Design of Optical Fiber Display in Weft Knitting

In this research, a knitted fabric is designed and produced using optical fiber technology which is capable of showing a shape or image on its surface. With connecting the 750 micron polymethyl methacrylate optical fiber in the knitted fabric to the light source where the sheath of optical fibers are cut lightly, the bright spots are created on the surface of the knitted fabric. The defined arrangement of the bright spots can form an image on the surface of the fabric. The effective parameters such as the gauge of knitting machine, knit pattern and loop length are tested and optimized. To obtain a high resolution display, high quality and good brightness of the final image, factors such as durability, knit pattern, stability of the fiber in the knit, aspect ratio and the light intensity was considered. The results showed that with a yarn of 24/2 metric count, knit pattern of half-milano, gauge of 7 needle per inch with loop length of 8.6 mm and as same as 10 needles per inch loop with loop length of 7 mm are the optimal parameters for brightness, high resolution, aspect ratio of 1 and uniformity of bright spots.