Knitting Technology
Latch Needle
► It is self-acting or loop-controlled needle
and is sometimes termed the ‘automatic’
needle.
► It is the most widely used needle in weft
knitting.
► It is ideally suited for use with computer-
controlled electronic selection devices.
Latch Needle
► It makes a longer stroke in the cycle of
knitting action.
► The Latch needle takes a longer time to
knit a loop and hence the knitting machine
is generally found lower.
► These are expensive, because of the
assembly of the needle and latch.
Latch Needle: Features
► The hook, which draws and
retains the new loop.
► The slot or saw cut, which
receives the latch-blade.
► The cheeks or slot walls, which
are either punched or riveted to
fulcrum the latch blade.
Latch Needle: Features
► The rivet, which may be
plain or threaded. This has
been dispensed with on
most plate metal needles, by
pinching in the slot walls to
retain the latch blade.
Latch Needle: Features
► The latch-blade, which locates the
latch in the needle.
Latch Needle: Features
► The latch spoon, which is an extension of
the blade, and bridges the gap between the
hook and the stem covering the hook when
closed.
Latch Needle: Features
► The stem, which carries the loop in the
clearing or rest position.
► The tail, which is an extension below the
butt, giving additional support to the
needle and keeping the needle in its trick.
Latch Needle: Features
► The butt, which enables the needle to be
reciprocated when contacted by cam
profiles on either side of it, forming a track.
Advantages of Latch
► The latch needle has the major
advantage of being self-acting.
► It is ideally suited for use with computer-
controlled electronic selection devices.
► Latch needles can operate at any angle
but often require a latch-guard or latch-
opening facilities
Advantages of Latch
► Variation of the height
of vertical reciprocation of
a latch needle at a feeder
can produce either
missing, tucking or
knitting, and depth of
descent normally
determines loop length.
Disadvantages of Latch
► Latch needles are thick and rigid
► Needle deflection is difficult.
► It imposes a certain strain on yarn.
► There is also a possibility of fluff or lint accumulation
on the latch due to rubbing action of the yarn on the
needle.
Comparison
• Required another • Self acting needle
element to close
the hook
Beard Latch
Comparison
• Beard Needles are • Latch needles are
thin and flexible thick and rigid
Beard Latch
Comparison
• Usually mounted • Usually mounted
on finer gauge on coarser gauge
Beard Latch
Comparison
• It wears and • Strong in nature
breaks easily
Beard Latch
Comparison
• No strain on yarn • Imposes certain
strain on yarn
Beard Latch
Comparison
• It makes a shorter • It makes a longer
stroke in the stroke in the
knitting cycle knitting cycle
Beard Latch
Comparison
• Stitches are tight • Stitches are loose
and minimum loop
robbing
Beard Latch
Comparison
• No Fly and Fluff • Due to rubbing, Fly
generation and Fluff
generation is high
Beard Latch
Comparison
• Time required to • Takes longer time
knit the loop is less to knit the loop
Beard Latch
Comparison
• The speed of the • The speed of the
machine is high machine is less
Beard Latch
