AiVibeTextile & Automotive Manufacturing
Circular Knitting Machine
A circular knitting machine is a weft knitting machine with needles arranged around a rotating cylinder, and often a dial, that forms loops from yarns fed at many feeders to produce tubular knitted fabric.
Latch needles sit in tricks around the cylinder and are raised and lowered by cam tracks as the cylinder rotates relative to the cams. At each feeder a yarn is laid into the needle hooks and drawn through the previous loops to form new stitches, so many courses are knitted per revolution. Single jersey machines use only cylinder needles; double jersey machines add a dial with a second set of needles for rib and interlock structures. Machines are described by diameter, gauge in needles per inch and number of feeders.
Circular knitting is the main route for T-shirt jersey, polo pique, fleece, rib, sportswear, underwear and many elastane-containing fabrics, because it is highly productive and allows a wide range of structures and yarns.
Stitch length, yarn count and tension determine fabric weight, width and dimensional stability, and finishing affects shrinkage. Typical defects include holes, drop stitches, needle lines, barre, elastane faults and spirality in single jersey. Machines use sensors for yarn breaks, holes and needle faults to stop knitting quickly, and settings and maintenance follow the manufacturer's documentation.
Key points
- Needles around a rotating cylinder form loops at many feeders
- Single jersey uses a cylinder; double jersey adds a dial
- Described by diameter, gauge and number of feeders
- Stitch length and yarn count control fabric weight and stability
Where AiVibe comes in
AiAmbA use cases include visual inspection on textile and automotive lines, predictive maintenance and digital twins. Existing lines are retrofitted with edge devices, and AI agents only propose changes for a trained operator to confirm.
Explore AiVibe’s work in Textile & Automotive Manufacturing →