Here is way to have live stitches and making them to a closed cast on. Looks like the 2 or 3 row circular cast on from a double bed but done on a knitter only.
Another Cast On
Machine Knit Crochet Cast On
Seaming on the Machine
Ultimate Sweater Machine Cast-On Rag by Diana Sullivan
Latched Ribbing at the End of a Knitted Piece by Diana Sullivan
Casting on with the Answer Lady
Machine Knitting with Wire
restoring the sponge bar in a knitting machine