This document provides information about 3D knitted fabrics, including their classification, manufacturing methods, properties, machines used, and applications. It discusses two main manufacturing methods - weft and warp knitting. Weft knitting uses one yarn per row to form loops, resulting in elastic but low-thickness fabrics suitable for biomedical uses and composites. Warp knitting interconnects loops using multiple yarns per needle, producing thicker, less elastic fabrics used in composites, military armor, and medical stents. Principles for 3D knits include incomplete rows, patterns with racking, sandwich/spacer fabrics, and integral/seamless knitting techniques.

1. BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY
Ethiopian Institute of Textiles and Fashion
Technology(EITEX)
SEMINAR ON 3D KNITTING
PREPARED BY: SELAMU TEMESGEN
SUBMITTED TO : Dr.S.Kathirrvelu (Professor Textile Tech.
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2. Contents
 Introduction
 Classification of 3D knitted fabrics
 Manufacturing method for 3d textiles
 Properties of weft and warp knitted 3D fabrics
 Types of machines used for 3D weft and warp
knitting
 Application of 3D fabrics
 Principles to obtain 3d knitted fabrics

3. 3D-Textiles
1.Introduction
Development of three-dimensional knitted
fabrics dates from the 19thcentury
• The concept of three-dimensional of the textile
materials is not related to the intrinsic value of
dimensions found on the three axes (x, y, z), but to
the relationship between them.
• This relation characterises the importance of the
dimensions in the geometry of the material.
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4. 4
• A three-dimensional fabric, regardless of the
process used, is “a continuous ensemble, with fully
integrated fibre, characterised by multiaxial spatial
orientation”
Creating a three-dimensional effect on knits is based
on the following techniques:
• I. Insertion of additional yarns along multiple
directions;
• II. Knitting and linking independent layers in
different ways;
• III. Spatial shaping.

5. 2. Classification of 3D knitted fabrics
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6. 3.3D Textiles - Manufacturing
Methods
 Manufacturing methods:
Braiding
Weft knitting
Warp knitting
Weaving
Stitched assemblies
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7. Manufacturing Methods –Weft
Knitting
• Basic technique:
– Forming a loop through previously formed such
loops.
• One yarn makes one row of the fabric.
General properties:
– The specific shape of the individual loops results in an elastic
material
– Fabric thickness is low – 3D geometry
– Patterning allows manufacturing of tailor-made
shapes 7

8. Fabric Formation Elements– Weft
Knitting
Individually controlled needles
Consecutive knitting on every next needle
 One thread per row
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9. 4. Machines used –Weft
Knitting
 Two kinds of machines:
• – Flat bed
• Possibility to make tubular products, shells, thickness
reinforced (spacer knits) and some complex structures
as a combination of these
• Patterning of shape and loop architecture
• – Circular
• Tubular and spacer tubular fabrics
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10. 5.Application Scope –Weft Knitting
 Weft Knitting:
• – Somewhat limited 3D application due
to the relatively low thickness of the
material
Biomedical
Composites (formable matrix)
 Reinforcement (Y-pipe, T-Pipe)
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11. Manufacturing Methods –Warp
Knitting
• Basic technique:
• – Fabric formed by interconnecting loops.
• Machine used-Double needle bar raschel is commonly used
• A set of individual yarns for every needle.
• General properties:
• – Less elastic fabrics
• – Products with considerable thickness – 3D structures
• – Patterning allows repeated structures to be manufactured
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12. Fabric Formation Elements– Warp
Knitting
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13. Application Scope –Warp
Knitting
• Warp Knitting:
 Composite materials
 Aerospace industry – composite matrix
 Civil engineering – concrete reinforcement, acoustic
insulation
 Military - ballistic protection
Biomedical – vascular stents
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14. 5.Principles for Obtaining Three-
Dimensional Knitted Fabrics
• To produce three-dimensional fabrics, the knitted material can be
formed by the technique called spatial fashioning technique (also
known as flechage).
Three-dimensional structures can be created also
by knitting stitches and loops combined with the
lateral movement of the needle bed.
By increasing or decreasing the number of working
needles it is possible to create three dimensional
knitted items on intarsia knits.
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15. Conti……
The methods of making three-dimensional items on
flat knitting machines are:
1. Incomplete knitted rows technique (spatial
fashioning);
2. The use of patterns with 3D effects – egg. Knitting
tuck stitches patterns combined with racking;
3. Knitting separate fabrics connected in between –
sandwich/spacer fabrics;
4. Integral knitting /wholegarment.
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16. Conti………
1. Incomplete Rows Knitting Technique
• Incomplete rows knitting technique is a
technique used by designers of knits to create
three-dimensional knitted items or tubular
knits
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17. 2.Use of Patterned Structures with 3D Effects
• The most known example is the so called egg nest fabric, created by
Shima Seiki.
• The pattern is based on cardigan evolutions combined
with successive racking in opposite directions.
• Another example isajerseyfabric witha zonewithmissstitcheswhile the carriersproduce
stitcheson the opposite bed.
• When the missing stitches are discharges, the stitches
produced on the opposite bed are transferred to the
working bed.
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18. 3. Sandwich Fabrics
• A knitted layered item (sandwich) is a 3D structure,
composed from two outer layers knitted together
independent, connected by byarns or other knitted
layers, as shown below
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Sandwich fabrics with connection through knitted layers present a large
range of development possibilities :
− increase in the fabric thickness based on the length of the connection
layers;
− modification of the geometry of external fabrics due to the use of
connecting layers with different length;

19. 4. Integral Knitting Technique
Integral knitting technique is an improved stage in the development of
technologies for flat knitting machines .
So far it is the most advanced knitting technology through
which a garment is completely assembled on a knitting
machine without the need of sewing. Seamless knitting
technology is a method that cuts off waste and reduces
costs.
• The seamless garment is very comfortable and resistant
to wear.
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20. THE END
THANKS
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