Process analysis and outlook for the development of a new weft yarn inlay system for warp knitting

The technology of warp knitting is one of the more recently developed processes in knitting technology. Complex machine technology and highly productive machines characterize the process. This principle allows obtaining fabrics with various characteristics and for various applications. It is possible to insert straight weft yarns in the textile structure. The weft yarn can be inserted either over the entire width of the textile surface, that is, full wefts, or only over a specific area of the textile, that is, partial wefts. However, weft insertion is the limiting factor in respect of process speed, even if different methods for traversing yarn positioning in the textile industry with the potential to increase the weft insertion speed had been introduced. This paper aims to analyze the inlay yarn condition in respect of yarn tension and yarn speed during the cyclical process of the state-of-the-magazine inlay yarn insertion system and, based on these findings to propose a solution to increase the laying velocity by developing a new method. The approach used is to reduce the vibration induced by the reciprocating movement of the guide bar during inlay operation by using a continuous movement of the mobile elements. This will allow in the future increasing the production velocity, to reduce the stress on the inlay yarn due to acceleration and deceleration.