Magazine September 2019

We are looking to both the past and the future

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The patented solution against lint build-up

Reduced cleaning requirements and fewer lint-related lines in the knitwear when processing staple fiber yarn in large diameter circular knitting machines – the specialty of the new, patented Groz-Beckert needle SAN™ SF.

What is special about the new needle?

The new SAN™ SF special application needle takes account of the fact that, by nature, the processing of staple fiber yarn involves a higher amount of lint that can accumulate in the needle track. It was designed to reduce the associated effects and helps to ensure that the knitting process runs fault-free for longer periods of time without prolonged interruptions for cleaning.

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The challenge: Contamination

Staple fiber yarns are made by twisting fibers of a respectively defined length. During processing in the knitting machine, yarns like these lose fibers due to friction. Protruding fiber ends can also break off. This results in increased fiber fly, which is deposited in and on the knitting machine. In conjunction with oil, contamination thus occurs, which means that the machine must be cleaned regularly to guarantee problem-free processes.

If the mixture of oil and fibers enters the needle trick, it can accumulate under the needle shank and raise the needle. This leads to differences in the hook position. The result: formation of lines in the knitwear and potential damage to the needle due to contact with other machine elements.

The solution: We have it

Here the only remedy is frequent cleaning. The machine must be stopped, the needles must be removed and freed from residues in a time-consuming process. The slots of the cylinder must be cleaned. The machine is at a standstill. Production must wait. Right?

Wrong. This is where the new Groz-Beckert SAN™ SF special application needle comes into play. It's special needle shank geometry prevents dirt from getting under the needles. This means that the machine can run for much longer without the necessity to remove the needles for cleaning even when processing staple fiber yarns, and can produce more fabric during the same time.

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The explanation: How it does it

The needle back is solid, i.e. without cut-outs. It therefore fills the entire needle trick and leaves no space for residues to accumulate. The needle stays in its position and keeps the needle trick clean for longer – up to three times longer in field tests.

There are humps on the top side of the needle shank. They also help to transport fibers out of the needle trick and to keep them away from the back of the needle. They also support the trick wall if a neighboring needle butt is overloaded in multi-track machines.

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The question: What's the benefit for you?

The SAN™ SF significantly reduces the frequency of contamination-related lines in the knitted fabric. Knitting mills benefit from lower costs and higher productivity thanks to reduced cleaning requirements.

How can you identify the new special application needle for processing staple fiber yarns? Its designation starts with SAN™ SF. SAN stands for "special application needle" and SF stands for "staple fiber".

Any questions? We would be happy to advise you.

  • Did you know?

    Over the past 30 years, Groz-Beckert has registered patents for 140 knitting tool inventions. The SAN™ SF needle is one of the most recent of these 140 inventions.