Open-Width vs. Tubular Single Jersey Machines: The Essential Buyer’s Guide

In the competitive landscape of textile manufacturing, the quality of your finished fabric is the ultimate signature of your brand. When investing in a Single Jersey Machine, one of the most critical decisions involves the fabric takedown system: Open-Width or Tubular?

While both systems have their place in the factory, the industry is seeing a massive shift towards open-width technology—driven by the demand for high-quality spandex jerseys and luxury apparel. As a leader in Circular Knitting innovation,Leadsfon has perfected both systems.

Here is everything you need to know to choose the right configuration for your production goals.

1. Tubular Single Jersey Machines: The Classic High-Volume Choice

The Tubular Single Jersey Machine is the traditional workhorse of the T-shirt industry. The fabric is knitted and wound into a continuous "tube" or cylinder.

Best For: Standard T-shirts, seamless undergarments, and high-speed mass production where fabric width consistency is secondary to volume.

The Advantage: These machines are generally more compact, easier to operate, and offer a smaller footprint in the factory.

The Limitation: The biggest drawback is the center crease. When tubular fabric is rolled and stored, the edges create permanent crease lines that are difficult to remove, leading to significant fabric waste during the cutting and sewing process (often up to 5% - 8% waste).

2. Open-Width Single Jersey Machines: The Zero-Crease Revolution

The Leadsfon Open-Width Single Jersey Machine is designed to solve the "crease line" problem at the source. Instead of winding the fabric as a tube, a specialized cutting knife opens the fabric immediately after it leaves the needle bed, and a flat-bed roller winds it in a full, flat width.

Why Leadsfon Open-Width Technology is a Game Changer:

Elimination of Center Creases: By cutting and flattening the fabric instantly, our machines ensure there are no permanent vertical lines. This is essential for high-end Spandex Jersey and sensitive synthetic fibers.

Increased Fabric Utilization: Because the entire width of the fabric is pristine and flat, garment manufacturers can use nearly 100% of the material, drastically reducing costs compared to tubular rolls.

Perfect for Sensitive Materials: High-elasticity fabrics (like Lycra or Spandex) are prone to deformation in tubular form. Leadsfon’s tension-controlled winding system keeps the fabric stable and "relaxed."

3. Technical Comparison: At a Glance

4. Why Leadsfon Leads the Market in Single Jersey Innovation

Whether you choose a tubular or open-width model, a machine is only as good as its core components. Leadsfon integrates proprietary technology to ensure your investment pays off:

Anti-Dust and Lubrication: Our machines feature an advanced Oil Mist Lubricator and high-power Anti-Dust Fans, keeping the Sinker Ring and Cylinder Needles clean for 24/7 operation.

Stable Frame Design: Even at high RPM (Revolutions Per Minute), Leadsfon frames are engineered to minimize vibration, which is the leading cause of "needle marks" in fine fabrics.

Precision Cam Systems: Our Central Stitch Adjustment allows for micro-precision in fabric weight (GSM) control, ensuring every roll meets your client's exact specifications.

5. Which One Should You Buy?

Choose Tubular if: You are producing budget-friendly basics, promotional wear, or items that will be processed by traditional "tube-to-garment" factories.

Choose Leadsfon Open-Width if: You are targeting the Sportswear, Lingerie, or Luxury Casualwear markets. If you work with digital printing or automated cutting rooms, the open-width system is no longer an "option"—it is a necessity.

Conclusion

The choice between Open-Width and Tubular systems isn't just about the machine; it's about the quality of the fabric you want to deliver to the world. Leadsfon Single Jersey Machines offer the flexibility to adapt to changing market demands, ensuring your factory remains a preferred partner for global apparel brands.