#Knitting & Hosiery

2019-08-31

Producing the next generation of tricot fabrics – with ON drive

KARL MAYER launched the new HKS 3-M-ON at ITMA 2019, the first three-bar HKS machine with electronic guide bar control, which is linked to the digital world of KM.ON. This market leader has scored a direct hit with this machine. The HKS 3-M-ON impressed the visitors in Barcelona with its new flexibility and exceptional ease of handling when changing the pattern, and also by its high production rate.

The HKS 3-M-ON, with electronic pattern drive and digital systems, was premiered at ITMA 2019

This new machine can reach a maximum speed of 2,900 min-1, depending on the working width. This makes it the fastest, high-speed tricot machine with electronic pattern drive that has ever been built. It is also just as fast as the current HKS 3-M model with N-drive, but it is also much more flexible.

Patterning at the highest level of flexibility

A wide range of patterns can be produced and changed quickly on the new HKS 3-M-ON. It is simply a question of ordering the required lapping from KARL MAYER’s WEBSHOP SPARE PARTS and loading the data to suit the guide bars from the company’s own cloud directly onto the machine – and work on the new article can be started immediately. Selected lappings from a pre-defined list are available to download free of charge when working one of the first patterns on a newly acquired machine. KM.ON’s industry computer, k.ey, is responsible for securely linking the HKS 3-M-ON machine to the KM.ON cloud, thus providing access to KARL MAYER’s digital world. Thanks to the electronic guide bar control facility, there is no need to make any mechanical modifications when changing the article, which used to be the case with the previous HKS 3-M version. This means that any repeat can be worked, without any tempi change. Kay Hilbert, the Head of Product Portfolio Management at KARL MAYER, says that the visitors were particularly impressed by this simple pattern change system, which does not require any mechanical intervention. “Many of our customers are faced with a change of generation amongst their staff.

Young people are computer-savvy, but people with specialist knowledge of the mechanical systems are hard to find.” Additionally, the ON drive eliminates the costs of buying, handling and storing pattern discs. With all the new possibilities offered by the HKS 3-M-ON, customers can reduce pattern-related stoppages considerably, increase productivity greatly, and react quickly to changing market demands. This innovative, high-speed tricot machine also delivers additional benefits, thanks to the new main drive system. The main shaft is now moved directly by the associated main motor. This system, together with the electronic guide bar drive, eliminates the need for wear-prone drive belts, and this has a positive effect on maintenance costs. Noise levels have also been reduced.

Sales launch in 2020

The new HKS 3-M-ON will be available in gauges E 28 and E 32 and in the working widths of 130", 180", 210", 238" and 280". Its wide range of features is opening up many possible end-uses for this three-bar HKS machine, which will be available as of 2020. The HKS 3-M-ON will go into production in the first quarter of next year.

New business momentum for the Turkish warp knitting industry

Warp knitting companies can look forward to new opportunities for their business development when they visit the KARL MAYER stand at ITM. At the important trade fair in Istanbul, the industry leader will be presenting selected solutions to support customers in a market that is as important as it is difficult. The focus will be on flexibility and speed.

“We Believe in the Value of Textiles”: Successful Opening of the KARL MAYER TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER

KARL MAYER inaugurated its new, state-of-the-art TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER (TIC) with a four-day opening week from April 21 to 24. The highlight of the week was the grand opening on Thursday, which drew a strong turnout from the international textile industry: around 220 customers, brands, and partners from across the textile value chain came to the company’s headquarters in Obertshausen for a first-hand look at the new high-tech development environment and lively exchange with industry peers.

Closing completed – Mayer & Cie. Global starts business operations

The future of the Mayer & Cie. brand has been secured: Following the successful completion of the purchase agreement for assets in the circular knitting machinery segment of the German traditional company Mayer & Cie., which was signed in February this year, the brand will continue to exist. The transfer of these assets to the new owner, Xu Hongjie, was formally completed yesterday afternoon. This clears the way for the resumption of business operations at the Albstadt site.

KARL MAYER strengthens partnerships in the composites industry at JEC World 2026

KARL MAYER further strengthened its role as a reliable and competent partner to the composites industry at JEC World 2026. The global market leader in textile machinery manufacturing used the trade show to meet key customers, establish numerous new contacts, and engage in in-depth technical discussions.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.