3D printed Circular Sock Machine (CSM) assembled and knitted socks (30 seconds)
MISSION
To 3D print a circular sock knitting machine (CSM) downloaded from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3310883 . Assemble and knit a pair of socks.
CHALLENGE
Several people had attempted to 3D print the sock knitting machine, however, there was no evidence of a successful knit of a sock tube let alone a completed wool sock. The Youtube video at https://youtu.be/7wEXeul0WTg (42:42) was the best evidence that the machine has the potential to simulate a traditional CSM. The three-month process to print, assemble, prototype modifications, and test several yarns was difficult because several factors may have contributed to the machine not working. These included, the 3D parts, the knitting needles and the yarn used to knit.
RESULT
The 3D Circular Sock Knitting Machine downloaded from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3310883 is the next iteration of a multi-phase project that began with my proof of concept knitting loom that permits you to increase and decrease stitches (see https://us17.campaignarchive.com/u=573b0b788094bd4b5f2342ed5&id=d999668052).
The Youtube video at https://youtu.be/7wEXeul0WTg (42:42) helped get the machine to work. The draft prototype required some coding changes in order to knit the sock tube which was finally transformed into a pair of socks.
MATERIALS
PLA Filament, Brother KR850 steel machine knitting needles, weights, hair clips, elastic, screws, yarn, Open SCAD
