Industrial Knitting Machine

Noisebridge has a CHJX-1-52 Raynen F4000 based flat knitting machine sourced from Changshu Shengxingda Co, Ltd. It's in our Hackitorium.

This machine will require training to use it. Details to come.

Machine Operations

Knitting Machine

• Raynen F4000 Intelligent Control Of Flat Knitting Machine Manual - Instructions and details for operating the Raynen F4000 flat knitting machine.

• Machine operations - A YouTube playlist with how-tos for on machine operations.

• Dozens of videos on a manufacturer’s YouTube including some on repair and machine adjustments

Design Software

• HQPDS Software Download

• Raynen CAD download

Design Software Learning Resources

• Stitches Library

• Youtube Tutorial Playlist - A YouTube playlist with various tutorials for HQPDS software.

• Operation Manual of the Hengqiang Pattern Designing Software - This manual provides instructions for using the Hengqiang Pattern Designing Software for machine knitting.

• Raynen KnitCAD manual

Software Tips and Tricks

• Use H1-1 when selecting machine model.

Yarns you can use

• The yarn HAS to be spooled on a cone
• This is a 10 gauge machine. The yarn/thread used should be between 4.5 - 8 NM (2232 YPP to 3968), or around 4 NeC (Yarn size conversion calculator)
• Coming soon: recommended seller

Noisebridge Projects

A test knit

Coming soon. Your project could be here!

Other Projects

• Knityak

• QuineScarf

• Knitting machine project by Danny Imbaquingo

Research

• A Compiler for 3D Machine Knitting

• Fabricating Accessible Designs with Knitting Machines

• Three Dimensional Seamless Garments On V-Bed Flat Knitting Machines

• Visual Knitting Machine Programming

General Knitting Machine Learning Resources

• Introduction to Machine Knitting
• Machine Knitting 101 at Noisebridge

It can be helpful to compare to manuals for other industrial-style knitting machines:

• Operating manual for a Stoll machine
• Operating manual for Kniterate

How to use

• Guide coming soon! This machine is large, complicated, potentially dangerous if misused. It will require a training like the laser.
• This machine runs on 240V. Use the included transformer.

Acquisition Process

Container ship MOL Celebration at the Port of Oakland

A Noisebridge member using a forklift to move the knitting machine crate

Noisebridge's sewing guild raised money to purchase an automatic, industrial knitting machine for the space. Shima Seiki and Stoll machines were out of our budget and our initial plan was to buy from a start-up, Kniterate, which came out of the OpenKnit project.

Those machines were facing production delays and increased cost, so we turned to manufacturers in China for a similar spec-ed machine. We asked 5 vendors for bids via Alibaba/Made-In-China.com/the internet at large and settled on a single system, 52” 7 gauge automatic knitting machine with a controller by Raynen.

We engaged with Changshu Shengxingda Co, Ltd for a machine (model CHJX-1-52) at a cost of ~$4000. The base cost of shipping and delivery from China to SF was ~$2000; we incurred some additional fees during this process due to time in port, a customs inspection, forklift rental, and the need for a second delivery attempt.

Here's the timeline of how everything played out.

• April 10 - Initial research starts.
• April 27 - May 5 - Decision-making and engagement with the vendor.
• April 27 - May 5 - Discussions and paperwork with the freight forwarder.
• May 5 - Deposit paid for the machine, production begins; freight shipper contracted.
• May 24 - Machine delivered to the freight forwarder at Shanghai Port. The sailing vessel is MOL Celebration, with an estimated arrival on June 22 in Oakland.
• June 29 - Ship arrival at the Port of Oakland.
• June 29 - July 14 - Container stuck in Port due to a holiday, port backlog, and a customs inspection.
• July 19 - First delivery attempt.
• July 24 - Machine delivered to Noisebridge successfully.