Groz-Beckert has applied for a patent for a device, and the method for making it, which will make it easier to install or remove the cylinder of circular knitting machines (Fig 1). In order to make the work of changing the cylinder (12) of a circular machine easier, the upper part (28) of the support frame of the circular machine (10) is fitted with a lifting unit (47) for vertical raising of the cylinder (12) as well as facilities for the horizontal moving of the raised cylinder.
To accomplish this, a movement rail is fitted (45) by means of a holding unit (48) to the upper support frame. The movement rail carries a movement truck (44) which supports a lifting unit (36). This lifting unit has an extension arm (43), a deflection pulley (39) and a winding unit (40).
The winding unit has a traction rope (38) which leads by way of a deflection pulley to a coupling unit (37) which acts as a gripper. The gripper grips the cylinder on the inside, so that it is lifted without the danger of damaging its delicate outside with its needle-tricks and other sensitive elements.