How a Spinning Camera Checks Fabric Quality on a Knitting Machine

This patent describes a circular knitting machine that uses a digital camera mounted on its rotating parts to continuously inspect knitted fabric for flaws as it's being made.

What it covers

The patent describes a circular knitting machine that includes a special system to check for flaws in the fabric. This system uses a digital camera (Claim 1) that is attached to the machine's rotating part (Claim 1). As the machine knits and rotates, the camera spins along with it, capturing images of the flattened fabric (Claim 2). A computer then quickly looks at these images to find any defects (Claim 3). If a problem is found, the machine can stop itself to prevent more bad fabric from being made (Claim 3). For example, if a machine is knitting a large roll of t-shirt fabric, this system would catch a dropped stitch or a yarn break right away.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover defect detection systems where the camera is stationary relative to the machine's fixed support structure, as Claim 1 specifies the camera rotates with the machine's rotational structure.
• —Does not cover systems that inspect fabric after it has been fully knitted and removed from the machine, as it's integrated into the knitting process for real-time inspection.
• —Does not cover defect detection using sensors other than a digital camera, such as laser scanners or ultrasonic detectors, as Claim 1 specifies a 'digital camera for capturing digital images'.
• —Does not cover machines that only detect defects without the ability to stop the machine, as Claim 3 specifies 'stopping the motion... for preventing more defects'.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in fixing the digital camera directly to the rotational support structure of the circular knitting machine. This allows the camera to continuously capture images of the fabric from a consistent, close-up perspective as it's being formed, rather than relying on a stationary camera or post-production inspection.

Why it matters

Textile manufacturing relies heavily on quality control, and defects can be costly. This patent aims to improve efficiency by catching flaws early, reducing waste, and ensuring consistent product quality. By integrating real-time inspection directly into the knitting process, it helps manufacturers produce higher-quality fabric with less manual intervention.

Real-world examples

• 1.High-speed circular knitting machines for apparel fabric
• 2.Textile factories producing large volumes of knitted goods
• 3.Machines making seamless garments
• 4.Smartex's own fabric inspection systems