T-Knit Turbo Knitting Machine

This project is about automating an existing knitting machine, which is typically used for children. The machine comes in several sizes, featuring 22, 40, or 48 needles. By motorizing its operation, the goal is to transform manual cranking into a fully automated process.

The T-Knit project focuses on automating the operation of a knitting machine. By designing and constructing this machine, it becomes interesting for step-by-step automation. The idea originated when I noticed that nobody had installed a permanent motor on the device, instead most people only use a drill attachment. However, with that method, you still need to actively participate in the process. With this project, I aim to change that and make knitting fully automated.

The ultimate goal is for the user to only need to supply yarn and select a hat or scarf via an interface. The machine will then produce the chosen item completely autonomously, including error detection and handling as part of the process.

The project is structured into acts, with each act focusing on a module that contributes a specific task to the automation process.

• Act I : Motorization of the Knitting Unit

This is a tutorial video showing how to knit a hat using the machine. The black machine featured in the video is essentially identical to the pink one, both are made entirely of plastic. For the purposes of this project, there is no practical difference between the two models.

Here is an example of a different knitting machine setup. For automation, it is generally preferable to use knitting machines where the yarn moves instead of the needles. This type of machine allows for higher operating speeds and significantly less wear compared to the version I am currently using. The reduced mechanical stress makes them more suitable for continuous, automated operation.

One major challenge I encountered was that these machines are typically designed only for sock sizes, not for hats. This means that, for my use case, I would have needed to build a larger version based on this machine to accommodate hat sizes.