#Knitting & Hosiery

2025-03-05

Controlling the service life

If the machinery is becoming outdated, investments in targeted upgrade offers are an interesting alternative to cost-intensive new purchases for many manufacturers, especially in difficult economic times. KARL MAYER therefore offers an electrical retrofit for its customers in the technical textiles sector. The retrofit solution brings the control and drive technology of older multiaxial and warp knitting machines with weft insertion up to the current standard, thus minimising production risks.

Maximum production reliability thanks to the electrical retrofit for KARL MAYER multiaxial and warp knitting machines with weft insertion with a long running time © 2025 KARL MAYER

“The machines are often in operation for several shifts, seven days a week. After years of use, the mechanics are usually still in good condition, but the electrics are outdated after regular generational changes. If this leads to breakdowns, the result is high costs and long downtimes. This can be avoided with our electrical retrofit,” explains Falk Preibisch from the Care Solutions Team at KARL MAYER Technische Textilien.

Short conversion times

Anyone ordering an electrical retrofit will receive a new control cabinet with a user interface and control technology from the latest generation of KARL MAYER machines. In addition, everything required for dismantling the old motors and for the new cabling is supplied. The conversion work takes around two weeks on warp knitting machines with weft insertion and around three weeks on multiaxial warp knitting machines and requires the deployment of one or two service technicians - an effort that is well worth it.

Standardised operation, improved serviceability, reliable spare parts supply

The electronics upgrade offers the customer the familiar, modern user interface of the new KARL MAYER machines and therefore maximum ergonomics, intuitive functionality and a standardised user interface. The operating personnel always know their way around immediately, regardless of the year of manufacture of the machine. The electric retrofit also scores highly when it comes to service and maintenance. The service specialists at KARL MAYER Technical Textiles, who are familiar with the modern machines, know what needs to be done and, unlike for the old systems, spare parts are guaranteed to be available in the long term. Another advantage is that the machine can be networked through targeted retrofitting.

Successful solution

The offer to modernise at minimal cost and downtime, without the environmentally harmful disposal of old machines, is generally recommended for machines built in 2000 or later.

“The electrical retrofit is now selling very well,” says Falk Preibisch, satisfied with the demand.

Since its introduction in 2016, the electronics upgrade has already been ordered around 55 times, mostly for machines that have been in operation for between 15 and 25 years.

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.

3D designs with a wow factor made on HKS 4-M EL ECO: When crepe, ruffles, and sheer fabrics redefine fashion

Seersucker, flip-flap items, Fırfır, or crepe materials: structured fabrics have long been more than just a passing trend. They lend timeless looks depth, dynamism, and an exciting tactile dimension. Whether classic striped patterns or modern solid-color interpretations, these versatile pieces pair perfectly with casual and business-casual outfits and effortlessly create a modern look.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Première Vision Paris

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will exhibit at Première Vision Paris in Paris, France next month. The company will exhibit in the "Smart Creation" area, dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge technologies that integrate sustainability and innovation. The knitting expert will be demonstrating solutions that optimize product development workflows and enhance sustainability through proposals in Digital Product Creation (DPC).

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.

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.

25 years in the room: EDANA’s OUTLOOK™ returns to Cascais to shape a changing industry

The market does not wait, and it does not grant easy answers. Across the absorbent hygiene, personal care, and wipes sectors, business is undergoing a period of intense, necessary adjustment. New European rules on packaging, single-use items, product safety, and end-of-life are forcing companies to drop old assumptions about materials and performance. At the same time, producers must keep their goods safe, reliable, and affordable for the babies and aging adults, who rely on them every day.

Recover™ names Enes Adak and Fehmi Yüksel as Co-CEOs to accelerate its next growth phase

Recover™, a leading materials science company and global producer of consistent high-quality, recycled cotton fibers and circular material solutions at scale, today announced the appointment of Enes Adak and Fehmi Yüksel as Co-Chief Executive Officers. This leadership transition marks an important step in Recover’s evolution as the company enters its next stage of development.

ADD-ITC 2026 highlights strong industry participation

The Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) 2026 will place a strong focus on the exchange between textile research and industry when it takes place on November 26–27, 2026, at the International Congress Center Dresden. According to the preliminary conference program, more than two-thirds of all presentations will be contributed by companies or jointly presented by industry and research institutions.

Arc'teryx introduces System 0™, a new framework for the future of product design and circularity

Arc'teryx Equipment, the global design company specializing in technical high-performance apparel and equipment, today introduced System 0™, a new framework that reimagines how products can be designed, manufactured, used, repaired, and ultimately regenerated. System 0 represents the next evolution for sustainability in the outdoor industry, as it embeds circular thinking across an entire product lifecycle while maintaining the uncompromising performance standards that define the Arc’teryx brand.