#Techtextil 2022

2022-05-16

Sustainability is the new functionality

Processing of flax fibres on a multiaxial warp-knitting machine © 2022 KARL MAYER

The KARL MAYER Group will be presenting solutions for a better future at Techtextil.

The KARL MAYER Group ( Hall 12.0, C93) will be presenting itself at Techtextil from June 21 to 24 2022 in Frankfurt am Main as an innovative partner in the production of high-performance textiles. The global player can be found in Hall 12.0 on Stand C93. Innovative patterns and application examples of warp knitting and flat knitting will be shown.

More sustainability through solutions from the warp knitting industry

The KARL MAYER Group manufactures biaxial and multiaxial warp-knitting machines, as well as warp-knitting machines with and without weft insertion, on which functional articles for a wide range of applications are produced.

With its exhibition, the manufacturer joins the key theme of Techtextil: sustainability. For the composites industry, it presents solutions for the production of fiber-reinforced plastics made from natural fibers. The renewable resources are processed on weft and multiaxial warp knitting machines into reinforcement structures that open up completely new perspectives in terms of their environmental performance.

The textile innovation 4D-KNIT offers new possibilities for a better life cycle assessment of fashion articles and outdoorwear. The fabric for midlayer and softshell performance solutions scores with a sophisticated textile construction that leads to significantly lower fiber release during washing than when using double-sided raised fleece fabrics. Besides, a positive effect for the environment is a reduction in microplastic pollution.

Another focal point on the KARL MAYER stand is the topic of "Smart Textiles and Wearables". With the possibilities of jacquard and multibar patterning of warp knitting machines, electrically conductive yarns can be integrated directly and tailor-made into knitted fabrics in order to implement functional elements such as sensors, conductors and coils in an uncomplicated way. The textile properties remain unaffected. The potential arising from the seamless combination of electronics and textiles is being researched in the company's own TEXTILE-CIRCUIT unit. The latest results of this work will be on show at the KARL MAYER stand at Techetxtil.

As an innovative pioneer, the Group is also working on forward-looking solutions in the field of additive manufacturing. The work under the heading RAPID TEXTILE focuses in particular on the combination of 3D printing with textile technology. In principle, the combination of the versatile printing process with traditional fabric formation technology offers new possibilities for production on demand. If only what the consumer needs is manufactured, this is also a contribution to greater sustainability. Techtextil will show how the 3D printing process can be integrated into series production.

Shoe fabric solution from STOLL, using technologies such as inverse plating, STOLL-ikat plating® and STOLL-weave-in® Technology, it can incorporate a wide range of knitwear looks and all the components of the upper directly into the fabric, thus speeding up the making up process. (shoe created in a project with DESMA) © 2022 KARL MAYER

For the first time, the KARL MAYER Group also has flat knitting innovations from STOLL in its trade fair baggage. The presentation will include solutions for waste-free production, the implementation of multifunctionality in a single process step, 3D shaping without additional work steps, and efficient knitting-on-demand production.

Minimize the ecological footprint with flat knits

For the first time, the KARL MAYER Group will also have flat knitting innovations from STOLL in its trade fair baggage. This business unit of the KARL MAYER Group will also be exhibiting samples on the themes of sustainability and recyclability. Both are basic requirements which the flat knitting technology meets excellently from the outset, for example with solutions for waste-free production, the implementation of multifunctionality in a single process step, 3D shaping without additional work steps, and efficient knitting-on-demand production.

For this purpose, STOLL will be showing current and innovative application topics from the currently important areas of bandage technology as well as shoe uppers and cover fabrics, which correspond 100% to the required expectations of sustainability.

Warp-knitted footwear fabric with 3D-printed reinforcement structure © 2022 KARL MAYER

In addition, special industrial and transport topics will be the focus of the exhibition. A wide range of synergies are expected from the first trade fair appearance under the umbrella of the KARL MAYER Group. For example, the STOLL team would also like to get to know the customers of other KARL MAYER business units and open up the wide product world of the entire group to its customers.

warp-knitted sensors with optimised skin contact © 2022 KARL MAYER

The newcomers HKS 3-M EL ECO and HKS 4-M EL ECO set new standards in the tricot market

Short development cycles, frequent pattern changes, and maximum efficiency – even with small batch sizes: Today's global fashion and apparel market demands more flexibility than ever before. High-performance warp knitting machines with compound needles (HKS) and EL pattern drive are KARL MAYER's answer to this challenge.

KARL MAYER celebrates 35 years of EL pattern drive

KARL MAYER is celebrating an anniversary this year: on 30 November 1990, the first warp knitting machine with electronic guide bar control, the KS 4 EL, was delivered – another milestone for patterning. As early as 1980, the SU gearbox with the MRS42SU had initiated the transition from mechanical chains to digital data.

India becomes growth engine for the warp knitting industry

ITMA ASIA 2025 exceeded all expectations for KARL MAYER – above all thanks to the strong interest from India: around 30% of the qualified discussions were held with partners from this traditional textile country. The response underlines the growing importance of the Indian market, which could become the second largest sales region for KARL MAYER after China. The warp knitting industry in particular is developing dynamically.

Solution for lower energy consumption proves itself in practice

Getzner Textil is one of KARL MAYER’s first customers to use PROSIZE with CASCADE. The innovative weaving specialist has tested the steam and condensation system by KARL MAYER and determined the energy savings it achieves. Karl-Heinz Vaaßen, Head of Textile Drying at KARL MAYER, assisted Getzner Textil’s production specialists both with the tests and with all questions relating to CASCADE. In a conversation with Werner Egger, Head of Weaving, and Thomas Rossi, Head of Warp Preparation at Getzner Textil, he learnt more about the system’s benefits for his customer.

More safety and comfort for protective clothing thanks to auxetic fabrics

When everyday materials are pulled, they stretch or elongate in the direction of the pull and become narrower in cross-section. We can also observe this property in two-dimensional textiles. Auxetic structures behave differently here. They have the striking property of not changing under tensile stress or even increasing their width or thickness. These properties are advantageous, for example, in protective textiles or textile filter media. The DITF are researching auxetic fabrics for various applications.

SHIMA SEIKI returns to ShanghaiTex

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the ShanghaiTex 2025 exhibition (Booth No.: Hall N3, Booth A20) held in Shanghai, China this month. This marks the return of SHIMA SEIKI to ShanghaiTex after a 14-year hiatus, its last exhibit at the show having been in 2011.