A 3D Loop Model for Visual Simulation of Warp-knitted Structures

Abstract

As is well known, the unit element of a warp-knitted structure is the loop. It is therefore necessary to have either a physical or a geometrical description of warp-knitted loop configuration to represent it on the computer screen. In the work reported in this paper, a method was developed to obtain a three-dimensional loop model that was suitable for visual computer representation of warp-knitted structures. For this purpose, some basic two-bar structures were produced on a raschel machine, and measurements were made on photomicrographs of them to obtain a 3D configuration of yarn inside the fabrics. A general loop model based on the data obtained from the analysis of real loops in fabrics was then developed. Finally, 3D images of the basic two-bar warp-knitted structures were created on a computer by employing this proposed loop model. A CAD program was developed for this purpose. Comparison of the computer-generated images of the warp-knitted structures with their real pictures confirms that the 3D loop model developed can provide a realistic visual simulation of warp-knitted structures.