Overview
ISO 8119-1:1989 - "Textile machinery and accessories - Needles for knitting machines - Terminology - Part 1: Latch-type needles" is an international terminology standard published by ISO/TC 72. It defines the names and descriptive terms used for latch-type needles used in knitting machines, providing concise definitions and corresponding illustrations. The standard presents terminology in English, French and Russian (with German equivalents in Annex A at the request of the German member body). It is the first part of the ISO 8119 series covering needle terminology.
Key topics
- Multilingual needle terminology: official terms in English, French and Russian; German equivalents in Annex A (informative).
- Definition of a latch-type needle: flat or round section, hook-shaped head and a reciprocating latch on a fixed pivot that opens and closes during the loop-forming cycle.
- Illustrated nomenclature of principal parts and features, including:
- Butt (protrusion for cam guidance or to hold the needle)
- Butt dimensions and variants (width, height, low/high butt, multiple butts)
- Crimp (guidance in front of the butt)
- Back shank and its types (with/without back shank, single/double)
- Shank (blade) features and transfer elements (clips, transfer milling, back transfer slot)
- Needle orientation and sides (top, bottom, left, right)
- Groove, cheek, throat, hook and other detailed elements
- Clear, figure-referenced vocabulary to ensure consistent use of terms across technical documentation, drawings and communication.
Applications and users
ISO 8119-1 is practical for organizations and professionals involved with knitting machinery and textile production:
- Needle manufacturers and tooling designers - for consistent part descriptions and production specifications.
- Knitting-machine OEMs and component suppliers - to align documentation, assembly instructions and spare-parts catalogs.
- Quality assurance and procurement teams - to specify needle types and verify conformity of delivered parts.
- Machine maintenance, repair technicians and knit engineers - for accurate identification of needle parts and guidance on interchangeability.
- Standards writers, translators and technical authors - for harmonized multilingual terminology in manuals and technical literature.
Keywords: ISO 8119-1, latch-type needles, needle terminology, knitting machines, textile machinery standard, needles for knitting machines.
Related standards
- ISO 8119 series (Part 2: Bearded needles; Part 3: Compound needles)
- ISO 7839 - classification and vocabulary for knitting machines (referenced for machine classification)