BULETINUL INSTITUTULUI POLITEHNIC DIN IAI Publicat de Universitatea Tehnică „Gheorghe Asachi” din Ia%i Tomul LVI (LX), Fasc. 3, 2010 SecŃia TEXTILE. PIELĂRIE BY The three dimensional knitted fabrics, indifferently of the technology used, are characterised by a specific 3D geometry, with reinforcement yarns, characterized of a multiaxial directions. There are different knitting techniques to produce 3>D knitted fabric on an electronic flat>bed knitting machine: incomplete rows, the use of patterns with 3D effects, multilayer structure (sandwich), and fully> fashion. The object of this research is to obtain knitted fabrics with three>dimensional geometry using weft knitting technology on an electronic flat>bed knitting machine. This research also targets the optimization of the knitting process based on adjustments of technological parameters: stitch length, fabric take>down, carriage speed, to obtain a tight structure and a better dimensional stability of the knitted fabric. !" #$% weft knits, 3D effects, technical application, electronic flat>bed knitting machine. & $’($ Development of three>dimensional knitted fabrics dates from the 19th> century, but their engineering applications began in the late 1960s. The three> dimensional technical textile products have been used in various fields, such as protective clothing, transportation, geo>textiles, buildings, packing materials, military equipment, medicine and sports, etc. Preforms made of knitted fabrics with complex shapes represent a group of three>dimensional materials with great applicability, mainly due to the advantage of eliminating the process of assembling before composite processing. The elimination of this operation significantly reduces the production time and allows for automation, improving whole process. Also it ensures and improves the overall quality of the finished product, by being able to control the characteristics and properties of textile performs from its design phase.