DTM – valectron

The Digital Textile Maker (DTM) is a digital interface created to control commercial knitting and crochet machines. Its universal compatibility makes it ideal for retrofitting and replacing chain drive control systems.

With inputs from either a touchscreen or keyboard, the DTM controls up to six servomotors with perfectly timed synchronicity. The simplicity of the DTM is one of its greatest strengths. The graphical user interface is based on existing knitting methodology and uses terminology that can easily be understood by machine operators.

Patterns and designs can be saved, modified, or loaded instantly (no downtime due to changing of the “teeth” of a chain-drive system) from memory. Importing a new design from a desktop computer or transferring designs directly from one DTM to another is easy using the optional Bluetooth key.

The DTM controls six servo motor outputs. Each output has two signals, PUL (pulse) and DIR (direction), compatible with any modern servomotor.

Users can adjust the microsteps in order to shape the pulses according the knitting machine specifications. This function makes the DTM universally compatible with a large range of knitting or crochet machines.

An advanced feature of the DTM is automated variable speed control for the servomotors. The user can choose between three levels in this mode; low, normal, and high. Users can also can enter in their own variable speed settings. When one of these are selected, the movement speed of servomotors are redefined according to the value of the current layout. This method offers excellent performance, as the servomotors will use the lowest possible speed to meet the threshold necessary for operation so that the servomotor and linkage components have less noise, equipment wear, and saves energy.

The "Loop" function is an advanced feature that is used when a layout consists of repeating patterns within a larger pattern. Using looped patterns, a design can be easily inputted that would require thousands of chain link pieces to make.

All patterns are checked for errors before the system is energized. Error correction is also applied at time of input; If an incorrect command is entered during typing, the user is notified. The DTM then checks all parameters (calculating the current limit data, layout data, etc), and if no errors are detected that can cause damage to the machine, then the DTM status button become green, meaning that the system is ready for production.

The Bluetooth Key has two uses - memory stick and Bluetooth interface with a desktop computer. When memory stick is used, all layout data that is loaded on the DTM can be copied to the memory stick and vice versa. This is extremely useful to copy DTM designs from one machine to another. When Bluetooth mode is used, a desktop computer can be wirelessly paired to the DTM. By pairing the desktop to the DTM, a user can easily transfer layout data from the computer to DTM, and vice versa wirelessly.