Advanced textile technology: new warp knitting machine in university lab

Warp knitting technology can be used for many products such as smart textiles, durable materials, composites, and technical components as well as high-quality garments such as lace lingerie or training shoe uppers. 

In addition to this breadth of applications, the technology also has the capacity to produce very large volumes when compared to other knitting technologies such as flat or circular knitting.

Of interest for many textile research fields

“Once the decision was made to purchase a warp knitting machine, we gathered the research leaders in all our textile specialisations to investigate what specific properties we sought,” said Stefan Gustafsson, Teaching Technician.

The university has had warp knitting machines in the past but these were older models. The one that has now been moved into the Swedish School of Textiles is lab-scale and one of the few examples of this particular model.

“The ability to create warp knitted fabrics with both basic and more advanced structures, such as spacer fabrics and multiaxial yarns, gives us great flexibility and is very beneficial for both research and education," said Carin Backe, Assistant Researcher in Textile Technology. She was part of the reference group for the purchase together with, among others, Torbjörn Eng, who has extensive experience in the warp knitwear industry.

More education in warp knitting

At present, the warp knitting technique will be included as a smaller component of teaching in the university’s educational programmes.

“Over time, I know that we will become as experienced in this technique as with others, and then we will be able to teach it to a greater degree,” said Stefan Gustafsson.

Opening up for collaboration with the business community

Several companies in the Borås area specialise in products made using warp knitting technology. Carin Backe and Stefan Gustafsson see this as an asset for their learning.

“We have good collaborations in place with business and industry in other areas and we also want to develop such an exchange in warp knitting,” concluded Carin Backe.

The purchase of the warp knitting machine was partly funded by TEKO, the Swedish trade and employers’ association for companies working in the textile and fashion industry.

Read more about our textile labs