#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.

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.

Shima Seiki showcases WHOLEGARMENT® and 3D knitting solutions for technical textiles at Techtextil 2026

Leading textile technology solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will be participating in the Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany next month. On display will be WHOLEGARMENT® and other advanced three-dimensional knitting applications across a wide range of industries besides fashion apparel that are not typically associated with knitting, such as technical textiles using industrial materials and advanced three-dimensional knitting.

Speed and connectivity: Techtextil and Texprocess provided market-ready solutions for industries under pressure

With more than 36,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from a total of 112 countries, Techtextil and Texprocess 2026 demonstrated how innovation comes into industrial use. The convergence of research, industry and application proved to be a breeding ground for new material solutions, manufacturing and processing technologies. Natural fibres, performance apparel, connected systems and AI-driven processing technologies emerged as key growth and future markets.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.