Methods for fabrication of articles, in particular knitted articles, using computer-controlled machines. A 3D model of the article is characterized by a 3D polygonal mesh defining a surface of the 3D model. A streamline is drawn on the 3D model, and used to define a set of isolines over the surface described by the 3D polygonal mesh. The isolines are quantized into equidistant points along their respective lengths and a cut line traversing each of the isolines is defined. Courses are defined by connecting quantization points of the isolines based on knitting rules to produce a 2D knitting map containing apexes. Apex attraction may be performed on a first portion of the 2D knitting map by decreasing a spatial distance between respective ones of the apexes. The 2D knitting map is subsequently converted to knitting instructions for a computer-controlled knitting machine.

Methods for fabrication of articles, in particular knitted articles, using computer-controlled machines. A 3D model of the article is characterized by a 3D polygonal mesh defining a surface of the 3D model. A streamline is drawn on the 3D model, and used to define a set of isolines over the surface described by the 3D polygonal mesh. The isolines are quantized into equidistant points along their respective lengths and a cut line traversing each of the isolines is defined. Courses are defined by connecting quantization points of the isolines based on knitting rules to produce a 2D knitting map containing apexes. Apex attraction may be performed on a first portion of the 2D knitting map by decreasing a spatial distance between respective ones of the apexes. The 2D knitting map is subsequently converted to knitting instructions for a computer-controlled knitting machine.

An example method of manufacturing a knitted fabric that includes a non-knitted structure occurs in accordance with a programmed knit sequence for a multi-dimensional knitting machine. The method includes, providing a non-knitted structure to the multi-dimensional knitting machine at a point in time when a fabric structure has a first knit portion, wherein the first knit portion is formed based on a first type of knit pattern. The method also includes, after the providing of the non-knitted structure, following the programmed knit sequence to automatically adjust the multi-dimensional knitting machine to use a second type of knit pattern, distinct from a first type of knit pattern, to accommodate the non-knitted structure within a second knit portion that is adjacent to the first knit portion within the fabric structure.

An example method of manufacturing a knitted fabric that includes a non-knitted structure occurs in accordance with a programmed knit sequence for a multi-dimensional knitting machine. The method includes, providing a non-knitted structure to the multi-dimensional knitting machine at a point in time when a fabric structure has a first knit portion, wherein the first knit portion is formed based on a first type of knit pattern. The method also includes, after the providing of the non-knitted structure, following the programmed knit sequence to automatically adjust the multi-dimensional knitting machine to use a second type of knit pattern, distinct from a first type of knit pattern, to accommodate the non-knitted structure within a second knit portion that is adjacent to the first knit portion within the fabric structure.

Computer based systems and methods for designing and manufacturing consumer products, including knit footwear uppers, and the like. The system provides digital controls for the customization of knitted components, including complex multi-structured knitted components. The system simulates deformations of knit structures and allows the user to control and visualize compensations in the structure(s) of the knitted component to better match between an intended knit design and the actual physical knitted component outcome. They system may manufacture/fabricate a knitted component based on the predicted/estimated deformation behavior of the knit.

Computer based systems and methods for designing and manufacturing consumer products, including knit footwear uppers, and the like. The system provides digital controls for the customization of knitted components, including complex multi-structured knitted components. The system simulates deformations of knit structures and allows the user to control and visualize compensations in the structure(s) of the knitted component to better match between an intended knit design and the actual physical knitted component outcome. They system may manufacture/fabricate a knitted component based on the predicted/estimated deformation behavior of the knit.

Systems and methods for manufacturing a garment, include: (a) receiving garment design input data for a garment design including data representing a first textile structural unit at a first location in the garment design and data representing a second textile structural unit at a second location in the garment design; (b) generating a textile production machine instruction data set based on the garment design input data; (c) forming a first garment using a first textile production machine to include the first textile structural unit at a first location in the first garment and the second textile structural unit at a second location in the first garment; (d) creating revised garment design input data for the garment design based on the first garment created in the forming step; (e) generating revised textile production machine instruction data set based on the revised garment design input data; and (f) forming a second garment using a textile production machine and the revised garment design input data including the changes to the garment design.

Garments having active and passive knitted rows can provide desired levels of compression. Garments made of active and passive knitted rows can provide dynamic levels of compression with respect to both location and over time to address a variety of conditions.

Systems and methods for manufacturing a garment, include: (a) receiving garment design input data for a garment design including data representing a first textile structural unit at a first location in the garment design and data representing a second textile structural unit at a second location in the garment design; (b) generating a textile production machine instruction data set based on the garment design input data; (c) forming a first garment using a first textile production machine to include the first textile structural unit at a first location in the first garment and the second textile structural unit at a second location in the first garment; (d) creating revised garment design input data for the garment design based on the first garment created in the forming step; (e) generating revised textile production machine instruction data set based on the revised garment design input data; and (f) forming a second garment using a textile production machine and the revised garment design input data including the changes to the garment design.

The present disclosure provides an upper for an article of footwear. The upper may include a knit element defining a portion of at least one of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper. The interior surface may define a void. A tongue and the knit element may have a common yarn, and the tongue may extend through a throat area of the upper. The tongue may comprise a lateral edge, a medial edge, and a forward portion. At least one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion may be unsecured to the knit element. The tongue may be secured to the knit element at least at one of the lateral edge, the medial edge, and the forward portion of the throat area.