Terrot’s demonstration at the recent ITMA Asia + CITME exhibition was geared towards two specific circular knitting machines, the latest 8-lock model which is said to be ideal for creating fine rib and interlock stitch formations, and a sinkerless model sold under the new SINO brand for the Chinese market. Interlock fabric is a variation of rib knit construction. It is similar to a jersey knit except both front and the back of the fabric look identical. Instead of creating ridges of knit and purl stitches, interlock has two rows of stitches, one directly behind the other. This can create the impression that the fabric is comprised of two layers, which is why it is sometimes categorized as a double-knit fabric.
This double knit construction makes this a thicker knit fabric and it is therefore often regarded as the tightest knit, offering the smoothest surface and the finest hand with a resultant surface that is extremely soft, firm and absorbent. For this market, Terrot’s I3P 154 8lock technology is said to be ideal for creating fine rib and interlock stitch formations, which can be combined into a range of different fabric structures.
The I3P154 also has scope for the use of widely differing yarn types with several features including special shaped cams for various stitch structures, an easily adjustable mechanism that alters the needle gating for interlock or rib fabrics, and a Quick Change facility that operates the gauge change mechanism between 10G and 36G – a feature that allows knitting mills to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and fashion trends.
This model also makes use of a precise dial drive and cylinder bearing (patented) supported in an oil bath which, Terrot says, has a positive effect on fabric quality particularly when using synthetic yarns.
“The top-selling I3P 154 is the origin of all Terrot 8-lock and I3P machines suitable for all kinds of textile applications, especially outerwear fabrics and technical textiles,” the company said. “This machine features an impressive delayed timing up to 6 mm and creates fine rib and modified interlock structures with a high level of efficiency. The abbreviation I3P stands for interlock in three different needle positions – knit, tuck and miss. The result is a striking flexibility in application for the production of outerwear textiles.
“1.8 feeds per inch and a maximum speed-factor of 900 SF guarantee high productivity. Its precise adjustment of delayed or synchronized timing allow impressive delayed timing up to 6 mm for dimensionally stable and durable fabrics. Wide cam tracks suit different yarn counts with special characteristics, like spun yarns (wool, linen, silk, Kevlar, etc.), which are necessary for technical applications.” The I3P154 is said to be particularly suitable for the production of Punto de Roma, Rib 1:1, Ottoman and Waffle fabrics while the special yarn feeder means that elastomeric yarn can be smoothly integrated into the knitting process. The machine is also applicable for the production of Spacer fabrics.
The main application areas for this machine are sportswear, underwear and swimwear as well as automotive, medical and technical textiles.
Also on show was the special sinkerless technology model, the SL-4 TC – SINO, which, described as an easy and extremely efficient single jersey machine for the production of leisure and outerwear fabrics, is now ready to enter the Chinese market. Terrot’s SINO circular knitting machines have been specifically designed to meet the technical requirements of the Chinese market, and are therefore exclusively distributed there. “They convince with shorter delivery times and offer great value for money in order to serve the demand for high quality machines in China,” the company said. “This highly productive single jersey machine is designed without sinkers for advanced fabric quality. Its assembly is very easy and significantly reduces cleaning and maintenance operations on the knitting head.”
The SL-4 model is available with tubular frame or open width frame. Visitors were also able to receive further information on Terrot’s innovative Corizon technology, a special process, which combines spinning and knitting to create a new and unique yarn structure. The model on show in Shanghai was a gauge 32G on a 34 ins diameter model with 102 feeders. It was knitting a 100 per cent cotton yarn on count Nm68/1.