30th March 2009, Obertshausen - On 25th
and 26th May the German section of the International Federation of
Knitting Technologists (IFKT) will invite its members to its annual conference
and assembly. It will be hosted by Karl Mayer Texxtilmaschinenfabrik in
Obertshausen.
On the first day of the conference the tasks facing the
assembled knitting specialists will include electing a committee for the period
2009 to 2012 as well as considering the usual committee and auditors' reports.
The first president, Chris Wilkens, will not stand for a further period in
office. The remaining committee members will put themselves up for re-election.
To round off the first part of the conference there will be a report on the
44th International Congress which was held from 23 to 27 September 2008 in St
Petersburg.
The members' conference will be followed immediately by a
series of reports with the emphasis on technical textiles. Professor Marcus O.
Weber will present a paper from the Niederrhein Technical University on the
theme 'Measurement and evaluation of the yarn tension in stitch formation'. Dr
Uwe Moehring, from the Thueringen-Vogtland Textile Research Institute, will
present the results of his research work. Dr Peter Offermann, from the Tudalit
Proprietary Association and Dresden Technical University, will discuss details
of the strategies in knowledge transfer in the textile reinforcement of
concrete.
Of course Karl Mayer will have the opportunity to introduce
itself to the guests. Of particular interest will be the modern development
centre with its state-of-the-art college of technology for exhibiting machines
and performing experiments. Modern workplaces and comfortable meeting areas
give a clear insight into the high level of innovation and development
competences of this world famous manufacturer. The investment made in this
respect is a testimony to the German location and will pay off by safeguarding
the future. A tour of the company will give further opportunities to learn more
about the company and to supply answers to individual questions.
Theory and practice will be combined on the second day of
the conference. During a sightseeing tour of Frankfurt Airport members of the
IFKT will gain an extensive insight into modern flight technology and hence
into many interesting end-uses of textiles in the technical sector. This is a
multi-faceted schedule which will consolidate the knitting fraternity and
should also make non-members curious as to the work of the IFKT.