Knitting machine with needle selecting device

Knitting machine with needle selection device, comprising a needle supporting element, a plurality of grooves having a longitudinal extension defined in said needle supporting element, a needle member slideably accommodated in each of said grooves, and at least one actuation cam, said actuation cam facing said needle supporting element and being engageable, upon movement of said needle supporting element with respect to said cam along a direction transverse to said longitudinal extension of said grooves, with a portion of said needle member, said needle member being movable along one of said grooves from an active position, whereat said needle member engages said actuation cam, to an inactive position, whereat said needle member does not interferer with said actuation cam, said knitting machine further comprising a selection device, said selection device acting on said needle member for moving said needle member between said active position and said inactive position, wherein said needle member has at least one magnetized portion, said magnetized portion defining a first magnetic field, and wherein said selection device comprises a selection element and magnetizing means, said selection element being made of magnetizable material and arranged proximate to said magnetized portion of said needle member in one of said grooves, said magnetizing means facing said needle supporting element at said selection element and being controllably activatable for inducing in said selection element a second magnetic field, said second magnetic field being oriented according to said first magnetic field, whereby to generate a magnetic interaction between said needle member and said selection element, actuation means cooperating with said selection element for transferring or keeping said needle member in said active position or in said inactive position according to orientation of said second magnetic field induced in said selection element.