3D Printed Parts

3D printing has become a vital tool for the maintenance and evolution of knitting machines, particularly for vintage models where original parts are no longer in production. By using additive manufacturing, users can replace degraded components, create custom attachments, and even build entire machines using open-source designs.

Applications in Machine Knitting

Replacement Parts

Vintage knitting machines often contain plastic components that become brittle and fail over time. 3D printing allows for the digital preservation of these parts.

• Gears and Drums: Used to replace the plastic gears in the patterning drums of vintage punchcard machines (e.g., Brother KH-881) which are prone to cracking.
• Sponge Bar Stoppers: Small end caps for needle-retaining bars are a frequent entry-level 3D printing project to keep needles properly aligned.
• Knobs and Levers: Custom replacements for carriage knobs and tension dial components that are frequently lost or damaged.

Custom Tools and Attachments

• Needle Bed Extenders: Custom brackets that provide more stable support when knitting wide panels on flat-bed machines.
• Yarn Masts and Guides: Enhanced yarn tension systems designed for technical fibers (like wire or conductive thread) that original equipment was not designed to handle.
• Row Counter Triggers: 3D-printed triggers that mount to the carriage to engage the mechanical row counter.

Open-Source Machine Projects

Modern makers are using 3D printing to create entirely new knitting hardware, moving away from reliance on vintage industrial supplies.

• Scarlett Sparks' KnittingMachine: A notable open-source project that utilizes 3D-printed components to build a functional knitting machine from scratch.
• Circular Sock Machine (CSM) Parts: The CSM community is particularly active in sharing designs for ribber dials, yarn feeders, and specialized weights to modernize antique hand-cranked machines.

Technical Benefits

• Rapid Prototyping: Facilitates the iterative design of custom "hacks," such as mounting stepper motors for automated carriage movement.
• Material Selection: Using filaments like PETG or Nylon provides the durability and heat resistance required for mechanical components that undergo repetitive stress.
• Digital Preservation: Scanning or modeling rare parts ensures that discontinued machine models can remain operational indefinitely.

Resources

• Thingiverse/Printables: Common repositories for community-tested files using search terms like "knitting machine" or "Brother KH."
• GitHub: Host to more complex, code-driven designs such as parametric needle bed designs and electronic housing for AYAB hardware.