The TM Weft. © Karl Mayer

Karl Mayer is transferring its successful two product line strategy to its Technical Textiles Business Unit and is supplementing its premium weft-insertion machine with a standard model.

In addition to the Wefttronic II HKS, there will also be a TM Weft in future. This new warp knitting machine with weft-insertion facility bears all the hallmarks of the high-end version in terms of its quality and reliability, but its optimised cost:benefit ratio targets a different market, according to the manufacturer.

This new machine is from Asia for Asia. “Our target market is China and the mid-range segment in particular,” explained Hagen Lotzmann, the Sales Manager of Karl Mayer Technische Textilien. To score points here, the TM Weft delivers a 50% higher cost:benefit ratio than the Wefttronic II HKS. The considerable increase in speed has been achieved by completely redeveloping the machine and modifying the production logistics.

The engineering know-how and the core areas of expertise for the TM Weft are being provided by locations in Germany, and all the other work is being done by Karl Mayer (China). This has led to a high quality and operating reliability, and also delivers an attractive performance package for producers of standard goods for the interlining market, the company reports.

“With its fine gauge, the Wefttronic II HKS is still the number one machine for producing fine interlinings and high-quality automotive textiles, for use in e.g. sun protection.”

Customised technical features

The TM Weft is available in a gauge of E 24 and a working width of 247", which can be reduced by 62". Its features include two stitch-forming ground guide bars, the Kamcos2 Single Speed and integrated Laserstop facility for the early detection of yarn breakages. Up to 24 wefts can be inserted at the same time during production.

The yarn is delivered from a creel with yarn storage feeders. An electronically controlled, 4-roller system is responsible for fabric take-down, and the fabric is wound by stand-alone batching unit no. 64. It has friction drive, with control in line with the stitches.

Sales release

The TM Weft was announced at ITMA Asia + CITME 2018 in Shanghai and proved to be a hot topic of conversation. “Our customers are extremely interested in our new weft-insertion warp knitting machine, and are already looking forward to the official market release,” said Hagen Lotzmann. Mr Lotzmann is expecting that the first orders for this standard model will be placed this year.

www.karlmayer.com