#Knitting & Hosiery

2013-06-14

Bringing the shoe sector up to speed

Tricot machine with four guide bars (c) 2013 Karl Mayer

KARL MAYER has completed its TM machine series in time for Shanghaitex at the beginning of June this year. Until now, this successful machine series has been made up of the TM 2, TM 3, TM 4-T and TM 4-T EL.

The new TM 4 – a four-bar tricot machine for producing high-quality plain fabrics efficiently

The new TM 4 machine with four guide bars can produce plain fabrics and thus complements the TM 4-T, which is designed to produce terry fabrics. The technical platform of both machines is the same and their performance features are comparable. Speeds of up to 1,400 min-1, user-friendliness, and a high product quality make the new TM 4 extremely interesting for producing apparel fabrics as well as semi-technical textiles, particularly shoe fabrics.

Technical details The knitting motion and needle tool of the existing four-bar TM machine were modified to enable plain fabrics to be produced. Just like the TM 4-T, the machine for producing plain fabrics can either be fitted with an EL or an N drive for moving the ground guide bars. The EL version in particular enables a wider variety of patterns to be produced. In conjunction with the KAMCOS® system and the Multi Speed facility for controlling the warp beam let-off and fabric take-down, the TM 4 with electronic control operates sequentially and can easily work different sections of the pattern next to each other, for example.

Batchers no. 6 and no. 34 are available for winding up the final fabric. A frame with four positions for mounting warp beams having a diameter of 32" is available for delivering the yarn. The standard working width of the new TM 4 is 186" and the gauges are E 28 and E 32. Additional gauges are available on request if needed.

Market launch The new TM 4 was premiered at this year’s Shanghaitex fair and will be built by KARL MAYER (China) in Changzhou City. “With the TM 4, we have completed our twin product line strategy for our tricot machines. For all our two-, three- and four-bar machines, there is now a high-performance, high-tech range equipped with carbon-fibre bars as standard, i.e. our HKS machines and the price-optimised TM series catering for the mid-range sector. “We are expecting good sales opportunities in the future, particularly in those applications where there is a need for flexible patterning and shorter runs,” said Oliver Mathews when talking about the sales potential of this latest addition to the TM series of machines.

Driving WARP KNIT Inspiration

KARL MAYER sees performance fabrics and next-level textile solutions in particular as potential growth drivers for its customers, as a motor for business development and as real game changers for the entire textile industry. Innovation does not happen by chance. It is the result of close exchange with customers & brands, textile expertise and competence in textile machine engineering. This is why KARL MAYER is investing in progress and collaborative development and opening its TEXTILE INNOVATION CEN-TER (TIC) – a place to be for the entire textile world.

KARL MAYER (China) celebrates its 30th anniversary

On February 6, KARL MAYER (China) celebrated the new year and its 30th anniversary. Employees and the management team at the Changzhou location, as well as representatives from management in Germany, Italy, and Hong Kong, were invited to the festivities. A special highlight was the visit by Lutz Wolf, CEO of KARL MAYER.

KARL MAYER at JEC: Multiaxial reinforced CFRP pultrusion profiles are picking up speed in the mobility sector

KARL MAYER Technical Textiles will be showcasing exciting new application potentials for multiaxial non-crimp fabrics in combination with the pultrusion process at the upcoming JEC in Hall 5, Booth C 46. The advancement of the tried-and-tested pultrusion process enables the cost-efficient production of complex CFRP multi-chamber profiles, which are used in the CETROVO high-speed metro. The world's first carbon-intensive lightweight rail vehicle of this type is designed for speeds of up to 140 km/h.

Huixing acquires insolvent Mayer & Cie.

Insolvency proceedings for the circular knitting and braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. were opened on December 1, 2025. Immediately following the opening of proceedings, the complete cessation of business operations was initiated. Most employees were subsequently given notice effective the end of February 2026. The production of the remaining orders in the circular knitting segment is expected to be completed by the end of the month. As early as December 2025, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machine division was sold to an Italian investor.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at GMMSA Expo India

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Indian sales representative Universal MEP Projects & Engineering Services, Ltd., will participate in the upcoming Garments Machinery Manufacturers & Suppliers Association (GMMSA) Expo India 2026 exhibition to be held in Ludhiana, India next month. Through its lineup at GMMSA, SHIMA SEIKI aims to further strengthen its presence within the Indian market with an exhibit that caters to diverse needs, consisting of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitting technology as well as a brand-new shaping machine with high productivity and excellent cost performance.

Gebr. Otto highlights versatility at Techtextil with regional supply chains, yarn innovations and new hygiene segment

At this year’s Techtextil, Gebr. Otto places its versatility at the center of its presentation. In addition to spinning, twisting and dyeing – traditionally focused on fine cotton – textile processors will also find a competent development partner for technical specialty solutions. The Dietenheim-based spinning mill has now built up a decade of experience in the production of technical yarns, particularly from aramids. A new hygiene segment has also been established, where yarns for medical and hygiene products are currently being produced. In the future, this department could also develop textile products for the food sector. Gebr. Otto will once again be present at the BW-i joint stand, booth D81, hall 12.1. What is wound onto the spool is determined by the customer: Gebr. Otto develops according to specific customer requirements and transforms its own ideas into yarn innovations.

Commission presents proposal for EU Inc. - unlocking the full potential of the Single Market for Europe's entrepreneurs

Today, the European Commission presented its proposal for EU Inc., a new single set of corporate rules, building the cornerstone and starting point for the EU's 28th regime. EU Inc. is an optional, digital-by-default European corporate framework. It will make it easier for businesses to start, operate and grow across the EU – incentivising them to stay in Europe, and encourage those who once looked elsewhere to return.

OnceMore® from Södra brings end-to-end traceability for circular Man-made Cellulosic Fibers (MMCF) using TextileGenesis

OnceMore® from Södra, the world’s first large-scale process for recycling blended fabrics into high‐quality dissolving pulp, will begin using TextileGenesis, a Lectra company, to strengthen traceability from raw material to retail across the value chain. OnceMore® produces dissolving pulp made from blended textile waste and wood sourced from responsibly managed Swedish forests. By integrating TextileGenesis, OnceMore® supports the growing need for verified data and secure, transparent tracking throughout increasingly complex supply chain.

Experts publish APAC policy priorities

Cascale today announced the publication of its APAC Policy Priorities Paper, developed by the Asia-Pacific (APAC) Policy Member Expert Team (MET) to identify key regional sustainability challenges and provide practical, aligned recommendations for policymakers and industry stakeholders across Asia-Pacific.