German weft insertion warp knitting machine builder Karl Mayer Malimo has launched the RS MSU S, the first of a new generation of Weftronic machines which offer increased width and performance on a new machine platform. Fabrics widths of up to 6.8 metres can now be produced at a considerably higher square metre production rates.

Karl Mayer Malimo’s development work has continued to focus on weft-insertion warp knitting machines and following the improvements made to the HKS MSU S high-speed tricot machines with parallel weft insertion at the end of last year, the completely revamped Weftronic* machine platform was recently unveiled. The concept which is said to be totally new, is now being systematically implemented on every weft-insertion warp knitting machine. An RS MSU S warp knitting machine with parallel weft insertion was the first to get the new make-over and was recently shown at Karl Mayer (China) Ltd. in Wujin in the run up to the ITMA ASIA+CITME exhibition.

The high-tech production machine was demonstrating its capabilities to an audience of mainly Chinese visitors during the machine presentation in Wujin and is said to have impressed them with a level of efficiency that is unparalleled anywhere in the world. The working width of the new Weftronic* is 600 mm wider than its predecessor, although the speed is the same. Increasing the width to 268 inches means that fabrics having widths of up to 6.8M can now be produced at a considerably higher square metre production rate.

Karl Mayer says the technical principles behind the increase in performance are a number of innovations that are all harmonised with each other, one of which is the all-important weft insertion system, which has been fundamentally re-engineered. A much improved weft chain has been fitted on both sides of the unit that forms the heart of the machine, the company says. This comprises the transfer station, the yarn-laying carriage and the yarn take-off device from the creel. In addition, Karl Mayer claims its mode of operation has also been improved using sophisticated technology.

In addition to improving the machine’s efficiency, user friendliness was also at the centre of the further development work. Karl Mayer says the design of the new Weftronic* allows easy access to all the main components and assembly is simplified by dividing up the entire machine into component groups that are all harmonised with each other. Rapid integration into the manufacturing process is said to save assembly costs and reduces the payback period.

The Weftronic*, with all its new technical features will be available as of the ITMA ASIA+CITME 2010 exhibition at the end of June this year. Another model with a working width of 138 inches will also be ready by the end of the year on the same machine platform and with even more improved features, the machine will be available to view for the first time at the ITMA 2011 exhibition in Barcelona.

Karl Mayer Malimo expects there will be a high demand for its improved new generation of weft-insertion warp knitting machines. “The working width and productivity of our latest new development are unparalleled anywhere in the world. With this system, we will set new standards in terms of efficiency and applications, especially on the rapidly growing market of backing and coating substrates,” explained Axel Wintermeyer, head of sales at Karl Mayer Malimo.

* An application has been made to register this tradename