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- Cylindrical knitting machine
A cylindrical knitting machine from the 1980s. The top of the machine held cotton threads which were knitted into white grey fabrics underneath.
- Knitting machine knitting white grey fabrics
The knitting machine was knitting white grey fabrics which was fabrics have not yet been bleached or dyed.
- Knitting machine interior
The insides of knitting machines were fitted with many needles and cams. Through coordinating the needles and cams, fabric textures could be adjusted.
- Knitting machine accessories: needles
Knitting needles came in different types, with more than 2,000 needles fitted into each machine. While most knitting needles cost around $2, the most expensive sold for $9 and had to be imported from Japan, Germany or Taiwan. If a machine operated 24 hours a day, needles had to be replaced every 12 months or so.
- Knitting machine accessories: cams
When put in knitting machines, cams had different types. Coordinating with the knitting needles, the cams were used to knit different fabric patterns.
- Alarm device on the knitting machine
Warning devices were installed on knitting machines. If a loom’s cotton thread was cut off, the alarm light would turn on and the loom would cease working in order to stop holes appearing in the knitted fabrics. Once the workers fixed the cotton threads on the reel again, the loom could restart.
- Label of textile machinery factory
A knitting machine made by the “Wah Luen Textile Machinery Fty. Ltd.”. The label was marked with the size of the machine, model number, serial number and date of manufacture.
- Finished grey fabrics
Finished grey fabrics were bound in a roll, tied with a small white cloth on which information such as the fabric serial number and customer name were written.
- Scale to measure grey fabrics
Finished grey fabrics were put on a scale to measure their weight.
- Scale to measure fabric samples
A scale was used to measure the weight of fabric samples.