#Knitting & Hosiery

2018-01-29

Success breeds success

General view on the OJ 83/1 B (c) 2018 KARL MAYER

KARL MAYER’s Lace.Express lace raschel machine is keeping the promise made by its name, i.e. this new range has an impressive level of productivity and is quickly becoming established on the market. The first representative of this machine series, the OJ 59/1 B, was only premiered at the end of 2016 and orders are already running into the high double-digit range. Up to 20 machines are leaving KARL MAYER’s assembly line for a number of projects. The types of buyers are extremely varied.

A high demand for the LACE.EXPRESS has led to the development of the new OJ 83/1 B

Companies new to the technology of KARL MAYER’s electronic raschel machines are among its clients, as well as long-term partners, who are placing follow-up orders, and companies who are changing over from using machines produced by other manufacturers.

Encouraged by the first representative of the Lace.Express range, KARL MAYER has now extended this range of machines, for which there is a high demand. The new machine is giving customers the opportunity to use the technology of this innovative machine series to produce fabrics for outwear and underwear. This dual expansion was triggered by feedback on the OJ 59/1 B from the market.

Moving Operator Interface makes the operations easier (c) 2018 KARL MAYER

Same speed, more patterns

The latest edition of the Lace.Express range is the OJ 83/1 B. It is available in gauges E 18 and E 24, has a working width of 210", and can reach the same high operating speed as the OJ 59/1 B. However, increasing the number of guide bars compared to the first Lace.Express machine means that more patterns can now be produced. In particular, being able to work picot patterns also makes the new machine interesting for producers of tapes and ribbons for intimate apparel. Stylish outerwear fashions, as well as sophisticated lingerie, can also be produced from the lace goods manufactured on the OJ 83/1 B. By using thick yarns, the new machine can also work structured patterns. Up to 32 pattern bars are available for processing yarns to produce a wide range of designs.

Integrated LED lighting system provides a clear view (c) 2018 KARL MAYER

Unbeatable productivity and profitability

The new lace raschel machine is far superior compared to reference machines having a large number of guide bars on the market. Extensive experience gained with using the machine in practice has shown that the output of the OJ 83/1 B is 44% higher and the figure is similar for profitability when producing apparel lace. The OJ 59/1 B already has an excellent cost:benefit ratio. This has been proven on the market and also applied to the OJ 83/1 B.

This new machine from KARL MAYER is also efficient in terms of its energy consumption. The OJ 83/1 B consumes up to 40 % less energy compared to other reference machines on the market. KARL MAYER’s LEO® system is behind this considerable reduction. The basic design takes into account the technical concepts of tribology, the pneumatic systems, and the drives for yarn feed, fabric take-down and batching. By optimising the construction, energy losses can be minimised and energy can be utilised more efficiently.

In terms of its ergonomic features, the new OJ 83/1 B also benefits from the high standards typical of KARL MAYER - in particular, the movable Operator Interface, hinged stitch comb bar, easy access to all the drives, a new creel design and an optional, integrated LED lighting system make working a pleasure and operating the machine is mere child’s play.

The market is impressed by the exceptional performance of the OJ 83/1 B. It was only released for sale in October 2017, but the first orders have already been taken - with delivery scheduled for 2018. This new machine was constantly surrounded by people during its first public unveiling at an in-house show held at KARL MAYER (CHINA) from 23 to 25 November. “Shortly after the launch, our sales organisation took orders from both inside and outside China, which is an important indication that the success we have enjoyed so far will continue,” says Jan Hippich, the Head of Product Portfolio at KARL MAYER.

The access to the drives is comfortable (c) 2018 KARL MAYER

Technical details

The new OJ 83/1 B belongs to the LACE.EXPRESS machine series, which complements KARL MAYER’s repertoire of lace machines, which includes the JACQUARDTRONIC® LACE, TEXTRONIC® LACE, MULTIBAR LACE and LEISUREE.FASHION machines.

The new machine has 14 shog rows, of which 10 are fitted with eight pattern bars for creating the fabric design. The technical features also include the jacquard system of the usual high quality. The fabric produced is wound up by free-standing batcher no. 51. The creel configuration is made up of creels with 16 tiers to create the optimum conditions for loading the bobbins. The machine is available with 30 repeats as standard.

RDJ 6/2 in E 32: Finesse in Motion

The appearance of sports and casual shoes is as diverse as their applications, ranging from sporty to stylish and from functional to fashionably practical. In particular, spacer fabrics produced on highly flexible KARL MAYER double needle bar raschel machines with Jacquard technology are in high demand for manufacturing these trendy shoes. These efficient production machines enable attractive designs with integrated multifunctional zones on one or both fabric surfaces, such as breathable mesh structures. Flexible in size and positioning, these features enhance both aesthetics and wearing comfort.

3D designs with a wow factor made on HKS 4-M EL ECO: When crepe, ruffles, and sheer fabrics redefine fashion

Seersucker, flip-flap items, Fırfır, or crepe materials: structured fabrics have long been more than just a passing trend. They lend timeless looks depth, dynamism, and an exciting tactile dimension. Whether classic striped patterns or modern solid-color interpretations, these versatile pieces pair perfectly with casual and business-casual outfits and effortlessly create a modern look.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).

The new RJ 4/2 EL revolutionizes body mapping and expands creative possibilities – from smart lingerie to sporty athleisure designs

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands. The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

25 years in the room: EDANA’s OUTLOOK™ returns to Cascais to shape a changing industry

The market does not wait, and it does not grant easy answers. Across the absorbent hygiene, personal care, and wipes sectors, business is undergoing a period of intense, necessary adjustment. New European rules on packaging, single-use items, product safety, and end-of-life are forcing companies to drop old assumptions about materials and performance. At the same time, producers must keep their goods safe, reliable, and affordable for the babies and aging adults, who rely on them every day.

Recover™ names Enes Adak and Fehmi Yüksel as Co-CEOs to accelerate its next growth phase

Recover™, a leading materials science company and global producer of consistent high-quality, recycled cotton fibers and circular material solutions at scale, today announced the appointment of Enes Adak and Fehmi Yüksel as Co-Chief Executive Officers. This leadership transition marks an important step in Recover’s evolution as the company enters its next stage of development.

ADD-ITC 2026 highlights strong industry participation

The Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) 2026 will place a strong focus on the exchange between textile research and industry when it takes place on November 26–27, 2026, at the International Congress Center Dresden. According to the preliminary conference program, more than two-thirds of all presentations will be contributed by companies or jointly presented by industry and research institutions.

Arc'teryx introduces System 0™, a new framework for the future of product design and circularity

Arc'teryx Equipment, the global design company specializing in technical high-performance apparel and equipment, today introduced System 0™, a new framework that reimagines how products can be designed, manufactured, used, repaired, and ultimately regenerated. System 0 represents the next evolution for sustainability in the outdoor industry, as it embeds circular thinking across an entire product lifecycle while maintaining the uncompromising performance standards that define the Arc’teryx brand.