Wednesday, August 10, 2011

History of Toyota Knitting Machines

Found a folder full of interesting knitting history in amongst the stuff I am selling for a friend. Thought this might interest the Toyota owners (not sure if the machine history is complete):

Company Profile

Aisin Seiki Co Ltd, founded in 1949 as a manufacturer of automotive parts and sewing machines, has since grown into a principal international supplier of components for engines, driving systems, suspension, brakes, clutches and bodies, as well as home appliances and industrial machinery.

An important member of the Toyota Group, which supplies parts to the Toyota Motor Corporation, Aisin is also known for its strong independence. For home use, Aisin manufactures knitting and sewing machines, electric appliances, and beds: for industrial use, it makes precision metal molds, large transfer machines, and sewing machines.

Aisin’s intensive research and development continues to produce new products and improve on existing ones, such as metallic fibres, cryogenic freezers, the Stirling engine, and a drive unit for artificial human hearts.

As leader of the Aisin Group, which comprises eight affiliated companies in Japan, Aisin confidently offers innovative high-quality products and home and internationally. The company has nine subsidiaries overseas and one affiliate each in North America, Latin America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.

History of Toyota Knitting Machines

1954 Model NT10 - pitch 5.5mm, 170 needles, sliding handle, hanging weights style. Single knitting machine of needle orerating type

1955 Model MT20 – pitch 4.5mm, 170 needles, sliding handle, one ste bed dropping, one pitch swing. Double bed knitting machine

1959 Model K202 – 180 needles, two step bed dropping, 10 pitch swing, 3 colour changing device. Double bed knitting machine

1960 Model K104 – 210 needles, wide stainless steel bed, fixed handle, non-hanging weights style. Single bed knitting machine

1962 Model K106 – needle selection mechanism built into the carriage. Single bed knitting machine

1965 Model 109 – needle selection mechanism built into the carriage, limited number of needle selections. Single bed with pattern trace knitting

1969 Model K600 – needle selection mechanism built into the carriage, 12sts in one punchcard, built-in weaving pattern device, lace carriage. Single bed with easy operation of fairisle knitting

1971 Model 700 – single bed knitting machine with knit tracer (optional)

1972 Model 210 – pitch 3.63mm, 252 needles, two step bed dropping. Double bed knitting machine

1972 Model KR450 – pitch 4.5mm, 200 needles, step bed dropping. Rib knitting machine.

1977 Model KS787 – Carriage needle selection mechanism, 24 stitches in one punchcard, manual selection of 12 stitches, motif magic, attachable knit tracer. Single bed knitting machine

1981 Model KS901 – Carriage needle selection mechanism, 24 stitches in one punchcard, lace carriage needle selection, motif magic, extended pattern, transferring stitch lace by lace carriage

1981 Model KR501 – two yarn feeders, fold down style handle, built-in feature called Simulknit (no slack yarn on the back).

14 comments:

Clarisse said...

How odd that it doesn't mention the KS727 or KS747 main bed knitters or the KR460 ribber bed that works with the KS787. Just say-en :) But thanks for putting it up for our information.

DAWN COOPER said...

I agree with lady because I need instructions for the K727 how to use it . Where can I get a copy.

Dawnmcooper@me.com Would appreciate an answer. Thankyou

steel breeze said...

Sorry, I don't know. You might find something on https://www.box.com/s/3g5d0rq9q7/1/74697228 that is near enough perhaps?

It's time to blog said...

I have just acquired an antique knitting machine. The label on it says 'Fair Isle' Model NT 10, It has 170 needles. I have a question about where there might be parts available. Specifically, it requires a needle retaining bar - how might I find out what the original bar was made of? (All that remains of the original bar is two long thin wires running beneath the bed and above the needles. Whatever was once the rest of the bar has disintegrated. As well, is there anywhere needles might be obtained? Nowhere on the machine is there any reference to Toyota - is there a photo available of the 1954 machine you describe in your blog? Thank you.

steel breeze said...

Sorry, I don't have any further information regarding that machine - this was copied from a typed sheet I found amongst an inventory sale I was doing for a retired machine knitter. I think it's very unlikely you'll be able to get spares for this machine, but you could try https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/All_Time_Vintage_Manual_Knit_Mach_Club/info - alas, the link does not seem to be working today.

Sorry I can't be of further help!

It's time to blog said...

I knew it would be a shot in the dark - thank you for your time.

Anonymous said...

would you know if the lace carriage on the ks901 be compatible with the ks787?

steel breeze said...

According to this they both use a two-carriage lace system, so it's possible!

http://www.needlesofsteel.org.uk/toyota-info.html

Unknown said...

Can you please tell me where I can purchase mylar sheet for knit tracer k20 model.thank you

steel breeze said...

You might try ebay, but it's a long shot! sorry!

Terri said...

Hi - this is Terri. I have just purchased a Toyota K506 knitting machine. It appears to be manual machine, with push buttons on the carriage. There is no manual available for it (God know I've searched the world!).

Apart from a Spanish youtube video showing initial cast on etc. of this particular model, there is not one iota of information about this machine's existence, anywhere. Looking at the list and taking this model number into account, I suspect it may have been made in the 1960's.

I hope to get it knitting and if I am successful, I will write out a makeshift manual and add it to machineknittingetc.com, the free download site, in case anyone else out there stumbles across one of these machines.

Unknown said...

This is for "It's time to blog" concerning the NT-10. I downloaded the user manual but my carriage is the NT-11 and now I find there is an NT-12 as well. No manual for either of those that I can find. As to your question about the sponge bar/needle retainer system on this machine....the 2 piano wires that slide in above the needle shafts are IT. I just finished a pair of socks tonight and that system works will I think. Much better than having to replace a sticky old sponge. Watched a couple of videos on the Brother Knit knitting machine to even get a hint of how to hang the cast on comb (garment holder according to the NT-10 manual). I just know there must be a way to put needles into holding position for short rowing but haven't been able to figure that out. Sure wish I could get hold of a manual for either one of the later models. OK, good luck to both of us...I'll keep looking. Reg

Unknown said...

Toyota 747 manuals here: http://www.kellbot.com/toyota-k747-knitting-machine-instruction-and-service-manuals/

Sonia said...

Bonjour je voulais juste savoir si ma Toyota KS858 est plus récente que la KS901... Je l'ai achetée en 1987 et elle est très fatiguée