Warp knitting machine builder Karl Mayer says the current economic recovery is enabling many manufacturers to sleep soundly in their beds again and is also guaranteeing that the order books of mattress manufacturers are full. Producers of mattress covers in particular in China are said to be profiting from the willingness of the Chinese public to invest in new beds and bedding.

According to Karl Mayer, Chinese companies are catering for the growing domestic demand using highly efficient machine technology, such as its TM 2 tricot machine. The basic version of the HKS 2 can reach machine speeds of up to 2500 rpm and is said to offer impressive product quality, good flexibility and excellent ease of handling. Karl Mayer says that despite its impressive features, the TM 2 is not expensive and that a new machine could cost something like 25% less than an HKS 2.

The efficient TM 2 machine produces a relatively lightweight fabric with a smooth surface and a silky lustre for covering mattress. The fabric is said to fit around the base perfectly, without any slippage or straining. Karl Mayer says that the combination of the high degree of stability provided by the construction and the elasticity that is inherent to the technology, guarantees that the fabric sits securely. In general, the stitch arrangement gives the knitted fabric a certain degree of movement, so that the textile can follow the contours of the mattress surface as the sleeping person moves around, the Obertshausen company says. The inherent breathability of warp-knitted textiles is also beneficial to the climatic characteristics of the mattress.

In addition to the benefits offered by the durable knitted fabric produced on the TM 2 during use, Karl Mayer claims there are also advantages to be had during processing. “Unlike its competitor, woven fabric, the yarns are not damaged during the sewing process. This prevents faults occurring during stretching caused by the yarn systems sliding around,” the company says.

Karl Mayer says the appearance and handle of warp-knitted mattress covers can also be enhanced to make the bedding even more attractive. “Bright prints add a touch of colour under the sheets, and embossed or quilted surfaces, sometimes combined with nonwovens, ensure that the skin also ‘gets its money’s worth’ by being caressed and cosseted,” Karl Mayer says.

Karl Mayer says that all of these factors make the fabrics produced on the TM 2 extremely attractive to mattress manufacturers. The machine has become a real best-seller in the sector, with around 440 being delivered up to the end of this year, the majority of which have been shipped to China.