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.

Current Status September 2023: 2/24 yarn acquired and first successful jacquard knit. We are refining our methods and working on documentation. This machine will require training to use. Stay tuned!

Machine Operations

Knitting Machine

Manuals

• 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

Yarns you can use

• The yarn HAS to be spooled on a cone
• This is a 7 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

Tips & Tricks

• 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.
• ALWAYS keep your hands clear of the bed and carriage while the machine is running or injury may occur. Give machine operator clearance.
• If this machine is not knitting the pattern you expect check if F2 Crose Lock is locked -- if this is engaged the machine will just knit as if everything is waste yarn.

Maintenance

• Replacing needles
• For replacement buy Gold-Beamlight VOSASPEC 80.119D(C) needles
• Oil the machine often!

Design Software

Knitting machine pattern design software is Windows based. It's installed on the computer located in the Noisebridge print shop. You can also download it to run locally.

• HQPDS Software Download

• Raynen CAD download

• MIT software demo

Software Tips & Resources

• Choose H1-1 (simple/roll) when selecting a machine model.

• If HQPDS throws an error when you try to start it, you may need to install some supporting libraries. Navigate to the application's folder within Program Files and install the MS Access Database Engine.

There are dozens of helpful YouTube tutorials on HQPDS and Raynen KnitCAD. Some may be in languages other than English but the provided steps are easy enough to follow along with. A helpful selection:

• Stitches Library
• Insert and map an image for jacquard

Manuals

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

• Raynen KnitCAD manual - Manual for KnitCAD

Compiler and File Format

Knit CAD software has a compiler, de-compiler, and knitting simulation tools.

After compilation, five files (CNT, PAT, PRM, SET and YAR) are created (you can also generate another file type .001 for some machines). These files are described by the manual as follows:

• 001 file is knitting files for new machine and the CNT\PAT\YAR\SET\PRM is for older machine.
• CNT: Consisting of knitting parameters of the machine. Therefore, it must be imported before knitting.
• PAT: Consisting of needle action information, the needle will act according to it. Therefore, it must be imported before machine running.
• PRM: Consisting of pattern cycle information, it must be imported before machine running.
• SET: Pattern expansion file.
• YAR: Consisting of the information of the yarn carrier, such as corresponding No. and

knitting range of the yarn carrier.

Projects & Research

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

Maintenance Log

Date	Notes
2023-08-03	test
2023-07-24	machine unpacked

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.

These machines were facing production delays and increased cost, so we turned to manufacturers in China for something similar. 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 cost of shipping and delivery from China to SF was ~$2000; we had some delays in port, a customs inspection, and needed to rent a forklift for delivery.

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.

This is the second time Noisebridge has imported a giant machine. In 2016 we got a laser cutter. It is so big that walls had to be removed to get it through the door at 2169 Mission St.