Views: 0 Author: Jason Hong Publish Time: 2026-10-20 Origin: Site
Decision factor | Tubular system | Open-width system |
|---|---|---|
Fabric form at take-down | Tube | Slit and spread into one layer |
Centre-crease exposure | Possible when the tube is flattened or folded | Designed to avoid a permanent folded centre line |
Fabric edges | No cut edges during knitting | Two cut edges must be controlled |
Downstream compatibility | Suitable for tubular dyeing, compacting or products kept in tube form | Suitable for open-width inspection, dyeing, printing, finishing and cutting |
Machine configuration | Simpler take-down and winding arrangement | Adds slitting, spreading, edge guiding and synchronized winding functions |
Floor space and handling | Often more compact | Requires space for the open-width frame and roll handling |
Best purchasing reason | The process benefits from keeping the fabric tubular | Crease control and open-width processing create measurable value |
Neither system is automatically better. The question is which one removes the most cost and risk from the mill’s complete production route.
Flattening and winding tubular fabric may create a centre line. Some marks relax; others remain after dyeing, compacting or printing. Fine-gauge, lightweight, smooth and elastane-containing fabrics may require particular attention.
Online slitting avoids winding the tube as two compressed layers with a fixed fold. Open-width frames are commonly designed for fabric without a centre crease.
However, an open-width frame does not eliminate every possible fabric mark. Correct spreading, take-down tension, edge guidance and winding pressure are still essential.
If downstream dyeing, printing, stentering, compacting, inspection or cutting uses open-width rolls, opening fabric on the knitting machine can remove a separate slitting operation.
The mill should map the complete material flow:
How will greige fabric be inspected?
Will it be dyed in tubular or open form?
Is printing planned?
Which finishing machines will receive the roll?
Will the garment cutter use a single open layer or tubular fabric?
Compare the saved handling and waiting time with the added machine complexity.
Open-width rolls allow full-surface inspection without first opening the tube and suit customers requesting greige or finished fabric in open rolls.
The required finished width must be confirmed before selecting machine diameter. A larger diameter is not automatically better because width also depends on fabric structure, yarn, stitch length, relaxation and finishing shrinkage.
Open width should not be purchased only because it appears more advanced. Tubular production may be appropriate when:
The dyeing and compacting line is designed for tubular fabric.
The fabric will later be used in tube form.
Centre-crease risk is acceptable or controlled by another take-down solution.
The mill values a simpler fabric path and does not need online slitting.
Floor space, operator skill or maintenance capacity is limited.
The expected order mix does not justify the additional investment.
Specialized take-down systems may also reduce crease and pressure marks while keeping fabric tubular. Compare designs, not only the labels “tubular” and “open width.”
Single jersey tends to curl at cut edges. The slitting position, spreader, edge control and winding tension must manage this without stretching or distortion.
For lightweight or elastane-plated single jersey, ask the supplier to demonstrate:
Stable cutting at the planned running speed
Uniform tension across the width
Edge control without excessive stretching
Smooth winding without wrinkles or telescoping
Acceptable results at the target GSM and yarn count
The trial should use the customer’s actual fabric requirement rather than a heavier and easier demonstration fabric.
Interlock, rib and other double knits are generally more stable, but still need synchronized cutting, spreading and rolling. Fine-gauge or elastane fabrics may be sensitive to uneven tension.
Confirm whether the machine configuration supports the required cylinder and dial arrangement, feeder quantity, gauge, fabric width and take-down range. If the mill intends to change between different structures, changeover requirements must also be included in the investment decision.
Machine price is only one part of the comparison. A useful investment calculation should include:
Cost of a separate slitting process
Labour and internal fabric transport
Losses caused by persistent centre creases or pressure marks
Edge loss and handling after slitting
Maintenance of blades, spreaders, sensors and winding parts
Changeover and cleaning time
Floor-space requirements
Roll size and warehouse compatibility
Compatibility with existing dyeing and finishing equipment
Open width may be justified when it removes repeated downstream cost or protects high-value fabric. A mill selling mainly tubular greige fabric may gain little benefit.
Before requesting a quotation, provide the supplier with:
Fabric sample or structure
Yarn composition and count
Required greige and finished GSM
Required finished width
Tubular or open-width dyeing route
Printing, stentering or compacting requirements
Elastane or plating requirements
Expected roll diameter and weight
Available floor space
Target daily output and realistic operating efficiency
Also request a fabric trial that confirms edge condition, width stability, winding quality and the absence of a permanent centre crease under the intended production conditions.
The correct take-down system connects knitting with dyeing, finishing, inspection and cutting. Open-width production is valuable when it solves a defined fabric or process problem; tubular production remains practical when the mill’s downstream equipment and customer orders are built around tube-form fabric.
If you are comparing tubular and open-width configurations, send HENGYE Machinery your fabric sample together with the yarn count, GSM, finished width, finishing route and roll requirements. Our technical team can help assess whether a single-jersey or double-jersey open-width machine is appropriate before preparing the final configuration and quotation.
