The Knitting Laboratory is equipped with a wide variety of knitting machinery in order to best serve the textile industry at large, as well as the educational and research needs of NC State students and faculty. Weft knit capabilities include circular knitting on a variety of single and double knit machines in various gauges, as well as an array of state-of-the-art Shima Seiki flat knitting machines. Additionally, warp knit fabrics can be produced on a range of tricot, raschel and crochet machines. Services offered include fabric and sample development to fit the specific needs of a given client’s project.
Circular Knitting Machines
Monarch Fukuhara (8 gauge) – Single knit circular knitting machine run by hand crank or electronically. Can produce some knit/miss/tuck fabrics through the use of pattern wheels.
Monarch Step Jacquard (18 gauge) – Single knit circular knitting machine with 60 feeds. Knit/tuck/miss patterns can be input through the use of punch cards.
Mayer&Cie Relanit (24 gauge) – Single knit circular knitting machine equipped with Relanit sinker system for delicate yarns.
Mayer&Cie OVJA Electronic Jacquard (18 gauge) – Double knit circular knitting machine with 48 feeds, LGL storage feeders, and fully programmable electronic selection of the cylinder needles.
Flat Knitting Machines
Shima Seiki Mach2XS (8 and 15 gauge) – WholeGarment flat knitting machine with additional needle beds for producing seam-free knitwear requiring no assembly processes.
Shima Seiki SWG061N2 (15 gauge) – WholeGarment flat knitting machine designed for producing accessories, footwear, and narrow technical products.
Warp Knitting Machines
Rius Mini-tronic Raschel Warp Knitting Machine (12 or 6 gauge) – Sample-size raschel warp knitting machine with 8 pattern bars for the production of various warp knit fabrics including nets and 3D spacer fabrics. This machine has electronic control of the pattern bars and is fully programmable.
