Tulip nets bring joy to life but can also protect it.
After becoming unusable in agriculture, they are now being used in the war in Ukraine for drone defense. This application has proven highly successful, as the fine net textiles are extremely strong and durable. They are usually produced from polyethylene tapes on RS 2 EL Raschel machines and used mechanically by agricultural vehicles. As a result, this warp-knitted net solution guarantees high yields.
Efficiency in the Harvesting Process
Tulip bulbs are cultivated in Holland, along with the flowers themselves, which are typical of the country. Planted in the ground in late autumn, the bulbs produce blossoms the following spring, which are cut shortly after blooming. By separating them from the stem, the plants focus all their energy on forming daughter bulbs. In mid-July, the bulbs are harvested - up to 100 per square metre - and nets are used to do this efficiently.
The grid-like fabrics cover the onions below and above over the entire field.
For harvesting, the two layers are pulled from the ground together by machine and rolled up separately. When separated, the bulbs roll into the machine’s harvesting basket as if opening a bag.
If the nets become useless in agriculture - for example, after being damaged by rodents - they are far from obsolete. They are in demand on the front lines in Ukraine, as they help protect against drone attacks.
Effectiveness in Drone Defense
Drones pose one of the greatest threats to soldiers and civilians in the war in Ukraine. To defend against them, long stretches of road in contested areas are covered with lightweight tulip nets. Given recent advancements in drone technology, the use of these agricultural textiles as a protective solution is highly effective. While drone control was previously disrupted using jamming devices, modern drones now feature thin fiberglass cables, ensuring secure and interference-free data transmission. However, kamikaze drones become entangled in the nets and are effectively neutralized.
Production with Maximum Output and Quality
The RS 2 EL is ideal for producing these versatile nets with maximum efficiency and quality. The robust, open structured warp-knitted fabrics are produced at a gauge of E 6, with a threading of 1 in – 2 out, and a stitch density of 1.5 to 1.8 stitches/cm. The working width is 226". Polyethylene is processed as film, cut into tapes by an integrated ISO unit, stretched, then fed into the warp knitting unit in an inline process. It is then processed as a pillar stitch (approx. 1.7 to 2 mm tape wide and 25 to 30 µm tape thick) and as a weft-inlay (approx. 1.0 to 1.5 mm tape wide and 25 to 30 µm tape thick). Three panels are produced per machine, each wound onto rolls up to 800 mm in diameter.
In addition to tulip nets, round bale and pallet nets are also part of the RS 2 EL Raschel machine's product portfolio.
Thanks to its versatility, efficiency, reliability, and ease of operation, the KARL MAYER netting machine has earned a strong reputation among agricultural textile manufacturers.