As a traditional Chinese textile process, knitting has evolved from the initial hand-weaving to modern high-tech intelligent manufacturing after hundreds of years of development. This article will tell about the development of knitting technology from manual to high-tech.
Firstly, the origin of knitting technology can be traced back to the era of human hand knitting. Knitting originated in ancient times when fishing nets were braided, using two or more straight needles of wood or bone to bend yarn into loops and weave them into simple and rough fabrics. This skill gradually developed into a cottage industry and was widely spread and developed among the people. By the end of the 16th century, the English invented the first knitting machine for knitting socks, which marked the beginning of the gradual transformation of knitting production from manual to semi-mechanized. After the Industrial Revolution, mechanized spinning and weaving greatly promoted the development of knitting machinery. The knitting machinery that began to be used in China was transmitted from abroad to Shanghai and Guangzhou in the last years of the Qing Dynasty.
With the continuous development of knitting raw materials and the development of science and technology, knitting technology has also become modern and technological, so as to better serve human beings. In this process, the emergence of intelligent knitting equipment has undoubtedly become an important force to promote the development of the industry. These devices skillfully integrate the advanced theories, efficient methods and cutting-edge technologies of “artificial intelligence” to deal with various information and complex problems, and demonstrate strong adaptability, self-learning ability, self-correction mechanism, high self-coordination ability, flexible self-organization characteristics, accurate self-diagnosis function and excellent self-healing performance. This series of intelligent features not only significantly improves production efficiency, makes the production process smoother and more efficient, but also greatly reduces labor costs, bringing more considerable economic benefits to enterprises.
At the same time, the application of intelligent knitting equipment has also greatly improved the quality level and production stability of knitted products, ensuring that each product can meet high standards and strict requirements. In terms of raw materials and technologies, modern knitting technology is constantly making breakthroughs, actively introducing a series of new raw materials and innovative technologies, such as high-tech functional fibers with special functions, and environmentally friendly materials in line with the concept of sustainable development. The integration of these new raw materials and technologies not only greatly improves the physical properties and wearing comfort of knitted products, but also actively responds to the urgent needs of the current society for environmental protection and healthy life, making knitted products more in line with the diversified values of modern consumers. It is worth mentioning that the rise of 3D printing technology has opened up a new world for the knitting industry and brought unprecedented possibilities. With the help of 3D printing technology, designers and producers have unprecedented freedom to create complex and highly personalized knitted products, fully satisfying consumers’ strong desire for unique and differentiated products. The introduction of this technology not only broadens the design boundaries of knitting products, but also injects new vitality into the industry, indicating the infinite and broad development prospects of the knitting industry in the future.
The science and technology of knitting products must bring about the application of science and technology in life. On the one hand, with the advancement of science and technology, knitted products have gradually become functional. For example, knitted sunscreen clothing, outdoor jackets, ski apparel and other sub-products containing high-tech functional fibers are selling well. These products not only have the comfort and aesthetics of traditional knitted products, but also have the functions of waterproof, windproof, warm and breathable. On the other hand, smart knitting products are to integrate intelligent technology into knitted products, so that they have functions such as intelligent perception and intelligent interaction. For example, some smart knitted garments can monitor physiological indicators such as heart rate and blood pressure, providing real-time monitoring and early warning for people’s health. Finally, knitted products also have a wide range of applications in the medical field. For example, some knitted medical dressings have characteristics such as good air permeability and strong moisture absorption, which can promote wound healing and recovery. In addition, knitting technology can also be used to make medical aids such as prostheses and orthotics.
The development of knitted products from handmade to high-tech has gone through just a few hundred years, and knitted products will surely bloom their own value in the future. In the future, the knitting industry will pay more attention to product innovation and function improvement to meet consumers’ demand for high-quality and high value-added products. At the same time, the knitting industry will also strengthen the integration and collaboration with other industries to promote cross-border innovation and development.
