Steiger @ ITMA 2023
(Source: Steiger)
In the past, medical knitting machines were adapted from fashion models. For this reason, the flat knitting machine manu-facturer Steiger Participations SA, Vionnaz/Switzerland, developed the Vega Medical solution for knitting of orthopedic or medical items. With Vega M, the decision was made to design a product exclusively dedicated to this specific application using in-lay elastic yarns. This choice has allowed the design team to select all the optimal technical solutions without concession to other applications. The result is a significant increase in machine performance with an improvement in every factor that composes the overall equipment efficiency = availability x productivity x compliance.
The new Vega M is modular and can be ordered according to the customer’s needs. The machine is available with 130 cm or 90 cm needle-bed with 2 or 3 knitting systems. The basic model is equipped with 8 motorized yarn-guides. The full option model includes 16 motorized yarn-guides and the new clamp and scissors system.
The Vega M includes a system called dimension and tension control (DTC) to ensure the geometry and the compression class of the final article. It is based on 4 systems: remote con-trol of the yarn tension, measure of absorbed yarn length (LFA), stitch quality correction and take-down drive using a close loop control.
The compression class, which is ensured through the use of the elastane yarn and the dimension of the final product, are programmed directly by Model 9. In order to secure dimensions adapted to the patient limb, the DTC system calculates the yarn length required to knit each zone of the article. The variation of the stitch quality sets the vertical stitch dimension and guarantees the exact size of the custom-made orthotics. The dimension and tension control (DTC) therefore guarantees that the final article corresponds to the specification required by the therapist.
The new Vega M is modular and can be ordered according to the customer’s needs. The machine is available with 130 cm or 90 cm needle-bed with 2 or 3 knitting systems. The basic model is equipped with 8 motorized yarn-guides. The full option model includes 16 motorized yarn-guides and the new clamp and scissors system.
The Vega M includes a system called dimension and tension control (DTC) to ensure the geometry and the compression class of the final article. It is based on 4 systems: remote con-trol of the yarn tension, measure of absorbed yarn length (LFA), stitch quality correction and take-down drive using a close loop control.
The compression class, which is ensured through the use of the elastane yarn and the dimension of the final product, are programmed directly by Model 9. In order to secure dimensions adapted to the patient limb, the DTC system calculates the yarn length required to knit each zone of the article. The variation of the stitch quality sets the vertical stitch dimension and guarantees the exact size of the custom-made orthotics. The dimension and tension control (DTC) therefore guarantees that the final article corresponds to the specification required by the therapist.
