Advances in CAD simulation of textile yarns

A project aimed at the 3D simulation of textile yarns from technical specifications was begun in 1993 and attracted support from both industry and research councils to enable the formation of a multi-national team of researchers to come together in the UK. Considerable progress has been made particularly in the simulation of knitting yarn and plain knit fabric. In recent times the team has tackled the problem of simulating mixture coloured yarns sometimes called melange. This has necessitated a more complicated model of yarn structure based on queuing theory which is outlined at the end of the paper. References are provided for readers who wish to learn more of the various theories and models that have been used throughout the course of this project.