11. Open Source Hardware - From Fibers to Fabric¶
Research & Ideation¶
When we started this week as a team work we have not started from zero but stepped into a small ecosystem of an open-source machine documentations. and we have explored knitting machines world trying to mimic it and learn to redesign and new thing through the way of doing.
Machine referance : Varvara & Mar¶
Starting to look for a machine has been designed in 2014 known as Circular Knitic by Varvara & Mar. you can see on the right side. The machine has interesting features and more search we found a simplified version done by Jasmin sermonet based on Circular kiniting machine_Varvara & Mar . it was well documented so that we decided to go with it .see the photo on the left .
Tools + Challenges¶
Looking through documentation, tools, and GitHub resources, we found some challenges such as:
- Finding the correct needles from local suppliers within a day!!
- Some pieces needed to be re-designed and 3D-printed to match the resources we have (screws and other hardware).
- Using 3D printing to test the redesigned elements and then adjusting them based on the results.
- Electronics: we first wanted to keep the machine manual, but then we found it not so easy — adding electronics would actually save us time!
- Finding the right way to guide the threads on the machine, plus tuning the needle height, was challenging while the machine was in motion.
MACHINE INTRO + WORK SUMMARY¶
The machine is inspired by earlier open-source projectand later simplified versions that use 3D-printed parts, metal hardware and standard knitting needles. By re-designing some components and printing others, we were able to assemble a custom machine that fits the tools we have in Jordan, screws and materials available in our lab
Circular knitting itself is a way of knitting “in the round” to create a seamless tube instead of a flat piece of fabric. The needles are arranged in a circle, and as the machine rotates, each needle catches the yarn, pulls it through the previous loop and releases it again. Step by step, these interlocking loops build up a cylindrical fabric that can later become a sleeve, a scarf, a sock, or any tubular textile.See the video referance below showing the needles movement.
What is Latsh Needles ?¶
Latch needles are essential components in various knitting machines, playing a crucial role in the knitting process. These specialized needles are designed to create loops of yarn, allowing for the production of intricate fabrics. In this guide, we will explore the technical features, types, and applications of latch needles, providing insights into their importance in the textile industry. Check Here for more information.
Needles Movement Referance¶
Workflow¶
Prepare¶
we gathered what we had available at the lab and bought hardware to match the ones needed for the machine
3d Print stl¶
The documentation contains stl files for the machine peices on the Github and ready to download and re-print on any 3d-printer . feel free to check This link.
The preperation for stl files on cura to start with printing them on ultimaker 3d printers.
3D printing Settings¶
Here are the customized settings on Ultimaker Cura and this screenshot shown the settings used for 3d printing elements for this project.
Re-Design¶
1. First Wheels Challenge¶
As long we explored the objects and understand it , we relized we need to adjust a few things in the design to match the resourses we have and each tiny detail had changed means checking another peice in the design that most likely effected by this change . How ever the peices has been changed named in Github : 1.4xBearings.stl. 2.Big Bottom Gear.stl. 3.
Bearing - Re-design*¶
Increasing the width and dimention of central part to fit the wheel soce , increased its size.
Assemble the wheel inside the component and the redesign fit successfully inside it .
2. Second * Metal cut *¶
The second challenge is to adjust this peice so the circles diamearter on the peice below can fit this thraded rod . so it was re-designed and modeled from scratch via rhino.
3.Third Laser Cut¶
Bottom gear _ wheel challenge! This part is adjusted its design to fit Bearing component size. so we used the plugin for fusion 360 spurgear that allows you to create custom gears through parameters
It shows how the redesign has worked successfully and the new measurment is working well on the re-designed Bearing component .
THREADED ROD¶
It was tall and needed to be adjusted to be cutted around 24 cm each peice via the electric saw .
Machine Assembly¶
Having all the materials ready from 3d print + redesign + tools to start with assembly process.
Machine¶
Machine video¶
Rotation¶
The machine has rotated and worked successfully !! However, in the future will add electronics to allow the machine to rotate not just manually but electrical too.