Knitting processing not only involves weaving various greige fabrics and then cutting and sewing them into various knitted products, but also allows for the direct weaving of shaped products on machines to create fully or partially shaped items. The shaping process saves materials, simplifies or eliminates cutting and sewing steps, and improves the wearability of the products. Knitted production has rapidly developed due to its short process, strong adaptability to materials, quick product variety changes, broad usage range, low noise, and minimal energy consumption. Since the 1970s, the productivity of knitting machines has greatly increased, with circular knitting machines (spindle needles) capable of weaving approximately 3,000 loops per minute, warp knitting machines having a width of 427 centimeters and weaving about 2,000 loops per minute, and single-needle cylinder circular sock machines spinning at up to 1,000 rotations per minute.
By utilizing electronic technology to control knitting machines, efficiency is further enhanced. Installing various positive yarn-feeding devices on the machines improves product quality. Additional mechanisms on the machine can weave various structures and knitted fabrics for different purposes: using a selection needle mechanism to work the needles according to a prearranged program for weaving jacquard knitted fabrics; using a carding mechanism to feed loose fibers into the needles for weaving plush knitted fabrics; and using weft and warp interlining devices to weave interlined knitted fabrics.
The variety of knitting machines has exceeded 350 types. With the development of new chemical fiber knitting processing and finishing technologies, the properties of knitted fabrics, such as crispness, wrinkle resistance, and abrasion resistance, have been enhanced. The application of finishing techniques like plush, napped, sheared, embossed, and pleated has further expanded the range of knitted products.
Knitting technology has expanded to other textile production aspects, such as applying the knitting loop method to weaves for segmented warp insertion, and connecting the segments with loop-knitted fabric sleeves to replace traditional shuttle movements, thereby increasing weaving speed. This is the weaving and knitting combined loom.
