EP0669015A1

EP0669015A1 - Arrangement for developing a control program for a knitting machine or loom.

Info

Publication number: EP0669015A1
Application number: EP94901811A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernd Universal Maschin Pforte; Wolfgang Universal Masc Berger
Original assignee: Dr Rudolf Schieber GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Henkel Dorus GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1992-11-16
Filing date: 1993-11-16
Publication date: 1995-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-16
Also published as: ATE157786T1; EP0669015B1; WO1994011794A1

Abstract

An arrangement (10) is disclosed for developing a control program for a knitting machine or loom (42) used to produce hosiery in which the thread runs across the knitting direction. The arrangement has an input unit, a graphics unit and a control program calculating unit. In order to make it easier for the user of the arrangement to convert input information about the weave pattern to be knitted into a knitting control program, the input unit is designed to allow inputting and/or placing weave, colour and/or contour patterns. An adapter unit (28) for weave arrangements with at least two different patterns following each other in the direction of the stitch rows checks whether the patterns can be knitted.

Description

Establishment for the development of a tax plan for a

Knitting or knitting machine

description

The invention relates to a device for developing a control program for a knitting or knitting machine for producing a stitch product with a thread course transverse to the direction of production, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The knitting or warp knitting machines in question can be flat knitting machines, in particular with two needle beds, flat knitting machines or circular knitting machines equipped with point needles, latch needles or the like. The course of the thread is transverse to the direction of manufacture of the knitted product, so that, according to German language usage, a single-thread knitted fabric is used, provided that it has been produced on a knitting machine or by

Single-thread knits, provided a corresponding knitting machine has been used.

Modern knitting machines offer a multitude of possibilities in the design of the stitch product, since the thread course in the manufacture of the stitch product can be varied individually by using appropriate control mechanics or electronics. In the case of knitting machines which have been customary to date, the control commands are often carried out using jacquard cards of the knitting or knitting machine. In recent times, the control commands with the help of magnetic storage means such. B. magnetic tapes or diskettes of the machine or directly via data line. In principle, these modern knitting machines can be used to produce machine-made certificates with complicated bonds, different binding patterns, complex color patterns and knitted-product outlines. From the textile industry also increasingly requires appropriately designed knitted products, whereby due to the short fashion cycles it is important that a template developed by the designer for the shape, weave structure and coloring of the knitted product is implemented as quickly as possible in the production.

However, the implementation of the design in the corresponding control program has so far been extremely time-consuming and requires special knowledge both in relation to the knitting technique and in relation to the electronic programming technique. In particular, the joining together of different binding patterns has hitherto required the intervention of a person specially trained for this purpose, since in general the binding arrangement cannot be knitted from the two adjacent binding patterns. The knitting compatibility of both patterns must then be made by hand by appropriate individual programming.

A device of the type mentioned at the beginning is known from the trade journal "knitting and knitting technology" 41 (271, pages 668 to 670). In this state of the art, based on a multicolored image and the specification of the desired type of knitting jacquard or intarsia, the steering becomes ¬ Program for the previously selected knitting machine is created automatically with the aid of the control program computing unit. The control program can be changed in a separately running program in such a way that a predetermined outline shape of the knitted product is also taken into account when knitting (form knitting). Woven patterns with more or less complex binding structures are taken into account, specifically by explicitly entering corresponding program parts in the SINTRAL program language. To display the binding, a color cartridge is used with assignment of the colors used to binding elements and modification elements. After the de s SINTRAL control program by means of the control program computing unit, the binding can optionally also be in a thread run display mode or a stitch display type can be displayed on the screen. The SINTRAL control program can be tested with the help of an analysis program. Detected program errors are displayed for subsequent manual correction by the specialist working on the machine. A change z. B. the Faden¬ run by the expert takes place that this changes the SIN¬ TRAL control program accordingly. In order to be able to determine the effects of these control program changes on the thread run, the SINTRAL control program must be created completely and a simulation run must be carried out for the previously selected machine type for the subsequent display of the resulting thread run on the screen. The control program computing unit is not able to automatically calculate a control program from a template with several different binding patterns arranged side by side; in this case, the specialist working on this sample system must enter the program steps required for this in the programming language SINTRAL.

From US Pat. No. 4,608,642 (Shima) it is known to enter binding structures using a color code with 127 colors, each of which is assigned to a needle or a pair of needles of the respective row of stitches and to determine the weaving process. This weaving process is specified and partly dependent on the machine type. With the help of the control program arithmetic unit, the control program for the previously selected knitting machine is created automatically by transferring the color codes into the corresponding knitting process. Knitting incompatibilities that lead to errors when executing the program, such as B. Fixing a mesh crossing, opposing bed misalignment or excessive mesh stretching are not recognized by the computing unit. A limited number of colors is reserved for multi-colored knitted fabrics (jacquard or intarsia). A multicolored image can therefore generally not be reproduced with the original colors. Corresponding color codes can be selected for a limited number of reverse side designs. The juxtaposition of color patterns and binding structures is only possible to a limited extent due to the double meaning of the color codes (binding and color). After simulation of the generated program, a mesh image can be displayed on the screen. However, changes can only be made in the color code display or in the knitting program itself, the complete program and a simulation run again having to be created to display the changes in the stitch image display.

The invention is based on the object of providing a device for developing a control program for a knitting or knitting machine of the type mentioned at the beginning, in which the implementation of information entered about knitting patterns to be knitted into a knitted control program is facilitated.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The adaptation unit thus checks the at least two adjacent patterns forming the binding arrangement, be it weave, color and / or outline patterns, within which the entire stitch product or parts thereof, such as, for example, B. sleeves, descriptive overall arrangement. If one starts from, for example, two binding patterns, each of which can be knitted per se, e.g. B. retrieved from a corresponding library, in many cases there is nevertheless a knitting incompatibility if these two patterns are juxtaposed in the direction of the stitch rows. If, for example, a transfer operation follows in one of the two possible directions in one pattern on a common row of stitches, but in the other direction in the other binding pattern, these two operations cannot be carried out in the context of a single sled run. The adapter unit therefore checks all information about the two patterns, in particular all lines of the thread running It shows whether there is such an incompatibility. If it detects such an incompatibility, then, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, it corrects the binding information about both binding patterns in such a way that the two opposing transfer operations are carried out in two successive sled runs.

If the adaptation unit detects knitting incompatibilities that it cannot remedy by itself, then it emits a corresponding error message according to an embodiment of the invention.

Overall, the development of the knitable control program is considerably easier, with a corresponding reduction in the time required for this, since the adaptation unit automatically eliminates knitting incompatibilities or issues a corresponding error message if the incompatibility cannot be corrected immediately.

A particularly preferred further development of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the adapter unit is designed to transmit the corrected binding arrangement or the error message to the graphics unit for the optical reproduction of the corrected binding arrangement or the original binding arrangement together with the error message, and that the graphics unit is designed for manual correction of the binding arrangement reproduced in each case via the input unit and for the transmission of the manually corrected binding arrangement to the adaptation unit for re-checking the knitting compatibility. This enables interactive control program development with a reduced development time, since in the dialogue between the operator and the device according to the invention, correction suggestions of the adaptation unit can be checked by the operator immediately and, if necessary, further corrected with an immediate check of the knitting tolerance, without a complete tes control program that would run on the respective knitting machine would have to be created.

After an interactive completion of a knitable binding arrangement from the several patterns, the control program can finally be calculated, for which purpose the adaptation unit is connected to the control program computing unit for transmitting the corrected stitch arrangement and for subsequent calculation of the control program.

In order to be able to manufacture the stitch arrangement, corrected according to the invention with the aid of the adaptation unit, and thus in principle knitable, without too much computing outlay on the large number of knitting or knitting machines currently or in the future, it is proposed that the

Control program computing unit comprises a first subunit for calculating a general control program independent of the knitting machine type. It has been found that the wide variety of current knitting machines have a number of essential design features in common. It is therefore common for one. A corresponding control program is therefore created for a "universal" knitting or knitting machine which has these common design features. A machine type-specific control program can now be derived from this universal control program with little effort, the corresponding computer module also being able to be integrated in the respective knitting machine. The centrally developed universal control programs can then be fed directly to the individual knitting machines.

In a development of the invention, the input unit is designed for the independent input of binding patterns, color patterns and outline patterns. After the appropriate input, possibly also using libraries for binding patterns, color patterns and outline patterns, the binding pattern or color pattern entered in each case can then ster or outline pattern can be further revised for each. Later, the binding patterns, color samples and outlines in their final version are then superimposed on the computer in order to finally receive the control program for the desired mesh certificate. The versions of binding patterns, color patterns or knitted product outlines developed during this development can optionally be transferred to the corresponding library for storage, for which purpose the input unit is connected to a corresponding data memory.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that in the thread running display mode the weave patterns consist of weave rows formed by the weaving elements and of weaving rows formed by the modification elements, and that the lines of the weave arrangement consist of the rows of weave that have been joined together ¬ are formed. This special type of representation of the thread run is particularly useful for those familiar with the manufacture of knitted products, since the production process is striking in accordance with the runs of the lock. Also give the modification elements such. B. transfer, drop and offset each on what is achieved with the corresponding action, but not how this is carried out in the specific type of knitting or warp knitting machine. The

The display type is therefore independent of the machine type. However, the number of rows is practically always greater than the corresponding number of stitch rows, since in many cases the weave rows corresponding to the stitch rows of the product are followed by one or more modification rows.

In addition to all the necessary details of the binding process, the thread running representation type can also be chosen in a further development of the invention, a symbol representation which consists of the individual rows of meshes associated with symbol lines, each symbol changing the thread guide a pair of needles and at least at least part of the modification operations to be subsequently carried out. This type of representation has the advantage of being closer to the appearance of the knitted product, even if only a part, preferably only the next modification operation, is also displayed. Another possible type of representation is the stitch representation type, which reproduces an already quite realistic image of the stitch product to be produced. Mesh lines are shown, each of which is assigned to the stitch rows and which are formed from mesh elements, each mesh element representing a mesh image which corresponds to a representation of a corresponding section of the mesh product produced. These mesh images can be produced by scanning corresponding photographic detail shots of finished mesh products and can be stored element by element in a library.

An advantage of the thread running representation type according to the invention lies in the fact that a general distinction is made between rows of bindings and rows of modifications, and that one line is assigned to each forward and reverse of the lock. If two different weave patterns are placed side by side with a different sequence of weave series and modification series, then it must be ensured that all weave series of both patterns are brought to the same height so that they can each form a continuous weave line that can be formed by a single barrel of the lock can be processed. According to the invention, this alignment of the binding rows of the two binding patterns is produced automatically by the adapter unit in that the binding row without connection to a binding row of the other binding pattern by inserting blank lines under the relevant "lonely" binding row is shifted upwards until the isolated row of bonds meets a subsequent row of bonds in the other bond pattern. As a result, only binding elements or only modification elements follow in one line of the illustration. one another, so that a knitable connection of the two adjacent weave patterns is produced. This results in a nesting of the constructive structure of different binding structures in that, after a line with binding elements, the same number of lines with modification elements follow as the two structures to be adapted have at most following the binding line. As part of the further adjustments to the two binding patterns, however, further modification lines can also be inserted.

A knitting incompatibility can also arise if a bond row without offset of one of the two bond patterns is followed by a bond row with offset (one of the two needle beds) of the other bond pattern. In this case, if there is a mesh crossing of right binding elements (stitch or handle) with left binding elements (stitch or handle) in the respective other binding pattern due to the offset, this crossing is fixed by laying the thread in the course of the current binding line. This leads to a change in the structural design in comparison to the two output binding patterns, which must be avoided. In this case, the adapter unit automatically shifts all rows of one of the two binding patterns, so that in the course of this shifting the row of bonds with an offset comes to lie next to a row of bonds of the other binding pattern, in which there is no corresponding crossing when one is shifted Needle bed occurs.

In the course of this mutual displacement of the two binding patterns, the adaptation unit in turn automatically ensures that after their displacement the binding rows and the modification rows are aligned with one another with the insertion of corresponding blank lines.

Which of the two binding patterns is shifted in relation to the overall binding arrangement, and into which of the two the possible directions is in itself irrelevant for the production of the knitting tolerance. However, it is particularly expedient if the binding pattern which was last entered into the binding arrangement is shifted. The binding patterns entered so far, which in general have already been adapted to one another with regard to compatibility with knitting, then remain stationary and do not have to be adapted again to one another.

The respective weave pattern is shifted until the matching unit determines that no mesh crossover with subsequent fixation occurs in any of the lines. If this goal cannot be achieved, the adapter unit issues the corresponding error message.

In order that the binding pattern to be shifted remains intact, it is expedient that the adaptation unit shifts the binding pattern in one direction at most until the corresponding edge of a further binding pattern or the overall arrangement is reached. In order to prevent the overall arrangement from being overstepped from the outset, it is proposed that the adaptation unit shift the binding pattern in the direction away from the closest edge of the overall arrangement.

If the two binding patterns to be adapted to one another are periodically constructed in the direction of the small rod (perpendicular to the row direction), with a period usually referred to as the repeat length, it is sufficient to shift the corresponding binding pattern a maximum of times until a total shift is carried out according to the greater repeat length of the two binding patterns. If a mesh crossing still occurs after this maximum shift, an error message is issued.

For the sake of simplicity, the binding pattern in question will be shifted upward, ie towards the end of the overall arrangement to be knitted last, since in this In general, the rows are checked and, if necessary, automatically corrected. However, if the maximum total displacement derived, for example, from the repeat length of the binding pattern involved exceeds the distance of the binding pattern from the end of the overall arrangement, the adaptation unit causes the binding pattern in question to move in the opposite direction, that is to say towards the beginning of the overall arrangement tion, is moved. The same applies in the event that there is a binding pattern between the binding pattern and the end of the overall arrangement, the distance to the next following binding pattern then being compared with the maximum overall displacement.

In a modification line, only transfer operations are permitted where the distance between the start and finish point is the same (same transfer distance). Even if, as previously stated, the two initial weave patterns are knitable in themselves and therefore meet this condition, it can happen when the two weave patterns are joined that modification elements "cloaks" with different cloak distances occur . In this case, the adaptation unit again separates the two corresponding modification rows of the two binding patterns by inserting an empty row in one of the two binding patterns. This is equivalent to the insertion of an entire blank line with subsequent resetting of the rows following the blank lines of one of the two binding patterns by one row.

The adapter unit preferably sets back that binding pattern whose conversion element “transfer” has a relatively larger transfer distance. It is in general expedient to carry out the more problematic of the two hanging operations, namely those with the greater distance, first, since the meshes are then drawn closer and thus offer greater resistance to a further hanging operation. Another condition for the knitting of several modification elements "cloaks" in a modification row is that of the same direction of the cloak. If this condition is violated, the adaptation unit again separates the two rows of modifications by inserting an empty line and correspondingly resetting one of the two binding patterns by one row.

The "transfer" operation is carried out with the aid of thread spreading elements on the needles of the knitting machine. Due to the local conditions, it is cheaper to move to the left in the needle bed grid before moving to the right. The adaptation unit therefore preferably staggered the modification series in exactly this order.

If there are at least one pair of interconnected left or right binding elements (mesh or handle) in a row of ties, a subsequent transfer process can only be carried out if the distance from the start and end of the transfer process does not exceed a certain limit value. This limit value depends on whether the binding elements of the pair are moved away from one another or towards one another at the beginning of the transfer process. In the former case there is a low limit value that is the same for all possible binding element pairs. In the latter case, this limit lies in the range of twice the distance between the binding elements. When checking whether this critical transfer operation can be carried out, any intermediate transfer operations must also be taken into account. It is possible for all binding elements to be on one side after carrying out such a temporary transfer operation. In this case, the transfer operation is possible.

However, if the latter reassignment operation follows critical reassignment operation, the latter reassignment operation cannot be carried out unless the two operations and with them the corresponding modification lines are exchanged. This interchanging is carried out automatically on a trial basis by the adaptation unit after it has determined that it is impossible to carry out the critical transfer operation.

If this measure does not lead to the desired result or if there is no further modification line after the modification line in question, the adaptation unit proceeds by inserting an intermediate line with the modification elements "reassignment" before the respective modification line (= change line) ensure that all binding elements are either only right binding elements or only left binding elements, provided that no needles are used twice. In order not to change the binding structure as such, a modification line is then inserted after the reassignment line with reassignment modification elements which undo the reassignment operations carried out when the previously added line was carried out.

If the condition that no needles are used twice cannot be met, the adapter unit again issues an error message.

According to a further very advantageous embodiment of the invention, the adaptation unit is designed for checking the compatibility of knitting when a color pattern is superimposed on a basic knitted fabric. Preferably, the adapter unit again makes an independent correction when it has determined that when color patterns are superimposed on a basic knitted fabric, incompatibilities occur in the binding arrangement. In the event that the adaptation unit itself is not able to remedy the incompatibility, it in turn emits an error message, as has already been described. When a color pattern is superimposed on a basic knitted fabric, the tolerances are preferably carried out one after the other in accordance with the previously explained processes. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to check and, if necessary, correct the entire knitted fabric with regard to the weave pattern, and only then to carry out a further procedure for adapting the basic knitted fabric to the overlaid color pattern or vice versa.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention in connection with the superimposition of the basic knitted fabric with a color pattern consists in that the color pattern can be assigned to selectable types of knitting, for example an intarsia or a jacquard type, but also a so-called transparent type of knitting.

A transparent type of knitting means the following. When partially overlaying a basic knitted fabric with a color pattern, usually only rectangular color patterns are provided. However, in order to also be able to form round patterns or any color pattern, the rectangular area knits the areas that are not to be assigned to the color pattern in the color of the basic knitted fabric. These areas, for example the outer areas of a heart pattern within the rectangular, adopted color pattern, are therefore knitted in the so-called transparent knitting type, in which these areas practically represent the basic knitted fabric.

In the intarsia knitting process, in which the differently colored threads are changed during the pattern transition in the knitting process, it is particularly advantageous if the type of tying can be selected between two colors during this transition. The type of binding is to be understood as the type of connection of the color areas with the basic knitted fabric. In this case it is also advantageous to determine the position of the binding and the type of binding elements, for example long or short handles or dimensions. see selectable to execute. The position of the binding elements can alternatively be predetermined, but can also be selected automatically, so that the operator of the device need not worry about the choice of position in this case.

If the jacquard knitting process is selected as the type of knitting, in this case it is possible in accordance with further embodiments of the invention to place or to place the jacquard knitting area, in the latter case thus to choose to run over the entire basic knitting. In the case of a jacquard knitting area placed in the basic knitted fabric, it is alternatively possible according to further embodiments of the invention to use the back of the jacquard knitting area as a net, optionally with different net structures, as twisted nets or as nets with basic knitted fabric use, thus the thread of the basic knitted fabric is continued in the background.

In the case of the jacquard knitting, in which, in contrast to the intarsia knitting, a multicolored back is formed, the term mesh is understood to mean a knitted structure in which the pattern-forming color thread is not on the back, that is to say not in the mesh is knitted.

The net structures, i.e. the structure of the back of the jacquard knit, can be structured differently. For example, the non-pattern-forming color thread in the network is knitted from every second, third, fourth ... to every eleventh needle in the rear needle bed, so that either 1: 1 networks, 1: 2 networks, .... , I: II networks can be provided. At Köper, on the other hand, the pattern-forming color thread and the non-pattern-forming color thread are knitted 1: 1 on the back.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the jacquard knitting area also lies as a so-called cross tube before, which is generated by knitting each non-pattern-forming, ie complementary to the pattern-forming needle on the back, ie on the back needle bed. This creates tubular knitted fabrics, with the pattern-forming and non-pattern-forming threads crossing over when the color changes.

For all the rear structures with the jacquard knitting in place, it is possible according to the invention to design the sides of the jacquard knitting area in accordance with the intarsia binding structure. For this purpose, the device according to the invention preferably provides for the intarsia knitting sequence to be run optionally, again the possibility of the binding position and the type of binding elements being selectable.

For the embodiment of the device according to the invention in which the jacquard knitting area is not placed in the basic knitted fabric, it is advantageous not to knit the back of the jacquard knitted fabric, ie. H. the back has floating threads, or can be designed as stripes, twill, nets with different net structures or as a cross tube. Here, a stripe back of the jacquard knitted fabric is to be understood to mean a structure that comes about by knitting the colored threads present in the pattern on each rear needle, so that when the knitted fabric is viewed on the back, there is a uniform stripe structure .

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the back binding structure and / or at the end of the jacquard process, the back binding structure is finished, for example in the form that a or several stitches of the basic knitting adjoining the jacquard knitting area with the

Patterned jacquard thread or executed in these stitches of the basic knitted handle of the jacquard area thread become. It is also advantageous if the direction of the thread supply or removal to the color pattern and / or the binding structure provided for the supply and removal of the thread of the color pattern can be selected.

The invention is explained below using preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing:

It shows:

Fig. 1 is a simplified, partially block diagram-like

Overview of the device for developing a control program for a knitting or knitting machine;

2 shows an overview of the type of input, separated by outline, binding pattern and color pattern;

Fig. 3 examples of the corresponding representation

Input data with three different types of representation for binding patterns;

Fig. 4 is a thread running representation mode;

Fig. 5 shows a symbol representation;

6 shows a stitch element (FIG. 6a) of a stitch representation type, which corresponds to a symbol (FIG. 6a) of the symbol representation type;

Fig. 7a used in the thread travel representation type

Binding elements (top line) and modification elements (bottom line);

7b shows a table with all symbols of the symbol representation type as well as the equivalent binding elements. elements and modification elements of the thread path representation type;

8 shows two weave patterns placed next to each other in the thread running display mode, which can be knitted by themselves, but not in the juxtaposition shown;

FIG. 9 shows the two binding patterns arranged next to one another according to FIG. 8 after mutual adjustment by a

Adaptation unit of the device for developing a control program;

10 shows the effect of two joined rows of bonds with an offset in one of the rows of bonds on the

Knitting process;

11 shows a line of variations incompatible with knitting due to two transfer operations of different transfer distances (FIG. 11a) and their splitting by the adaptation unit to restore the compatibility of the knitting (FIG. 11b);

12 shows a line of variations incompatible with knitting due to two opposing transfer operations (FIG. 12a) and their splitting by the adaptation unit to restore the compatibility with knitting (FIG. 12b);

13 shows a binding line with a subsequent modification line with a neck operation which cannot be knitted in this arrangement, since the actual possible neck distance exceeds;

14 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 13 with an additional reassignment operation in the same modification line (FIG. 14a) or in a subsequent modification line (Fig. 14b) as well as the line rearrangement carried out by the adaptation unit with the result that the knitability is restored;

15 shows a modified initial situation (FIG. 15a) similar to FIG. 13 as well as the insertion of a modification line with a suitable reassignment operation by the adaptation unit to restore the knitability;

16 shows a simplified overall flowchart according to which the adaptation unit makes the necessary corrections for adapting adjacent binding patterns and / or additional coloring and / or outline patterns;

FIG. 17 shows a subroutine from FIG. 16, which serves for the mutual alignment of the rows of bonds and thus also for the rows of modifications corresponding to FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 18 shows a further subroutine from FIG. 16, which serves to eliminate a knitting incompatibility according to FIG. 10 by shifting one of the two weave patterns relative to the other weave pattern;

FIG. 19 shows a further subroutine from FIG. 16, which according to FIG. 11 eliminates a knitting incompatibility due to transfer operations of different transfer distances in the same modification line;

FIG. 20 shows a further subroutine from FIG. 16, which, in accordance with FIG. 12, serves to eliminate a knitting incompatibility due to two opposing transfer operations in the same line and

FIG. 21 shows a further subroutine from FIG. 16, which, in accordance with FIGS. 14 and 15, serves to knit a To fix incompatibility due to an excessive removal of a transfer operation.

FIG. 22 shows a further sub-program from FIG. 16, which detects and / or eliminates a knitting incompatibility when a color pattern is superimposed.

With the device described below in terms of its structure and functions, a control program for a universal knitting machine or a special knitting machine of a predetermined machine type can be created on the basis of input information such as outline patterns, weave patterns and color patterns including color pattern definitions (jacquard, intarsia, transitions) become. As a rule, the input information is not yet such that a knitted control program can be easily calculated from it. If, for example, two weave patterns that are already knitable, e.g. B. retrieved from a corresponding library as part of the facility and arranged in a row next to each other to create a corresponding stitch product, this connection usually brings with it adaptation problems, since the corresponding rows of stitches of both binding patterns each together during a run of the lock of the knitting machine are to be produced. Are there incompatible operations on the same line, such as If, for example, opposing transfer operations or transfer operations of different transfer distances, the knitting machine is not able to carry out these operations during a single lock stroke. With the aid of the device according to the invention, a knitable control program for the knitting machine is derived from the input information which cannot be knitted per se, for which purpose the device has a corresponding adaptation unit which checks for compatibility with knitting and which automatically detects incompatibility makes a correction to rectify the incompatibility or issues an error message if the incompatibility cannot be corrected by it. Insofar as knitting machines are mentioned in this context, they should generally be understood to mean flat knitting machines and circular knitting machines as well as flat or circular knitting machines which are equipped with pointed needles, latch needles or the like.

The term knitted fabric should therefore be understood to mean both a knitted fabric (weft knitted fabrics) and a knitted fabric (warp knitted fabrics), in each case with a thread running in the direction of the stitch rows, ie. H. transverse to the direction of withdrawal of goods.

The general structure of the device designated 10 for developing a control program can be seen in FIG. 1. The required information can be entered in a variety of ways, for example by input by means of data line 12, by means of magnetic storage means, such as, for. B. diskette 14, or input keyboard 16. An input unit 18 indicated by a broken line has the required interfaces. It can also be provided with a series of data memories for the temporary storage of the information entered, but also for the provision of appropriate libraries. In Fig. 1, a memory 20 for DER-like contour pattern, a memory 22 for Bin¬-making pattern, and mono- ¹ memory 24 indicated for color pattern.

If, for example, a sweater 25 shown in FIG. 2 is to be produced as a knitted product, appropriate control programs are developed for the chest, back and sleeves. The entry of the information for the front part is shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the information about the outline, binding and color is entered separately and only when the final outline, the final binding structure and the final color pattern have been overlaid on one another, in which case, if necessary, a new mutual adjustment has to be made. The outline will be convenient already considered in the course of the development of the binding structure and the color pattern in order to obtain an arrangement limitation.

In FIG. 2, a sub-unit 18a for the input and processing of the outline information is indicated with a broken outline, 18b is a sub-unit for the input and processing of the binding information and 18c is a sub-unit for the input and processing of the color information. The latter also includes information about the practical execution of the color pattern, optionally as jacquard or intarsia, if necessary specifying the type of transition desired, e.g. B. Overlap width and definition of the back. In order to be able to check the input information and, if appropriate, corresponding corrections, a graphics unit 26 is provided which is connected to the input unit 78 and which is in turn connected to an optical display unit in the form of one or more screens 29. The adaptation of the binding pattern is used by the adaptation unit already mentioned and designated 28 in FIG. 1, which is connected to the graphics unit 26 for interactive pattern adaptation. Any proposed corrections to the adaptation unit 28 or error messages are returned to the graphics unit 26, which causes the corrected binding arrangement to be displayed on the screen 28, or the original binding arrangement together with the error message. The operator can then release or perform a manual correction. In the first case, the adaptation unit 28 passes the determined binding arrangement on to the overlay unit 30, which is also indicated in FIG. 1. After manual correction, the adaptation unit again performs a check for knitting compatibility, and if necessary, it makes a new correction The door suggestion is sent back to the graphics unit.

As already stated, the information about the binding structure and the color pattern are superimposed on one another in the superimposition unit 30, if necessary Corrections for mutual adaptation are in turn carried out in a dialog procedure with the operator.

Only when there is a knitted overall arrangement in terms of binding, color and / or outline in the overlay unit, on the appropriate command of the operator, is the collected information from the overlay unit forwarded to a control program computing unit 32 indicated by a broken line. This consists at least of a first subunit 34 for calculating a general, knitting machine type-independent program. This control program is based on a universal knitting machine which has the essential structural features common to all conventional knitting machines. In the case of flat knitting machines, needle beds which are displaceable as a whole are generally provided. The universal control program will therefore contain commands which aim to move the two needle beds relative to one another in the predetermined direction. The type of needle bed movement differs from type to type; for example, only the front needle bed is movable in one type, only the rear needle bed in another type and both in a third type. The universal control program must therefore be converted into a machine type-specific control program, for which purpose the corresponding knitting machines must be provided with a corresponding compiler. The device 10 shown can be provided with a second subunit 36 for the optional generation of corresponding machine type-specific subroutines, which is connected to the first maintenance 34. Upon a corresponding command from the operator, the second subunit 36 calculates the corresponding control program for the desired type of knitting machine. The determined universal control program or machine type-specific control program can then be used in the usual way, for example via data line 38 or via magnetic storage means, such as, for example, B. disk 40, the knitting machine 42 concerned. For those knitting Machines that still work according to jacquard cartridges and control command lists can be provided with a list and cartridge editor 44 which is loaded with the machine type-specific control program and which contains the control command sequences of the desired type and Saved in list form, cartridge form or, if provided, on disk 46 for appropriate transfer to the knitting machine 42.

The graphics unit 26 is connected to a memory 26a for the intermediate storage of the pattern information, which memory also optionally allows the original or the last corrected binding arrangement to be called up.

In addition, the graphics unit offers the possibility of alternating between different types of representation, specifically in the representation of the overall arrangement or parts thereof. This is indicated in FIG. 3, in which, in addition to the outline 27 and the color pattern (strawberries) 50, a total of 3 different types of representation for the weave pattern "braid" can be seen. At the bottom, a screen display 52 is indicated in accordance with the thread travel display mode; there follows a screen display 54 in accordance with a symbol representation type and finally at the top a screen display 56 in a stitch representation type.

The basic type of representation is the thread path type of representation, since in this way the thread path and the operations to be used are recognizable in each lock stroke. The elements used in this illustration result from FIG. 7a. The following standard elements are shown in the upper image line from left to right: stitch 1; short stitch 3; Handle 5; short handle 7; Floating 9, each based on the corresponding needle. These elements are the binding elements, which are to be arranged next to one another in the so-called binding row or binding rows. The following modification elements from left to right are shown in the lower line: Throwing 11; Capes 13; Mesh parts 15; Needle bed offset to the right 17; Needle bed offset to the left 17. Except for the needle bed offset symbol, these modification elements are by no means to be arranged in weave rows or weave rows, but in separate modification lines or weave rows. In connection with this description, rows are the rows parallel to the stitch row direction of a substructure of the overall arrangement, for example: B. a weave pattern. The corresponding sequence of elements of the next larger structure, namely the so-called binding arrangement, which is parallel to the direction of the stitch row, from the two matching binding patterns, for example, is referred to as a line. If two binding patterns are placed next to each other, their rows are in turn part of the corresponding rows in the binding arrangement.

Fig. 4 shows an example of the thread running representation of a so-called 2 x 3 braid. In the bottom row you can see a row of ties consisting of the elements right stitch / float / right stitch / float / right stitch / float / float / flotation / flotation / flotation / flotation / flotation / flotation / single stitch. This is followed by a modification series consisting of the elements move to the right (in the direction of space) / move to the right / move to the right / no element / no element / no element / no element.

The following row of bonds is followed by a total of 5 rows of modifications. These must be processed before the third third row of bonds in FIG. 4 is processed.

The same binding structure is shown in FIG. 5 in the symbol representation. It is more compact since each row or row also corresponds to a row of stitches in the finished product. However, the full information about the type of stitch formation cannot be derived from this type of representation. In order to To make the position not too confusing, only as many symbols are provided as there are binding elements with and without a single subsequent conversion operation. A corresponding conversion table for the total of 72 symbols is shown in FIG. 7b. In the case of a modification operation which exceeds the area of a pair of needles, a special character "x" is superimposed, where is indicated in FIG. 7b below using an example with a necking operation over several pairs of needles.

In the stitch display mode, stitch patterns are shown instead of the symbols, which represent the concrete stitch shape in the finished stitch product as realistically as possible. For this purpose, digitized detail shots of the knitted product are stored in a corresponding library. 6a shows, for example, the symbol of a right stitch and FIG. 6b the associated stitch element of a stitch image of the right stitch. The display 56 according to FIG. 3 is composed of a large number of corresponding stitch elements and gives a realistic image of the product to be knitted.

The basic procedure of the device 10 for interactive program development can be found in the flow chart according to FIG. 16. A start block 60 is followed by a block 62 for entering and / or placing the desired binding, coloring and / or outline patterns within the overall arrangement on the basis of corresponding input information from the operator. The binding patterns can originate from a corresponding library or, under certain circumstances, can also have been entered point by point. In block 64, the respectively selected type of representation is activated by the graphics unit 26 on the basis of corresponding inputs. Based on a subsequent block 66, this causes the binding arrangement to be displayed on the screen. In a subsequent decision block 68, it is checked whether the operator has entered the command that an immediate manual correction should be carried out. If this is the case, the device 10 reads in the corresponding correction inputs in block 70 and accordingly changes the stored binding arrangement to be processed in the following. If no manual correction is desired, block 70 is skipped.

Subsequent subroutines are then processed which carry out a knitting compatibility check of the binding arrangement and initiate corrective measures if the binding arrangement is found to be incompatible.

First of all, a subroutine 72 is called, which ensures that the binding series of the entered binding patterns each adjoin one another, as is demonstrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. This subroutine 72 is explained in more detail in FIG. 17. This is followed by a subroutine 74, which reveals the fixation of intersections in rows of bonds with bed offset and which tries to achieve a correction by moving one of the two binding patterns as a whole relative to the other binding pattern. The program 74 is explained in more detail in FIG. 18.

In the course of subroutine 74, subroutine 72 is run through again.

In a subsequent subroutine 76, modification lines with reassignment processes are divided up at different distances in order to eliminate a corresponding knitting incompatibility. The subroutine 76 is explained in more detail in FIG. 19; the associated thread travel representation is shown in FIG. 11.

In a subsequent subroutine 78, in order to remedy a corresponding knitting incompatibility, a division of modification lines with reassignment processes with different Directions made. This subroutine is explained in more detail in FIG. 20; Fig. 12 shows the associated thread travel representation.

In a subsequent subroutine 80, transfer processes over a greater distance are checked for feasibility and, if possible, appropriate corrections are made to correct the intolerance to knitting. This subroutine is explained in more detail in FIG. 21; 15 are used for additional explanation.

In a subsequent block 82, the result is displayed on the screen. It is then checked in decision block 84 whether the operator now wants to carry out a manual correction or not. In the first case, the program jumps back into the main program branch between blocks 68 and 70. After manual correction, read in block 70, the knitting ability of the binding pattern is checked again.

If no manual correction is to be made in the representation of the binding arrangement present on the screen 82, a decision step 86 asks whether or not a color pattern is superimposed on the basic knitted fabric. The color pattern can, for example, be entered beforehand according to the input block 62 and its placement can be determined. In this decision step 86, however, the user also has the possibility of entering and / or placing his color pattern or reading in a corresponding color pattern stored on a storage medium which does not contain any knitting technical information in its colors. This takes place in the color pattern overlay block 87.

A subroutine 88 then runs, with which the type of knitting and further parameters for the color pattern overlay are defined or designed. The subroutine 88 is detailed in FIG. 22 and is explained in detail in connection therewith.

After the subroutine 88 has been run through, a decision step 89 checks whether the color pattern is matched to the binding pattern, i.e. whether the binding series of the dyeing and binding pattern have been checked for compatibility and / or incompatibilities have been corrected. If this is not the case, the program jumps back to program block 72 and runs through the program steps described above. In the event that it is determined in decision step 89 that such a color binding pattern adjustment has been carried out, the knitting pattern is displayed on the screen according to block 90 and in decision step 91 it is queried whether a manual correction should be carried out. If this is the case, the program jumps back to program block 70 for a manual correction. Otherwise, the program is processed further by querying in a further decision block 92 whether an outline pattern is superimposed on the binding and / or color pattern.

If the overlap of a basic knitted fabric with a color pattern is denied in decision section 86, the program jumps to decision step 92 for the query as to whether an outline pattern overlay should take place.

If an outline pattern is superimposed on the basic knitted fabric and / or the color pattern, this overlay takes place in program step 93, again using the relevant information already read in in program block 62, or the operator of the device according to the invention is requested to use the outline pattern to enter.

After the outline pattern has been entered, decision step 94 corresponds to decision step 89 for the

Color patterns are now also queried for the outline pattern, whether the binding and / or color pattern is adapted to the outline pattern was or not. If this is not the case, the program jumps back to program block 72. However, if such an adjustment has already been carried out, the binding structure now present is shown on the screen according to program step 95 and the user is asked to decide according to program step 96 whether a manual correction should be carried out or not. If so, the program jumps back to program step 70 for making manual corrections.

If no manual correction is to be carried out, a universal control program is created in a subsequent program step 97, which can optionally be output, which is indicated by an output block 98. This universal control program is independent of the type of knitting machine and can therefore be used for a large number of knitting machines, with the help of a corresponding compiler, e.g. B. can be integrated into the respective knitting machine, a machine type-specific control program is created. In the device 10, the second subunit 36 already mentioned above offers the possibility of creating a specific control program for the common types of knitting machine, which is indicated by a block 99. The output then takes place again (output block 100). The program has thus run through completely (end block 101).

A typical starting situation is shown in FIG. A weave pattern denoted by B1 ("Aran") is to be knitted together with a second weave pattern B2 ("braid"), the two weave patterns following one another in the direction of the course MR. The wales direction MS, which corresponds to the direction of goods withdrawal, is also shown in FIG. 8.

Each of the two weave patterns B1, B2 can be knitted by itself, but not their combination in the weave arrangement 8. This is due in particular to the fact that each line Z parallel to the direction MR, which is symbolized by the two rows of needles 100a of the front needle bed or the needles 100b of the rear needle bed which are offset with respect to one another, and which are shown continuously from left to right in FIG. 8, each to be worked through by running the lock of the knitting machine. It is impossible to use a row of bindings, e.g. B. in 102 of the left binding pattern B1, and then continue with a pure modification row 104 of the binding pattern B2. All rows Z must either consist entirely of binding elements or consist only of modification elements.

In the subroutine 72 according to FIG. 17, the adaptation unit 28 ensures an automatic mutual alignment of the binding rows and modification rows of the two binding patterns B1 and B2. The first line ZI of the binding arrangement is selected in an output block 110. In a subsequent decision block 112, it is checked whether there is a binding row in the binding pattern B1 in the current row ZI, which is the case in the example according to FIG. 8 in the row ZI. The program therefore continues in a decision block 114, which checks whether there is also a binding row of the same color of the binding pattern B2 in the current line. This is the case with line ZI according to FIG. 8, so that the program proceeds to a decision block 116. Here it is checked whether all rows of B1 or B2 have been processed. This is not the case in our example, so that the program proceeds to block 118, which advances to the next line (Z 2).

The program then jumps back into the main branch between blocks 110 and 112. The answer in decision block 112 is no for our example, since the second binding row of B1 is a modification row with 4 transfer elements 120. The program therefore continues in a decision block 122, in which a query is made as to whether there is a series of bonds in B2 located. This is the case according to FIG. 8. In a subsequent block 124, an empty line is inserted in front of the current line Z 2 in the binding arrangement, with the result that both binding patterns B1 and B2 are raised by one line except for their lowest binding row. Then in a block 126 the raised rows of Bl are moved back by one row, so that the row of modifications having the four modification elements 120 replaces the corresponding empty elements of the inserted empty line.

The result of this operation can be seen in FIG. The bottom, unchanged line ZI is followed by the inserted line Zl.l, which only has the 4 cap elements 120.

It is then checked in decision block 116 whether one of the patterns has already been processed; if this is not yet the case, the program jumps back between blocks 110 and 112 via the line advance (block 108). If it is determined during the program execution in decision block 114 that there is no binding row in B2, although in the previous block 112 has determined that there is a binding row in B1, the subsequent blocks 130 and 132, similar to blocks 124 and 126, ensure that the binding pattern B2 having the binding row is raised as a result until after the required number of program runs , this row of bonds is opposite a row of bonds of the other bond pattern B1.

As a result, the corrected binding arrangement according to FIG. 9 is obtained with continuous binding lines and modification lines.

According to FIG. 10, a knitting problem can occur when two weave patterns are arranged side by side if a weave row BR1, for example weave pattern B1, continues in a weave row BR2 of the other weave pattern B2 Offset, for example, of the rear needle bed to the right, as indicated by the corresponding modification element 134. The two weave patterns B1 and B2 can each be knitted by themselves, but not the combinations, as shown in FIG. 10b. When the offset is carried out, there is a so-called mesh crossing within the area marked with a circle A, which is fixed by the subsequent insertion of the thread. This results in an undesired change in the bond structure of the finished product.

Subroutine 74 according to FIG. 18 automatically tries to avoid such crossings. A counting parameter n is set to 0 in an initial block 140. In a subsequent block 142, the repeat length r of both the binding pattern B1 and the binding pattern B2 is determined. This repeat length indicates the period length of the periodic pattern B1 or B2 in the direction MS according to FIG. 8. In a subsequent block 144, the distance between the uppermost line of the binding arrangement composed of B1 and B2 and the end to be knitted last of the end of the overall arrangement B - total (defined by the outline read in block 63) is determined.

A decision block 146 checks whether a bed offset occurs in the current line, which is determined by the counting index n. If this is not the case, then subroutine 74 has been successfully completed. If, however, there is a row of bonds with bed offset in the relevant row, a decision block 148 is next used to check whether an intersection occurs in the other row of bonds (B1 according to FIG. 10) due to this bed offset. If this is not the case, the program has in turn been run successfully. If, however, an intersection occurs, a decision unit 50 checks whether the distance to the end of B determined in block 144 is smaller than the larger value of the reports rBl and determined in block 142 rB2. If the distance is greater than or equal to the maximum value, ie there is sufficient displacement space, then in a subsequent block 152 a basic formation line is inserted in front of the first binding line of the composite binding arrangement for the corresponding shift up by one line.

Subsequently, the binding pattern B2 is set back together by one line, so that the mutually incompatible binding lines BR1 and BR2 according to FIG. 10 no longer follow one another. Subsequently, the binding series and modification series of the two binding patterns B1 and B2 have to be aligned with one another again, which is caused by a block 156 which calls the subroutine 72. After its execution, a decision block 158 checks whether the program loop of the subroutine 74 has been run through so often that the resulting shift corresponds to the maximum value of the two repeats rBl, rB2. If this is not the case, the loop is run through again in a block 160 after the counting index n has been increased.

If, on the other hand, it is determined in block 150 that the distance to the end of B - is smaller than the maximum value of the two repeats, a shift to the beginning of the knitted fabric is made by inserting a basic weave line after the last line of the Binding arrangement (block 162) with corresponding displacement of all rows of the composite binding arrangement towards the beginning of the overall arrangement. Then one of the two binding patterns, in particular B2, is advanced by one line (block 164).

If, after carrying out the maximum shift corresponding to the maximum of the two reports, intersection still occurs, a corresponding error message is initiated via block 166. The subroutine 76 according to FIG. 19 checks the binding arrangement for whether transfer processes with different transfer distances are provided in one line. Such a line is shown in FIG. 11a with a first modification element "cloaks" 170a, which is followed by a second cloak element "cloaks" 170b. The distance from the cape (distance between the starting needle and the target needle) is approximately twice as great for the modification element 170b as for the modification element 170a. On the generally customary knitting machines, it is not possible to carry out transfer operations with different transfer distances and accordingly different needle bed misalignments in a single lock stroke. The adapting unit now creates a knitability by shifting the two weave patterns against one another in such a way that the two modification elements are in different rows.

The subroutine 76 according to FIG. 19 begins with an initial block 172 in which the first modification line of the overall arrangement is selected from the two binding patterns B21 and B2. In the subsequent decision block 174, a check is carried out to determine whether transfer processes with different distances occur in the current line. If this is the case, an empty line is inserted in front of the current line in a subsequent block 176.

In the subsequent decision block 178, it is checked whether the larger transfer process is intended in B1. If this is not the case according to FIG. 11a, the rows of B2 following the inserted line are reset by one row in a block 180. The program then continues in a decision block 182, in which it is checked whether all modification lines of the binding arrangement have been processed.

If it is determined in decision block 174 that there are no reassignments with different in the row in question Distances occur, then the decision block 182 is also immediately transferred to. If it is determined in decision block 178 that the major transfer is in B1, the program proceeds to block 184 in which the rows of B1 following the inserted line are reset by one row. The program then proceeds to decision block 182 and from there via a line advance block 185 back to the beginning between blocks 172 and 174.

If all the modification lines have been processed in this way, the subroutine is ended. The fact that Bl or B2 is reset, depending on where the larger transfer process is located (block 178), automatically means that after splitting, the line with the larger transfer process is always the line with the smaller transfer process going ahead. This is advantageous in terms of knitting technology.

Furthermore, it must be avoided that transfer operations are to be carried out in the opposite direction in a modification line. Such a case is shown in FIG. 12a with a modification element "transfer" 184a from left to right, which is followed by a modification element "transfer" 184b in the opposite direction. Here, too, this non-knitable succession of modification elements was created by joining together the weave patterns B1 and B2, which are knitted per se. The adaptation unit 28 again separates the initially combined modification series of B1 and B2, as shown in FIG. 12b.

20, the first modification line of the binding arrangement is selected in a start block 186 of subroutine 78. In the subsequent decision block 188, a check is carried out for the current line in each case to determine whether there are opposing transfer processes. If this is the case, an empty line is inserted in front of the current line in a subsequent block 190 and then in the subsequent decision Application block 192 checks whether the transfer process "right to left" (184b in FIG. 12) is provided in the binding pattern B1. If this is not the case, as in FIG. 12a, the rows of B2 following the inserted line are reset by one row in a block 194 (with the result corresponding to FIG. 12b).

If, on the other hand, the said transfer process "right to left" is actually in B1, the rows of B1 following the inserted empty line are reset in a block 196 by one row. Following blocks 194 and 196, a decision block 198 checks whether all modification lines of the pattern arrangement have already been processed. If this is not yet the case, the program returns to the beginning of the program between blocks 186 and 188 via a line advance block 200. If all modification lines have been processed, subroutine 78 is ended.

A further knitting incompatibility can occur according to FIG. 13 if a line with both right and left binding elements, i. H. with binding elements which are formed on both rows of needles, a line follows with a modification element "transferring", and the transferring operation cannot be carried out due to the unfavorable transferring direction and transferring removal, since the thread would otherwise be displaced in the transition area between the two transferring needles delbett tears. The modification element "transfer" 210 indicated in line Z6 in FIG. 13 is intended to ensure that the stitch 212 of the rear row of needles is transferred to a needle 214 of the front row of needles. For this purpose, the two needle beds have to be shifted far apart, for example the rear needle bed to the left. Here, however, the transition section 216 of the thread to the right of the stitch 212 is unduly stressed.

The other transition section 218 is not overused in this transfer operation, since it is at the beginning of the movement is not stretched, but is pushed together and even at the end of the needle bed displacement (by two needle bed grids) there is still no tension.

The situation according to FIG. 13 may have arisen, for example, from the situation according to FIG. 14a. The binding structure shown here can be knitted per se because the problematic transfer operation (modification element 210) is preceded by another transfer operation, namely a modification element "transfer" 220, which ensures that all stitches are formed on the same row of needles. Since both the direction and the distance between the two modification elements 210 and 220 differ from one another, the corresponding subroutines 76 and 78 already described ensure that the modification elements are arranged in different lines, according to FIG. 14b such that the Abwandlungsele¬ element comes first with the larger cape distance; then, however, the undesirable situation according to FIG. 13 is given, since 210 stitches are arranged on both rows of needles when the conversion element is implemented.

According to the subroutine 80 shown in FIG. 21, starting from the situation according to FIG. 14b, the lines are interchanged in order to obtain the knitted situation according to FIG. 14c, in which the modification element reassignment 220 is carried out first, with the result that then all stitches are on the back row of needles. The modification element cape 210 can then be easily implemented.

The lowest binding line of the binding arrangement is selected in a start block 230 of subroutine 80. In the following decision block 232 it is checked whether there are both left and right education elements. If this is the case, it is checked in block 234 below whether a modification line with a reassignment process follows the current binding line. If this is the case, then in a subsequent block 236 the maximum transfer distance U _maχ calculated in the direction of the transfer process, ie all connecting sections 216, 218 of the thread between the two needle beds are checked to see whether they are subjected to tension at the start of the transfer process (this generally corresponds to the transfer distance zero) or initially compressed, in which case the maximum transfer distance corresponds approximately to twice the length of the connecting section. The maximum transfer distance is, of course, the smallest allowable transfer distance in the transfer direction of all connecting sections.

In a subsequent decision block 238, it is checked whether the actual transfer distance corresponding to the determined transfer process is greater than U _maχ . If this is the case, there is a knitting intolerance. In the following, an attempt is then made to remedy the intolerance to knitting. For this purpose, a check is made in a subsequent block 240 as to whether it is possible to swap the modification line containing the transfer process with a subsequent modification line. If this is the case, then in a subsequent one

Block 242 swaps both modification lines when the program returns between blocks 234 and 236 for the subsequent rechecking of the maximum transfer distance, taking into account the modification lines preceding the actual transfer process, including the interchanged modification line.

If it is determined in block 240 that an exchange with the following modification line is not possible, for example because the next binding line follows immediately, in a subsequent block 244 it is checked whether an exchange with a preceding modification line is possible, with hope that there is then compatibility with knitting. If there is a possibility of swapping, the swapping is carried out in block 242 and the program branch is run through again, starting with blocks 236, 238. If an exchange with the preceding modification line is not possible, a check is made in a block 246 as to whether the reassignment process is based on a left element. If this is the case, it is checked in a subsequent block 248 whether it is possible to move the right elements to the left, since this presupposes that the new space for the right elements is not already occupied by a left element. If the possibility of transferring is given, then in a subsequent block 250, a modification line which causes these transfer operations is inserted before the relevant modification line with the problematic transfer process. In order that the basic binding structure does not change, an inverse modification line is created in block 252 after the modification line with the problematic reassignment process, so that the program can then proceed to further processing the next binding lines.

A decision block 254 asks whether all the binding lines have already been processed. If this is not the case, then a block 256 is used to jump back to the next binding line between the starting blocks 230 and 232 for a new program run until finally all binding lines have been processed.

If it is determined during the program flow in block 232 that either only right or only left binding elements are present, the program jumps between blocks 252 and 254. This also applies in the event that it is determined in block 134 that the current one Binding line is not followed by a modification line with a reassignment process. This also applies if it is determined in block 238 that the distance of the cape is not greater than the U _maχ .

If it is determined in block 246 that the reassignment process is based on a right element, the program proceeds to a decision block 258, which checks whether it is possible to reassign all left elements to the right. Is this if the case, a modification line carrying out this reassignment operation is pre-displayed in blocks 250 and 252, and a corresponding inverse modification line is re-enacted.

15 shows the effect of these additional modification lines. In FIG. 15a, the modification line 27 has a conversion element 266 for transferring from the left row of needles to the right row of needles, namely by three grid spacings to the left. The preceding line Z6 is a binding line with predominantly left-hand stitches 260, but also an isolated right-hand stitch 262. The connecting section 264 would be stretched too much when the modification element "transferring" 266 was carried out after initial compression, since the transferring distance would be the same exceeds twice the section length.

With its steps 246 ff, the subroutine 80 now ensures that a line Z6 'is inserted before the line Z7 with a conversion element “reassigning” 268, which ensures that the lonely right stitch 262 is reassigned to a free needle 265 of the rear row of needles , so that the reassignment operation according to line Z7 can then be carried out. The line Z7 • inserted after the line Z7 reverses the reassignment operation according to line 26 ', for which purpose it has a correspondingly oppositely directed modification element "reassignment" 270 at the same position as in the Z6'.

The subroutine 88 already mentioned in FIG. 16 for assigning the knitting type is explained below with reference to FIG. 22.

After the desired color pattern has been entered in accordance with program step 78 indicated in FIG. 16, after the

Program point N in a program block 300 queries the type of knitting that is to be assigned to the color pattern. A corresponding The user receives a corresponding query, for example, on the screen 29, or can call up such a query on the screen.

The user can choose between an intarsia knitting process 301, a jacquard knitting course 302 or a so-called transparent knitting process 303.

When the intarsia knitting process 301 is selected, the device 10 enables the user to select the type of binding, step by step the choice of the binding layer 302 and the type of binding elements 303 for the binding, or in the reverse order. As mentioned earlier, the type of illustration relates to the way in which the intarsia color threads are bound in the intarsia colors and in the transition from the intarsia knitting area to the basic knitting area and vice versa with the neighboring threads, ie is connected. For the position of the tying (program step 302), an automatic arrangement of the position of the tying or a selectable position of the handles, for example, -2, - 1 or -4 needles or stitches in the basic knitted fabric is possible. With regard to the choice of the binding elements, long or short handles or meshes can preferably be selected. The decision "no setting" is also possible.

The adaptation of the binding types according to the selected parameters with regard to the imaging position and the binding elements is carried out by the adaptation unit in accordance with program steps 302 and 303 after returning to program point O (cf. FIG. 16), if no adaptation has yet been made by is returned to program step 72.

If, on the other hand, the type of jacquard knitting is selected by the operator according to program step 302, then, according to program step 305, the operator is then asked, for example by means of a screen query, to choose whether the jacquard knitting area is placed or not placed, which is indicated in FIG. 22 with the program blocks 306 and 307, respectively.

If a placed jacquard knitting area is selected, in a further query step 308 it is possible for the user to choose between a network structure and a cross tube structure (cf. program blocks 309 and 310) for the back of the knitted fabric by means of an additional screen request. In the event that a network structure 309 has been selected, a further additional choice according to decision step 311 for twisted networks or for the use of the basic thread within the placed jacquard area (program blocks 312 or 313) is possible. The selection is in turn prepared for the user by a corresponding window on the screen.

After the execution of the program steps mentioned, a decision is made in a decision step 314 as to whether or not the sides of the placed jacquard knitting area are to be carried out by intarsia knitting. If this is the case, the program jumps to program step 302 for the selection of the type of tying or its implementation and runs through program steps 302 and 303 for the intarsia knitting type, as has already been described above.

If, when deciding whether to place or not to place the jacquard knitting area (see program block 305), it was decided that the jacquard knitting area should not be placed, that is, should extend over the entire width of the knitted fabric (see program step 307), the user has the device according to the invention the possibility to choose between different back structures of the jacquard knitted fabric according to decision block 315. The user is offered corresponding alternatives for selection on the screen. These can be, among other things: no knitting on the back or laying flotation threads on the back (316), striped structure (317), twill (318), net (319) of various structures, or Knit cross tube (320). After the program has processed the corresponding program block depending on the selected back structure of the jacquard knitted fabric, the subroutine 88 in this case returns to the main program at program point 0.

In the exemplary embodiment shown for the device according to the invention, it is possible with decision block 300 (see FIG. 22) to select the so-called transparent knitting type (block 303) in addition to the intarsia and jacquard type, so that as already explained above - even with a color pattern to be superimposed on the basic knitted fabric as a rectangle, parts of this color pattern can be knitted as basic knitting, that is to say transparent with regard to the color pattern. After passing through this subroutine block 303 for the transparent knitting, the subroutine 88 also jumps back to the main program at the program point O in this case.

The invention, as well as further features, refinements and advantages of the invention, have been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments. However, numerous modifications, configurations and modifications are possible for the person skilled in the art, without thereby abandoning the inventive idea. For example, the adaptation unit 28 of the device 10 according to the invention can only be designed for certain processes, for example only for the binding pattern, or only for the color or outline pattern adaptation if this appears advantageous or sufficient for certain applications. Various options for contour pattern adjustment are also possible. It is also particularly advantageous that when adapting the color pattern to the basic knitted fabric, in particular in the case of jacquard knitting, prior to the start of the jacquard knitting process, preparation of the rear-side binding structure or, at the end of the process, completion of the rear-side binding structure he follows. It is also advantageous if the direction of the thread feed or discharge to the color pattern and the binding structure provided for the feeding or removal of the thread of the color pattern can be selected. All of these possibilities, with which the user can influence the knitting process via the adaptation unit 28 of the device 10 according to the invention, are preferably structured by means of corresponding query windows which the user can call up or reject. It is particularly advantageous in the case of the device according to the invention that the possibility of displaying the knitted fabric in various display types step by step shows the user progressively the progress of the adaptation and correction process and, depending on this, the structure or the binding pattern depending on Can change demand manually. Even in the event of a manual change, it is then ensured that incompatibilities arising in the knitting process are recognized by the unit according to the invention, so that if the adaptation unit cannot carry out the correction itself, it detects an error message and a manual correction by the operator is specifically feasible.

Claims

1. Device (10) for developing a control program for a knitting or knitting machine (42) for producing a knitted product with a thread course transverse to the direction of production, comprising

- An input unit (18), - A graphics unit (26) with a display unit for the optical reproduction of the stitch products to be created, in a thread-running representation with binding lines from the binding elements stitch, handle, floatation, which are arranged in a sequence in a needle bed grid , which indicates the binding of the row of stitches assigned to the respective row of the knitted product to be produced, and with modification elements, such as, for example, B. moving, dropping and misalignment,

- A control program computing unit (.32) for calculating a control program for the knitting or knitting machine (42), characterized in that

- The input unit (18) is provided for entering and / or placing binding, coloring and / or outline patterns, and that

- A matching unit (28) is provided for binding arrangements with at least two different patterns following one another in the direction of the course, which checks the patterns for knitting incompatibility.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) automatically makes a correction of one or the other pattern in the binding arrangement to eliminate the incompatibility when an incompatibility is found.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter unit (28) when incompatibility is found issues an error message if the intolerance cannot be corrected by her.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) only issues an error message if an incompatibility is found if the incompatibility cannot be corrected by it.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) for transmitting the corrected binding arrangement or the error message to the graphics unit (26) for the optical reproduction of the corrected binding arrangement or the original bin - Connection arrangement including error message is connected, and that the graphics unit (26) is designed to manually correct the binding arrangement being reproduced via the input unit (18) and to transmit the manually corrected binding arrangement to the adaptation unit (28) for a new check of the knitting compatibility is.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) is connected to the control program computing unit (31) for transmitting the corrected stitch arrangement and subsequent calculation of the control program.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control program computing unit (32) comprises a first subunit (34) for calculating a general control program independent of the knitting machine type.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input unit is designed for the independent input of binding patterns, color patterns and / or knitted fabric outlines.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that the input unit (18) with a data memory (14) for storing binding patterns (22), color patterns (24) and / or outline patterns (20) is connected.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weave pattern (22) consists of binding rows formed by the binding elements and of the modification elements formed by the modification elements, and that the lines of the binding arrangement of the joined rows of the binding pattern (22) are formed.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the graphics unit (26) for optically reproducing the binding arrangement is optionally designed with one of several types of representation which, in addition to the thread running type of representation, comprise a symbol type of representation, the symbol rows each assigned from the individual stitch rows, each symbol indicating the thread guidance around a pair of needles and at least part of the modification operations to be subsequently carried out.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that each symbol indicates only the next subsequent modification operation.

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the graphics unit (26) further for optical

Reproduction of the binding arrangements is formed in a stitch representation type, which consists of stitch rows, each of which is assigned to the stitch rows, and which are formed from stitch elements, each stitch element reproducing a stitch image that represents a representation of a corresponding section of the manufactured mesh product corresponds.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter unit (28) determines at the lines of the binding arrangement whether corresponding rows of bonds of the other or of a binding are attached to the rows of bonds of one or the other ¬ pattern connect, and that the adapter unit (28), if it determines that a binding row of one of the binding patterns is not followed by a binding series of the other binding pattern, inserts an empty line in front of the relevant line of the binding arrangement and then resets the rows of the other binding pattern following the blank line by one row (FIGS. 8, 9 and 17).

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) determines in all lines of the binding arrangement whether a binding series with an offset of one or the other binding pattern has a binding series with an offset of the other or adjusts a binding pattern, that the adapter unit (28), when it has determined that a binding series without an offset of one of the binding patterns is followed by a binding series with an offset of the other binding pattern, also determines whether in the binding series of the one binding pattern the offset creates a mesh crossing, and that the adapter unit (28), if the latter is the case, is a reason for shifting all rows of one of the two binding patterns at the corresponding beginning or end of this binding pattern, depending on the position in the binding arrangement -Binding series inserts from binding elements of a basic binding the knitted fabric (Fig. 10, 18).

16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that subsequent to the insertion of the basic binding row according to claim 15, the adaptation unit (28) checks the lines of the binding arrangement according to claim 13 and, if necessary, corrects them.

17. Device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the adapter unit (28) shifts that of the two binding pattern according to claim 15, which was entered last in the binding arrangement.

18. Device according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) carries out the displacement of the binding pattern according to claim 15 until a stitch crossing does not occur in any of the lines.

19. Device according to one of claims 15 and 18, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) moves the binding pattern according to claim 15 in one direction at most until the corresponding edge of a further binding pattern or the binding arrangement is reached.

20. Device according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) shifts the binding pattern according to claim 15 in the direction away from the nearest edge of the binding arrangement.

21. Device according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) carries out the shift of the last entered binding pattern according to claim 15 at most until a total shift corresponding to the repeat length of this binding pattern is carried out, and that the adaptation unit emits an error message if a mesh crossing still occurs after the maximum shift.

22. Device according to one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) carries out the displacement of the one binding pattern according to claim 15 at most until an overall displacement corresponding to the greater repeat length of the two binding patterns is carried out, and that Adaptation unit if after the maximum Shift still creates a mesh crossing, gives an error message.

23. Device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) compares the distance of the binding pattern from the end of the binding arrangement or from the end of an intermediate, subsequent binding pattern with the repeat length of the total displacement, and only if the repeat length exceeds the distance that moves the binding pattern toward the beginning of the binding arrangement.

24. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) determines in all lines of the binding arrangement whether a modification element "transferring" occurs with a transfer removal in a modification series of one or the other binding pattern, which differs from the removal distance of one modification element "transferring" in the subsequent modification series of the other or a binding pattern, and that the adaptation unit inserts an empty line in front of the line in question, and then the line, if this is the case the rows following the blank line one of the two binding patterns by one row (Fig. 11, 19).

25. Device according to claim 24, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) resets that binding pattern according to claim 24 by a row, the modification element "Umh¬ angen" has the comparatively greater cape distance.

26. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) ascertains in all lines of the binding arrangement whether modification elements "cloaks" with different cloak directions are provided in the mutually subsequent modification series of a line and that the adaptation unit (28), if this is the case, has an empty space in front of the relevant line inserts a line and then resets the rows following the blank line of one of the two binding patterns by one row (FIG. 12; FIG. 20).

27. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) resets that binding pattern according to claim 26 by a row, the modification element "Umh¬ angen" in the needle bed grid to the left.

28. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) determines in all lines of the binding arrangement whether right and left binding elements are provided in one line, that the adaptation unit (28) if this applies, the lines following the relevant line with modification elements are checked to determine whether a line with a modification element "move" is provided, that the adaptation unit (28), if this is the case, the maximum possible movement distance of the right and left-hand binding line, taking into account lines with modification elements between the relevant line and the transfer line, and comparing it with the actual transfer distance assigned to the modification element "transfer" that the adapter unit (28) then, if the actual cloak distance exceeds the maximum possible cloak distance tends to swap the cape line with a line containing preceding or subsequent modification elements, if any, and then again calculates the maximum possible cape distance for the changed line sequence and compares it with the actual cape distance (Fig. 14; 21a).

29. Device according to one of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) in the all lines of the binding arrangement determines whether right and left binding elements are provided in a line, that the adaptation unit (28) when this is true of the Checks the line in question following lines with modification elements to determine whether a cape line with a modification element "cape" is provided, that the adaptation unit (28), if this is the case, the maximum possible capillary distance of the right and left Line having binding elements, taking into account lines with modification elements between the relevant line and the cape line, and comparing it with the actual cape distance assigned to the modification element "cape" compares that the adaptation unit when the actual cape distance is the maximum possible Cape distance exceeds, inserts a line in front of the cape line with at least one modification element "cape", whereby this at least one modification element "cape" ensures that in the relevant line all binding elements, either only right binding elements or only left binding elements, taking into account that no needles are placed twice here, and that the adaptation unit (28) then "convert" on modification elements which undo the transfer operations carried out when the line previously added was carried out (FIG. 15; 21a).

30. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adaptation unit (28) adjusts at least one color pattern superimposed on a basic knitted fabric to the basic knitted fabric.

31. The device according to claim 30, characterized in that the color pattern selectable types of knitting can be assigned.

32. Device according to claim 31, characterized in that the type of knitting is an intarsia knitting process.

33. Device according to claim 32, characterized in that in the intarsia knitting process, the type of binding can be selected at the transition between two colors.

34. Device according to claim 32 or 33, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the position of the binding is selectable.

35. Device according to one of claims 32 to 34, characterized in that the type of binding elements for binding can be selected.

36. Device according to claim 31, characterized in that the type of knitting is a jacquard knitting process.

37. Device according to claim 36, characterized in that the jacquard knitting area is placed in the basic knitted fabric.

38. Device according to claim 37, characterized in that the back of the jacquard knitting area has nets during the jacquard knitting process.

39. Device according to claim 38, characterized in that the networks have different network structures.

40. Device according to claim 38 or 39, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the networks are twisted.

41. Device according to claim 38 or 39, characterized in that the networks use reason.

42. Device according to claim 37, characterized in that the jacquard knitting area is present as a cross tube.

43. Device according to one of claims 37 to 42, characterized in that the sides of the placed jacquard knitting area is executed according to the intarsia binding structure.

44. Device according to claim 36, characterized in that the jacquard knitting area is not placed in the basic knitted fabric.

45. Device according to claim 45, characterized in that the back of the jacquard knitted fabric has floating threads, or is knitted as a stripe, twill, net or cross tube.

46. Device according to one of claims 36 to 45, characterized in that a preparation of the rear-side binding structure is carried out before the start of the jacquard knitting process.

47. Device according to one of claims 36 to 46, characterized in that at the end of the jacquard knitting process the rear-side binding structure is completed.

48. Device according to claim 32 to 35 and 46 or 47, da¬ characterized in that the direction of the thread supply or removal to the color pattern can be selected.

49. Device according to one of claims 32 to 35 and 46 to 48, characterized in that the binding structure provided for the supply and removal of the thread of the color pattern is selectable.

50. Device according to claim 31, characterized in that the type of knitting is a transparent knitting process.