#ITMA 2023

Master the change with digital solutions

HKS 3-M ON 210 © 2023 KARL MAYER
At ITMA, the KARL MAYER GROUP will be showing how to take advantage of the opportunities offered by digitalization - 08-14.06.2023, Fiera Milano, Hall 4 B119

At the upcoming ITMA in Milan, the KARL MAYER GROUP will be presenting solutions that enable customers to master the profound changes of our time and to use their challenges as opportunities - especially when it comes to digital transformation.

View into the warp knitting factory through KM.ONs digital solutions © 2023 KARL MAYER
View into the warp knitting factory through KM.ONs digital solutions © 2023 KARL MAYER


The group of companies supports its customers on their way into the digital world of their sectors with new digital developments, which it can drive forward quickly thanks to the combined innovative power of its individual business units. When it comes to customer-specific requirements for machine technologies in warp knitting, flat knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles, the experts in these business units are in demand. Their task is primarily to develop software and smart machine functions. The experts of the KM.ON business unit, with their overarching focus on digital solutions, have their eyes on the control and optimisation of processes. The potentials through the combined digitalisation approach are manifold, especially for increasing efficiency.

Smart machine functions

To maximize productivity, the KARL MAYER GROUP is specifically developing smart machine functions that exploit the potential of digitalization or artificial intelligence, for example, to revolutionize pattern change in warp knitting through cloud-based patterning. High-performance tricot machines of the digital generation such as the HKS 3-M ON work with pattern data from the cloud instead of pattern discs and, thus, offer unique flexibility: Patterns can be changed at the click of a mouse on the computer and without manual intervention. In addition to the handling effort, costs and environmental pollution caused by the production, transport and storage of mechanical data carriers are eliminated. Moreover, patterns are 100% reproducible, also without any manual adjustments.

The KARL MAYER GROUP also offers smart solutions for machine functions and processes in the flat knitting sector. The software offerings are combined in a package and cover the entire value chain of the flat knitting mill by means of a fast picture-to-knitting program, individualized grading and patterning, and optimized production managing. The result is a consistent, optimized workflow that makes greater productivity possible. Other benefits include faster response times, greater plant efficiency thanks to real-time transparency and lower costs thanks to overall production optimization.

Innovations focusing on the smart machine theme include a CANopen interface that allows a bidirectional communication between electronic feed wheel(s) and machine centrally through machine program with higher data transfer rate. The fusion ensures reliable guidance and precise infeed of special, demanding yarns, thus making high-quality goods possible.


Digital solutions for the product development

Digital support is also available for the creation of patterns. The KARL MAYER GROUP offers various software products at different levels for the design process of warp knitted and flat knitted goods. Even 3D simulations of the designed flat knitted articles are possible by means of appropriate external software. The design and patterning tools make the customers' business easier. They provide more flexibility, efficiency and creativity, thus helping to save costs and shorten time-to-market, and also score points in terms of sustainability, because they can be used to reduce the number of physical samples.


Digital production management tools

Other digital solutions focus on the analysis of production data. For example, warp knitting customers will be able to use real-time information on the energy consumption of their machines in the future with a new energy monitoring system. A first prototype will be shown at the trade show. For the time being, the monitoring tool provides detailed insights into the energy data, which can be used to better understand production and control it for optimization.

In addition, with the DPM (Digital Production Management) KM.ON's offers a software solution to facilitate and improve the management of a warp knitting textile factory. With real-time insights, streamlined processes, and optimal resource allocation, DPM enables data-driven decision-making and agile adaptation to market demands, helping textile producers achieve sustainable success and growth. Features for the planning and analysis of the production as well as live data and reporting functions will give full transparency of the production events enabling faster reaction times, increased productivity and reduced man power costs.

A dashboard for monitoring with real-time data on machine operation is also provided for KARL MAYER's warp preparation machines, especially for the sectional warping sector, and STOLL PPS is a digital production planning tool for the flat knitting mill. The central platform for production data and production processes informs the customer online during ongoing operation about important events in his production. This enables rapid reactions to deviations and prompt repairs for minimum downtimes. An operating calendar is available for realistic planning and evaluation of production capacity.





Care solutions with digital offers

In line with its holistic approach, the KARL MAYER GROUP also offers its customers added value in the support sector via digitalization. For warp knitting and warp preparation, digital options such as remote maintenance have been combined with conventional offers. The completely new service approach includes a welcome desk, ticket system as well as first, second and third level support and offers customers fast and transparent backing. It also creates the basis for predictive maintenance and servicing.

In warp preparation, networking the machines with the cloud ensures efficient access to machine data and remote service. In addition, quality management reports can be called up on any mobile device via the cloud. The prerequisites for a proactive warping cloud function are also created.

3D simulation flat knitting design texture © 2023 KARL MAYER
3D simulation flat knitting design texture © 2023 KARL MAYER


Committed to highest data security

The most important resource for the use of all these digitalization offerings is data. The KARL MAYER GROUP considers the data surrounding the operation of its machines to be an asset worthy of protection and therefore applies established and recognised security procedures to protect this data.?The group of companies follows a connectivity strategy based on state of the art solutions ensuring highest security and performance standards.

3D simulation flat knitting clothes © 2023 KARL MAYER
3D simulation flat knitting clothes © 2023 KARL MAYER



More News from KARL MAYER STOLL Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

Solutions from KARL MAYER's Warp Preparation Business Unit at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025

The KARL MAYER Warp Preparation Business Unit has prepared a diverse media presentation of its extensive product portfolio for ITMA ASIA + CITME. The focus is on solutions that support its customers in successfully navigating the current tense global economic and geopolitical situation.

#Knitting & Hosiery

KARL MAYER develops seersucker WARP KNITS with even more character and style

Seersucker fabrics are icons of the clothing industry and assure their manufacturers' success. Just in time for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025, the textile product developers at KARL MAYER have succeeded in creating brand new variants of this material. These fancy newcomers feature unique bubble effects and, with their new dimensionality, inject extra dynamism into the textile surface – and into the market.

#ITMA Asia + CITME Singapore 2025

The KARL MAYER Warp Knitting Business Unit at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025

The manufacturing of warp knitting machines has made KARL MAYER a leader in its field. It remains the company’s most important Business Unit today and has established its name as a brand in the warp knitting industry. KARL MAYER stands for the very highest quality, performance and technical progress. In a persistently difficult market environment, the company is seeking to strengthen its outstanding reputation and, above all, focus more than ever on innovation. The man responsible for this reorientation is Axel Wintermeyer, who has been President of the Warp Knitting Business Unit at KARL MAYER since January 2025 and is also part of the Management board.

#Knitting & Hosiery

Lutz Wolf becomes CEO of the KARL MAYER Group

Effective 1 November 2025, the Supervisory Board of the KARL MAYER Group, a leading global provider of solutions in textile machinery manufacturing, has appointed Lutz Wolf (51) as the new sole CEO of KARL MAYER Holding SE & Co. KG. Wolf will assume overall responsibility for the internationally active group of companies, which has its headquarters in Obertshausen, Germany.

More News on ITMA 2023

#ITMA 2023

ITMA 2023: The secret of Biancalani's success

The ITMA 2023 trade fair ended recently, and it was a real success for Biancalani Textile Machinery.

#ITMA 2023

The address of innovations in cots grinding machines, Asteks, continued its success at ITMA 2023

Asteks, participating in ITMA 2023, which brought the global textile industry together after four years, has become a favourite destination for new investments of textile manufacturers with its apron and cots as well as its advanced grinding technology.

#ITMA 2023

Green lights only for French Equipments @ ITMA

ITMA 2023 has been a great expo for the French exhibitors. Christian Guinet, UCMTF’s Secretary General points out “R&D is embedded in our members’ strategy, but for this ITMA they have secured more budgets than ever. The objectives are ambitious: breaking innovative technologies to offer their customers the opportunity to develop new products, process them in a secure, economical and environment friendly way. Raw materials, energy and water savings are top priorities for our customers both because it is an end market demand and to cut costs. Digitalization and artificial intelligence are essential tools to move into these directions."

#ITMA 2023

Savio is very satisfied with ITMA Milano 2023

The newest automatic winder Proxima Smartconer® and air-jet spinning machine LYBRA Smartspinner® were presented at ITMA 2023 exhibition, taking place in Milan, Italy from 2023 June 8th-14th.

Latest News

#Heimtextil 2026

Heimtextil 2026 strengthens the global home textile industry with trends, designs and AI technologies

With an optimised hall layout, progressive design collaborations, inspiring trends and AI-driven innovations, Heimtextil 2026 reacts to the current market situation – and offers the industry a reliable constant in challenging times. Under the motto ‘Lead the Change’, the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design shows how challenges can be turned into opportunities. From 13 to 16 January, more than 3,100 exhibitors from 65 countries will provide a comprehensive market overview with new collections and textile solutions. As a knowledge hub, Heimtextil delivers new strategies and concrete solutions for future business success.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

A circular European value chain turns post-consumer textile waste into new garments for Dutch retailer Zeeman

A closed-loop recycling project has successfully transformed 24 tons of post-consumer textiles into nearly 50,000 garments for Dutch retailer Zeeman, with each product containing a high-rate of 70% recycled content. This achievement represents a major milestone in accelerating textile-to-textile recycling in Europe.

#Research & Development

The Textile Institute marks 100 years with a global expansion drive

Fresh from its highly successful 63rd conference held in Porto, Portugal, from October 7-10, The Textile Institute (TI) will celebrate a major milestone at the ITMA Asia+CITME textile machinery exhibition in Singapore later this month.

#Nonwovens

Freudenberg accelerates local production for apparel market by expanding its site in India

Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel (Freudenberg Apparel) celebrates the grand opening of a major expansion at its manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, on October 14, adding 20,000 square feet of production space and introducing new production lines tailored to the Indian apparel market. This strategic investment is aimed at significantly reducing lead times and enhancing the availability of high-quality, locally produced interlinings for the fast-evolving apparel sector in India and South Asia.

TOP