultaneously understand the needle arrangement of the machine, yarn feeding way and fabric structure. That’s the most convenient way to differentiate knitting machine types.
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