| Fully computer-controlled, bi-directional, three-position circular weft jacquard knitting machine is a multifunctional knitting system, which can perform jacquard weavings, loop transfer stitches, and chain stitches. By choosing a proper needle size, the machine can be used to knit various fabrics, such as underwear, T-shirts and others. The design of such a knitting machine involves various control devices, such as the needle selector (which controls the jacquard needles), the valves, the stepping motors (which control the fabric density), the yarn changing, cutting and holding apparatuses, and the broken-yarn detectors, etc. During the knitting process, all these devices are needed to function accordingly. If the movements of these devices are solely mechanically controlled, it will be complicated, and even impossible to achieve many functions. Computer software is not only useful for controlling the moving objects, it can also help people design CAD patterns. However, there is still no reliable domestic-made fully computer-controlled knitting machine available. Therefore the aim of this paper is to design a reliable, functional, and easy-to-use computer control system, for the knitting process and according to the working process of each controlled devices.In this paper the knitting processes, patterns, and movement processes of circular weft knitting machines have been studied, based upon which, we have analyzed the principle, and the process of a bi-directional, three-position circular weft jacquard knitting machine, and have designed and realized a reliable, functional, and easy-to-use computer control system for the machine. Major works include the followings:1. The knitting processes and requirements, the patterns, and the movement processes and requirements, are studied, and the systematic structure of computer control is given.2. The hardware subsystem of the control system is designed and implemented. The structure of the hardware subsystem, and the detailed implementations of each functional module are given.3. The software subsystem of the control system is designed and implemented. The components of the software subsystem are presented. The moving controlling software and the pattern preparation system are implemented. |
