(57) The invention refers to the stretching means (4, 5) used in rectilineal knitting machines, and is centered in the fact that such means adopt a modular configuration along the machine, in a way that each of said modules has an independent actuation.
In this way, by means of the active participation of a variable number of such modules, the adequate stret­ching level at each moment is attained, that is, a chan­ging or variable stretching, especially ideal for the modern structures of the knitting and for the new types of fibers used to that purpose.
Specifically, the invention sets forth the use of a fixed axle, on which it is established a plurality of stators corresponding to respective electromotors, in each of which the rotor houses said stator and is rec­overed at the same time by a layer of rubber or synthe­tic rubber, through which said rotor actuates on the fa­bric to attain the expected stretching.