Page 31 - TEXtalks International July/August 2022

30 New patterning dimensions

Cover Story with the HKS digital generation

HKS 3-M ON demonstrates maximum flexibility in warp-knitted fabric design

New patterning dimensions with HKS 3-M ON

With the HKS 3-M ON, KARL MAYER has initiated the for this. With regard to the design, KARL MAYER's
changeover of high-performance tricot machines to textile specialists opted for variants with
the digital generation. The subsequent patterning sophisticated crinkle looks. Articles with the
trials at the premises of the innovative world market crepe-like surfaces had already been successfully
leader confirmed the exceptional performance of the produced on an HKS 4-M EL in E 28. /1+2/ Now an
newcomer. The HKS 3-M ON works with lapping data HKS 3-M ON in E 32 was used, with the same
that can be purchased online via KARL MAYER's material. In GB 1 and GB 2, a wrapping yarn made of
WEBSHOP SPARE PARTS, and loaded immediately polyamide with elastane in the core was processed.
thanks to the machine's networking. This means that When relaxed, the two-component material gives rise
articles can be changed in a matter of seconds to distinct plastic surface structures. GB 3 produced
without mechanical intervention. The new HKS does the fabric ground and alternated between polyamide
not need any pattern discs, but achieves the high and polyester feed. When polyester was used,
working speeds typical of mechanical guide bar targeted cross-dyeing resulted in sophisticated
drives. The innovative machine thus contributes to two-tone coloration of the three-dimensional goods.
improving production performance. The relief effects are strongly pronounced due to the
use of two ground guide bars.
Article changeover made easy
In the first patterning projects, KARL MAYER's textile In addition to the look, the performance of the items
product developers produced conventional basic is right with the concise crinkle design. In clothing,
articles, such as marquisette and flag fabric. They they offer freedom of movement and a good fit due
used the standard repeat length of up to 36 stitch to their high elasticity. The three-dimensional
courses - an increase of 12 stitch courses compared structure also creates distances to the skin, which
with the HKS 3-M model with pattern disc drive. All ensures a high climatic wearing comfort.
patterns could be produced with maximum efficiency
and quality and changed quickly without any technical To be continued
effort. There was no need for any manual intervention. Encouraged by the results of their processing trials,
Simply load the required lappings for an article via KARL MAYER's textile product developers are
SwapKnit 36 or SwapKnit 36 Flat from the KM.ON implementing further pattern ideas. The focus here is
cloud and production could start, with optimized on the fabric ground. "We want to make the ground
machine data for maximum operating speeds. structure more varied, for example, combining open
and dense areas to achieve openwork looks," says
Subsequent trials produced patterns with repeats of Jürgen Wohlrab, product developer for textile
more than 36 stitch courses. The web-based technology at KARL MAYER. „Kettenwirk-Praxis“ will
software k.innovation CORE from KM.ON was used continue to report.

July/August 2022