3090results about "Weft knitting" patented technology

The invention belongs to the technical field of flexible sensing, and discloses a flexible piezoresistive sensing array based on a triangular truss grid structure weft knitting spacer fabric, which is of a five-layer composite structure integrally woven and formed through a weft knitting process. The first packaging layer, the first electrode layer, the spacer fabric spacer layer, the second electrode layer and the second packaging layer are sequentially arranged from top to bottom; the first packaging layer and the second packaging layer are formed by weaving insulating yarns and are respectively an upper surface layer and a lower surface layer of the spacer fabric; the spacer fabric spacer layer is of a three-dimensional elastic supporting structure and comprises a plurality of first spacer layer transverse rows and a plurality of second spacer layer transverse rows which are formed by alternately weaving the upper face layer and the lower face layer of the spacer fabric through tucking. The first spacing layer transverse rows and the second spacing layer transverse rows are arranged in the spacing fabric in a staggered mode and are sequentially connected end to end to form a transverse row crossing cross-linked type triangular truss grid structure. The flexible piezoresistive sensing array provided by the invention has high structural integrity and long-term stability.

The present application belongs to the technical field of flexible sensing, and discloses a flexible piezoresistive sensing array based on a triangular truss grid structure weft-knitted spacer fabric, which is a five-layer composite structure integrally formed through a weft-knitting process, and sequentially comprises a first encapsulation layer, a first electrode layer, a spacer fabric spacing layer, a second electrode layer and a second encapsulation layer from top to bottom; the first encapsulation layer and the second encapsulation layer are knitted from insulating yarns and serve as upper and lower layers of the spacer fabric respectively; the spacer fabric spacing layer is a three-dimensional elastic support structure, and comprises a plurality of first spacer layer courses and a plurality of second spacer layer courses alternately knitted through tuck stitches on the upper and lower layers of the spacer fabric; the first spacer layer courses and the second spacer layer courses are staggered with each other in the spacer fabric and are sequentially connected at the head and tail to form a triangular truss grid structure in a cross-course crosslinking mode. The flexible piezoresistive sensing array of the present application has high structural integrity and long-term stability.

The invention belongs to the technical field of personal protection equipment, and particularly relates to a lightweight cut-resistant four-dimensional structure fabric based on high-performance composite fibers and a preparation method of the lightweight cut-resistant four-dimensional structure fabric. The structure is based on a high-performance composite fiber material and a nano silicon carbide embedding technology of high-performance polyethylene fibers, the hardness bottleneck of a single material is broken through, and multi-fiber compatibility is improved through cooperation of polyurethane fiber surface activation and polyurethane fiber anti-melting modification. The gradient twist core sheath yarn is a high-performance composite yarn, and the strength and the flexibility are balanced. In the aspect of the oversleeve fabric structure, a three-dimensional protection system comprising a honeycomb structure, a silica gel liner and a skin-friendly inner layer is adopted, so that the integration of multiple functions of hydrophobicity, fusion resistance and buffering of a light-weight cut-resistant material is realized. Under the EN 388 standard, 5-level cutting prevention can be achieved, a single high-performance polyethylene fiber cutting prevention oversleeve can only reach 3-4 levels, the weight of the composite fiber material is reduced by 40% compared with that of a full aramid fiber oversleeve, the thickness is reduced by 25%, and the composite fiber material can be suitable for complex scenes such as petroleum and electric power.

A method for generating a knitted article having a first, second and third opening, the knitted article adapted to cover at least a groin, a first thigh portion and a second thigh portion of a human body. The method includes using flatbed knitting machine to knit a first portion of the knitted article for covering the first thigh portion, then to knit a second portion of the knitted article for covering the groin and then to knit a third portion of the knitted article for covering the second thigh portion. The first, second and third portions of the knitted article form a one-piece, non-planar knitted article. A pair of edges of the knitted article are affixed to form a first seam, and another pair of edges are affixed to form a second seam facing away from the first seam.

A textile fabric is provided, including: a main body, a film layer and a covering layer. The main body includes two surfaces opposite to each other, and each of the two surfaces has a surface texture being concave and convex. The film layer is coveringly disposed on one of the two surfaces and is concave and convex corresponding to the surface texture, and the covering layer is coveringly disposed on the other of the two surfaces. Therefore, the film layer has an appearance corresponding to the surface texture, and the textile fabric has good toughness, is waterproof and is not easily damaged, and the covering layer provides comfortable feeling of touching.

The invention relates to the technical field of knitted fabrics, in particular to a high-strength wear-resistant anti-snagging functional dry knitted fabric for exercise training and a production process thereof, and the production process comprises the following steps: weighing the following raw materials in parts by weight: 30-40 parts of polyester fibers, 20-30 parts of aramid fibers, 5-10 parts of jade fibers and 5-10 parts of polyamide fibers; polyester fibers, aramid fibers, jade fibers and polyamide fibers are subjected to relaxation treatment and then subjected to a drawing procedure, and the mixed roving is obtained. According to the knitted fabric for exercise training, polyester fibers, aramid fibers, jade fibers and polyamide fibers are blended and blended to prepare mixed roving, meanwhile, the mixed roving is infiltrated and improved through infiltrating liquid, finally, the mixed roving is matched with modified polyester filaments to be subjected to circular knitting improvement, and the obtained knitted fabric has the advantages of being excellent in wear resistance, mechanical strength performance and snagging performance, good in elasticity and good in elasticity. And the knitted fabric has remarkable moisture absorption, dryness and dryness and washing resistance, and the comprehensive coordination of the product is excellent.

Aspects herein are directed to textile that includes a first layer formed from a first plurality of yarns or fibers. The first layer includes a first set of apertures, each aperture having a first opening size. The textile further includes a second layer formed from a second plurality of yarns or fibers. The second layer includes a second set of apertures. Each aperture in the second set of apertures is axially aligned with a corresponding aperture in the first set of apertures. Each aperture in the second set of apertures has a second opening size that is smaller than the first opening size of apertures in the first set of apertures. The first layer is relatively more hydrophilic than the second layer.

The invention relates to the technical field of fabrics, in particular to a moisture absorption and sweat releasing fabric and a preparation process thereof.The preparation process includes the following steps that raw materials including, by weight, 35-40 parts of modified polyester silk, 20-25 parts of functional yarn and 8-12 parts of polyester fiber are weighed; a preparation method of the modified polyester yarn comprises the following steps: melting, blending and extruding polyester resin and a modifier according to a weight ratio of 100: 5; weaving the modified polyester yarns, the functional yarns and the polyester fibers into a knitted fabric body by using a circular knitting machine; setting the knitted fabric body at a high temperature of 115 DEG C for 50 seconds, and obtaining the moisture-absorbing and sweat-releasing fabric after setting is finished. According to the moisture absorption and sweat releasing fabric, the modified polyester yarn, the functional yarn and the polyester fiber are woven into the knitted fabric through the circular knitting machine, the modified polyester yarn is improved and optimized by matching polyester resin with the modifier, and the moisture absorption and sweat releasing performance, the elasticity and the wear resistance of the polyester yarn are enhanced through mutual matching and mutual assistance of the raw materials.

Provided are: a knitted fabric having excellent skin smoothness, heat retaining properties, and washability and wearing properties; and an excellent apparel comprising the knitted fabric. The present invention relates to a knitted fabric, and more specifically, to a knitted fabric having a single-side knitted structure in which courses of fibers (1) comprising short fiber yarns and courses of fibers (2) comprising long fibers are alternately and repeatedly present in the warp direction, the knitted fabric being characterized in that the ratio (D2 / D1) of the total fineness D2 of the fibers (2) to the total fineness D1 of the fibers (1) is in the range of 0.50-0.90, and the ratio (D2 / D1) of the total fineness D2 of the fibers (2) to the total fineness D1 of the fibers (1) is in the range of 0.50-0.90. The ratio (L2 / L1) of the filament length L2 of the fibers 2 to the filament length L1 of the fibers 1 per 100 wales is greater than 1.00.

The utility model discloses a linkage type yarn conveying device which comprises a transmission shaft, a first transmission wheel, a second transmission wheel, a yarn pressing wheel and a yarn winding drum, the first transmission wheel, the second transmission wheel, the yarn pressing wheel and the yarn winding drum are arranged on the periphery of the transmission shaft in a sleeved mode, and the linkage type yarn conveying device further comprises a switcher and a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism is installed on the transmission shaft, and the two ends are connected with the switcher and the yarn winding barrel respectively. The switcher can be combined with the first transmission wheel or the second transmission wheel; when the switcher is combined with the first transmission wheel, the yarn conveyor can be suitable for non-fixed-length yarn supply work, and the switcher can be combined with the first transmission wheel or separated from the first transmission wheel under the action of the linkage mechanism. The linkage type yarn conveying device has the advantages of being high in applicability, low in cost, small in size, capable of saving energy, flexible in mode switching and the like.

The invention belongs to the technical field of textile, and relates to an efficient antibacterial fabric for preparing underwear and a dyeing and finishing method and application thereof.The provided antibacterial fabric is weft-knitted bird eye double-faced knitted fabric and is composed of polyester, cotton and modal fibers, the surface density is 180 g / m, surface yarn of the antibacterial fabric is hollow polyester fibers with special-shaped sections, and the surface yarn of the antibacterial fabric is hollow polyester fibers with special-shaped sections. The lining yarn is formed by weaving dacron and blended yarn according to the proportion of 2: 1. According to the method, dyeing and finishing of the antibacterial fabric, fabric weaving and ergonomic sewing are combined, the fabric which has efficient antibacterial performance, good moisture permeability and ultraviolet-proof performance and high color fastness is obtained, and the prepared antibacterial clothes are high in quick-drying performance, comfortable to wear and high in environmental adaptability.

The present application relates to a kind of weft-knitted free cutting knitted fabric and its manufacturing method, the fabric includes air layer jacquard structure, the air layer jacquard structure includes three layers of bottom layer, intermediate layer and surface layer, the bottom layer is below the intermediate layer, the surface layer is above the intermediate layer, the bottom layer is interwoven using nylon yarn and ordinary spandex, the intermediate layer is connected using ordinary spandex, and extend to the surface layer, the surface layer is interwoven using nylon yarn and ordinary spandex.The present application can realize the effect that both economic and not easy to scatter, burr, edge curl of loop structure.

The invention provides an anti-static knitted fabric based on charge gathering and directional guiding, a preparation method of the anti-static knitted fabric and a knitted fabric, and belongs to the technical field of knitted clothes. A first spinning component and a second spinning component are co-extruded through melt spinning to prepare composite fibers with a parallel composite structure, and the composite fibers are subjected to thermal mechanical treatment to obtain the composite yarn; the composite yarn is directionally introduced into a specific area of the fabric in a tuck-float stitch mode through an embedded weaving technology, and latent curl is activated through after-treatment. The moisture absorption expansion of the second spinning component is utilized to drive the composite yarn to macroscopically self-crimp, and the conductive filler inside is physically extruded to construct an efficient conductive skeleton, so that the humidity response adjustment and charge directional dispersion of the anti-static performance are realized, and the problems of fixed conductive state, local static accumulation and poor comfort of the existing fabric are effectively solved; and the safety and wearing experience of the clothes are improved.

The utility model provides a warm-keeping weft knitting fabric with a three-dimensional effect, which is a fabric which is knitted on a circular knitting machine and has a rib air layer tissue structure. The fabric is formed by alternately weaving a fabric structure air layer composed of tight and stiff single-face weft plain stitch coil transverse rows and loose and soft single-face weft plain stitch coil transverse rows and loose and soft double-face rib stitch transverse rows, and the fabric structure air layer obviously protrudes out of the surface of the fabric; the tight and stiff single-side weft plain stitch transverse columns are woven by paper composite yarns, the loose and soft single-side weft plain stitch transverse columns are woven by fine modified polyester Monenz yarn blended yarns, and the loose and soft single-side weft plain stitch transverse columns are woven by the fine modified polyester Monenz yarn blended yarns, so that a transverse stripe effect is formed between the loose and soft single-side weft plain stitch transverse columns and the flat loose and soft double-side rib stitch transverse columns. The loose and soft double-faced rib coil row is formed by weaving fine-count modified polyester Monenz yarn blended yarn, the paper composite yarn is composed of paper yarn, first modified polyester supercool multifilament and second modified polyester supercool multifilament, and the outer surface of the paper yarn is sequentially wrapped with the first modified polyester supercool multifilament and the second modified polyester supercool multifilament from inside to outside.

The utility model discloses a knitted fabric which comprises first areas and second areas, the first areas and the second areas are alternately arranged in the fabric breadth direction, the second areas comprise mesh areas and mesh areas, each mesh area is formed by arranging a plurality of rhombuses, and each mesh area is located in the center of the corresponding rhombus in the corresponding mesh area and located on the front face of the fabric. The first area is higher than the second area, is positioned on the back side of the fabric and is higher than the second area. The first areas are woven to form the densely-woven areas, the second areas are the mesh areas, sweat is absorbed through the densely-woven areas, the second areas are woven to form the mesh areas, the mesh structures increase air circulation through meshes, the loose mesh surfaces of the mesh structures provide channels for sweat diffusion, and after the first areas and the second areas are alternately arranged, the sweat diffusion effect is improved. Through the arrangement of the first area and the second area, pores are increased in the whole structure of the fabric, so that sweat discharge is increased, and fibers in the first area can rapidly evaporate sweat through the height difference between the first area and the second area.

The invention discloses a self-softening one-way moisture-conducting environment-friendly fabric and a preparation method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of fabric weaving, the front face of the fabric is made of surface yarn chinlon filaments and polyester yarns, the lining is made of polypropylene spandex core-spun yarns, and the fabric is woven through a single-side knitting machine structure and has the characteristics of self-softening and one-way moisture-conducting. Compared with the prior art, the fabric is soft and comfortable, has good moisture permeability and environmental protection property, and is suitable for the fields of outdoor sports, fitness, daily casual clothes and the like.

The invention relates to the technical field of circular knitting machine control, in particular to a real-time control method and system for motion stability of a circular knitting machine. According to the method, the fluctuation feature vectors of the vibration data in the vibration period are extracted, and the similarity between the fluctuation feature vectors is utilized to divide a normal period and an abnormal period; further obtaining a vibration stability coefficient of each monitoring point according to distribution of a normal period and an abnormal period in combination with similar features of the fluctuation feature vector; further according to the fluctuation similarity between the vibration data, the distribution similarity of a normal period and all vibration stability coefficients are combined, and the overall stability coefficient of the needle cylinder is obtained; further according to the fluctuation violent characteristics of the voltage data, combining with the overall stability coefficient to obtain a hardware abnormal factor; finally, the control modes of the circular knitting machine are switched based on the hardware abnormity factors, hardware abnormity is recognized more accurately and comprehensively, control and maintenance are switched in time, and the operation stability and the production quality are improved.

The utility model discloses a wick strip fabric which comprises a surface layer and a base layer, the surface layer comprises a first convex area and a first concave area, the base layer comprises a second convex area and a second concave area, the bottom end of the first convex area is connected with the top end of the second convex area, and the bottom end of the first concave area is connected with the top end of the second concave area. Two sides of the second convex area are connected with two sides of the first concave area so as to connect the surface layer and the base layer. The surface layer and the base layer form the combination of the filaments and the short fibers of the two system yarns, so that after velvet cutting of the fabric, the short fibers form velvet strips, the filaments below the velvet strips are fixed, the strength of the fabric is improved, the base layer is in a strip shape under the same density, the yarn count of the base layer is smaller than that of the surface layer, and the fabric is more attractive in appearance. Therefore, the air permeability of the fabric is improved, the structural stability of the surface layer is improved, meanwhile, the short fibers of the surface layer are not prone to breakage, and the velvet strips of the surface layer are bound due to the strip shape of the base layer, so that the fabric is not prone to being torn.

The utility model discloses a knitting mechanism for knitwear production, which comprises a bottom plate, and a vertical frame is provided with a guide-in structure for loosening and conveying yarns; the guiding-in structure comprises a guiding-in seat, the guiding-in seat is arranged on the vertical frame, a guiding-in cavity is formed in the middle of the guiding-in seat, a first conductive tensioning sleeve is rotationally arranged on one side in the guiding-in cavity and rotationally arranged on a first conductive rod, and a second conductive tensioning sleeve is rotationally arranged on the other side in the guiding-in cavity and rotationally arranged on a second conductive rod. The second conductive tensioning sleeve is rotationally arranged on the second conductive rod, and the first conductive rod and the second conductive rod are arranged on the two sides in the guide-in cavity. According to the static electricity removing device, multi-stage tensioning can be conducted on yarn, the stability in the yarn conveying process is improved, the situation that the yarn loosens or deviates in the yarn conveying process is prevented, and the static electricity can be removed.

The utility model provides an antibacterial moisture-absorbing breathable knitted fabric which is formed by knitting an upper needle dial of two needles and a lower needle cylinder of the two needles, 12 paths are used as a cycle for knitting, the first path, the fourth path, the seventh path and the tenth path are connected with first banana fibers, the second path, the sixth path, the eighth path and the twelfth path are connected with second banana fibers, and the fourth path, the fifth path, the sixth path, the eighth path and the twelfth path are connected with second banana fibers. The third path, the fifth path, the ninth path and the eleventh path are connected with polyester filaments; the twisting direction of the first banana fibers is S twist, and the twisting direction of the second banana fibers is Z twist. According to the utility model, the 12-way weaving structure is woven into the single-sided fabric, so that the fabric is lighter, thinner, more breathable, more comfortable to wear and better in quick-drying performance; due to the arrangement of the antibacterial yarns and the polyester filaments, not only is the antibacterial property of the fabric improved, but also the quick-drying property of the fabric is improved, and unique holes are formed in the fabric due to the yarn connecting mode of each path, so that the air permeability and the quick-drying property of the fabric are further improved.

A method of making a plant-based deep pile fabric that closely resembles animal fur or wool, that includes extracting the plant fibers from the plant material and forming a yarn or sliver made from plant fibers and simultaneously attaching it to a scrim also made from plant fibers, where the fiber is attached and extends from the scrim to form a length of plant-fiber pile fabric having natural plant fibers on one side and the scrim on the opposite side. The method includes finishing the scrim side of the fabric with an adhesive agent to attach the fibers to the scrim and form a stable base. The method also includes finishing the plant fiber pile side of the fabric by applying fur-industry specific processing steps to alter the properties of the fibers resulting in an even closer resemblance of animal fur.

The invention relates to a flame-retardant antibacterial water-repellent elastic fabric and a preparation method thereof. Yarns adopted by the fabric comprise spandex fiber yarns, combed cotton yarns and spandex elastic fiber yarns. A double-sided circular knitting machine is adopted to weave grey cloth, and the obtained grey cloth is at least subjected to water-repellent finishing to obtain the fabric, the combed cotton yarn is used for being woven into the outer layer of the gray fabric, the spandex fiber yarn is used for being woven into the inner layer of the gray fabric, and the spandex elastic fiber yarn is used for being woven into the middle connecting layer of the gray fabric. The spandex fiber yarn, the combed cotton yarn and the spandex elastic fiber yarn are woven to form a unique organization structure, so that the fabric has the advantages of the three materials; the gray fabric obtained by weaving is subjected to water-repellent finishing, so that the lasting flame-retardant antibacterial and water-repellent functional fabric is obtained, and the fabric can be used for light sports or casual coats.

The utility model relates to the technical field of textile, in particular to a comfortable and environment-friendly regenerated viscose knitted fabric, and the pattern of the comfortable and environment-friendly regenerated viscose knitted fabric is circulated by six paths from bottom to top, the weave structure of the first path sequentially comprises a lower needle cylinder floating thread weave, a lower needle cylinder tuck stitch, an upper dial tuck stitch and an upper dial floating thread weave; wherein the second path of stitch structure comprises a lower needle cylinder tuck stitch, a lower needle cylinder floating thread stitch, an upper dial floating thread stitch and an upper dial tuck stitch in sequence; the third path of weave structure comprises a lower needle cylinder floating thread weave, a lower needle cylinder floating thread weave, an upper dial small looping weave and an upper dial small looping weave in sequence; the texture structure and the fabric formed by blending the selected textile fibers have good hygroscopicity, air permeability and elasticity, are suitable for making comfortable sportswear, and meet the requirements of consumers for high quality and comfort.

The present application relates to articles of footwear having uppers with knitted components including cushioning regions, uppers, and methods of manufacturing articles of footwear. In one example, an upper (12) for an article of footwear (10) includes a knitted component (14). The knitted component (14) includes a plurality of knitted cushioning structures (46) that define a cushioning region (42).

The invention relates to the technical field of knitting, and discloses a circular weft knitting machine multi-jacquard process weaving method, device and equipment and a storage medium, the method is used for splicing process files so as to achieve multi-jacquard continuous weaving operation of circular weft knitting machines, and the method comprises the steps of obtaining target cloth design requirements, and according to the target cloth design requirements, obtaining a multi-jacquard process of the circular weft knitting machines; determining a jacquard pattern number, a jacquard pattern weaving frequency and a jacquard pattern weaving sequence corresponding to the target cloth design requirement, and querying from a pre-constructed process file library according to the jacquard pattern number to obtain a process file corresponding to the jacquard pattern number, splicing the process files according to the jacquard pattern weaving times and the jacquard pattern weaving sequence to generate a spliced file; analyzing the spliced file to obtain weaving data corresponding to the target cloth design requirement; and generating a weaving instruction according to the weaving data to control the circular weft knitting machine to perform weaving operation.

The invention relates to the field of flame-retardant textile fabrics, and provides a comfortable flame-retardant aramid fabric and a preparation method thereof. The composite filler with the average length of 3.0-8.0 mu m and the diameter of 0.4-1.0 mu m is prepared by adopting the design of multielement blended composite fibers of hydroxyapatite / magnesium hydroxide composite filler, meta-aramid polymer, para-aramid polymer, polybenzimidazole and the like through a hydro-thermal synthesis process of performing silanization surface activation and accurately controlling the molar ratio of calcium to phosphorus to be 1.60-1.67. The preparation method comprises the following steps: preparing the composite filler with the average length of 3.0-8.0 mu m and the diameter of 0.4-1.0 mu m; then industrial production processes such as graded shearing dispersion, continuous wet spinning, multi-stage stretching heat setting and after-finishing are performed, so that synergistic improvement of flame retardant performance and comfort performance is achieved, and the technical problems that a traditional aramid fiber fabric is poor in flame retardant effect, poor in comfort, unstable in processing performance and the like are solved; the fabric has wide application value in high-end application fields such as fire protection clothing, industrial protection textiles and military protection equipment.

The invention provides a preparation method of a lyocell and polyester interwoven fabric, which is characterized in that the preparation method comprises preparation and dyeing and finishing processes of a lyocell polyester fabric, and the dyeing and finishing processes comprise a lyocell anti-fibrillation treatment process, a polyester dyeing process and a lyocell dyeing treatment process; wherein the lyocell anti-fibrillation treatment process comprises the following steps: adding an anti-fibrillation aid KR-6347 according to 1%-4%, then adding anhydrous sodium sulphate, treating for 8-15 minutes, heating to 60-70 DEG C, adding 10-25 g / L sodium carbonate, continuing for 30-50 minutes, then cooling, draining water and cleaning. The lyocell terylene fabric is woven into knitted single jersey through knitting equipment in a yarn matching mode of separating lyocell terylene, separating lyocell and spandex. The fabric structure and the dyeing and finishing process are reasonable, the fibrillation degree of the fabric is greatly reduced through the dyeing and finishing process, the fastness to washing is high, and the breathable effect of the fabric is better under the wet condition after dyeing and finishing.

The utility model relates to the field of flat knitting machines, in particular to a sinker positioning structure which comprises sinkers, the sinkers are arranged along a needle bed mouth part and distributed in a knitting area of the needle bed mouth part, and one end of each sinker is provided with a positioning edge; the positioning edge is of a continuous fluctuating structure, at least comprises a first limiting part, a second limiting part and a third limiting part, and has elastic deformation capacity; the positioning piece is arranged on the positioning side; and when the sinker swings, the positioning piece is switched among the first limit, the second limit and the third limit. After the scheme is adopted, the sinker can be more stable in a working state.

The invention provides an intelligent control method and device, electronic equipment, a readable storage medium and a computer program product, the intelligent control method is applied to a machine table for knitting production, and the method comprises the steps that target data are acquired, and the target data comprise the position of a triangle and the action state of a yarn conveyor; performing feature extraction on the target data, and inputting the extracted features into a preset detection model to perform operation state prediction analysis to obtain a process anomaly prediction result; and based on a process abnormity prediction result, a prediction control model is adopted to carry out triangle position and yarn conveyor action adjustment on feedback data collected in real time. The problem that real-time prediction and optimization control cannot be achieved in the prior art is solved, and the method has the advantages that the process anomaly prediction accuracy is improved, real-time dynamic optimization control is achieved, and the knitting production quality and efficiency are improved.