Mayer & Cie. is to demonstrate maximum striping performance with its S4-3.2 R single jersey striping machine at ITMA Asia + CITME 2010, which takes place in Shanghai from 22-26 June.

The German company’s latest circular knitting machine has 108 feeders with a cylinder diameter of 34 inches and Mayer says that the machine is innovative in that up to 3 colours can be knit per feeder over all 108 feeders or alternatively, up to 6 colours over 54 feeders. The company expects this to open up a whole range of completely new options for achieving maximum productivity when manufacturing superior-quality fashionable striped fabric.

Mayer says the new S4-3.2 R is extremely flexible in this respect and with 3.2 feeders per inch, single jersey fabrics can be manufactured with or without 3-coloured striping, or with 6-coloured striping using 1.6 feeders per inch. Simply replacing the striping non-knit feeders with knitting feeders makes 3.2 feeders per inch available for structures with up to 4 needle tracks, with or without elastomer plating. The rapid ‘Quick-Change’ gauge conversion is also said to offer greater flexibility as the new system dispenses with the need to remove the stripers, facilitating gauge conversion and reducing conversion times.

At a diameter of 34 inches, the S4-3.2 R reaches a rotational speed of up to 20rpm in striping mode and thanks to Mayer’s ‘Speed up’ function this allows the speed to be increased up to 31rpm in the sections without striping via patterning control.

S4 single jersey in E44

Another new Mayer innovation is the introduction of a fine gauge S4 single jersey machine in gauge E44. With 3.2 feeders per inch, Mayer says the S4-3.2 II is capable of manufacturing knitted silk effects at high production rates with this gauge and special unfolding frames prevent marks caused by squeezed edges.

“The S4-3.2 II embodies everything necessary for superior knitting quality in single jersey in 2 and 4 needle structures and single jersey plating. Up to 4 needle types for each of 3 needle positions expand the structure range. It covers all common weights in the clothing sector. Versatility is complemented by a high output assured by 3.2 feeders per inch and a high rotational speed,” a Mayer & Cie. spokesperson said.

The new S4-3.2 II is also equipped with Mayer’s ‘Quick-Change’ for rapid gauge conversion and a mounting frame is no longer required for gauge conversion, as is the case with all S4 machines. Both machines will be presented at ITMA Asia + CITM in cylinder diameter of 34 inches and will be fitted with 108 feeders.