Abstract
The knitting machines expand their usefulness from being just a manufacturing process, to become design tools for creative innovative 3D forms. Knitting technology on advanced electronic flat machines is an area where some students experience great difficulty. Part of these difficulties may arise from the inability of understanding the electronic needle selection and their complicated trajectory, or the 3D sophisticated shaping methods by using the programming tools. Providing a study alternative to the learners, may overcome these limitations and ensure the individual teaching and learning.
The e-learning module of "Advanced Knitting Technologies", developed within the framework of the Adan2Tex project (http://www.advan2tex.eu), financed through the European Erasmus plus program, resides within the domain of the electronic flat knitting technologies. The chapter focuses on the description of the electronic flat knitting machine components and functions, main trajectories and effects. The complex nature of the loop forming mechanism has been elucidated through the animations and the simulations of the knitting elements movement on the cam tracks. The module highlights different aspects associated with the 3D shaping methods and various examples are presented, to strengthen the potential of the tri-dimensional fabrics in diverse industrial sectors, from clothing to home textile and advanced composites. In order to assess the level of the acquired knowledge, three sets of multiple choices questions, having various degrees of difficulty, have been produced and complete the entire module.
The usage of this module is potentially very large, ranging from students, high school teachers, practitioners, researchers, to the doctoral students, having the basic knowledge in knitting technology and the need of getting more knowledge in this field. The benefits of the blended teaching are multi faceted. Beside a better communication between professor and students, there is an increased understanding of the subject. A better self esteem through the personal study rhythm can be achieved, and a higher responsibility can be shifted to the student's side. |