Circular knitting machine fabrics

Market Dynamics of Circular Knitting Machine Fabrics

Market Overview: The circular knitting machine fabrics market is poised for significant growth, driven by technological advancements and rising demand for customized textiles. According to Research and Markets, the global digital textile printing equipment market is expected to witness a substantial transformation, with a strong focus on digital solutions that enhance quality and efficiency. The shift towards digital printing technologies, which consume significantly less water—approximately 10 liters per meter of fabric compared to 50-60 liters in traditional methods—highlights a growing preference for resource-efficient practices. This trend is further supported by the increasing demand for personalized apparel, which is expected to fuel the market's expansion, particularly in regions like North America and East Asia, where the textile industry is rapidly evolving.

Industry Insights: The growing consumer inclination towards unique and custom-designed fabrics is reshaping the market landscape for circular knitting machines. As businesses increasingly adopt automated embroidery and knitting technologies, the demand for high-quality, intricate designs is surging. This is evident as the embroidery machine market grew from USD 2.02 billion in 2023 to USD 2.10 billion in 2024, with a projected CAGR of 4.30% reaching USD 2.71 billion by 2030. Challenges such as high initial investments and operational downtime due to machine issues remain, but advancements in technology present lucrative opportunities. Companies are innovating to enhance production speed and reduce costs, catering to a market that values quality, efficiency, and customization. As consumer behaviors shift towards sustainable and personalized textile solutions, the circular knitting machine fabrics market is likely to thrive, creating new avenues for manufacturers and suppliers on platforms like Alibaba.com.

Types of Circular Knitting Machine Fabrics

A circular knitting machine is an industrial device that knits fabric in a circular formation. This means there is no side seam on items produced, such as t-shirts and stretchy clothing. Using this machine results in speedy production with minimal yarn waste. Here are some circular knitting machines and their uses:

• Circular jersey machine

  This machine weaves lightweight knit fabrics. Its stitches can be adjusted to create more transparent materials. The adjustments can also ensure the fabric is not see-through. Some of the fabrics made with this type of machine include cotton, spandex, polyester, modal, viscose, and Nylon. The materials used are typically stretchy, and the fabric is often employed for athletic apparel, t-shirts, and fitted garments.

• Rib circular knitting machine

  This machine weaves ribbed-knit fabrics with raised stripes, typically composed of a mix of knit and purl stitches. Ribbed-knit fabrics are elastic, making them perfect for cuffs, collars, waistbands, and fitted sections of clothing. Owners of this machine have the option of controlling the depth of the ribs, the fabric's width, and the level of elasticity. Material choices include cotton, polyester blends, acrylic, cashmere, spandex, merino wool, and silk.

• Interlock circular knitting machine

  Interlock machines produce double-faced, thick, and stable stretchy fabrics. They are employed in various clothing items that call for durability and shape retention. Examples include polo shirts, substantial t-shirts, sleepwear, tracksuits, and sweater dresses. The benefit of interlock fabric is that it's much less transparent than Jersey knit. Material options are somewhat limited as interlock fabric is usually made of cotton and polyester.

• fully fashion circular knitting machine

  The fully fashion circular knitting machine has a computerized control system that can knit shaped parts without seams directly. They are used to produce complex patterns and designs, such as those often found in high-end sweaters and knitwear. The main advantage of fully fashion knit machines is that they allow for more design flexibility and less material waste than cut-and-sew methods.

Specification and maintenance of circular knitting machine fabrics

Specification

• Width: The fabric's width, encompassing the dimensions of the knitter machine's cylinder, impacts the overall width of the finished knitted fabric. For example, a circular knitting machine with a 20-inch width will produce tube-shaped fabrics with a circumference of 20 inches.
• Gauge: The gauge of a circular knitting machine pertains to the number of needles per inch within the machine. This factor influences the size and density of the stitches generated, thereby affecting the final knitted fabric's texture and tightness. For instance, a circular knitting machine possessing a 28-gauge setting will yield fine, tight stitches, resulting in a lightweight and closely knitted fabric ideal for t-shirts.
• Speed: The speed of a circular knitting machine is determined by the number of stitches produced each minute. Machine speed affects the production rate of knitted fabrics. For example, a high-speed circular knitting machine might produce 2000 RPM, signifying its capability to generate a substantial volume of knitted fabric within a specific timeframe.
• Power: The power of a circular knitting machine is expressed in horsepower (HP) and signifies the motor's driving force responsible for operating the machine. Power affects the machine's capacity to handle different types of knitting materials. A circular knitting machine equipped with a 5.0 HP motor can efficiently process various fibers, such as cotton, polyester, and nylon, producing diverse knitted fabrics to meet specific requirements.

Maintenance

• Daily lubrication: Lubricate the machine based on the specified lubrication points, ensuring proper lubrication to maintain smooth operation.
• Fabric and debris cleaning: Remove any residual knitted fabric debris and lint from the machine using a soft brush or vacuum cleaner, ensuring that the machine remains free of blockages and dirt.
• Electrical and mechanical inspection: Regularly inspect the wiring and connectors in the electrical system to ensure there are no loose or damaged parts, and check the mechanical components for wear or looseness, making timely repairs or adjustments to ensure the machine's stability and reliability.
• Needle and rubber strip replacement: Periodically replace the needles and rubber strips to maintain the quality of the knitted fabric. This may be based on the degree of wear and usage.
• Dust removal and cleaning of parts: Use an air blower to remove dust and dirt from key parts of the machine, such as the drive system and control system, to keep the components clean and in good working condition.
• Periodic comprehensive maintenance: Conduct a more thorough maintenance program based on the machine's usage and the manufacturer's requirements for comprehensive inspections, repairs, and adjustments, including replacing essential parts, lubricating specific components, etc., to ensure the long-term stable operation of the machine.

Applications of circular knitting machine fabrics

Circular knitting machines have a wide range of usage scenarios. They are primarily used in the textile industry to produce knitted fabrics of different compositions and specifications.

As an efficient knitting equipment, circular knitting machines are suitable for mass production of various knitted fabrics, such as jersey, rib, and terry. Such fabrics are widely used in the garment-making industry to make T-shirts, sweaters, and underwear, among other items.

Additionally, circular knitting machines can be used to manufacture specialized knitted fabrics. Examples include warp knitted fabrics used for swimwear and sportswear, as well as functional fabrics integrated with touch, eye, and sound functions.

The machines are also used to produce large quantities of non-apparel products. These include tubulars and nets widely used in the medical and automotive industries.

Moreover, circular knitting machines can be used for fabric production with special requirements. By changing the machine accessories or adopting different processes, users can create flame-retardant, waterproof, and other types of functional fabrics.

Other usage scenarios of circular knitting machines include making composite fabrics that involve combining different kinds of materials, as well as sound-absorbing and insulating fabrics.

Superb production efficiency is one of the attractive features of circular knitting machines. Operators can easily create large quantities of knitted products, which is particularly important where items are in mass demand.

How to choose circular knitting machine fabrics

Both quality and quantity must be considered when purchasing these machines.

• Production capacity:

  How much is produced on a circular knitting machine in an hour, possibly in a day? This is the machine's circular knitting production capacity. When shopping for machines, buyers must check their current stock and how much more fabric their market can sell and pick machines that will meet their future fabric needs.

• Flexible machine:

  How many types of knit fabrics does a circular knitting machine currently make? Can the machine be reprogrammed or modified to create other types of knitted fabric? A circular knitting machine that can only make one type of knit can quickly become redundant if market demand changes, so it's better to invest in a machine that is versatile.

• Ease of use:

  How complicated is the process of setting up and operating the circular knitting fabric machine? Machines that require special training or a large number of staff to operate and oversee will add to the overall fabric production costs and might not be a worthwhile investment. A good machine is one that can easily be used by the existing workforce with very little training.

• Cost of operation:

  This includes the electricity needed to drive the machine, raw material waste, and any repair or maintenance costs incurred during its operation. While electricity seems straightforward with the number of units knit, circular knitting machines that run for longer periods help bring down the overall electricity cost, so a more extensive machine that uses more electricity is a better investment. Machines with fewer moving parts usually have lower maintenance costs and require less raw material waste.

• Quality of fabric:

  A machine that produces more fabric waste, low-quality knit fabric, will incur more expenses than כל machine that produces high-quality fabric. Check the number of machines currently in operation to determine if there is a market for low-quality fabric.

• Knitting machine price:

  The cost of each machine and its parts must be carefully weighed against its performance and attributes. Is there after-sale support from a manufacturer's team of experts who can help train staff and service the machine if parts require replacement? Will the machine's warranty cover most of its defects, and is its track record durable and reliable?

Q&A

Q1: Which type of Circular Knitting Machine is most widely used in the industry?

A1: The circular knitting machine that produces jersey fabric is the most widely used knitting machine in the knitting industry. Jerseys are the fabric type that most garment manufacturers use when producing t-shirts.

Q2: How long does it usually take to set up a circular knitting machine for a new job?

A2: Depending on the job's complexity and the machine operator's skill level, it can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours to set up the circular knitting machine.

Q3: What are some of the advanced features to look for when buying a large circular knitting machine for fabrics?

A3: Look for a machine with electronic control, automatic fabric take-up, unattended operation, pattern publishing capability, and remote diagnostics and troubleshooting.

Q4: What advice is there for buyers of circular knitting machines who are new to the industry?

A4: Start by purchasing a small to a medium-sized machine that produces a simple knitted fabric like jersey. Invest in a good quality used machine as your first circular knitting fabric machine. Be sure to purchase a machine that has technical support in your area.