#Knitting & Hosiery

2019-11-28

KARL MAYER successfully presents Smart Shirt at IDTechEx Show!

Drawing a crowd – Sophia Krinner and the functional warp-knitted textile innovation Smart Shirt at IDTechEx Show! 2019 (c) 2019 Karl Mayer

IDTechEx Show! is a red-letter day for anyone with an interest in new technology. The latest edition of the conference and exhibition even was held on 20 and 21 November 2019 in Santa Clara, USA, and attracted around 3,500 visitors from 60 different countries. Over 270 exhibitors and star speakers from industrial and research backgrounds competed for the guests’ attention on the programme, which included around 270 speeches. The presentations covered all the latest content and issues: energy storage, printed electronics, sensors, the Internet of Things, electro-mobility and wearables.

Pushing the envelope with TEXTILE-CIRCUIT

As an expert partner for the manufacturing of e-textiles, KARL MAYER exhibited at IDTechEx Show! 2019 and gave a presentation on its field of expertise. This was the innovative textile machine manufacturer’s second time at the event, and its staff were very pleased with their positive showing. “The upgrades we’ve made to our 2018 solution allowed us to establish ourselves as a trend-setter when it comes to the direct integration of wires into textiles. This technology just keeps unlocking more and more potential, and there’s a lot of interest in it for practical applications,” said Michael Kieren, Product Manager for New Textile Technologies. Mr Kieren went on to explain that this is a particular important moment to ensure that the company has a presence in the sector, as the textiles industry is providing stiff competition with procedures such as printed electronics.

Integrated conductivity

At IDTechEx Show! 2018, KARL MAYER presented a textile remote control under the name TEXTILE-CIRCUIT. At this year’s event, the renowned manufacturer of textile machines turned up with a smart shirt for measuring vital bodily functions in its suitcase – and much more besides. The sensor monitoring technology for the item of clothing is incorporated directly into the made-to-measure textile during production. The warp knitting machine’s string bar technology allow the manufacturer to adapt the expansion, shape and position of the sensitive areas to suit the requirements of the application at hand. As such, the TEXTILE-CIRCUIT technology offers unrivalled efficiency.

Michael Kieren, Product Developer for Textile Technology Sophia Krinner, and Tony Hooimeijer, President of KARL MAYER North America, enjoyed a thrilling discussion on the innovation, and were delighted to answer questions on the projects that can be jointly developed in the MAKER SPACE at KARL MAYER’s headquarters. Those who came to talk about TEXTILE-CIRCUIT included both big textile companies and customers from the knitwear sector, many of whom were looking to add another string to their bow by setting up an e-textiles segment. “We’ve thrown our hat in the ring and will keep working hard to evolve our TEXTILE-CIRCUIT developments even further,” Sophia Krinner explained. We can’t wait to see what KARL MAYER comes up with for IDTechEx Show! 2020 – or even before!

EFI and Agfa’s DPS Business to combine andform a global, full-service industrial inkjet company

Electronics for Imaging, Inc. (“EFI”), a leading industrial inkjet business and portfolio company of Siris, and Agfa-Gevaert (“Agfa”) today announced a definitive agreement to combine Agfa’s Digital Printing Solutions business (“Agfa DPS”) with EFI. An affiliate of Siris will hold a 60% interest and Agfa will hold a 40% interest in the jointly held company, which will bring together the operating capabilities of EFI and Agfa DPS under a governance structure whereby Siris and Agfa will act as equal partners.

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

SHIMA SEIKI to showcase flat knitting and digital design solutions at Egypt Stitch & Tex

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting technologist SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its sales representative in Egypt, TTS (EL MASRIA FOR TRADE & TECHNICAL SERVICES), will participate in the upcoming 24th International Exhibition for Textile & Carpet Machineries, Printing Technologies and Accessories (Egypt Stitch & Tex) to be held in Cairo, Egypt this month.

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.

Durak Maxibalance thread supports users’ movement and balance comfort

Durak Tekstil, a leading brand in its industry, has developed Durak Maxibalance, a new product engineered with bio-ceramic and FAR IR technology. Ushering in a new era for sportswear, activewear, and medical textiles, this technology offers features designed to support balance and movement comfort by reflecting the energy absorbed from the body back into it.

Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 draws to a close, weaving sustainable innovation into global sourcing

Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 concluded with approximately 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, connecting with nearly 22,000 visitors from 110 represented markets, bringing the textile industry’s evolving material agenda into sharper focus. Held alongside Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition, CHIC and PH Value, the fair connected upstream fibre and yarn innovation with fabric development, garment production and fashion-market demand.