Flat Knitting Machines and Fully-Fashioned Knitting

Flatbed/V-bed knitting: two flat needle beds (front and back) positioned in inverted V (typical angle 100-110°), reciprocating carriage carrying yarn feeders and pattern selection mechanisms across beds. Machine specifications: width 14"-84" (35-210 cm), gauges E3-E18 (coarse knitwear E3-E7, fine knitwear E12-E18), feeders 4-16 per carriage, speeds 1.0-1.8 m/sec carriage speed. Advantages: (1) Fully-fashioned capability—garment panels knit to final shape with shaped edges, raglan sleeves, necklines (minimal cutting waste, superior fit, no cut-edge raveling), (2) Shaping techniques—widening (increasing loops via transfer, tuck stitches), narrowing (decreasing loops via transfer, loop combinations), and (3) 3D/Integral knitting—complete garments or multi-component items knitted in one piece (WholeGarment technology by Shima Seiki eliminating seams, reducing labor 60-80%, enabling seamless t-shirts, sweaters, dresses). Applications: fashion sweaters (E7-E12, 300-600 GSM), scarves, luxury knitwear, technical textiles (spacer fabrics, shaped composites).