Independently controlled rollers for take-down assembly of knitting machine

A method of knitting a knitted component using a knitting machine comprising:

• feeding at least one strand toward a knitting bed of the knitting machine to be incorporated into the knitted component, the knitting bed including a plurality of needles that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction;
• advancing the knitted component away from the knitting bed in a fabric growth direction;
• rotating a plurality of first rollers that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, the first rollers contacting the knitted component to apply tension to different areas of the knitted component;
• rotating a plurality of second rollers that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, the second rollers contacting the knitted component to apply tension to different areas of the knitted component, the plurality of second rollers being disposed generally between the knitting bed and the plurality of first rollers in the fabric growth direction;
• providing a first biasing member that applies a first biasing load to one of the first rollers for biasing the one of the first rollers generally toward the knitted component;
• providing a second biasing member that applies a second biasing load to one of the second rollers for biasing the one of the second rollers generally toward the knitted component;
• actuating a first actuator to selectively adjust the first biasing load such that the plurality of first rollers apply different amounts of tension to the respective areas of the knitted component;
• and
• actuating a second actuator to selectively adjust the second biasing load such that the plurality of second rollers apply different amounts of tension to the respective areas of the knitted component.

A flat knitting machine configured for knitting a knitted component, the knitting machine comprising:

• a knitting bed with a plurality of knitting needles that are arranged along a longitudinal direction, the plurality of knitting needles configured to knit the knitted component and grow the knitted component away from the knitting bed in a fabric growth direction;
• a feeder assembly that feeds a strand toward the knitting bed to be incorporated into the knitted component;
• and
• a take-down assembly that includes:
• a plurality of main rollers, the main rollers being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, the main rollers configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to different areas of the knitted component;
• a plurality of auxiliary rollers, the auxiliary rollers being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, the plurality of auxiliary rollers being disposed generally between the knitting bed and the plurality of main rollers in the fabric growth direction, the auxiliary rollers configured to rotatably contact and apply tension to different areas of the knitted component;
• a first biasing member configured to apply a variable first biasing load to one of the main rollers for biasing the one of the main rollers generally toward the knitted component;
• a second biasing member configured to apply a variable second biasing load to one of the auxiliary rollers for biasing the one of the auxiliary rollers generally toward the knitted component;
• a first actuator configured to actuate and change in length to selectively vary the first biasing load such that the plurality of main rollers apply different amounts of tension to the respective areas of the knitted component;
• a second actuator configured to actuate and change in length to selectively vary the second biasing load such that the plurality of auxiliary rollers apply different amounts of tension to the respective areas of the knitted component;
• and
• a controller configured to control actuation of the first actuator and the second actuator to control the first biasing load and the second biasing load.