On 13/1/2010, we went to the MUSLIM COTTON MILLS at knitting

department, situated at S.I.T.E karachi. The objective of the visit was

mainly to familiarize ourselves with the Operations of knitting.
During the site visit, we were exposed to various knitted fabric
construction methods, knitting machineries and their parts and also
had the chance to observe them during functioning.
At that time of the visit, the machines were running and the
production was being done. Thus we were given the opportunity to
experience the circular knitting machineries at production.
This outdoor experience provided us with a more in-depth and hands
on experience on knitting technology. We were able to question,
understand and absorb the logic behind the machineries, construction
techniques, and methodology theory learnt in class.

BASIC KNITTING ELEMENTS

FEEDERS

Feeders are the number of yarn ends feeded to circular knitting

machine, in single knit machines at site there are 54 feeders and in
double knit 60 feeders.

MER feeders are used to feed cotton yarns, while,

MPF feeders are used to feed spandex, due to its high stretchability.

LATCH NEEDLES:

The following above shown is a latch needle, the hook is use to draw
and retain the new loop. The latch is an extension blade and bridges
the gap between the hook and shank when closed. These latch
needles perform knitting action as passes through the cams.

GAUGE

It’s a measurement of needles per inch, and the space between the
needles of one bed. Gauge is an important factor to be considered
before knitting, gauge influences the choice of yarn count for knitting
and affects fabric properties such as stitch density, appearance,
weight.

KNITTING CAMS

Cams are the devices which convert the rotary machine derive into a
suitable reciprocating action for the needles and other elements. The
cams are carefully profiles to produce precise movement. Knitting
cams are attached, either individually or in unit form to a cam box
plate, and depending upon machine design are fixed or
exchangeable.

CYLINDER

It’s a circular cylinder having `cut` on its surface, as per machine

gauge. Different cylinder of different gauges and diameter were
stored in cylinder storage room, these cylinders are mounted on the
machine and are used as per gauge and diameter requirement.

RAW MATERIAL

Normally cotton yarn of 30, 20, 26 single counts were running, and
spandex of 20, 40 denier were running at the machines

PRODUCTION

The production of knitting machines is influence by many factors like

machine r p m, no. of feeders; yarn count etc. at Muslim mill the
production rate was about 10-15 kg averagely.

MACHINES SPECIFICATION

SINGLE JERSEY (single knitting circular machine)

1MODEL NO. PL – XS3B

2R P M 45
3GAUGE 24 G
4CYLINDER DIA 18 Ø
5NEEDLES 1356
6FEEDER 54
DOUBLE JERSY (double knit)

1MODEL NO. PL – XR2B

2R P M 25
3GAUGE 15 G
4CYLINDER DIA 30 Ø
5NEEDLES 1404
6FEEDER 60

KNITTED FABRICS AT PRODUCTION

SINGLE JERSEY FABRIC

DOUBLE JERSY (DOUBLE KNIT)

FLEECE FABRIC

RIB STRUCTURE

MILANGE FABRIC

It’s the type of fabric, which’s yarn fibers are partially dyed, this create
a special color tune in the fabric in knitted fabric, generally the tune
color is grey-white, green-white and of other colors is also produced.

AIR CONDITIONING PLANT

Cool air is used to keep the knitting machinery and its moving part
cool, the air is conditioned by removing moisture, trash particles.
Filtered air is thrown inside the moving mechanical part to absorb the
heat dissipated.