The company is building machines for the production of a wide range of textiles and opens up additional end-use areas for the functional materials. Examples include the machines for the production of bi- and multiaxial ply structures. These textiles which have enormous strength are made from high-performance fibres such as carbon, glass or aramid and form the basis for fibre-reinforced composites.

The web structures, which are bonded by thermosetting or thermoplastic means, are used mainly in lightweight constructions, e.g. as car body parts and aircraft components, rotor blades for wind power plants, materials for sportsgoods, moving parts for machines, and also in the building sector. Here they are used as reinforcing components for textile-reinforced concrete, amongst other things.

In view of the rapid upward trend in the composites sector, and particularly because of the high growth rates in the wind power industry, KARL MAYER MALIMO has intensified development work in the MULTIAXIAL machine sector. The result is the highly innovative Maltronic® MULTIAXIAL, which was introduced to the market for the first time at the JEC in March.

In addition to the MULTIAXIAL machine, the RS 3 MSUS-V web raschel machine has proved to be a genuine bestseller. This machine with magazine-weft insertion turns high-performance yarns into grid structures or all-over warp-knitted fabrics and, if required, integrates nonwovens into the structure.

It does not matter whether basalt, polyester of polypropylene are used – the range of materials employed knows no limits. Even if thick, high-strength materials such as glass fibre rovings are used, reliable machine operation is ensured by the tuned interplay of robust drives and strong knitting elements. In addition the RS 3 MSUS-V also ensures gentle yarn treatment, high production rates and flexibility in configuring the stitch density.

Further highlights from KARL MAYER are web forming machines such as the MALIWATT, MALIVLIES, KUNIT and MULTIKNIT. The textile products manufactured by this high-performance technology are particularly well established in the automotive textile sector. Examples of their use are in hat racks, roof linings, seat covers and sub-upholstery materials, insulating materials, boot linings, and backings for adhesive tapes, where they offer a great deal of chic and comfort. In addition three-dimensional materials produced on KARL MAYER double-bar raschel machines are increasingly finding technical end-uses. The modern HighDistance® from KARL MAYER can today produce spacer fabrics with a thickness of up to 60 mm. The revolutionary features of these high-performance textiles are an end-contour-true shape and a workpiece-like character, which means that they can be used immediately after finishing.

Areas without spacer yarns can be used as well-defined flexing points or textile joints, for marking separating points, and for connecting areas of different thickness within the textile. By using different industrial yarns it is possible to utilize the characteristic features of the HighDistance® as required.

Another KARL MAYER specialist area is the production of nets. The innovative raschel machines produce agricultural, protective and shading nets, baling and pallet nets, and air-permeable packaging materials of all kinds, and set standards as regards productivity and quality. Using modern, high-production quality machines, KARL MAYER has become firmly established in the technical textiles market and is continuously achieving further growth potential.

However, KARL MAYER does not just have innovative machine technology in its locker just for direct textile production, but also for the processing of technical yarns during warp preparation. For example, the motor-driven Rot-O-Tens combines gentle yarn treatment with maximum quality and efficiency standards when high-performance technical yarns such as glass and aramid are employed. In addition the Multitens yarn tensioner – a high-tech product from the acquired Benninger weaving sector – is best suited for use in technical applications.

In the warping machine sector KARL MAYER has the Opt-O-Matic for the production of warp beams for technical applications. On the OOM the patented tape application system ensures uniform tape circumferences – even in the case of highly-sensitive yarns -  as a result of high warping rates and has become well established in such important sector as the automotive industry. All in all, therefore, KARL MAYER offers the technical textiles sector machines which combine decades of experience in the construction of textile machines with the results of constantly striving for innovation.

With its pioneering spirit, comprehensive know-how and a readiness to invest in new technology KARL MAYER today is paving the way as a trendsetter and is a   reliable partner to its customers.

Courtesy: KARL MAYER
Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH, Brühlstraße 25,
63179 Obertshausen, Germany.