issued: Febr. 2006

The new ML 35 C multibar raschel machine was launched onto the market in autumn 2005, and since then the product developers and designers at KARL MAYER have been hard at work, experimenting in particular with the possibilities of incorporating functional zones into a ground which features a wide variety of different designs. This poses a real challenge for the design, and meeting this challenge requires state of the art production technology, which is precisely what the ML 35 C has to offer.

This new multibar raschel machine can be equipped with multiple yarn guides on the strings, corresponding to the technical draft. These have been specially designed, and can carry out specific functions, such as processing elastane yarns within defined zones, for example. The multiple yarn guides can be positioned just as easily on the string as standard yarn guides. They are available in machine gauges of E 24 and E 28, can carry up to 28 elastane yarns, and can operate with elastane having different counts. The shog distances covered are much greater than the paths of multiple yarn guides so far, which enables a product having defined, high-stretch zones to be produced. The width and elastic power of the individual stretch zones can be altered to suit the intended end-use. The functions can also be varied by arranging several power stripes next to each other, choosing different yarn materials, and by the design of the final product. A wide variety of ground constructions can be worked using the three stitch-forming ground guide bars in front and up to three weft-laying ground guide bars behind the string bars. Everything is possible – from dense, two-stitch tulle to transparent powernet. The accompanying illustration shows an example of this. The powernet fabric from KARL MAYER was produced using elastane of 235 dtex, and features 1-cm-wide elastane stripes produced with yarn having a count of 280 dtex. This arrangement is designed to model and shape specific areas of the body – it can turn underwear into a virtual ‘body builder’ and can provide stability to muscles and joints during sporting activities. Textile support for extreme situations! A high degree of elasticity in the right places guarantees a perfect fit, prevents muscle vibration which can cause extreme fatigue, thus conserving energy, increases stamina, and makes movements more precise. The possibility of placing power zones in specific areas avoids having to use uncomfortable seams and reduces making-up time.

In addition to its design advantages, with a speed of 600 rpm, the new ML 35 C is extremely efficient; it is also ergonomically designed and offers top quality features. This new multibar raschel machine is equipped with all of KARL MAYER’s latest innovations, including the individual motor-driven patterning system developed for the new generation of lace machines, which guarantees maximum performance, and the KARL MAYER Command System for managing all the machine’s computer facilities. All in all, it represents a giant leap forward into the future of production technology for manufacturing intelligent textiles!