Industrial Knitting Machine

Noisebridge has a Raynen F4000 based flat knitting machine sourced from Changshu Shengxingda Co, Ltd. It's in our Hackitorium.

Current Status We've lost most of our institutional knowledge about how to use this machine, and we're looking for experts to help us get re-trained. In the meantime, we're trying to develop our own workflows based on the manual and the basic knowledge that we still have.

Machine Operations

Knitting Machine

• This machine runs on 240V. Use the included transformer.
• ALWAYS keep your hands clear of the bed and carriage while the machine is running or injury may occur.

Manuals

• Raynen F4000 Intelligent Control Of Flat Knitting Machine Manual – Instructions and details for operating the Raynen F4000 flat knitting machine.

• Machine operations – A YouTube playlist with how-tos for on machine operations.

• Dozens of videos on a manufacturer’s YouTube including some on repair and machine adjustments

• Operating a flat knitting machine

• Basical course – A video that shows the basic workflow of loading a file into a similar knitting machine, checking that the machine is threaded correctly, and knitting the first few rows.

Yarns you can use

• The yarn HAS to be spooled on a cone
• This is a 7 gauge machine. The yarn/thread used should be between 4.5 - 8 NM (2232 YPP to 3968), or around 4 NeC (Yarn size conversion calculator)
• We've had success with Super Lamb 2/24

Maintenance

Broken needles are part of life. If you hear a crunch noise STOP your knit!

• For replacement needles, buy Gold-Beamlight VOSASPEC 80.119D(C) on Alibaba or Taobao.
• Video on replacing needles
• Oil the needle bed often!

Design Software

Knitting machine pattern design software is Windows based. It's installed on the computer in Noisebridge's print shop. You can also download it.

• HQPDS Software Download

• Raynen CAD download

3rd party tools may be easier to use than the included software. HQPDS can import DAT files, compile and simulate knitting for our machine.

• Knitout - Represent low level knitting operations in a machine-agnostic way. Requires a backend to compile into DAT and other formats.
• Knitout Visualizer - Visualization of Knitout instructions.
• Knit Script - Python library for knitting machine instructions. Outputs Knitout.
• Knit Utils - JS library for knitting machine instructions. Outputs Knitout & DAT.
• Knit Skel - Browser-based design tool for basic shape and pattern construction. Outputs DAT.
• Knit Sketching - Sophisticated, browser-based garment design tool. Outputs Knitout.
• Autoknit - 3D mesh to Knitout generation tool.

Software Tips & Resources

• Choose 7 gauge, H1-1 (simple/roll) when selecting a machine model.

• Manuals and examples are on the computer in Noisebridge's print shop.

• HQPDS has a steep learning curve. There are dozens of YouTube tutorials. Some are in languages other than English but provide steps you can follow along with. Examples:

• Stitches Library
• Insert and map an image for jacquard
• Function lines

• Make sure you understand casting

Manuals

• Operation Manual of the Hengqiang Pattern Designing Software - Manual provides instructions for using the Hengqiang Pattern Designing Software for machine knitting.

• Raynen KnitCAD manual - Manual for KnitCAD

Projects & Research

Noisebridge Projects

A test knit

Your project could be here!

Other Projects

• Knityak

• QuineScarf

• Intro to Industrial Machine Knitting - Primer on industrial knitting machines, creating DAT files, jacquard, cast ons and cast offs.

• Some Narrative Accounts of using these machines.

Research

• A Compiler for 3D Machine Knitting

• Fabricating Accessible Designs with Knitting Machines

• Three Dimensional Seamless Garments On V-Bed Flat Knitting Machines

• Visual Knitting Machine Programming

General Knitting Machine Learning Resources

• Introduction to Machine Knitting
• Machine Knitting 101 at Noisebridge

It can be helpful to compare to manuals for other industrial-style knitting machines:

• Operating manual for a Stoll machine
• Operating manual for Kniterate

Acquisition Process

Container ship MOL Celebration at the Port of Oakland

A Noisebridge member using a forklift to move the knitting machine crate

Noisebridge's sewing guild raised money to purchase an automatic, industrial knitting machine for the space. Shima Seiki and Stoll machines were out of our budget and our initial plan was to buy from a start-up, Kniterate, which came out of the OpenKnit project.

These machines were facing production delays and increased cost, so we turned to manufacturers in China for something similar. We asked 5 vendors for bids via Alibaba/Made-In-China.com/the internet at large and settled on a single system, 52” 7 gauge automatic knitting machine with a controller by Raynen.

We engaged with Changshu Shengxingda Co, Ltd for a machine (model CHJX-1-52) at a cost of ~$4000. The cost of shipping and delivery from China to SF was ~$2000; we had some delays in port, a customs inspection, and needed to rent a forklift for delivery.

Here's the timeline of how everything played out.

• April 10 - Initial research starts.
• April 27 - May 5 - Decision-making and engagement with the vendor.
• April 27 - May 5 - Discussions and paperwork with the freight forwarder.
• May 5 - Deposit paid for the machine, production begins; freight shipper contracted.
• May 24 - Machine delivered to the freight forwarder at Shanghai Port. The sailing vessel is MOL Celebration, with an estimated arrival on June 22 in Oakland.
• June 29 - Ship arrival at the Port of Oakland.
• June 29 - July 14 - Container stuck in Port due to a holiday, port backlog, and a customs inspection.
• July 19 - First delivery attempt.
• July 24 - Machine delivered to Noisebridge successfully.

This is the second time Noisebridge has imported a giant machine. In 2016 we got a laser cutter. It is so big that walls had to be removed to get it through the door at 2169 Mission St.