Knitting technology, Third Edition

24.4
The compound-needle warp knitting machine
After its introduction in 1946, the two guide bar British-built FNF tricot machine
with its tubular compound needles (Section 3.16) became, for 10 years, the pace-
maker of the industry, with its speed of 1000 courses per minute being more than
twice that of contemporary bearded needle machines. It also incorporated many
new features such as double eccentric element drive, positive warp let-off, light
spring warp tension rails, and carefully-balanced machine parts. However, it
required precise setting-up, its pattern scope was limited, and needles and other
parts were expensive.
In 1965 the 
FNF Company
ceased production, having failed to improve their
machine in the face of increasing competition from high-speed bearded needle
tricots with single eccentric drives built by the West German companies of 
Liba
and
Karl Mayer
. The East German 
Kokett
concern, however, continued its production
of compound needle tricot machines.
In 1967 
Liba
, in a bid to increase production speeds, introduced a new design
open-stem compound needle into both raschel and tricot machinery and by the mid
1970s 
Karl Mayer
was pursuing a similar policy.
Now, the compound needle is employed in most high-speed warp knitting
machines, excluding double needle bar raschels. Its short, simple action enables 3300
cpm to be achieved without the problems of metal fatigue and loop distortion asso-
ciated with latch and bearded needles.
The open stem needle is simpler, cheaper and more adaptable than the FNF tube
needle, having individually replaceable hook members and a wider open hook.
The designs of the other elements are similar to those in conventional machines
except that the tricot sinkers have flat bellies because the compound needle does
not require assistance in landing the old overlap.
The hook members are individually mounted in their bar whilst the tongues are
set in leads that are mounted in the tongue bar.