Intense efforts to optimize machine technology and create awareness in the textile and processing industries have resulted in establishing Stoll CMS flat knitting technology in certain areas of technical application and thus the use of the technology as an alternative to other textile manufacturing and refinement methods.

The advantages of flat knitting technology are based on both creative versatility and patterning and production-based flexibility. Like no other method, flat knitting technology enables you to use an existing machine base to realize product creations using a wide variety of materials with the most diverse product designs. No extensive conversion is provided for changing articles, and product formats can range from cut and sew garments to complex, seamless, pre-shaped half- or fully-finished garments. The pattern designs range from smooth stitch structures to special technical weave structures in conjunction with closed, open or even extra-thick fabric, which are important for technical requirements. Special techniques such as weft insertion, plating and intarsia are alternative technical fabric forming options which are used for technical work based on their application type and which deliberately entail the use of flat knitting technology to a degree.

Medical technology:

Flat knitting technology has been of particular importance in the field of medical technology for quite a long time. It is used to create anatomically fitting bandages and compression garments. The specific need to manufacture articles anatomically with a compression effect achieved by using weft insertion technique finds increasing recognition among medical experts. Today, such products are used for compression garments like stockings, cuffs,gloves etc. and are, for example, used for illness and wound therapy for people with circulatory disorders, lymphedemas, edemas and for scar and burn treatment. In addition to the broad field of orthopedic applications, there are other medical solutions in the field of
stump care and, ever more often, in the manufacture of textile implants.

Upholstery and suspension fabric technology:

In the field of manufacturing upholstery and suspension fabrics, flat knitting technology has been able to establish itself as an interesting and sought-after technology, especially in the production of office and home furniture. In times of varying demand, the special manufacturing methods of flat knitting technology can accommodate customers in the furniture industry. The manufacture of half- or fully-finished items when adopting small batch sizes roughly corresponds to just-in-time manufacturing with the advantages of minimal commitment of capital and warehousing. The design and function characteristics of knitted upholstery fabrics can be adapted individually to the chair models of different customers
combining a high degree of functionality with a representative look. The special need for comfort in knitted goods together with the artistic opportunity to create self-supporting textile structures have made the use of flat-knitted cover and fabric skin materials a sought-after solution, especially in the production of cantilever chairs.

Wire and metal fabric technology:

The flexibility and variety of different product formats possible for fabric have made knitting technology an interesting choice in the field of wire and metal thread processing. While initially the concern in the field of industrial manufacturing technologies was on catalytic elements or separation, insulation and protection technologies, current developments focus on the introduction of electrically and thermally conductive yarn components. The advantages of the plating and intarsia technologies allow to bring conductive materials to Press Report predetermined locations within a textile structure.

Composite materials and industrial application technology:

These days, the subject of composite materials can cover a wide variety of different forms.The formation of complex knitted prepregs made of fiberglass yarns with admixtures makes the manufacturing process of elaborate composite components much easier. The use of highly-modular fiber types is possible with the appropriate flat knitting machine equipment.Carbon fibers can be processed with weft insertion in a way that directed strengthening technologies may be used.Fabrics with high-strength yarns can be used as coating substrates and can find specific implementations in industrial applications. The machine technology predominantly used for technical applications today consists of compact three- or four-system machines, e.g. the CMS 530 usually of a finer gauge range between E 12 and E 18. The machines must be fitted with optional equipment depending on their respective uses. Thanks to many years of experience and conscious engagement in areas of technical application, there are almost no remaining technological limitations to make specific technical knitted articles a reality.

M. Legner / Sales Director for Technical Applications
Fig.1: Knitted glasfibre fabric with inserted weft
Fig.2: Knit fabric with conductive intarsia section
Fig.3: Knitted to shape composite structure
Fig.4: Knitted spacer structure made of wire
Fig.5: Close up structure suspension fabric
Fig.6: Close up of knit cover fabric for armrest
Fig.7: Tablechair BULO Easyrider wih knit cover
Fig.8: orthopaedic knee brace