A study on dimensional parameters of 1x1 rib fabric produced on a flat bed double jersey knitting machine using ultrasonic technique

Abstract

An attempt has been made to investigate as well as to gain an insight on the non-dimensional parameters such as Uc, Uw, Us and Ur of the knitted fabrics produced on a double jersey flat bed machine using acrylic yarn. Fabric samples have been prepared by varying the stitch cam setting, take down load and yarn count in a 5.5 gauge flat bed knitting machine and then subjected to relaxation treatment by using conventional technique as well as mechanical energy of ultrasonic waves for maximum shrinkage. It is observed that this new relaxation technique produces similar dimensional and non-dimensional parameters of the fabric as obtained with the conventional relaxation treatments. The values of the four non-dimensional parameters such as Uc, Uw, Us and Ur follow a specific trend and these values are found to be comparable with the experimental values obtained by previous workers for fabrics knitted in circular knitting machine. Regression analyses have been made and regression equations are generated to study the effect of loop length on courses and wales (ribs) per cm at different stages of relaxation.