Talk:Knitting Machine

Development Strategy

linear vs circular

the linear machine went closed source after some early development. there is a github page but the design is frozen in beta mode. https://github.com/g3rard/OpenKnit

It seems linear machines are usually used for intricate designs in the fabric, but also to change the weave on the fly. I think the complexity of the machine vs the limited utility make circular machines more favorable.

Machines that make denim are a whole different beast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_G0YtXeLlY

It appears most industrial machines that are used to make larger pieces of fabric use circular machines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHDY-QxANVk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=simzE7S-8o8

The CircularKnitic machine is a small format machine sized to make sock diameter output. It uses a simple 1 spool of thread at a time feed. It also uses the same style needles typically used in hobby linear machines. There are a handful of hobby circular machines for sale that are in this size category. https://github.com/var-mar/circular_knitic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri9l0QdsUXA

I dont know anything about the different types of weaving/knitting but the industrial circular machines are fed from many spools at the same time. They also use much smaller gauged needles for a finer weave. Later the circle of fabric is typically cut lengthwise to be used as a simple flat piece to make shirts etc.

I think the best short term path forward is to increase the size of the CircularKnitic. Perhaps sized to be a diameter able to be mounted on a piece of standard ply wood. If all goes well, it should create large pieces of fabric at a slow speed. I think the utility of a full sized piece of fabric is appealing for a variety of uses. Perhaps later, the speed could be increased, then maybe refine the design for smaller thread and finer gauge needles. To change the style of weaving/knitting and increase the number of spools fed into the machine would be much more of a challenge.

--Dorkmo (talk) 22:55, 24 February 2018 (CET)

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Thanks Dorkmo! I'd been meaning to update this since CircularKnitic came out, but it seems I plain forgot around that time and have been very busy of late. I'll probably have time to get on that in a week. --4ndy (talk) 23:18, 24 February 2018 (CET) Also forgot to mention I grabbed a bunch of those steel needles to have a go at building one, but need to modify the design to do so.

--4ndy (talk) 23:21, 24 February 2018 (CET)

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On the note of that denim video, I think a lot of the issues with the spinning and such would be solved by either using synthetic materials, or semi-synthetic materials.

For cotton and other cellulose based fibers, semi-synthetics are quite easy. I am unsure about things like wool, as I haven't found any solutions that dissolve it well (you could also have the issue of said solution dissolving human skin and hair quite well too...) . But by using semi-synthetic fibers you have very consistent diameter, strength, and color to the thread, akin to a synthetic fiber, but from a easy to find raw material such as cotton or wood pulp.

On the note of the mechainism, I don't really know, but you seem to be doing some great work on that, so good luck!

--Eric (talk) 22:48, 24 Febuary 2017 (UTC)

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