A knitting machine preventive maintenance schedule lists the checks and jobs done on the equipment at fixed intervals, how long each takes, and in what order of frequency, so problems are found before the knitting machine fails. This page gives the schedule used in the PlantOps360 task library for knitting machine (circular and flat), which follows common industry practice for general-purpose equipment. It is also searched for as circular knitting machine, flat knitting machine, hosiery machine, warp knitting.
The maker’s manual and your site safety procedures always come first where they differ. Intervals set by law differ by state.
Knitting machine preventive maintenance schedule and checklist
| How often | Task | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Check the needles and sinkers, yarn feed and fabric take-down; check the lint and fly | 10 min |
| Weekly | Clean the cylinder and dial, cam box and lint; check the lubrication and oil flow | 20 min |
| Monthly | Check the lubrication pump and oil filters; check the drive belts and motors | 45 min |
| Quarterly | Check the needle bed and cam wear; check the timing and stop motions | 90 min |
| Half-yearly | Check the gearbox oil and bearings; replace the worn needles and sinkers | 150 min |
| Annual | Annual overhaul: cylinder and dial alignment, cam inspection and electronics | 360 min |
Knitting machine maintenance frequency and yearly workload
At the estimated times, one knitting machine needs about 104 hours of preventive maintenance a year. The biggest single job is “Annual overhaul: cylinder and dial alignment, cam inspection and electronics” at 360 minutes, done annual. Multiply by the number of units you have to see the workload for your plant.
| Frequency | Tasks | Time per round | Hours per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily | 1 | 10 min | 60.8 h |
| Weekly | 1 | 20 min | 17.3 h |
| Monthly | 1 | 45 min | 9.0 h |
| Quarterly | 1 | 90 min | 6.0 h |
| Half-yearly | 1 | 150 min | 5.0 h |
| Annual | 1 | 360 min | 6.0 h |
What goes wrong on a knitting machine without preventive maintenance
- Needle and sinker wear
- Yarn feeder faults
- Cam box wear
- Lubrication pump faults
What to watch between services
- Fabric defects
- Needle condition
- Lubrication pump and filters
Safety and statutory notes for knitting machine maintenance
Needles are sharp and break. Count and account for broken needles to keep them out of fabric.
Where a knitting machine preventive maintenance schedule is used
This equipment is used in the industries below. Each link opens the preventive maintenance schedule guide for that industry, and the maintenance software page where we have one.
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Browse the full list of equipment preventive maintenance schedules (317 types).
Run this knitting machine schedule in maintenance software
In preventive maintenance software, each row above becomes a recurring task on the asset with its checklist, time estimate and parts. Tasks can be triggered by calendar date, running hours, meter readings or production cycles, each completed task is recorded with the person and date, and a failed check can open a work order. For the method behind it, read the guide to the preventive maintenance schedule, or use the free generator to get a 12-month plan for your whole equipment list.
Build my preventive maintenance schedule (free Excel)
Frequently asked questions
How often should a knitting machine be serviced?
In our schedule a knitting machine has 6 tasks: 1 daily, 1 weekly, 1 monthly, 1 quarterly, 1 half-yearly, 1 annual. The biggest job is “Annual overhaul: cylinder and dial alignment, cam inspection and electronics”, which is done annual. Always follow the maker’s manual where it gives a different interval.
What is included in knitting machine preventive maintenance?
It covers routine checks and jobs such as “Check the needles and sinkers, yarn feed and fabric take-down; check the lint and fly”, “Clean the cylinder and dial, cam box and lint; check the lubrication and oil flow”, “Check the lubrication pump and oil filters; check the drive belts and motors”, up to the annual overhaul or inspection. The full list with times is in the table above.
How many hours of maintenance does a knitting machine need per year?
About 104 hours per unit per year at the estimated times in our library, including the daily checks done every day. Use it to plan workload, not as a benchmark.
Is there a free knitting machine maintenance checklist?
Yes. The table on this page is a ready checklist. The free preventive maintenance schedule generator turns it into a 12-month Excel schedule for your list of equipment, with monthly workload hours.