Karl Mayer displays products for technical textiles sector

This textile machinery builder, which is based in Obertshausen, was exhibiting as an expert technical partner in the development of innovative products and wanted its visitors to actually experience this – as they lingered for a while in room elements made from warp-knitted, sound-absorbing spacer textiles or when examining stretch shading textiles which adapt dynamically to suit the light conditions.

Warp-knitted spacer textiles – a new chapter in the perennial story

The acoustic spacer textiles reduced noise levels considerably. They contained light strips and diodes, and were shaped to create futuristic room structures – a textile solution for reducing noise levels, which made many manufacturers curious, including many who were not already customers of KARL MAYER.

The product manager, Michael Kieren, had many conversations with manufacturers of building shells, engineering firms and universities, and discussed the many possible uses of 3D warp-knitted textiles.

“Our concept for using functional 3D warp-knitted textiles in applications other than their normal use as padding/cushioning impressed the visitors to our stand,” was the assessment of this textile expert. “We were able to discuss projects with some manufacturers, for whom we are likely to act as networkers and consultants in future.” Ideas for taking the use of spacer textiles even further as insulating materials were also discussed in detail.

With their enormous functional potential, spacer textiles were one of the focal points of interest for visitors to the fair, who found plenty of information on this subject on KARL MAYER’s stand. This textile machinery producer builds high-speed, double-bar raschel machines for producing spacer textiles and is also experienced in the field of textile development.

Warp-knitted textiles are as diverse as their end-uses

Many in-depth discussions were also held on the large number of two-dimensional textiles produced on KARL MAYER’s tricot and raschel machines. The visitors were on the look out for fabrics for use in functional clothing or seat covers, as well as for textiles for use in shading applications, privacy screens, the medical sector and car interiors – to mention just a few of the applications discussed.

The enquiries demonstrated a high level of technical expertise. Furthermore, a great many enquiries came from visitors who had had no connection with KARL MAYER until then. The textile developer, Rainer Baier, estimated that 60% of the discussions held were with new contacts. A great pioneering spirit and a feeling of optimism could be detected in the conversations.

“Everyone is looking for something special, for the right level of know-how and the right technical solution for their own particular requirements,” explained Rainer Baier. There are many new ideas that are just waiting for the right warp-knitted textile to come along – and many of them have already been put into practice.