Integration of additional threads in stitch wale direction of circular knitted fabrics for Smart Textile applications

摘要

In the context of a research cooperation as part of the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) at the ITM, together with the SME's roma Strickstoff-Fabrik Rolf Mayer (roma) and Maschinenfabrik Harry Lucas (Lucas), an innovative and cost-effective add-on device for large circular knitting machines (LCKM) was developed and realized with which an additional thread sheet can be knitted into right-right (RR) and interlock circular-knitted fabrics in stitch wale direction. In combination with weft yarns simultaneously incorporated in stitch course direction, this allows the production of lattice-like, interconnected panel heating elements in the fabric structure in a single production step. These can be used for textile heating sheet and sensor elements. Using a panel-heating element made of elastic and electrically conductive yarns in an interlock circular-knitted fabric as an example, the potential of the method is shown for an integrative manufacture of func-tionalized circular-knitted fabrics for heatable textile products in the field of home textiles.