Manufacturer of circular and flat knitting machines Taitexma Enterprise Corporation has patented and developed a circular knitting machine, known as model TXP, which can be quickly changed from one diameter to another with minimal cost and downtime.

Taitexma Enterprise Corporation, which was founded in 1999, claims to be able to change a 34 inch 102 feed single jersey machine for example, to a 30 inch 90 feed arrangement, where the user only has to buy a new cylinder. The conversion uses the same cam box in one of two different positions to fit to the different diameter cylinders.

The diameters (both 3F and 4F*) which can be interchanged are:

*3F = 3 feeders per diameter inch, 4F = 4 feeders per diameter inch

Possible conversions using same cam box for different diameter cylinders

According to Taitexma, the TXP changeable diameter machine is fitted with equipment which is to European standard and meets expectations in terms of precision, durability, high-speed/ low temperature. The technology has been patented in mainland China and Taiwan and will be on show at ITMA Asia + CITME in Shanghai at the end of July.

In addition to being able to change the machine diameter Taitexma also claims to be able to change a TXP single jersey machine to a fleece machine, where the user only needs to buy extra cams for the fleece. A 30 inch 90 feed single jersey machine can for example be changed to a 30 inch (3 x 30 feed) fleece machine and a 32 inch 96 feed single jersey to a 32 inch (3 x 32 feed) fleece machine.

A Taitexma spokesperson told Knitting Industry: “Our company owns many kinds of patent technology of circular knitting machines. In fact, our technology of circular knitting machines is nearly the same as European standard but our sales price is much lower. We believe that our good quality and competitive price of circular knitting machine will win the market and can compete with other brands all over the world.”

Taitexma manufactures a range of single and double jersey machines. The company’s TXS single jersey range is available in three different models. The TXS-3F is available in diameters 15 – 44 inches and in 16-32 gauge with 44-132 feeds; TXS-4F, 15 – 44 inch diameter, 16 – 32 gauge, 60 – 176 feeds: and TXS-FL, 30 – 40 inch diameter, 16 – 32 gauge, 90 – 120 feeds. The TXD double jersey range is available in four different models TXD-60, TXD-64, TXD-72, and TXD-84 in gauges 12 -32 gauge and 15 – 44 inch diameters.

Taitexma operates two different factories for circular knitting machines and flat knitting machines and employs around 100 people. Current production levels are about 50 circular knitting machines per month and approximately 60 flat knitting machines per month.