Monitoring knitting process through yarn input tension: new developments

Abstract

In the knitting industry, the appearance of faults during production is an issue of major concern, since it affects quality and productivity. There exist a set of instruments and accessories for detecting faults and avoid as much as possible the generation of defects, however they are stand-alone systems and there is not an integrated information for the technician about the knitting process, capable of helping him in the maintenance and repair of the knitting machine. The yarn input tension, due to its nature, constitutes a valuable way of diagnosing the functioning of the machine. This paper presents the research conducted in this area at this university by presenting a redesigned acquisition system in order to acquire and analyse the measurement of the yarn input tension, towards a system capable of effectively detect faults and abnormalities during the production of weft knitted fabric.