#Knitting & Hosiery

2021-05-04

Working more flexibly with wider machines

KARL MAYER has further extended its range of double needle bar raschel machines. After launching an RD 7 with a new knock-over comb bar distance (from 2 to 6 mm), models that produce spacer fabrics in tried-and-tested thicknesses but at new working widths are now being launched on the market: the RD 7/2-12 EN and RD 6/1-12 EN are available now in a working width of 190".

KARL MAYER’s RD 7/2-12 EN, RD 6/1-12 EN and HD 6/20-35 with new working widths

The seven-bar machine was previously available in working widths of 77" and 138", while the six-bar equivalent was available as a 138" variant. Apart from the expansion in width, there were no other changes at all – especially not in terms of speed. Both 190" machines achieve an unchanged speed of 850 courses per minute, which compared to the narrower 138" versions, means an increase in productivity of 37%. The high efficiency is reflected in the price-performance ratio – with an increase of 15.7% for the RD 6/1-12 EN and 16.3% for the RD 7/2-12 EN. The width of the HIGHDISTANCE® has also been upgraded: the HD 6/20-35 was added to KARL MAYER’s product portfolio with a 160" version.

By extending the working widths, the innovative textile machine manufacturer is primarily supporting its customers in the mattress sector. They can now produce not just more, but also more flexibly: two panels can now be produced simultaneously next to each other instead of singularly, or three fabric lines instead of two, for example. This greater production scope has been well received by the market. A number of customers in Asia are already working with the 190" machines and are extremely satisfied with the performance.

Manufacturers in other spacer textile business sectors are also benefitting from KARL MAYER’s innovative strength and market intuition. The right technical configuration for every customer group – that’s the motto the global player has been working to for around the last two years to successfully differentiate its RD machine range. “With the RD 7/2-6 EN, we can offer the footwear fabric market a high-speed machine. A speed of 1,100 stitch courses per minute is setting standards in practice. The 138” RD 7/2-12 EN is a true all-rounder that is suitable for a wide range of applications, from footwear fabrics to articles for upholstered furniture and mattresses. With the 190" versions of the RD 7/2-12 EN and RD 6/1-12 EN, we are able to offer models that meet the special requirements of the mattress market,” explains Albert Wong, Product Owner Double Needle Bar Machinery at KARL MAYER.

The new RJ 4/2 EL revolutionizes body mapping and expands creative possibilities – from smart lingerie to sporty athleisure designs

With the addition of another member to its successful RASCHELTRONIC® family, KARL MAYER is opening up new possibilities for creative product development for warp knitting mills and brands. The RJ 4/2 EL offers with two stitch-forming Jacquard bars entirely new design options for functional sportswear and bi-elastic lingerie. Available in gauges E 28 and E 32, this new model helps manufacturers set their collections apart from the competition. The fine E-32 gauges, in particular, impress with their clean surface, a pleasantly soft feel, and an exceptionally elegant look.

The new RDJ 7/3 defines the design footprint of modern athletic shoes

Stylish, functional, and efficient to produce – spacer fabrics are the all-arounders among textile materials. These versatile fabrics are particularly in demand in the sports and casual footwear sector, as they combine comfort, breathability, and design freedom. At the same time, this industry is trend-driven, dynamic, and price-sensitive like few others. Innovations are therefore a decisive factor for success. With the RDJ 7/3, KARL MAYER offers a solution specifically tailored to these requirements. The particular strength of the new double raschel machine: its exceptional flexibility, thanks to its three jacquard bars.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

More Jacquard. More functionality. More fashion.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.