Taiwan’s Da Kong has launched a new, fully computerised version of one of its bestselling hosiery knitting machines equipped with a toe-closing device. Unveiled at the recent FIMAST exhibition, the DK-B318 single cylinder machine, which is one of the company’s most popular models in markets such as Turkey, has now been equipped with the latest D4S toe closing technology from Staubli. Designated the DK-B318+D4S, this range of sock machines includes a 3 ¾ ins diameter single feed machine that comes in numerous versions which can knit up to 1 main feed plus 6 pattern feeds in up to 16 colours. There is a terry version of the machine and needle counts range from 84N to a fine gauge 220N with the terry version knitting socks on 84N – 168N.
There are 8 yarn fingers at the main feed and 3 yarn fingers at the colour feed. When using 6 colour feeds, number one and number two feeds have 2 yarn fingers to give a total of 16 colours. Plain socks are knitted on models DKB318- 8 (1+6 colours) and DK-318-6 (1+4 colours) at speed of 280 – 350 rpm depending on the design and number of colours. The terry/plain sock machines are DKB318- 8T (1 + 6) and DK-B318-6T (1+4), in terry mode can run at a healthy 220 – 300 rpm in terry and between 280 – 350 rpm in plain. Described as a completely revolutionary idea for automatically linking socks directly on knitting machines, the D4S is available for a range of gauges and offers a range of benefits including easy needle changes, an accessible seaming module for easy loading and maintenance, increases in productivity and a short payback period due to moderate investment.
