Knitting technology is not a new technology, and the clothes we wear are produced using this technology. On April 3, 2018, the Antarctic bear learned that a research team at Carnegie Mellon University recently borrowed the idea of 3D printing technology to bring knitting into the 21st century. They designed an algorithm that converts a digital 3D design into a specific command that is executed by an automated knitting machine, which is actually a 3D printed form of fabric and knitwear. The robotics involved are relatively simple and the process may point the way to the industry.

We have previously reported on the pioneering work of Dutch designer Irisvan Herpen, one of the many people who brought 3D printing technology to the field of textiles and fashion design. Even the 3D printer for knitwear is not a completely new idea. A few years ago, the London-based startup Kniterate pioneered an open source digital knitting process. The latest innovation from computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University should prove to be an easier-to-use version of the technology that can be applied to a wide variety of knitting machines.

The algorithm was developed with the constraints of a specific knitting machine in mind, so it can optimize the prior art. It focuses on creating patterns that work within the limits of the loops, hooks and parallel needle beds. It is still relatively limited compared to hand weaving, as the current goal is simply to minimize the risk of breakage or clogging, but with the expansion of the knit ecosystem and the development of design tools, there may be more.

â–³3D knitting machine, white plastic parts look like 3D printing

According to James McCan, assistant professor of the Institute of Robotics and head of the Carnegie Mellon Textile Lab, "Knitting machines can be as easy to use as 3D printers." His technology enables smaller batches of products because the machine can be used without manual input. Knitting instructions are made in the case, which makes on-demand machine weaving possible. In the future, customers will be able to choose and quickly implement their own unique clothing color patterns, glove sizes, new plush toy designs and more.

The project was jointly completed by Dr. McCann and Vidya Narayanan and will be presented at SIGGRAPH2018, Computer Graphics and Interactive Technology Conference, Vancouver, Canada.