German warp knitting machinery maker KARL MAYER has launched an extra-wide version of its HKS 3-M EL tricot machine, widening the working format to 330 inches, expandable to 340 inches, as it targets faster output for sportswear and technical textile producers worldwide.
The new model pairs the wider format with a production speed of up to 2,800 revolutions per minute, a combination KARL MAYER says sets a new performance benchmark for machines of this size. In the 340-inch configuration, the company describes the HKS 3-M EL as the most productive machine available in its class.
“With the HKS 3-M EL in 340 inches, we offer the most productive machine in this configuration on the market,” said Michael Ahrendt, Global Head of Performance Fabrics at KARL MAYER, in a statement announcing the launch.
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The three-bar tricot machine serves fashion and apparel, home textile, and technical textile manufacturers, with particular strength in sports, active, and athleisure wear. It is well suited to producing soft, warm outdoor fabrics, including brushed or napped fleece used in softshell applications, and is also compatible with sustainable yarns, giving brands more room to innovate.
KARL MAYER highlighted the machine’s energy-efficient technologies, intelligent automation features, and low maintenance requirements, saying the combination is designed to help manufacturers shorten development cycles and respond more quickly to shifting market trends.
The HKS 3-M EL is available in gauges E28 and E32, with four batching device options for added configuration flexibility. Guide bar control runs through the company’s EL pattern drive for precise, efficient pattern changes, while a Multi-Speed feature adds a further layer of production flexibility for operators.
Markus Otte, Senior Expert in Textile Development at the KARL MAYER Textile Innovation Center, is available to answer questions on the machine’s pattern design capabilities.