Manufacturing Three-Thread Fleece Fabric on Circular Knitting Machines

The most favored technique for producing three-thread fleece fabric nowadays involves employing a top needle butt and cam-track for knitting the ground and tie-in yarns. Additionally, four tracks and corresponding butt positions are utilized, which can be adjusted as needed, for the fleece tucking sequence. Here are the procedural steps for manufacturing three-thread fleece fabric on circular knitting machines.

1. Needles chosen on the three-thread fleece circular knitting machines are raised to tuck height to accept the fleece yarn. Subsequently, the sinkers advance, with the top throat managing the fleece tuck and the lower throat controlling the preceding course.

2. Each individual needle is meticulously raised to clear the path of the preceding course, creating ample space to seamlessly incorporate the tie-in yarn. This careful maneuver ensures precision and accuracy in the subsequent stages of the knitting process, facilitating smooth and uninterrupted yarn flow for optimal fabric formation.

3. Subsequently, the needles lower to the "normal" tucking-on-the-latch position, ensuring that the previous course remains outside the closed latch. Here, the fleece tuck, positioned higher on the closed latch, slides off the needle head. As the fleece tuck settles on the upper sinker belly, the sinker retracts, allowing the tie-in yarn (contained within the closed hook) to be drawn downward through it. This meticulous process ensures precise alignment and seamless integration of the fleece and tie-in yarns in the fabric structure.

4. On three-thread fleece circular knitting machines, the upper sinker throat holds the tie-in loop on the open latch while all needles rise to accept the ground yarn. This coordinated movement ensures precise positioning of the yarns for the subsequent knitting process.

5. Once again, the needles descend to the "tucking-on-the-latch" position, where they create loops from the tie-in yarn over the sinker crowns. This step is critical for forming the foundation of the fabric structure and establishing the desired texture.

6. Finally, the sinkers of three-thread fleece circular knitting machines retract, allowing the newly formed plated course to slide onto their lower sinker bellies. Simultaneously, the old course is knocked over, ensuring smooth transition and seamless integration of the fabric layers. Carefully adjusted cam settings play a crucial role in guiding the ground yarn to plate on the technical face (underside) of the structures, ensuring uniformity and consistency in the finished fabric.

In conclusion, the production of three-thread fleece fabric on circular knitting machines requires meticulous attention to detail and precise coordination of various components. By employing advanced techniques such as top needle butts, cam-tracks, and sinker movements, manufacturers can achieve superior fabric quality and consistency. The careful manipulation of needles and sinkers at each stage of the process ensures seamless integration of fleece and tie-in yarns, resulting in a fabric with excellent texture and structural integrity. With continued innovation and refinement of production methods, the production of three-thread fleece fabric is poised to meet the evolving demands of the textile industry, offering versatile solutions for various applications.