Investigation of an innvovative plating process in weft knitting

In a previous R&D project funded by the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE – 0400310), an innovative yarn feeding technology for weft knitting machines was validated. This technology employs three yarn carriers to create unique fabric structures: one carrier inserts yarn Y3 into both needle beds to produce a 1x1 rib pattern, while the other two carriers insert yarns exclusively into either the cylinder Y1 or dial needles Y2, resulting in a single jersey structure on each needle bed. This study investigates the effects of various machine settings on the plating results of knitted fabrics using this technology. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of timing (synchronized and delayed), yarn tension, and cam depth on the fabric’s appearance. Color components of blue, yellow, and red were analyzed through stitch color counting and image processing with Matlab. Results indicated that synchronized timing increased the visibility of Y3, while delayed timing enhanced the prominence of Y1 on the technical front of the fabric. Increasing yarn tension of Y3 resulted in a noticeable color gradient. Adjustments in cam depth led to minor color changes. The study concluded that timing significantly affects the knitting result, with increased yarn tension of Y3 reducing its visibility on both sides of the fabric, while cam depth had less effect. These findings highlight the importance of precise machine settings in determining the final appearance of knitted fabrics, providing valuable insights for the textile industry in fabric design and production.