The phenomenon of the digitalisation and networking of the entire value added chain, known as Industry 4.0, is gaining importance in the textiles industry. Following the trend, H. Stoll AG & Co. KG, a leading manufacturer of flat knitting machines based in Reutlingen, Germany, will present an innovative software tool for networking of large machinery plants at the ITMA 2015 textile machinery show next week in Milan.

“Rummaging through any closet is certain to turn up some kind of knitwear: pullovers for winter, leggings for spring, summer dresses or a vest for autumn. Meanwhile, knitting processes are also used for the manufacture of technical textiles, such as seat covers, industrial filters and medical bandages,” the German company says.

“But diversity in the manufacturing process and short-lived fashion trends – instead of two collections per year, as in the past, it is now not unusual to have ten or more – are increasingly putting pressure on the knitting mills: the intervals at which their machine parks have to be reprogrammed and reconfigured are becoming even shorter.”

In the future, Stoll says, this will be performed by its Production Planning System (PPS). According to the company, the software is the first system to completely network the production control of a knitting plant; it collects various production, machine and process data at a central control station. From there, it is possible to individually monitor, control and configure each machine with a separate knitting job order, such as the manufacture of a pullover, skirt or seat cover. The system also provides information with details on which order is currently being knitted and when it is expected to be completed.

According to CEO Andreas Schellhammer, the goal of the long-established machine manufacturer – established in 1873 and an active member of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association – in developing the PPS was to provide knitting mills with a tool that completely visualises the digital chain from the knitting job order through to completion of the product, in order to increase capacities, productivity and therefore profitability.

According to information provided by the company, the pilot phase has shown that the PPS can boost productivity by around 10%. The reason: networking of the machines not only allows knitting mills to process orders faster and more frequently, but also to profitably manufacture small batch sizes, as a result of simplification of the machine operation.

Dipl.-Ing. Andreas Schellhammer (47) joined the company H. Stoll AG & Co. KG in 2013 as a member of the general management responsible for development and production. Since July 2015 Mr. Schellhammer has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Having started his career as a qualified mechanical engineer in the automotive industry he has a long-term experience regarding product development and production processes.

H. Stoll AG & Co. KG is a renowned global player in the manufacture of flat knitting machines with headquarters in Reutlingen (Baden-Württemberg, Germany). The long-established firm was established in 1873 and employs about 850 people worldwide.

The portfolio of the “Stoll” brand includes flat knitting machines and pattern software that is used for the manufacture of fashion, technical and medical textiles. The company delivers to 70 countries around the world. With subsidiaries, sales & service centres and numerous agencies, Stoll offers a comprehensive service program. Many knit trends would not be possible without Stoll’s innovative technological developments and ultra-modern production methods. These trends are supported by the company’s own Stoll Capsule Collection.

www.stoll.com