During the period from July 2 – 14, 2006, sales representatives and agents from North, Central and South America as well as Asia were hosted at Mayer & Cie.’s headquarters in Albstadt in Southern Germany. Alongside a broad selection of workshops on wide-ranging marketing topics, on future planning and naturally also to discuss next year’s ITMA 2007 in Munich, subjects such as “new products” and “product training events” featured prominently on the agenda.
One particular area of focus was the new machine series BASICLine, which opens Mayer & Cie. performance up to a wider circle of customers. This machine series is designed to provide high productivity without compromising flexibility. Precisely aimed at their own specific fields of application and produced in series, all BASICLine machines have one important factor in common: an extremely attractive price tag. As a result, this machine series has broken into a new lower pricing bracket, so opening up large sections of the market which were previously excluded from enjoying the benefits of Mayer & Cie. technology. Despite their modest price tag, these are genuine Mayer & Cie. machines with the same claim to top quality and high-tech engineering as the rest of the Mayer & Cie. product range.
The BASICLine series currently encompasses single jersey machine S4-3.2 and double jersey machine D4-2.2.
The BASICLine single jersey machine is the S4-3.2, which supplies everything required for top-quality single jersey knit goods production, both in 2 and 4 needle structures and single jersey plated. It covers the whole range of weights customary in the apparel sector and achieves the high output levels you would typically expect in a Mayer & Cie. machine with 1.4 m/sec, corresponding to 35 revolutions per minute with a 30” diameter. The S4-3.2 is offered in diameters of 30“ to 38“ and in gauges E18 to E32.
Versatility can often be an overriding requirement in circular knitting factories. Up to 4 needle types for 3 needle positions each offer a widely versatile construction spectrum, with facility for changeover to three-thread fleece adding even greater flexibility to the S4-3.2 repertoire.
The D4-2.2 has everything it takes to provide top knitted fabric quality for double jersey constructions – as well as for normal and elastomer plating. As standard, the D4-2.2 comes with cams for 2 needle types in the cylinder and dial cam. And for even greater flexibility, the machine can be extended to 4 needle tracks in the cylinder. When changing to a different knitted construction, complete segments can be replaced, partially eliminating the need for cam changes. Central stitch forming adjustment also simplifies operation and reduces setting times.
The D4-2.2 is offered in diameters from 30“ to 38“ and in gauges ranging from E18 to E28 and also E32. Its familiar Mayer & Cie. performance standard from 2.2 feeders per inch and a speed of 1.49 m/sec (37 rpm with 30”) is equally impressive.
The cylinder and dial are quickly and safely exchanged to produce different gauge ranges using the new MCT “Quick Change” system. The knitting head and sinker ring can be exchanged in just seconds without using any kind of auxiliary frame. Some of the agents responded to this claim with a degree of scepticism until they had been given the chance to test out for themselves at first hand just how quick and simple it is to change the gauge range with this new Quick-Change system for BASICLine.
Elastomer and synthetic yarns are currently right in vogue. To ensure trouble-free processing of even these ultra-modern synthetic yarns, both the machines are fitted as standard with high-precision Mayer & Cie. ceramic yarn feeders. To guarantee the crease-free takedown which is particularly important when using this type of modern yarn, a new open-width device was developed specifically for the machines of the BASICLine series, which prevents distortion and operates with the utmost precision and reliability.
The takedown, which uses a wrapping winder mechanism and MCT trapezoidal spreader, is designed for fabric bales of up to 480 mm in diameter. A fabric takedown for layering is offered as an optional extra.
Another focal highlight at the conference was the entire OVJA 1.6 family. This electronic jacquard machine series is one of the most successful circular knitting machines ever produced by Mayer & Cie., and offers users outstanding versatility with a wide range of equipment variants. It boasts universal application scope and is highly productive, as well as being simple to operate and reliable. Short resetting times as a result of electronic pattern resetting and externally adjustable cams turn set-up time into productive time. Positive needle guidance and diagonal stitch forming coupled with the ultimate in electronic individual needle selection reliability add up to high-volume production of the very best quality jacquard fabric.
Alongside the OVJA 1.6 E, the OVJA 1.6 ER (with striping attachment), the OVJA 1.6 ET (with transfer) and the OVJA 1.6 ETR are also on offer for even greater patterning versatility. All the machine variants can be supplied if required with the full three-way technique for patterning on both fabric faces.
Naturally enough, the OVJA 1.1 TTRB proved a particularly popular highlight at the conference. The capability of this high-tech machine covers just about the entire spectrum of what is technically feasible in the world of modern circular knitting. It comes with the typical Mayer & Cie. individual needle selection using the 3-way technique, both for cylinder and dial needle selection – which opens up amazing patterning variety for both fabric faces. With up to 10 colour striping – naturally also with elastomer plating – and transfer, this is a machine built to comply fully with the changing demands of the fashion industry.
The OVJA 1.1 TTRB knits fully fashioned articles with separating thread and welt, achieving absolute row precision in the transition from welt to fabric. This is made possible by automatically controlled motor-powered takedown systems. These have been proven to operate to a greater standard of precision than conventional force-driven takedown systems with their far more sluggish response.
The amazing patterning versatility of this machine provides outstanding productivity even for small production runs, with resetting times kept to a minimum. As in all Mayer & Cie. electronic machines, this is also guaranteed with the OVJA 1.1 TTRB. The needles are electronically selected in line with the pattern. Added to this is the benefit of automatic stitch length adjustment regulated by the pattern control system. This eliminates the possibility of manual setting errors, ensures job reproduction accuracy and decisively reduces setting times.
Although participants in the two seminars were required to attend a fully packed program, there was still time left over for social interaction and relaxation. This gave the guests from around the world the opportunity to become a little more closely acquainted with the local sights and customs, and to sample the regional cuisine. Aerial tours offered participants the opportunity to gain a birds-eye view of beautiful Swabian Alb mountain landscape which is home to Mayer & Cie.. A shooting range afforded budding sharpshooters the chance to show off their skills. As the conference coincided with the Football World Cup, a visit to one of Germany’s most attractive outdoor viewing spots in Stuttgart was a must.
After what was undeniably a strenuous but at the same time enjoyable and interesting week blessed by glorious weather, the agents from around the world took home with them more than just a wealth of new impressions: The “we feeling” which typifies the Mayer & Cie. family was further reinforced by the experience. Customers around the globe may look forward in the future to the assurance of even greater technical competence from a highly motivated team capable of identifying fully with customer needs and expectations. Because alongside top-grade machines for class A quality fabrics, maximum productivity and flexibility, the Mayer & Cie. sales organization places equal emphasis on sound advice, support and all-round customer service.
