Industrial Knitting Machine

Noisebridge has a Raynen F4000 based flat knitting machine from Changshu Shengxingda Co, Ltd here

Operations

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

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

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

Noisebridge Projects

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

General Learning Resources

• Introduction to Machine Knitting
• Machine Knitting 101 at Noisebridge

Software Tips and Tricks

• Use H1-1 when selecting machine model.

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

The plan was to acquire a single system, 52” 7 gauge automatic knitting machine (similar to Kniterate) from Jiangsu province in China and bring it to Noisebridge in San Francisco.

We asked 5 vendors for bids via Alibaba/Made-In-China.com/the internet at large and engaged Changshu Shengxingda Co, Ltd for a machine at a cost of ~$4000.

Here's the timeline of how it played out.

• April 10 - Initial research starts.
• April 27 - May 5 - Decision-making and engagement with the vendor.
• April 27 - May 1 - 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.