WLT-7F X1 · Sock knitting

Published specifications

Values below come from the maintained catalogue record. The guide review date does not renew an earlier specification: read the dated source notes and confirm a current, matched configuration before comparing products.

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• Check the busiest line of your design against the six-colour limit first; the 18-colour figure covers the whole sock.

The 7F in the model name refers to the selectors. Weilite's description is explicit: the machine has a single knitting feed and seven electronic selectors, which pick needles for the jacquard pattern.

Two colour limits apply at once. A finished sock may carry up to 18 colours in total, yet any one line of knitting is capped at six. A design can pass the first test and fail the second, so count colours line by line on your artwork before you ask Weilite for a quote.

Colour sequence also affects floats, yarn changes and where elastic sits in the sock. Send the design file and a marked sample, and ask Weilite's pattern staff to say whether the layout knits as drawn or needs changes. [1]

Weilite lists plain and terry socks, short and long socks, boat socks, 3D designs and multi-rib among the uses. Those headings cover a wide spread of products. Heel and toe construction, rib layout and the size run are not spelled out, so describe each one on your sample.

Choose the needle count with the finished sock in mind. A count that suits a fine cotton sock may not suit a heavier terry one, and the machine is quoted with one count fitted. If you buy several machines for different products, list each count separately. [1]

• Give the servo and controller ratings to your electrician only together with the full supply and protection requirements from Weilite.

Every figure in the table is taken from the WLT-7F X1 parameter image. The neighbouring WLT-8F X2 page has its own photos and needs its own sheet if it is offered instead. [1]

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According to the description, a few spare parts come out and others go in when the machine moves to plain socks. The parts are not listed and no changeover time is given, so the switch is mechanical work as well as a program change.

Ask Weilite for the parts list for each construction and whether both sets come with the machine. During the demonstration, have a technician make the switch on your needle count with your yarn, and time it from the last terry sock to the first approved plain one.

Frequent small orders make this step count. Add programming, yarn threading and first-piece approval to the changeover time when you compare the WLT-7F X1 with other sock machines. [1]

Photos show a colour touch screen. Pattern software, licences, file formats, program memory and any network or data link are not described. Bring a pattern from your own design workflow and ask Weilite to load and knit it.

Settle who writes the first programs, which editable files you receive, and how programs are backed up and restored after a fault. Operator training should include the needle and sinker set, yarn paths, routine maintenance and restart after a stop. Ask for the operating and safety manuals in a language your staff read. [1]

Judge the machine on socks knitted with your yarns and finished the way you sell them. These steps work for the factory visit and again for delivery acceptance. [1]

1. Write the sample brief

   Sizes, yarns, needle count, plain and terry areas, cuff, heel, toe and the colour map.

2. Test the pattern

   Knit the design on the quoted machine and check per-line colours, floats, elastic and each structure.

3. Time the run

   Knit at the agreed speed for a set period. Log stops, yarn changes and rejected socks.

4. Switch construction

   If you need both, change plain to terry or back, keeping the parts, settings and first good socks.

5. Finish the socks

   Close toes, board and wash or condition as your route requires, then check size, seam, surface and fit.

6. Keep the recipe

   Record program version, yarn lot, settings, approved samples and defect limits for the delivery check.

The WLT-7F X1 knits the sock. Toe closing, boarding and packing happen on other equipment, and Weilite lists its toe closer as a separate model. Plan the capacity and handling of those steps alongside the knitter.

Daily output depends on your pattern, not on the 270 rpm ceiling. Use the cycle time from the trial, then allow for utilisation, changeovers, rejects and any bottleneck further down the line.

Ask for an itemised offer: the chosen needle count, plain/terry parts, creel, auxiliary units, pattern software, tools, spare parts and training, with price, lead time and warranty tied to the approved sock. That makes it easier to compare offers on equal terms with other sock machines. [1]