#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles

2020-02-27

A new, sure-fire success is in the starting blocks

Patterning with the counter-operating split jacquard bars (c) 2020 KARL MAYER

KARL MAYER has expanded its range of machines with piezo jacquard technology for producing stylish shoe fabrics, and the new RDJ 6/1 EN has now been incorporated into the series comprising the RDPJ 7/1 EL and RDJ 5/1 machines. This new machine has a better price, and operates faster than the higher-bar version.

Successful launch of the RDJ 6/1 EN, with its high cost:benefit ratio, for the shoe fabric sector

However, there is very little difference in terms of the design potential. Almost 90 % of the jacquard shoe fabrics currently produced can be manufactured on the RDJ 6/1 EN. The configuration of this new machine makes it ideal for producing engineered spacer textiles. Compared to the RDJ 5/1, the RDJ 6/1 EN has one extra guide bar, EN drive and a wellthought- out yarn feed system to the jacquard bars, and offers extended design possibilities, a higher product quality, and easy pattern change. The cost is still competitive.

A high-performance machine for producing shoe fabrics

The RDJ 6/1 EN is available in the gauges of E 22 and E 24, and has a working width of 138". The distance between the knock-over comb bars can be adjusted continuously from 2 mm to 8 mm. Customers can now buy a flexible production machine with five guide bars, one split jacquard bar, whose split bars can operate in a counter lapping operating mode, and an EN pattern drive. It can also produce an extensive range of fabrics. Dense structures can be worked, as well as a wide range of patterns with holes, which can be of any size and placed in any location. The result is attractive shoe fabrics with a specific breathability. If the split jacquard bars are moved in a counter lapping operating mode, the contours of the openings are exceptionally clear. In this case, the yarn is fed from two sectional warp beams. T

his facilitates yarn drawing-in and doubles the yarn running times – with a positive effect on the productivity The EN drive makes a further contribution to increasing the efficiency. The seven electronic guide bar drives enable the patterns to be changed very easily and flexibly, and the costs of buying, storing and changing the pattern discs are eliminated. Like all KARL MAYER’s machines, the RDJ 6/1 EN can also be operated very easily. A new feature compared to the RDJ 5/1 is that the machine and knitting elements are equipped with LED lighting as standard. The increased visibility simplifies handling even more, especially when drawing-in the yarns. This new doublebar raschel machine is completely compatible with the RDJ 5/1 and the RD 7/2-12 EN as far as the knitting elements are concerned. This reduces the storage requirements for spare parts.

Successful market launch

The RDJ 6/1 EN was presented to a wide audience for the first time at the in-house show held at KARL MAYER (CHINA) during ShanghaiTex, which took place from 25 to 28 November 2019. The visitors asked many questions about the new machine. Yuji Yamamoto, the Product Manager at NIPPON MAYER, is preparing to have many discussions on various projects in the next few months. Mass production was scheduled to start in September 2019, and the first machines have already been sold.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

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.

ANDRITZ sets focus on textile recycling and durable nonwoven production technologies at ITMA Asia 2025

International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens production and textile solutions at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore, from October 28 to 31, 2025 (Hall 2, D106). ANDRITZ will showcase its MMCF production plants, textile sorting and recycling, bast fiber processing, needlepunch, airlay, and life-cycle service technologies, with a focus on sustainable solutions. Discover how these innovations can grow your business opportunities and support a greener future.

OUTLOOK™ 2025: Charting a sustainable and innovative future for the Nonwovens Industry

EDANA concluded its flagship event, OUTLOOK™ 2025, last week, marking it as a major success and addressing the biggest questions facing the industry. The three-day conference highlighted the urgent need for a unified approach to sustainability, regulation, and innovation in the absorbent hygiene and wipes sectors.

Global Nonwovens Alliance unveils Inaugural Board, advancing collaboration and growth worldwide

The Global Nonwovens Alliance (GNA), a tax-exempt federation jointly founded by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, announces the appointment of its founding Board of Directors. This group of leaders represents some of the most influential executives across the nonwovens value chain and reflects GNA’s mission to foster global collaboration, innovation, and growth in the industry.

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

HKRITA signs MoU with Jeanologia and Looptworks to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) yesterday officially signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two key global partners, Jeanologia and Looptworks, to establish the Green Machine Circular Textile Ecosystem – a first-of-its-kind collaboration to accelerate the large-scale recycling of blended textiles.