#Additive Manufacturing

2022-10-26

Added value through addition

Inline 3D printer for the roll-to-roll process (©STFI-Ines Escherich)

Additive manufacturing already enables completely new product solutions in many sectors, including the textile industry. The combination of 3D printing technology and textiles in particular is opening up previously unknown opportunities, including the ability to create both individual looks as well as specific functionalities.

‘Additive manufacturing in the textile industry’ symposium shows new ways to new products, 17.11.2022 in Obertshausen

Additive manufacturing and its potentials for the textile industry are set to be the focal points of the ‘Additive Manufacturing in the Textile Industry’ symposium, which for years has been organised by the KARL MAYER GROUP in cooperation with the textile research institutes Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. and Textilforschungsinstitut Thüringen-Vogtland e.V. The event will be showcasing the innovative production methods along with their applications in research and industry from various different perspectives.

The countdown to the event on 17 November 2023 is now on, with the fifth symposium on additive manufacturing taking place in the company headquarters of KARL MAYER GROUP in Obertshausen once again. KARL MAYER co-organiser Michael Kieren is looking forward to a broad exchange of information between designers, technology experts and product developers alike. “3D printing allows us to completely rethink our whole approach to textile product design. The world of sportswear is already showing us what strides can be made, with mass-produced articles complete with 3D-printed branding and functional elements already firmly established in this domain,” notes the expert. Symposium guests can already look forward to a very special innovation in the form of a technological solution for combining textile manufacturing with 3D printing in the roll-to-roll process. This new development already enjoyed a successful premiere at the Techtextil Trade Fair in Frankfurt am Main.

In addition to the live demonstration of the inline 3D printer, guests can enjoy an exciting guided tour of KARL MAYER and exclusive technical lectures, including presentations by 3D printer manufacturers and companies that already work with additive manufacturing processes. The presentations involve the latest developments in FDM, dispenser, SLA, TFP, and inline processes and materials, as well as applications for auxetic textiles, privacy cover and fashion.

Registration for the live event is now open at:

https://www.titv-greiz.de/de/akademie/workshops/anmeldeformular-workshop/view/form

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

“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.

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.

Driving WARP KNIT Inspiration

KARL MAYER sees performance fabrics and next-level textile solutions in particular as potential growth drivers for its customers, as a motor for business development and as real game changers for the entire textile industry. Innovation does not happen by chance. It is the result of close exchange with customers & brands, textile expertise and competence in textile machine engineering. This is why KARL MAYER is investing in progress and collaborative development and opening its TEXTILE INNOVATION CEN-TER (TIC) – a place to be for the entire textile world.

STFI highlights textile circular economy and alternative fibres at INDEX™ 2026

From 19 to 22 May 2026, INDEX will invite visitors to Lake Geneva for the world's leading nonwovens trade fair. The Centre of Excellence in Nonwovens at the Sächsisches Textilforschung- sinstitut e.V. (STFI) will be in attendance to present the latest developments in nonwovens research. In the field of the textile circular economy, the STFI will present acoustically effective nonwovens made from chemical recycling residues. The range also includes innovations aimed at replacing conventional raw materials, such as the biobased and biodegradable polymer polybutylene succinate (PBS) and Kendyr as an alternative to cotton.

FET’s revolutionary gel spinning system wins Techtextil Innovation Award

FET has received the prestigious Techtextil Innovation Award 2026 in the New Production Technology category. The Techtextil Innovation Award honours outstanding ideas in textile technology, sustainability, AI and the creation of technical textiles, selected by an international jury of experts. Ranging from new materials to new production technologies, this award recognises progressive ideas that are driving forces for numerous industries, such as automotive, medical and construction.