German textile machinery giant Karl Mayer has announced the development and launch of a new warp knitting machine with weft conversion – the TM Weft.
The new technology was successfully launched at an in-house show held at its Chinese subsidiary in Changzhou. According to the company, representatives from more than 10 companies attended the machine demonstrations each day between 15 and 18 January, including specialists in the knitting and weaving sectors, and finishers interested in moving into textile production.
The majority of the attendees visited from China, particularly the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, and were impressed by the cost effectiveness of the machine, according to Karl Mayer. The demonstration allowed attendees to experience two models of the TM WEFT – the 247” and the E 24 – with both producing an interlining, for example, a traditional fabric with one guide bar and a version having a higher drapability for special applications with two guide bars.
Both machines were running at a high level of stability and at the high speed of 1,500 min, with the concept being well received by attendees. Hagen Lotzmann, sales manager at Karl Mayer, says: “Our customers were impressed by our focus on the functions, easy operation and reliability of the TM WEFT.”
Discussions with customers have already led to sales and further orders are expected in the coming months, the company states. “With its features and conceptual direction, the TM WEFT is designed to complement the existing WEFTTRONIC II HKS, which continues to be available for the high-end market,” the company adds. As a result, Karl Mayer says it is extending its tried-and-tested two product line strategy in its Technical Textiles Business Unit.
KM.ON
The announcement follows the recent launch of Karl Mayer’s new digital brand KM.ON at ITMA Asia + CITME 2018 in Shanghai, China. According to the company, KM.ON is “a new umbrella brand for all the digital solutions developed by this new company and the entire Karl Mayer Group”.
The brand brings together the Karl Mayer Digital Factory, a new software start-up, and the entire Karl Mayer Group to further implement the changes brought about by Industry 4.0. “Digitisation is a basic component of our company strategy,” says Arno Gärtner, managing director, Karl Mayer.
The company’s new digital portfolio is made up of eight solution categories, focusing on the three key areas of Management, Maintenance and Service. Meanwhile, Karl Mayer’s customers are able to utilise the company’s team of experts through the use of the KM.ON app.
Maximilian Kürig, the company’s CEO alongside Antonia Gottschalk, says: “This new venture should develop efficient digital solutions quickly and flexibly for the benefit of our customers. Digital solutions are expanding the possibilities of considerably improving the efficiency of our customers’ production processes and giving them unparalleled competitive advantages.”
