Principle Elements of Knitting Machine| Classification of Knitting Needle
Different Parts of Knitting Machine:
Knitting machine consist of following three parts.
- Needle,
- Sinker,
- Cam.
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| Important parts of knitting machine |
All the above parts have explained in the below:
1. Needle:
The fundamental element of construction of knit fabric is the knitting needle. During yarn feeding, the hook is opened to release the retained old loop and to receive the new loop which is then enclosed in the hook. After that, the new loop is then drawn by the hook through the old loop which slides over the outside of the closed hook.
2. Sinker:
It is the second elements of a knitting machine. Sinker is thin metal plate with a collective action or an individual action operating approximately at right from the hook side between the adjacent needles.
3. Cam:
It is the third element of knitting a machine which converts the rotary machine drive into a suitable reciprocating action for the needles and other elements. The cams are carefully profiled to produce precisely timed movement and dwell periods. There are two types of cam where one is engineering cam and another one is knitting cam.
Types of Knitting Needle:
There are three types of knitting needle, those are-
- Bearded needle,
- Latch needle,
- Compound Needle.
All the above needle have discussed in the following:
1. Bearded needle:
The flexible hooked loop holder which is capable of enclosing the newly formed loop in order to draw it through the previously formed is termed as bearded needle.
Bearded needle was the first to be produced as knitting needle. Also it is the simplest and cheapest type to manufacture. It should be noted here that, bearded needle is made from a single piece of metal.
2. Latch needle:
Latch needle is that, which has a right hook and a latch easily around the axis is known as latch needle. In 1806 A.D latch needle is patented. Though it was practically used in 1809.the individual movement and controls of the knitting needle stitch selection to be achieved due to the self-acting or loop controlled of the latch needle.
3. Compound needle.
For the first time, compound needle was patented at 1856. This type of needle consist of two separately controlled parts, where one is stem and another one is sliding latch.
