Aspects of the design of a circular warp knitting machine

The warp knitting machine market has long been dominated by large-scale flat models, which have been steadily developed. Tubular fabrics are generally made in a special version of flat warp knitting machines containing two needle bars, one for each side of the tube, joined on the sides by yarns knitting alternatively on each bar. Warp knitting technology has failed to enter the circular knitting industry, dominated by weft knitting, due to its complexity in achieving warp knit structures in circular form. This thesis presents the design, synthesis, manufacture and test of an innovative method of producing tubular warp knitting fabrics, using a circular format rather than flat needle bars. This novel concept opens up many industrial applications from medical textiles to fruit packaging. [Continues.]