Circular Knitting Machines

Circular machine types: Single jersey machines—one needle bed (cylinder), knitting tubular fabric (t-shirts, underwear, medical textiles), diameters 12"-48" (30-120 cm), gauges 12-44 needles per inch (E12-E44), feeders 20-120 (determining stripes, patterns), speeds 1.0-2.5 million stitches/min, production 20-100 kg/shift. Double jersey/Rib machines—two needle beds (cylinder and dial perpendicular), producing rib, interlock, pique structures, thicker fabrics (200-500 GSM), gauges E14-E36, feeders 24-96, speeds 0.8-1.5 million stitches/min. Machine diameter affecting: fabric width (diameter × π), cylinder circumference determining pattern repeat, and gauge determining fabric fineness (finer gauge = lighter, smoother fabric). Modern features: electronic jacquard (individual needle selection enabling complex patterns via computer control), four-color striping (multiple yarn feeders automatic selection), and automatic monitoring (drop detection, yarn tension, fabric take-down).