Flat Machine Knitting and Fabrics

by H. D. Buck

The Cam System

Referring now to the cam system shown in Fig. 86, it will be noted that while in general appearance the upper and lower set of locks are similar, the wing or stitch cam l and m are not only different in shape from the lower wing cams f and g, but they are set differently in their relation to the V or rise cams a and c.

The cams as shown are set in the proper position to make jacquard or design work. The upper rise cams c, d and e are drawn up into the plate out of working position, therefore those needles selected to operate on any course must be raised by the lower rise cams a and b. The upper lock operates on the butts of the needles proper shown at b, Fig. 90, while the lower lock operates upon the auxiliary needles shown at a in the same illustration. Now, then it is plain that the needles proper will not be raised up, therefore cannot draw new loops or knit unless they are raised by the auxiliary needles a, Fig. 90, which in their turn are raised by the cams a and b, Fig. 86. But it should be noted that the auxiliary needles are drawn down below the point of the rise cams a on each course, as the wing cams f and g extend below these corners, therefore, on every course, unless one of the wing cams f or g is drawn up into the cam plate out of working position, all of the auxiliary needles are drawn down out of working position and will not operate on the next succeeding course unless put into working position by other means.

These wing cams f and g are chamfered off on the outside, so that any auxiliary needles pushed up above the lower end and into operating position will slide under and raise them up into the cam plate. The inner edge is a square corner consequently will, upon coming in contact with the needle butts, draw them down out of the working position. The auxiliary needles being a separate unit have no effect on the needles proper on their downward movement, but must, of course, raise them on the upward movement by coming in contact with the lower ends.

Fig. 87.
Fabric Design Made on a Jacquard
Machine.

Those of the needles proper that are moved up into work are brought down again and form new loops by the stitch cams l and m, Fig. 86. The small triangular cams j and k are for clearing the needles when a very short stitch is being drawn by the stitch cams l and m.