New edition of the five-bar tricot machine
As of autumn 2017, a five-bar tricot machine will once again feature in KARL MAYER’s machine programme. This new machine is designated the COP 5 M-EL, which says a great deal about its origins. It is a “best of both” machine and is the result of combining the latest, most successful technical components and concepts developed by KARL MAYER with those of the former company, LIBA. The basic design of the COP 5 M-EL is the same as that of its predecessor, which was developed by KARL MAYER’s Naila-based competitor, which it subsequently took over. KARL MAYER has incorporated its tried-and-tested modules from its standard range, such as the EL control facility, the KAMCOS® 1 system and the batching unit. The working width of 186″ also corresponds to the current formats of the well established HKS models. The gauge is currently E 28, but a version having a gauge of E 20 will be available at the beginning of 2018. Several enquiries relating to the coarser version of the machine have already been made by the shoe fabric sector. But producers of sports goods, upholstery fabrics, automotive textiles, coating/backing substrates and apparel fabrics should also find the COP 5 M-EL extremely interesting. The electronic guide bar control facility makes the machine extremely flexible and the five guide bars also allow a large number of designs to be produced. For example, if the two guide bars at the rear of the knitting point are used to process elastane in conjunction with using an additional guide bar for the ground, two guide bars are now available for working the designs. These include, for example, multicoloured patterns worked using multicoloured threading arrangements. But attractive designs can also be worked from counter-notation patterns and partially threaded arrangements. Processing trials currently being carried out at KARL MAYER illustrate the design potential of the COP 5 M-EL. “We have developed and worked several lappings and patterns. Throughout all the tests, the machine was operating at a nominal speed and exhibited smooth and stable running characteristics,” said Rainer Kemper, Senior Manager Product Management, with some satisfaction. Samples are available to examine in the Patterns section of this issue, together with the technical details.
The maximum operating speed of the COP 5 M-EL is 1,200 min-1. Like all KARL MAYER’s products, this new, five-bar tricot machine is extremely ergonomic and of the highest quality. Its durability and reliability are also exceptional. Users will also benefit from all the technical support services provided by the company, such as training courses held by the KARL MAYER Academy, advice on technical matters and usage, and rapid service calls if required.