Creation of a Geometrical Model for Milano Rib Fabric

Abstract A geometrical model for milano rib fabric at a normal tightness condition, based on Kurbak's (1998) plain-knitted loop model, was created. The model showed that small yarn compressions at the interlocking points and 50% yarn swellings away from the interlocking points might have occurred in the experimental sample used for comparison. Drawing of the model using the 3DS MAX computer graphic program gave a similar shape to that obtained experimentally with the real fabrics.

Key words geometrical model, milano rib, knitted fabric

(ProQuest-CSA LLC: ... denotes formulae omitted.)

The investigations on the dimensional properties of knitted structures began with experimental studies. Doyle [1], Munden [2], Knapton et al. [3, 4] and Kurbak [5-7] derived some empirical formulae by conducting experimental investigations. At the same time, researchers tried to create geometrical and physical models of knitted fabric structures. Previously created geometrical models for plain-knitted fabric include those of Chamberlain [8], Peirce [9], Leaf and Glaskin [10], Leaf [11], Mundcn [12], Postle [13], Kurbak [5, 14] and Demiroz [15].

Knitted fabrics with various constructions are very popular for many applications nowadays and among these constructions the milano rib is frequently preferred. Milano rib fabrics can be used commercially for sportswear, warm outerwear, etc. because they are volume structures with horizontal openings inside the structures that can hold trapped air and therefore do not transfer heat or cold from one side to the other.

Milano rib structures can also be used functionally as technical textiles, for example, by inserting wire, electrical cables, water pipes, yarns etc. in their horizontal openings and they are also suitable for absorbing impact forces and for use as reinforcement material in composite applications [16-21].

Within the range of milano fabrics, we were interested in investigating a wet relaxed milano rib fabric at a suitable tightness for practical use and we aimed to create a geometrical model of milano rib to derive more information about the fabric.

The unit structure of milano rib-knitted fabric is a combination of a 1 × 1 rib course and a plain knit course in both the front and the back beds. For the model, it was more realistic to use similar curves (curves with same properties) for both the rib and the plain courses. The existing models of plain-knitted fabrics were researched to see whether any of them could form a basis for the creation of a milano rib model and Kurbak's model [7] was found to be suitable for our purpose.

A Model for Milano Knit Structure

Proposed Model for the Plain-Knit Course

For the plain-knit course the model that was proposed by Kurbak in 1998 [7] was used without any change (see Figure 1a and b). As this model has been described in detail [7], only a brief explanation will be given here. In this model the upper and lower parts of the loop are elliptical curves and the arms of the loop are helical shapes that are wrapped over elliptical cylinders, arranged parallel to the wales …