As textile manufacturers navigate economic uncertainties, investing in targeted upgrades rather than costly new machinery has become an attractive alternative. Karl Mayer now offers an electrical retrofit for its customers in the technical textiles sector, ensuring that older multiaxial and warp knitting machines with weft insertion meet modern control and drive technology standards, significantly reducing production risks.

"Many machines operate continuously for several shifts, seven days a week. While the mechanical components often remain in good condition, electrical systems become outdated due to generational changes. Breakdowns caused by outdated electrics lead to costly downtime, but our electrical retrofit helps prevent this," explains Falk Preibisch from the Care Solutions Team at Karl Mayer Technische Textilien.

Short conversion times

Customers opting for the retrofit receive a new control cabinet with an advanced user interface and the latest Karl Mayer control technology. The package also includes all necessary components for removing old motors and installing new cabling. The conversion process takes approximately two weeks for warp knitting machines with weft insertion and three weeks for multiaxial warp knitting machines, requiring one or two service technicians. This efficient upgrade significantly enhances machine performance with minimal downtime.

Standardised operation and improved serviceability

The retrofit provides customers with the familiar, modern interface of Karl Mayer’s latest machines, ensuring ergonomic, intuitive functionality. Operators can easily navigate the system regardless of the machine’s production year. Additionally, service and maintenance are streamlined, as spare parts are guaranteed to be available for the long term, unlike for older systems. The upgrade also enables machine networking for enhanced operational efficiency.

A proven solution

This upgrade is particularly recommended for machines manufactured from 2000 onwards, allowing manufacturers to modernise their production with minimal cost and environmental impact by avoiding machine disposal. Since its introduction in 2016, approximately 55 electronic retrofits have been implemented, predominantly for machines in operation for 15 to 25 years.

"The electrical retrofit is selling very well," says Falk Preibisch, highlighting the increasing demand for this upgrade. For further information or inquiries, he can be contacted at [email protected].

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