Mayer & Cie.: machine study for weft knitting

Mayer & Cie.: machine study for weft knitting

The knitting machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. GmbH & Co. KG, Albstadt/Germany, is taking a fresh look at a proven procedure, weft knitting, and combining it with circular knitting. At the ITMA in June 2019 in Barcelona/Spain, a weft knit machine study demonstrated a new technique of manufacturing textile fabrics.
The most striking difference between a conventional circular knitting machine and the Weftnit 3.2 is the needles it uses. In the past, all Mayer circular knitting machines used latch needles; the Weftnit 3.2 relies on bearded needles. This has several advantages for the user. As the head of a bearded needle is thinner than that of a latch needle, stitch formation is especially gentle. This effect is enhanced if the stitch forming is based on the weft knitting principle using only 2 steps and requiring a lower yarn tension than circular knitting does. Bearded needles can be expected to have a longer service life – an effect that will be reflected in production costs.