Designers and technologists at Karl Mayer have come up with some exciting new performance sportswear garments produced on the company’s RSJ 5/1 Rascheltronic machine, which use so called ‘body mapping’ techniques to impart functional zones in the garments. The company says that as the fitness trend continues unabated, it goes hand in hand with the attempts of textile specialists to develop new products to improve exercising and training performance.

According to Karl Mayer, the warp knitting process is particularly suitable for manufacturing functional sportswear and its high-speed tricot machines, which are fast and flexible, have become firm favourites in the sector. The company’s high-tech machines can produce a variety of tricot fabrics and have now been complemented by the addition of the Rascheltronic machine for producing sportswear. The high speed raschel machine uses Karl Mayer’s highly successful piezo jacquard system and Kamcos computerised machine control to allow needle selection for advanced patterning potential.

The RSJ 5/1 EL raschel machine was launched at ITMA 2007 and according to Karl Mayer has been extremely successful, especially in the underwear sector. The styles that this machine can produce, which have been designed by Karl Mayer’s Development Department, range from patterned foundation wear, through stretch and non-stretch lingerie, to tulle fabrics.

Karl Mayer says the special features of the RSJ 5/1 EL are that it can produce individually contoured areas in specific locations to suit the final end-use, as well as zones with specific structures. Different stitch densities can also be introduced to produce different levels of stretch. Karl Mayer adds that these design options are an absolute ‘must’ when developing sports textiles and the sports shirt on the right illustrates how these possibilities can be utilised.

The front part features a sporty, ribbed construction with different mesh zones extending in long arcs from the under the arms and across the chest. The mesh constructions, which alternate between having long, narrow openings and variable openings, provide customised breathability. The openings in the fabric are filled-in with a hatched, filigree pattern made from polyamide yarn and the result is a stable, non-stretch fabric, which transports moisture and ensures that the air can circulate freely. It also feels pleasantly soft and looks good when worn for playing sport, the company says.

“This perfect combination of dynamic design and function is continued in the construction used for the back. The entire upper section worn next to the body and the side sections, provide good ventilation thanks to their mesh construction, whereas the dense ribbed construction in the lower part produces an eye-catching effect. The design on the chest shows how the patterning facilities of the RSJ 5/1 EL can be used to produce logos and lettering,” says Karl Mayer.

Download RSJ 5/1 EL brochure

Download KAMCOS brochure