Dubied

History

Founded in 1867 in Couvet, Switzerland, by Edouard Dubied, Dubied & Cie is widely regarded as the manufacturer of the finest manual flat knitting machines in history. After acquiring the European rights to Isaac Lamb’s V-bed patent at the 1867 Paris World Expo, Edouard Dubied refined the design with Swiss precision engineering, creating machines that would define the global knitwear industry for over a century.

Dubied machines are characterized by their massive cast-iron frames, exceptional needle durability, and a unique gauge system based on the French inch. Although the company ceased production in the late 1980s, their mechanical models—specifically the NH and MM—remain the professional standard in high-end fashion ateliers and textile universities due to their superior stitch definition and "indestructible" build quality.

Manual Flat Bed Machines (V-Bed)

These professional-grade machines are categorized by their carriage complexity and patterning capability.

• Dubied NH (The standard "workhorse" for rib and jersey)
• Dubied MR (Refined version of the NH with improved carriage cams)
• Dubied MM (The "Master" model; features high-level needle selection for complex textures)
• Dubied MUT (Specialized for transfer stitches and pointelle lace)
• Dubied SDR (Advanced manual machine with semi-automatic power-assist features)
• Dubied NHZ (Compact/Narrow version of the NH used for sampling)

Automated & Electronic Models

• Dubied JET 2 (Early electronic power machine)
• Dubied JET 3 (High-speed computerized flat machine from the 1980s)
• Dubied Ducad (The specialized CAD/CAM software system used for late-era Dubied electronics)

Gauge Reference

Dubied machines use "E-gauge" (needles per French inch, approx. 27.07mm).

• 5-cut to 7-cut: Comparable to Bulky/Chunky gauge.
• 8-cut to 10-cut: Comparable to Standard/Mid-gauge.
• 12-cut and higher: Fine gauge for luxury knitwear.