#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.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

TM WEFT, 270" – More width, more design freedom for the fashion world

KARL MAYER is expanding its successful TM WEFT series with an innovative model that opens up new possibilities, particularly in the fashion & apparel sectors. With a working width of 270", this new machine with weft-insertion not only offers significantly higher output than its narrower counterparts but is also specifically tailored to the demands of dynamic clothing market – particularly in China and Türkiye. A well-thought-out upgrade also ensures even greater design versatility.

ITM 2026: KARL MAYER presents new perspectives

KARL MAYER will once again showcase itself as a strong partner to the Turkish textile industry at ITM in Istanbul from June 9 to 13. At Booth 303 A in Hall 3 of the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center, the industry leader will exhibit solutions for warp knitting, warp preparation, and technical textiles – tailored to a challenging economic environment.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

SHIMA SEIKI to show complete knitting and cutting workflow at ITM 2026

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Mayer & Cie. Global is getting ready for ITM 2026

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Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.