Flat Bed Knitting

Flat knitting is an important division of weft knitting industry. The first flat-bed machine was
demonstrated in 1862 and patented in 1865 by Isaac Wixon Lamb.

The fabrics which can be produced on circular knitting machines can be easily produced on
V-bed flat knitting machines, but some of the fabrics which can be produced on V-bed
machines are difficult and sometimes impossible to get produced on circular weft knitting
machines.

Machine Types and Classification

The flat-bed machines are divided into three groups as given below:

1. V-bed machines
2. Horizontal opposed flat-bed machines
3. Straight-Bar multi-sectional full fashioning machines

Main Features

- Flat knitting machine has two stationary needle beds

- Latch needles are used
- Multifunctional cam system is used
- The CAM system is attached to the underside of the cam carriage
- The carriage traverses in a reciprocating manner across the machine width
- There is a separate cam system for each needle bed

Advantages of Flat Knitting Machine

- The stitch length range is wide and there is the possibility of changing the machine
gauge
- A wide range of yarn counts may be knitted per machine gauge including a number
of ends of yarn in one knitting system
- The operation and supervision of the machine is easy compare to circular weft
knitting machine
- The number of garments or panels (garment parts, i.e., sleeve, back part of the body,
front part of the body etc.) simultaneously knitted across the machine is dependent
upon its knitting width, yarn carrier arrangement, yarn path and package
accommodation.

End product of Flat Knitting Machine

Pullovers, jumpers, cardigans, suits, trousers, hats, rib collar and cuff , cleaning clothes,
three-dimensional and fashioned products.