The technical highlight at the show was the OVJA 1.1 TTRB, a fully electronic 3-way full jacquard machine with stripes, transfer and welt on both faces. This is a machine capable of producing whatever the world of fashion demands, with a degree of automation which not only makes it extremely flexible but also permits high-speed resetting for new applications.

BASICLine extended to cover double jersey sector.

The Asian knitting community was particularly eager for a glimpse of the new D4-2.2 double jersey machine from the Mayer & Cie. BASIC Line series. After the first single jersey machine launched by Mayer & Cie. under its BASIC Line banner at the Shanghai-Tex caused something of a stir back in the spring, the newly launched first double jersey model met with a similar degree of interest. BASIC Line circular knitting machines from Mayer & Cie. are high-performance economy models operating to an extremely efficient standard, and are designed to make Mayer & Cie. performance accessible to a broad range of knitting factories working in widely differing circumstances.

The D4-2.2 double jersey machine unveiled for the first time at the ITMA Asia offers many of those benefits which have come to be synonymous with Mayer circular knitting machines. Absolutely positive needle guidance in every position with gentle deflection in the cam helps take the strain off the needles and ensures optimum stitch precision even at high output rates. Needle guidance is smooth and reliable, ensuring a substantially longer needle life expectancy.

Operation is simplified by central stitch length setting and the exchange of whole segments when changing to different constructions. Changes of gauge are made fast and simple with the aid of Quick-Change.

Cams made of Perunal – a highly dimensionally stable material with good heat conduction properties derived from the aerospace industry – are also a standard feature of BASIC Line series machines.

To ensure trouble free application of even the most up-to-date synthetic yarns, the D4-2-2 is naturally also equipped with high-precision Mayer & Cie. ceramic yarn feeders.

The D4-2-2 is ideal when it comes to producing all types of plain interlock fabrics and interlock structures including 1:1 rib and rib structures on both a polyester and a cotton basis. The machine makes easy work of elastomer plating in line with the customary high Mayer & Cie. quality standard. The D4-2.2 achieves its impressive output from 2.2 feeders per inch (64 feeders with 30“ diameter) at speeds of up to 1.49 m/sec. (37 rpm with 30“).

With this new model and the S4-3.2 single jersey machine also featured at the ITMA Asia, the Mayer & Cie. management is quietly confident of achieving resounding future sales success in many of the market segments previously off-limits to Mayer & Cie.. A post-show analysis of the ITMA provides impressive confirmation that this optimism is well placed.

Up to 10 colour stripes – impressive, reliable.

Everyone who works with a Relanit machine will confirm the outstanding convenience of a clear view and easy access to the knitting head – particularly for striping. The Relanit 1.6 R proved a highly popular attraction for visitors throughout the show in Singapore. The Relanit is capable of reliable, top-quality 5 colour striping over every feeder or 10 colour striping over 2 feeders with the aid of Mayer & Cie.’s special 5-colour striping attachment. At the same time, programming of stripe widths and numbers is substantially simplified through use of Mayer & Cie.’s upgraded version 2.0 pattern repeat software. MCT has registered its newly developed 2-feeder 10-colour striping attachment as a patent.

Amid all the enthusiasm for these comprehensive new striping possibilities, it is important not to lose sight of the other special benefits supplied by Relanit technology. By halving the number of deflection points during the knitting process, yarn tension is reduced to a degree where only a fraction of the customary number of yarn breakages occurs. The Relanit concept also totally banishes oily lint from the area of the fabric tube. Fewer faults in the fabric equal lower yarn consumption and reduced machine standstill times – all features which add up to create a major economic benefit in face of increasingly tough price competition.

Machine Data Acquisition (MDA)

The use of MDA renders a knitting factory more transparent, and also permits more reliable control of productivity. Mayer & Cie. provided a hands-on practical demonstration of MDA at the ITMA Asia, interlinking all of the exhibited machines in a network. The latest MDA-web version demonstrated at the show opens up all the possibilities afforded by the use of Intranet and Internet for international data transfer. MDA-web runs on all commonly used Internet Explorer installations or Netscape, making it instantly accessible without the need for special software.

Another interesting aspect of the Mayer & Cie. exhibition for visitors was the use of the high-speed interface RJ 45 instead of conventional RS 232 interfaces. These faster interfaces are already available as an optional extra on all Mayer & Cie. machines. MDA is synonymous with performance control and production planning. All elements permitting electronic surveillance can be monitored and corrected from the PC. Errors are read out complete with an indication of the root cause, and passwords can be used to restrict or prevent access. Not only is the knitting factory manager able to monitor the entire factory on screen using MDA-web, but can also keep an eye on specific machines in any producing location around the world, and even intervene or transmit software. Pattern data generated in one location can be deployed instantaneously at any other site around the world. This facility opens up enormous untapped scope for rationalization and time savings.

Older Mayer & Cie. machines can be retrofitted to work with MDA-web. This also applies to other makes of machine – albeit with restricted error analysis and pattern data transmission functionality.

With its MDA-web, at the ITMA Asia in Singapore Mayer & Cie. provided impressive proof that its outstanding competence also extends to the electronic control sector including software solutions. All the relevant components are ideally coordinated to provide the same no-compromise perfection and optimum fit you would expect from a custom-tailored suit.