Knitting machine

Abstract

A knitting machine (1) for producing a knitted fabric (2), comprising a control assembly, a thread feeding region (3), a loop forming region (4, 5), and a take-off region (6), wherein the knitting machine (1) has a device (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) for making one or more markings on at least one fed thread (7) or the formed knitted fabric (2) and wherein the marking device (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) has at least one marking unit (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21), which is located in the loop forming region (4, 5).

Description

[0001] knitting machine

[0002] The present invention relates to a knitting machine with a device for forming one or more markings on at least one fed thread or the knitted fabric formed by the knitting machine according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a method for forming markings on a knitted fabric using a knitting machine according to the preamble of claim 19.

[0003] Such knitting machines are used to produce knitted fabrics, particularly knitwear such as upper or lower body garments, e.g., sweaters. They are commonly used for the production of hosiery, particularly socks, stockings, or tights. They are now also being used to manufacture shoe uppers, as it has been shown that knitted fabrics are also very effective for making shoes. There are essentially two types of knitting machines used: either circular knitting machines or flat knitting machines. Conventional circular knitting machines essentially consist of a machine frame with an upper, middle, and lower section. The material feed, or thread feed, is located in the upper section.One or more spools can be picked up by the machine and their thread is fed to the middle section via a thread feed. This is where the stitches are formed. This is achieved by knitting tools, i.e. a large number of needles that are mounted in a needle cylinder and consist in particular of so-called latch needles with hooks and latches. The knitting tools are controlled by so-called cam parts that are arranged in a cam casing surrounding the needle cylinder. In the lower section, the knitted fabric produced by the stitch formation section, which in the case of a circular knitting machine is a tubular fabric, is guided via a so-called temple to a take-off device, which in turn has a container for holding the knitted fabric.

[0004] Flat knitting machines, in contrast, are used, as the name suggests, to produce flat or sheet-like knitwear, which usually still needs to be finished after the knitting process to produce, for example, a finished upper or lower body garment. These flat knitting machines usually have a front and a rear needle bed, which are arranged diagonally to one another with a needle bed spacing. The needle beds each have a plurality of knitting needles. Furthermore, such knitting machines are equipped with at least one carriage which has two halves. The first half is located on the front needle bed. The second half is located on the rear needle bed. The carriage is driven by a motor and moves transversely to the two needle beds.Above the needle beds, a rail is arranged for one or more thread guides, which guide one or more knitting threads from one or more spools mounted on the knitting machine to the needle bed gap. The one or more thread guides are usually driven and can be moved along the rail. Needle selection systems are arranged in each half of the carriage. These systems perform the knitting processes. The knitted fabrics are thus formed below the needle beds and needle bed gap. For this purpose, knitting programs are transferred or loaded to the knitting machine's control system.

[0005] In addition to the finishing of the flat knitwear described above, it is also common for knitwear manufactured on circular knitting machines to be finished after the knitting process. For example, it is usual for tubular knitwear to be closed at one end with a seam running transversely or diagonally to the knitting direction to create hosiery with a closed toe area. In both cases, finishing is achieved by a seamstress manually applying markings, particularly in the form of lines, to the knitwear as an intermediate step, i.e., after the knitting process and before the sewing process. Templates, for example, are used for this purpose. The markings thus serve as cutting and / or sewing marks for the seamstress in a clothing department.

[0006] A knitting machine, in particular a circular knitting machine, is known, for example, from DE 37 50281 T2.

[0007] The document discloses a knitting machine for knitting tubular knitted fabrics, in particular elastic bandages, in which one of the yarns used is elastic and the yarn is knitted or laid around the circumference of the tube. The invention relates to a control arrangement having a device for adjusting the feed speed of the elastic yarn. This is achieved via a so-called profile or profile curve with a pulley. According to a further development of the invention, the knitting machine now further comprises a marking pin that indicates the start or end position of a knitted fabric or knitted garment. This pin is used in particular to count the number of garments produced or to strike a fed yarn and thereby create a mark on the knitted fabric to ultimately mark a cutting position.This can be used to separate the knitted fabric manually or automatically. The device, specifically the marking pin, is located near the thread feed.

[0008] Another knitting machine, in particular also a circular knitting machine, is known from DE 80 21 235 Ul.

[0009] In addition to the known components for producing the knitted fabric, the circular knitting machine comprises, in particular, an optical defect detection device, which detects defects such as holes and dropped stitches in the tubular fabric produced by the knitting machine. This makes it possible to prevent defective fabric from being finished. This was previously avoided by manual inspection after knitting or during finishing. Specifically, the invention proposes that, upon detection of a defect, a feed device is activated, which, for a predetermined period of time, advances a marking pin or the like to the knitted fabric in order to apply a marking associated with the detected defect.

[0010] For this purpose, a light source in the form of a light bulb is arranged below the knitting area, specifically inside the knitted tube. A photocell or similar device is arranged on the machine frame outside the tube; this device responds to the light emitted by the light bulb. If a defect in the knitted fabric, such as a hole or a run, gets between the light bulb and the photocell, the photocell emits an electrical signal that shuts down the circular knitting machine. A marking pen, which can be moved toward the circular knitted fabric by a feed device, then applies a marking, for example, in the form of a circular line, to the circulating fabric.

[0011] A disadvantage of these knitting machine designs is that the marking of the knitted fabric takes place either in the thread feed area of ​​the knitting machine, i.e. in the area of ​​the bobbin and the thread feed control, or below the stitch-forming area, i.e. in the take-up area of ​​the knitting machine, and the marking devices are also arranged there. Both arrangements result in the markings only being able to be placed imprecisely in relation to the finished knitted fabric, i.e. in particular in relation to individual stitches, i.e. rows or wales. This is because, in addition to the weave type and, for example, the stitch size, the elasticity of the knitting thread also influences the actual arrangement of the marking in the knitted fabric when the thread is marked before knitting. The greater the distance between the marking area and the stitch-forming area, the greater the inaccuracy of the position of the marking within the knitted fabric.However, the marking of the knitted fabric in a take-off area cannot be done precisely, especially to the stitch or stitch row, because the knitted fabric contracts in a take-off area after production. Therefore, the markings can only be placed imprecisely in both cases.

[0012] Another disadvantage is the design of the marking units on conventional knitting machines. In particular, the design, which consists of a marking pin and a mechanism that moves the marking pin against the knitted fabric, poses various risks. The greatest danger is that the pin could damage the thread or the knitted fabric through contact.

[0013] Finally, the design of the marking units as separate and additional components on the knitting machines also represents a disadvantage. This significantly impacts the size of the machine, for example, the take-up area. This requires significantly more space for the knitting machine. This, in turn, has a negative impact on the effective and cost-effective production of the knitted fabrics.

[0014] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a knitting machine which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, which in particular enables automatic setting of markings, in particular cutting and / or sewing marks, during the knitting process and this with improved precision compared to the solutions known from the prior art.

[0015] According to a first embodiment, the knitting machine for producing a knitted fabric comprises a control arrangement, a thread feed region, a stitch formation region and a take-off region, wherein the knitting machine has a device for forming one or more markings on at least one fed thread or the formed knitted fabric and wherein the marking device has at least one marking unit which is arranged in the stitch formation region.

[0016] According to a second embodiment, the knitting machine is a circular knitting machine, wherein the stitch formation region consists of at least one needle cylinder with a plurality of needles movably mounted therein, a plurality of cam parts arranged in a cam casing for controlling the plurality of needles, and at least one thread guide block.

[0017] In this case, the at least one marking unit is preferably attached to or integrated into the at least one thread guide block of the knitting machine. In addition, the stitch formation area preferably further comprises at least one, preferably several, thread guides, and the at least one or at least one second marking unit is attached to or integrated into the at least one thread guide.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the knitting machine is a flat knitting machine, wherein the stitch formation area consists of at least two needle beds, each with a plurality of knitting needles, at least one driven carriage with a needle selection mechanism and at least one driven thread guide mounted on a rail.

[0019] Preferably, the at least one marking unit is attached to or integrated into the at least one driven thread guide. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one marking unit can also be attached to or integrated into the at least one driven carriage. It is also possible for the at least one marking unit to be drivably mounted on the rail for the at least one thread guide or on at least one underside of the at least two needle beds.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the at least one marking unit is designed to mark the at least one supplied thread or the formed knitted fabric without contact.

[0021] For this purpose, the marking unit preferably has at least one spray device, in particular a paint nozzle, for providing the surface of the at least one supplied or knitted thread with at least one, preferably liquid or powdered, marking agent. In addition to the at least one spray device, the marking device preferably comprises at least one reservoir and at least one supply line for the at least one marking agent, and further preferably at least one suction device for the excess marking agent(s). Alternatively, the marking unit preferably has at least one laser for contactless marking to engrave the surface of the at least one supplied or knitted thread.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the at least one marking unit is designed to mark the at least one fed or knitted thread by contact.

[0023] For this purpose, the marking unit preferably has at least one print head or a paint needle for applying the at least one, preferably liquid or powdered, marking agent to the at least one supplied or knitted thread by contact. In this case, the marking device preferably has, in addition to the at least one print head, at least one reservoir and at least one supply line for the at least one marking agent.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the marking device can be controlled by the control arrangement of the knitting machine, in particular based on a knitting program for producing the knitted fabric.

[0025] Preferably, the knitting machine according to the previous embodiments is designed such that the marking device can, in particular, form multicolored markings on the at least one supplied thread or the formed knitted fabric. For this purpose, the marking unit has, for example, several print heads with different colors.

[0026] According to one embodiment of a method for forming markings on a knitted fabric using a knitting machine according to one of the preceding embodiments, the marking agent used is a water-insoluble or water-soluble marking agent, in particular one that can be washed off after drying, or a marking agent that is transparent to the human eye and visible only using an external stimulus. Preferably, the marking agent only becomes visible upon a temperature change, through radiation, in particular UV radiation, or through the use of a fluid.

[0027] This knitting machine is characterized by a number of significant advantages.

[0028] The inventive design of the knitting machine with its marking device makes it possible to automatically and precisely place markings on the knitted fabric, regardless of the thread material and weave used. Another advantage is that errors that can occur when manually marking knitted fabrics with cutting or sewing marks are avoided. Damage to the knitted fabric due to the marking process itself, especially with contactless marking, is also eliminated.

[0029] A further associated advantage is the simplified and more cost-effective production of knitted fabrics. The ability to automatically and precisely place cutting and sewing marks eliminates one process step in the knitted fabric manufacturing process: the manual marking and placement of these cutting and sewing marks. This saves time and thus personnel costs. Furthermore, the space-saving integration of the marking device or unit into the knitting machine, particularly into the components of the stitch-forming area, has a positive impact on costs. The knitting machine requires little space and therefore little production area.

[0030] Furthermore, the knitting machine according to the invention allows for the application of multi-colored markings. This can be used, for example, to sort different knitted fabrics produced on the machine, each of which has a specific color or color code. For example, knitted fabrics, especially stockings, of a first size can be provided with a first color marking, and stockings of a second size with a second color marking. This also saves time and thus personnel costs.

[0031] A further advantage is that the knitting machine according to the invention allows patterns, especially multi-colored patterns, to be created on the knitted fabric directly during the knitting process, regardless of the yarn color chosen for the fabric and the weave type. It is no longer necessary to subsequently dye or print the knitted fabric in a further process step. This also has a positive impact on the manufacturing costs of the knitted fabric.

[0032] The invention is explained below using several embodiments and in conjunction with the attached drawings.

[0033] Showing:

[0034] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention, in particular designed as a circular knitting machine with a marking device, wherein the marking unit is mounted in its thread guide block or on one of the thread guides;

[0035] Figure 2 shows the stitch formation area of ​​a second embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention, in particular designed as a flat knitting machine with a marking device, wherein the marking unit is attached to the thread guide;

[0036] Figure 3 shows the stitch formation area of ​​a third embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention, in particular designed as a flat knitting machine with a marking device, wherein the marking unit is integrated in the thread guide;

[0037] Figure 4 shows the stitch formation area of ​​a fourth embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention, also designed as a flat knitting machine with a marking device, wherein the marking unit is attached to the carriage; Figure 5 shows the stitch formation area of ​​a fifth embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention, wherein the marking unit is attached to the rail for the thread guide of the flat knitting machine;

[0038] Figure 6 shows the stitch formation area of ​​a sixth embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention, wherein the marking unit is mounted below the two needle beds of the flat knitting machine;

[0039] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention, which is designed as a circular knitting machine 1. The circular knitting machine 1 has a thread feed area 3, a stitch formation area 4, and the take-off area 6 located underneath. In the thread feed area 3, preferably several threads 7 wound on a spool are stored, which are used to produce the knitted fabric. For this purpose, the knitting machine has several spool holders. The several threads 7 are guided into the stitch formation area 4 via a thread feed mechanism. The stitch formation area 4 is essentially characterized by a needle cylinder 22 with several knitting needles, which are controlled via cam parts arranged in a cam casing, as is generally known for circular knitting machines.Furthermore, the stitch formation area 4 has a thread guide block 23, which is responsible for forming the knitted stitches. For this purpose, at least a first thread 7 is fed to it. As shown, however, several threads 7 can also be fed to the thread guide block 23. For this purpose, the knitting machine 1 has several thread guides 24, 25, which are distributed in the circumferential direction around the needle cylinder 22 directly at its upper end. The thread guides 24, 25 are each essentially characterized by their web-shaped arms in order to guide the thread 7 as close as possible to the needle cylinder 22 and thus to the individual knitting needles. Below the needle cylinder 22 and thus below the stitch formation area 4 is the take-off area 6. This preferably has a container for receiving the produced knitted fabric.

[0040] According to the invention, the stitch-forming region 4 now has a marking device 8 for the thread(s) 7 fed to the stitch-forming region 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the device 8 comprises the plurality of marking units 14, 15, 16 for the plurality of threads 7. A first marking unit 14 is attached to the thread guide block 23, and the two further marking units 15, 16 are attached to the two thread guides 24, 25. As a result, all marking units 14, 15, 16 are arranged in the immediate vicinity of the needle cylinder 22. The three marking units 14, 15, 16 are preferably formed by a print head 43, which delivers marking agent to the fed threads 7 under contact. Preferably, the marking agent is ink, and particularly preferably, each of the units 14, 15, 16 emits a different color, so that multi-colored markings can be applied to the knitted fabric. Not shown is one or more.the multiple supply lines and a reservoir for the marking means(s). These can also be positioned in the stitch formation area 4 or in the other areas 3, 6 of the knitting machine 1. Since the knitted fabric is stitched under the control of a control arrangement, which in turn preferably also controls the marking device 8, precise sewing or cutting marks can be applied during the knitting process. Of course, it is also conceivable that other marking means could be used instead of paint, which, in addition to or instead of an optical marking, also impart a technical function to the knitted fabric. Thus, electrical conductor tracks could also be precisely printed onto the knitted fabric using the knitting machine 1 according to the invention.

[0041] Figure 2 shows a stitch-forming area 5 of a second embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention, in particular a flat-bed knitting machine. The stitch-forming area 5 comprises two needle beds 26, 27, in particular a front and rear needle bed, each with a plurality of knitting needles 28. Both needle beds 26, 27 are angled and arranged at a needle-bed spacing from one another. Above these, a driven carriage 29 is shown, which has two halves, namely a front half 30 and a rear half 31. The carriage 29 contains the needle selection mechanism. Finally, a thread guide 33 is mounted on a not-shown rail above, i.e., above, the previously described arrangement. Multiple thread guides may also be provided.The thread guide 33 is designed to guide the thread 7 to the needle bed 29, in particular to the carriage 30 and the needle 28 selected by the carriage, in order to knit the thread therein, forming a stitch. A control arrangement can then control the carriage 29 with the needle selection mechanism, as well as the thread guide 33. The control system thus automatically controls the movement of the carriage 29 and the operation of the needle selection mechanism to move the knitting needles 28 based on the knitting data. Finally, the knitted fabric is formed below the needle bed distance.

[0042] In this exemplary embodiment, the marking device 9 according to the invention is also arranged in the stitch-forming area 5. Its marking unit 17 is attached to the at least one driven thread guide 33. The marking unit 17 is preferably designed as a print head 43, which receives the marking agent via a supply line 44. The marking agent is also preferably stored in a reservoir, as described in Figure 1. The agent is applied to the fed yarn 7 in the area of ​​the thread guide 33, preferably within the thread guide 33. The print head 43 contacts the thread running through the thread guide 33 in order to apply the preferably liquid or powdered marking agent to the thread 7 and thus mark it. The control arrangement of the knitting machine controls the print head 43.Based on a knitting program for producing the knitted fabric, the print head 43 is moved toward the thread 7 passing through the thread guide 33 in order to mark it. The further the print head 43 is moved toward the thread 7, the longer the marking on the thread 7 will be. In particular, the material properties of the thread 7, the distance between the thread guide 33 and the knitting needle 28, and the weave of the stitch are taken into account so that the marking can be precisely placed in the knitted fabric.

[0043] Figure 3 now shows the stitch formation area 5 of a third embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention. This is also designed as a flat knitting machine, and the marking device 10 or its marking unit 18 is integrated into the thread guide 34. The thread guide 34 for the at least one thread 7 is mounted on the rail 32 in a driveable manner. It can therefore be moved along the rail 32 by the control arrangement.

[0044] According to the invention, the marking device 10, in particular the marking unit 18, is designed to mark the supplied thread 7 in the thread guide 34 without contact. For this purpose, the marking unit 18 has a spray device 36, which is designed in particular as a spray nozzle, for providing the surface of the thread 7 with a marking agent, preferably in liquid or powder form. This is fed from a reservoir via a supply line 38 to the spray device. In addition, the marking device 18, in particular the thread guide 34, now also has a suction device 41 for sucking excess marking agent out of the thread guide 34. The contactless marking ensures that the thread 7 cannot be damaged by the marking unit.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the stitch formation section 5 of the knitting machine according to the invention, which is also designed as a flat knitting machine here. In addition to the two needle beds 26, 27 with the plurality of knitting needles 28, the carriage 29 with the two halves 30, 31 is shown. Not shown are the thread guide and the thread guide rail for guiding the thread 7 to the needle bed 29, in particular to the carriage 30 and to the needle 28 selected by the latter, in order to knit it there, forming stitches as shown, to produce a knitted fabric 2. As already described above, the control system of the knitting machine controls the movement of the carriage 29 and the operation of the needle selection mechanism to move the knitting needles 28 based on the knitting data. As a result, the knitted fabric 2 is formed below the needle bed distance.

[0046] According to the invention, according to this exemplary embodiment, the marking device 11, in particular the marking unit 19, is designed to mark the fed thread 7 without contact. For this purpose, the marking unit 19 has a laser 42 for engraving the surface of the at least one fed or knitted thread 7. The marking unit 19, in particular the laser 42, is mounted on the driven carriage 29, in particular on its rear half 31. The control and power supply of the laser 42 are provided via the line 40.

[0047] Finally, Figure 5 shows the stitch formation area 5 of a fifth embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention, wherein the marking unit 20 of the marking device 12 is attached to the rail 32 for the thread guide(s) of the flat knitting machine. The marking unit 20 preferably has a print head 43. The marking unit 20 can thus be controlled and driven independently of the thread guide. This makes it possible to set the markings regardless of the position of the thread guide. In addition, the markings are placed directly on the thread 7, but only after it has been knitted to form a stitch or at least picked up by the needle of the needle bed 26, 27. This has the advantage that the markings can be positioned very precisely on the thread and thus in or on the knitted fabric.

[0048] Finally, Figure 6 shows the stitch formation area 5 of a sixth embodiment of the knitting machine according to the invention. The marking unit 21 of the marking device 13 is mounted below the two needle beds 26, 27 of the flat knitting machine. The flat knitting machine itself, as described in Figures 2 and 4, has, in addition to the needle beds 26, 27 with the multiple needles 28, a carriage 29 with a front and rear half 30, 31. Again, not shown is the thread guide(s) and the thread guide rail for guiding the thread 7 shown to the needle bed 29. However, the knitted fabric 2 is shown, which is produced below the two needle beds 26, 27 at the needle bed spacing, as also already described, by the multiple components of the stitch formation area 5.

[0049] The marking device 13 according to the invention is now, in this exemplary embodiment, also arranged in the stitch-forming region 5. Its marking unit 21 is arranged on the underside 35 of the at least two needle beds 26, 27 and is preferably mounted so as to be drivable. As a result, the marking unit 21 can be moved transversely to the knitting direction. The marking unit 21 is preferably also designed to mark the formed knitted fabric 2 without contact. For this purpose, the marking unit 21 has at least one spray device 37, which is supplied with the marking agent via a supply line in order to provide the surface of the at least one or more knitted threads 7 with at least one, preferably liquid or powdery, marking agent. The marking unit 21 can thus also be controlled and driven independently of the thread guide or the carriage 2.This makes it possible to set the markers independently of the position of these components. Furthermore, the markers are again placed directly on the knitted fabric 2. This has the advantage that the markers can be positioned very precisely on the knitted fabric 2.

[0050] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but encompasses all embodiments that apply or incorporate the basic functional principle of the invention. Furthermore, all features of all described and illustrated embodiments can be combined with one another.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Knitting machine (1) for producing a knitted fabric (2), comprising a control arrangement, a thread feed area (3), a stitch formation area (4, 5) and a take-off area (6), wherein the knitting machine (1) has a device (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) for forming one or more markings on at least one fed thread (7) or the formed knitted fabric (2), characterized in that the marking device (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) has at least one marking unit (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) which is arranged in the stitch formation area (4, 5).

2. Knitting machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the knitting machine is a circular knitting machine (1), wherein the stitch formation area (4) consists of at least one needle cylinder (22) with a plurality of needles movably mounted therein, a plurality of cam parts arranged in a cam casing for controlling the plurality of needles and at least one thread guide block (23).

3. Knitting machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one marking unit (14) is attached to the at least one thread guide block (23) or is integrated therein.

4. Knitting machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the stitch-forming region (4) further comprises at least one, preferably several, thread guides (24, 25) and the at least one or at least one second marking unit (15, 16) is attached to the at least one thread guide (24, 25) or is integrated into it.

5. Knitting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the knitting machine is a flat knitting machine, wherein the stitch formation area (5) consists of at least two needle beds (26, 27), each with a plurality of knitting needles (28), at least one driven carriage (29) with a needle selection mechanism and at least one driven thread guide (33, 34) mounted on a rail (32).

6. Knitting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one marking unit (17, 18) is arranged on the at least one driven thread guide (33, 34) or is integrated into it.

7. Knitting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one marking unit (19) is attached to the at least one driven carriage (29) or is integrated therein.

8. Knitting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one marking unit (20) is drivably mounted on the rail (32) for the at least one thread guide (33, 34).

9. Knitting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one marking unit (21) is drivably mounted on at least one underside (35) of the at least two needle beds (26, 27).

10. Knitting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one marking unit (18, 19, 21) is designed to mark the at least one fed thread (7) or the formed knitted fabric (2) without contact.

11. Knitting machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the marking unit (18, 21) has at least one spray device (36, 37) in order to provide the surface of the at least one fed or knitted thread (7) with at least one, preferably liquid or powdery, marking agent.

12. Knitting machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the marking device (18, 21) has, in addition to the at least one spray device (36, 37), at least one reservoir and at least one supply line (38, 39) for the at least one marking agent and preferably at least one suction device (41) for the excess marking agent(s).

13. Knitting machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the marking unit (19) has at least one laser (42) for engraving the surface of the at least one fed or knitted thread (7).

14. Knitting machine according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one marking unit (14, 15, 16, 17, 20) is designed to mark the at least one fed or knitted thread (7) by contact.

15. Knitting machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the marking unit (14, 15, 16, 17, 20) has at least one print head (43) for applying the at least one, preferably liquid or powdery, marking agent to the at least one fed or knitted thread (7).

16. Knitting machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the marking device (17) has, in addition to the at least one print head, at least one reservoir and at least one supply line (44) for the at least one marking means.

17. Knitting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking device (8) has a plurality of marking units (14, 15, 16) which are arranged in the Stitch formation area (4), wherein the marking units (14, 15, 16) are designed to mark the at least one fed or knitted thread in a different color.

18. Knitting machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking device (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13) can be controlled by the control arrangement of the knitting machine (1), in particular based on a knitting program for producing the knitted fabric (2).

19. A method for forming markings on a knitted fabric (2) using a knitting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking agent used is a water-insoluble or a water-soluble marking agent, in particular a marking agent that can be washed off after drying, or a marking agent that is transparent to the human eye and visible only using an external stimulus.

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