Stitch Length and Course Density Measurement
topic
Stitch length measurement uses yarn unroving from defined fabric areas of 100 wales by 100 courses followed by yarn length measurement on a reel to calculate actual stitch length in millimetres, with HATRA or equivalent electronic stitch length meters providing faster automated measurement on fabric samples, and course and wale count per centimetre verification confirming that machine production settings are maintaining programmed fabric structure density.
Role
Verifies the fundamental knitted fabric structure parameters that determine fabric weight, extensibility, and dimensional stability, with stitch length being the primary machine process setting whose accuracy determines fabric quality and whose variation between and within fabric rolls creates the weight and property inconsistency that causes dye shade variation and dimensional specification failure in finished garments.