Innovations in the HKS sector
In the tricot machine sector KARL MAYER will be showing a stylish, energy-efficient and ergonomic HKS 2-SE and a HKS 4-M of the next generation which will be processing patterned sectional beams produced on the new DS Opto-EC.
During the trade fair the HKS 2-SE (Fig. 1) with a width of 130" and a gauge of E 36 will be producing an elastic locknit (charmeuse) for sportswear. This newcomer is the flagship that typifies all of KARL MAYER’s innovations in the tricot machine sector, including:
- A new, ergonomic machine design with a high-tech appearance; the look of the machine is unique and instantly recognizable.
- The Low Energy Option LEO (Fig. 2) - based on an improved interplay of drive technology, oil viscosity, heat-resistant machine components and operating temperature - reduces the energy consumption by up to 10% compared to similar, conventional models, which reduces costs and improves the sustainability of materials, thus, being a contribution to environmental protection
- An integrated camera system for complete fabric inspection provided as standard equipment, ensuring total coverage, i.e. 100% monitoring of the finished fabric; the monitoring zone now starts much closer to the knitting point. Defects can therefore be spotted much earlier, and the machine can be stopped sooner.
- An LED lighting system as standard in two colours: i.e. bright white for a clear view of the yarn sheet, the knitting elements and the fabric, as well as red, which is visible from some distance away, for signalling a machine stoppage in the event of a fault.
The HKS 4-M EL complements the four-bar high-speed tricot machine with N pattern drive which had already been presented to a wide audience at ShanghaiTex 2015. The speed of the EL version, same as that of the model with N drive, has been increased, so that it is up to 25% faster than its predecessor; at the same time it also offers the usual high level of flexibility. The EL configuration enables the patterns to be changed very quickly and easily by inputting data at the machine’s display unit. In this way, the machine can process even small batches efficiently, and can reduce the amount of time needed to develop new and innovative fabrics. Moreover, the EL feature opens up completely new design possibilities due to shog paths of 2" and almost unlimited repeat lengths. But this new machine does not occupy any pile option, since it is one of the seldom-selected types. The version with the pile mechanism, the HKS 4-M P, will continue to be included in the range.
During the machine show, the HKS 4-M EL will be producing a fabric for outerwear at a width of 180" and a gauge of E 28. It will be processing sectional warp beams (SWBs) with a sequence of colours in the warp to match the pattern (Fig. 3). The SWBs were produced on a newly developed warp preparation machine, the DS Opto-EC.
The DS Opto-EC as such will not be presented at ITMA only its products. This innovative direct warper for processing non-stretch yarns combines sectional and direct warping, thus, offering highest flexibility. Yarn warp for yarn warp, the winding guarantees a high level of efficiency when warping short warps for developing new products. At the same time, short runs, processing trials on expensive yarns, and patterned SWBs can be worked economically. Other advantages include cone warping with limited space requirements, since a minimum number of packages is needed. On the other hand, the DS Opto-EC can be used for the rapid warping of SWBs in the piece – which is especially useful with long running lengths. The DS Opto-EC also offers optimum quality and a resulting high level of efficiency during the subsequent processing stages.
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Fig. 1: Detail view of the HKS 2-SE
Fig. 2: Symbol on the machine providing an indication of the Low Energy Option
