Glass knitting machines and machines for knitting World Cup winning kits and football boots... ITMA ASIA + CITME will have it all this year. The leading textile machinery show opens in less than two weeks and looks set to be a real cracker from a knitting technology point of view.

Knitting machine made from glass

On Knitting Industry this week in Groz-Beckert to show its strengths on glass knitting machine in Shanghai we hear how the Groz-Beckert Knitting division will demonstrate how its products work together with the highest precision using a large circular knitting machine made from acrylic glass. According to the company, its glass machine is a real eye-catcher that will help provide some insights into the perfectly coordinated interplay of needles, system parts and cylinder.

Meanwhile, the world’s best circular knitting machine builders, warp knitting machine builders and socks knitting machine builders will all be showing machines that produce the kit for players and fans at this month’s World Cup in Brazil.

Warp knitting

Germany’s Karl Mayer, which sells a lot of machines into the sportswear sector, for example will be showing some new warp knit developments. For the tricot machine sector it will be showing a new development of its HKS series as well as a LIBA machine type COP 2 K+E. In addition to the machinery exhibits, visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about the patterning possibilities offered by the EL control system on tricot machines. Read more at  Karl Mayer to showcase new lace and tricot developments at ITMA ASIA + CITME.

Circular knitting

In circular knitting Germany’s Terrot, which recently took over Italian rival Pilotelli, will focus on jacquards and you can read the full story at Jacquard focus for Terrot at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2014. The company will show two machines, both of which are relevant to sportswear markets. German competitor Mayer & Cie will doubtless have its own sportswear relevant offer at the show, as will the numerous Chinese machine builders.

Seamless knitting

In Santoni to show four machine ranges with new models in Shanghai we learn that the Italian group, owner of the Santoni seamless knitting machine brand, will be showcasing its four ranges of circular knitting machines under the Ever in Knit theme – machines for seamless, circular knitwear, large diameter circular and socks knitting will be on show.

The company believes it is crucial for brands and factories in the textile industry to develop new solutions in order to meet the requirements for high productivity and is offering its Ever in Knit concept to show the importance of stimulating the growth of the knitting industry.

Socks knitting

Leading socks and hosiery machine builder Lonati will share a booth with Santoni and showcase its latest machinery developments. See Sales of closed toe sock machines continue to drive Lonati for a taste of what’s in store at Lonati.

Flat knitting

But it’s the flat knitting machine builders that are the ones to watch if you want World Cup action. Nike’s flat knitted Flyknit running shoes are so cool that the company has taken the technology into other sports including basketball and of course football (soccer).

In fact Nike’s latest Flyknit based Magista and Mercurial boots are being promoted by stars such as Brazil's Neymar, Portugal’s Christiano Ronaldo, Spain’s Andres Iniesta and Germany’s Mario Goetze. So there’s a very good chance that the winning goal in the World Cup could be scored by a player wearing boots with a flat knitted upper. 

Nike Football: Winner Stays On...

Both of the world’s leading flat knitting machine builders, Stoll and Shima Seiki, will be showing large ranges of highly versatile machines including those capable of producing integrally knitted footwear uppers. See Latest Shima Seiki innovations go on show in Shanghai and Rock Your World with Stoll at ITMA Asia + CITME for more details. At recent textile machinery shows many machine builders have shown machines which are capable of knitting footwear of one kind or another.

At Shima Seiki watch out for its new SRY inlay machine in the Expansion Zone of the company’s exhibit. The new SRY machine offers full control over pressdown of individual loops for unprecedented capability in flechage and inlay patterns, opening doors to new possibilities in knit fashion as well as technical textiles. A new updated version of Shima Seiki’s SIP flatbed inkjet printing machine will also be on display to demonstrate the effectiveness of added-value to knitwear.

At Stoll watch out for the company’s CMS ADF3 technology and its technical textiles display. “The area of Technical Textiles will be coming to the public with many new developments in a spectacular presentation,” Stoll tells us. “A visit to the ITMA Asia + CITME 2014 is worthwhile for anyone who is interested,” the company said.

While we are on the subject of the World Cup, take a look at World Cup boosts Bangladesh garment industry by at least US$ 500 million on Knitting Industry and read about how Bangladesh's garment manufacturers have bagged at least $500 million in export orders to sew World Cup jerseys for fans across the globe in a major industry boost.

Other knitting technology highlights

Other knitting technology highlights to watch out for in Shanghai are the VDMA’s:  

• Energy efficiency focus for German technology at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2014
• LGL Electronics to show range of advanced electronic yarn feeders at ITMA Asia + CITME
• BTSR’s Game changing yarn storage feeding technology?

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