Asia’s largest international textile machinery and accessories exhibition, which brought together Asian International Exhibition of Textile Machinery (ITMA Asia) and China International Textile Machinery Exhibition (CITME) for the first time, played host to 1,368 exhibitors from 30 countries in Shanghai recently. The 5-day show hosted more than 80,000 visitors, an increase of more than 150% from the previous ITMA Asia in 2005, with over 20% international buyers from 96 countries including China.
Whereas the South and Southeast Asian countries listed as the major players who came looking for new technology, India had the largest representation, followed by Japan, Korea and Thailand. Paolo Banfi, President of the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), reflecting on the Asian market, “This is the most important trade event for the global textile machinery industry as today Asia represents over 50% of the world demand with imports reaching a value of 8.6 billion Euros. China and India are its largest markets, with a share of 32%. These figures bear witness to the expectations of the participants for the success of the first edition of ITMA Asia & CITME held in Chinese territory.”
Germany, represented by VDMA, was the largest exhibiting country at the event, with 130 companies displaying their products and services. The country alone did business worth 1.85 billion Euros in 2007 in the region itself with China purchasing 1 billion Euro of machinery alone. In fact, there seems to be a growing consensus amongst most of the exhibitors that Chinese industry is currently into large scale restructuring and upgrading of its technology to face rising prices for primary materials, increase in production costs and falling western consumer markets. The most sought after machinery by the country has been for knitting and hosiery, followed by spinning and finishing technologies.
Gao Yong, President of CTMA observed, “The global textile industry is in a critical transitional period from traditional technologies to high-tech civilization. This massive display of technology has played a very important role in the promotion of the Asian and global textile industry.” In fact, most exhibitors felt that considering the slowdown witnessed by the apparel industry worldwide, the success of the combined event was a big confidence booster.
Energy saving was a prime issue for both participants and visitors at the event. Under present market conditions, cost of energy supply comes in third only to raw materials and capital costs. Therefore, all participating companies showed off solutions for reducing power and water consumption all along the textile chain. The technologies on display offered impressive energy savings and provided an answer to the rising energy costs. Atlas Copco, Picanol, Oerlikon Textile, SSM, and DyeTec were just a few names that showed energy efficient machinery for all functions of the complete textile manufacturing process.
The event also saw the organizers taking comprehensive measures to protect Intellectual Property Rights and to safeguard visitors and exhibitors against counterfeit or ‘copied’ technology. Maria Avery, Secretary General, CEMATEX, addressing the need to take urgent measures on this problem said, “Both ITMA and CITME have long-established and proud reputations as world class events where visitors can experience the best and latest technology, based on genuine, and thorough, R&D work by the leading manufacturers. To uphold this tradition, zero tolerance IPR measures were implemented to stamp out patent infringements.”
The success of the show at Shanghai has encouraged the organizers to celebrate the 60th year of ITMA when it is held in Barcelona in 2011. To commemorate this occasion, show organizer CEMATEX and the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers launched the anniversary logo to celebrate ITMA as a catalyst for innovation.
Edward Roberts, President of CEMATEX, the organizer, reacting to the success of the event said, “China’s textile industry has enjoyed a period of rapid growth and now has one-third of the entire world textile production capacity. Consequently, the country has become one of the largest buyers of textile machinery.” The Chinese textile industry is, on one hand, focusing on technical innovation, and on the other, development of Chinese brands in order to increase value of its products. No doubt, weft knitting and its technologies has been a major contributor. This is increasingly becoming an integral part of apparel business today, especially for countries such as India which has a large manufacturing base for knits. The rapid growth rate is supplemented by technology manufacturers coming up with additional features and innovative use in products riding on designers’ imagination.
In follow-up to the event, StitchWorld reviews some of the circular and flat knitting technologies which were put on display at ITMA Asia and CITME.
Mayer & Cie Promotes its Single Jersey BASICLine Machines
A name known for manufacturing top quality knitting machines, Mayer & Cie from Germany made its presence felt at the show with its ever popular Single Jersey machines of the BASICLine series. It is sold in India by Batliboi.
With its BASICLine, Mayer is opening up new scope for exceptional knitting productivity. A new production concept, extensive standardization and material optimization helps give BASICLine user significant savings.
The S4-3.2 R model offers features that make the machine highly productive. It knits fashionable striped fabrics with up to 6 colours across 1.6 feeders/inch. The wide fabric width adjustment range is easily accessed by means of a central height setting and precision adjustment through vertical stitch forming. A special method used for the insertion of the lay-in thread ensures excellent quality even when it comes to manufacturing light weight elastic fleece fabrics. BASICLine Stripe is also equipped with the well proven MCT striper technology.
The clever mechanical operation sequence is completely reliable with minimum maintenance requirements. The fast gauge change that distinguishes all BASICLine machines offers even greater flexibility: the striper non-knit feeders can simply be replaced with knitting feeders, immediately giving you 3.2 feeders/inch for basic single jersey fabrics.
In addition, the striper units do not need to be removed anymore. Up to 4 needle types for each of 3 needle positions give an even greater room for manoeuvring.
RUMI from Italy Shows its Popular Knitting Machine for Socks
Italian company RUMI SRL is a known name in circular machines. Its machines are used for making classic, terry and transferred socks for men, women and children. The brand is represented by P.K. International in India.
The Seven-R model, which was displayed at the event, produces socks and tights with reciprocated heel with terry and plain stitch for a maximum of 6 colours per course plus the ground in the elastic. It offers a possibility of 18 different colours on the same socks including the elastic selection along with a possibility of tri -dimensional patterns and single or double welt patterns.
It has a single cylinder, 1 feed machine and the 7 feeders groups unite to 8 yarn fingers for the main feed and 18 yarn fingers for the pattern formation. Other features include independent adjustment of ground stitch and heel through step motors, electronic adjustment of elastic feeder, control for the recovery of 4 independent heel yarns and increase in speed in the heel and toe phases through an increase and decrease of the needles. It offers the possibility to stop the scissors-dial group in any phase of the sock cycle and the possibility to change the speed of the saw for an ideal cutting length of the yarns. In the “SD” version, the machine makes socks in selected terry sinker by sinker through 1 selection group on 4 levels.
This model is also available in the ‘SD’ version, which allows to make shocks in selected terrysinker through 1 selection group on 4 levels.
KERN-LIEBERS Expands into Knitting Needles – Displays the Same at ITMA
German company KERN-LIEBERS is an expert in sinkers and other flat parts for knitting machinery. The company has recently expanded its field of business activity to producing knitting needles. The company has its own office in India.
The company already manufactures sinkers, sliders, selectors, inserts, needles, assemblies and precision parts for single and double cylinder sock machines, big circular knitting machines and flat knitting machines. Therefore, the growing range of knitting needles consolidates its position in the international knitting accessories market.
KERN-LIEBERS range of sinkers and needles for large circular knitting machines got a very good response at the event. Based on fabric type, from abrasive yarns such as polyester or spandex, to delicate and multifilament, the applications are wide. The sinker range is rounded off with options for fleece and other plush fabrics. These sinkers and needles give excellent quality of output with extremely close tolerances in terms of evenness and length of tip.
Orizio Srl Promotes its JB4E Single Jersey Electronic Machine
Italian company Orizio is already a known brand in the European market for giving a quality product and services, resulting in excellent commercial penetration.
The company has recently been promoting its vast range of machines in Asia too, especially in the growing India and Chinese market. Therefore, ITMA Asia & CITME was an ideal platform for it to display its innovations developed.
Orizio presented its JB4E 26” striper machine in 28 gauges. This is a single jersey electronic machine with a 4 track yarn selection on the cylinder. It can produce plain jersey striped fabric, piqué, visible fleece and plain plated terry fabric up to 4 camtracks. This machine offers new innovative solutions, especially software that allows knitting at speed of up to 30 rpm with even elastomerics yarn. This series of machine is available with a striper group lifting system in order to facilitate quick cylinder change, thereby reducing work by hours, satisfying the customer’s demand of versatility and workforce hour reduction.
Fukuhara Shows its Single Jersey Raceway & Full Jacquard Machines
Japanese company Fukuhara Industrial & Trading Co. Ltd. is well known in the region for providing the best quality machines for knitting. This year the company showcased two of its machines. Fukuhara, in India, is represented by ICC and Spin Knit.
The V-SEC7BS is a multi-feeder computerized single jersey electronic full jacquard machine with 3-position selection at each feed through high performance SS actuators. This model offers additional advantages provided by the ‘V’ type high speed frame. The machine gives improved productivity due to its multi-feeders (2.4 feeders/inch). With the ultra fine gauge (36G), not just full jacquard, but also mesh or elastic yarn plated fabrics can also be knitted by using optional parts. The Fukuhara Design System gives the option of easy pattern creation. The machine has a FMC-40 controller which allows large pattern data to be transferred speedily to the controller.
The VXC-A3 is the next generation single jersey raceway machine which produces elastomeric yarn plated fabrics of higher quality at high speeds. The elastomerics yarns are supplied via easy-to- adjust guide rollers which do not collect lint. Thread keepers are fitted in order to prevent the yarns from running out from the guide rollers when air is blown at the end of the fabric roll. Short needles for 3-race set-up are used for easy needle insertion and removal; these can be used for making plain jersey, pique, etc. on 2 races and 2X1, 3X1 staggered inlay. The newly developed yarn carrier fixing method optimizes the positional relation between the needles and yarn carriers. As a result it is not necessary to adjust the yarn carrier positions each time the knitting conditions are changed.
Pai Lung Brings its Striper Machine with Latest Knitted Technology
This year at the combined show of ITMA & CITME, the company showed its striper machine which brings together all the important elements: output, technology and soul. The Pai Lung’s latest technology has been applied on the ultra high speed striper system for more reliable movement. The 3 color striper (30X24GX72X3F) is convertible to 6 color striper (30X24GX36X6F). The mechanism of the striper unit has a refined design for high-speed cutting & trapping yarn to achieve the selection loss free in running. With the Piezo actuator selecting system, the 4 colors or 6 color striper systems is able to act each striper action accurately.
This striper system is controlled by a LCD touch panel programmer which includes the full input function of the new striper program and revision; one controller memory device and a portable IC card are able to save striper programmes. The machine is not only good at ultra high speed in production, especially in elastic yarn plating, it also can support pique pattern structure in less rpm.
Beck Attracts Buyers with its Single & Double Jersey Machines
Due to an increasing worldwide demand for high fashion garments with different special yarns, the market segment for ultra fine gauge machines is growing. In this scenario, German company BECK’s consolidated experience in this niche market for fine gauge circular knitting machines, as well as other special markets like spacer fabrics, very fine Single and Double Jersey Jacquard fabrics up to E 36, including spandex-plated Mesh-structures, etc. has ensured its position as a “leader”. The company is represented by Sudeep Textile Machinery in India and Sri Lanka.
On display at ITMA was BSM 2100 in 34” width, with E 62 54F with various filament yarns and with all feeders of 15 denier spandex plating. Appropriate cotton yarns can also be processed up to E 62. The machine capably knits fabric with ultra soft touch and perfect uniformity without any vertical lines on the surface. Additional features offered were a very compact, user-friendly and sturdy open width frame including radiofrequency controlled and a wireless take down combined with the latest machine control system “Navigator” from MEMMINGER.
BECK has a complete machine production programme for Single Jersey, Double Jersey, Rib, Interlock, Terry, and Electronic Jacquard with 3-way technique and special machines for mattress ticking fabrics, Jacquard electronic transfer.
Its highly popular BSM 3.0 single jersey machine is a circular knitting machine for basic 4 camtrack stitch structures with a take down system. It has a positive yarn feeding system with a centralized stitch control, a ceramic yarn feeder, lightning on the knitting head and quick gauge change. Offering a gauge of 16-50, it moves at a maximum speed of 30-40rpm.
Stoll Shows off its CMS 830 C Model for Coarse Knitting
Backed with an experience of 135 years, Stoll from Germany stands for fascinating flat knitting machine techniques, pioneering software solutions and a complete service package for success. Stoll has its own offices in India.
Today, Stoll machines are in use in more than 70 different countries worldwide. The company displayed its popular CMS machines at the Fair. The CMS 830 C knit & wear offers a working width of 84”/213cm and 3 systems. With a gauge of E 2, 5.2, and minimal yarn consumption, it is popular for ultra-coarse stitches in knit & wear garments.
The pelerine spring-transfer needle with spring-loaded latch and conical hook ensures tight knitting and high running safety. The needle bed is equipped with a racking device with a maximum racking course of four inches and a programmable racking speed. The machine offers a flexible and economical adjustment of gauge by means of gauge conversion or needle exchange. The dynamic tension setting ensures quick adjustment of stitch tension with PTS (Power Tension Setting). The independent systems with split function allow optimum system allocation and highest production output.
This machine also does knitting with the three-way technique or simultaneous transfer in both directions. By simply slipping on the intarsia yarn feeders, one can do intarsia knitting regardless of gauge, working width and number of systems. The take-down system consists of a main take-down, upper take-down and take-down comb for fabric starts on empty needles, operates automatically. The roller segments are variably adjustable, and all three take-down components are freely programmable.