12 April 2010, Obertshausen - Designers and technologists at
Karl Mayer have come up with some exciting new performance sportswear garments
produced on the company’s RSJ 5/1 Rascheltronic machine, which use so called ‘body
mapping’ techniques to impart functional zones in the garments. The company
says that as the fitness trend continues unabated, it goes hand in hand with
the attempts of textile specialists to develop new products to improve
exercising and training performance.
According to Karl Mayer, the warp knitting process is
particularly suitable for manufacturing functional sportswear and its high-speed
tricot machines, which are fast and flexible, have become firm favourites in the
sector. The company’s high-tech machines can produce a variety of tricot
fabrics and have now been complemented by the addition of the Rascheltronic
machine for producing sportswear. The high speed raschel machine uses Karl
Mayer’s highly successful piezo jacquard system and Kamcos computerised machine
control to allow needle selection for advanced patterning potential.
The RSJ 5/1 EL raschel machine was launched at ITMA 2007 and
according to Karl Mayer has been extremely successful, especially in the
underwear sector. The styles that this machine can produce, which have been
designed by Karl Mayer’s Development Department, range from patterned
foundation wear, through stretch and non-stretch lingerie, to tulle fabrics.
Karl Mayer says the special features of the RSJ 5/1 EL are
that it can produce individually contoured areas in specific locations to suit
the final end-use, as well as zones with specific structures. Different stitch
densities can also be introduced to produce different levels of stretch. Karl
Mayer adds that these design options are an absolute ‘must’ when developing
sports textiles and the sports shirt on the right illustrates how these
possibilities can be utilised.
The front part features a sporty, ribbed construction with different
mesh zones extending in long arcs from the under the arms and across the chest.
The mesh constructions, which alternate between having long, narrow openings
and variable openings, provide customised breathability. The openings in the
fabric are filled-in with a hatched, filigree pattern made from polyamide yarn
and the result is a stable, non-stretch fabric, which transports moisture and
ensures that the air can circulate freely. It also feels pleasantly soft and
looks good when worn for playing sport, the company says.
“This perfect combination of dynamic design and function is
continued in the construction used for the back. The entire upper section worn
next to the body and the side sections, provide good ventilation thanks to
their mesh construction, whereas the dense ribbed construction in the lower
part produces an eye-catching effect. The design on the chest shows how the
patterning facilities of the RSJ 5/1 EL can be used to produce logos and
lettering,” says Karl Mayer.
Download RSJ 5/1 EL brochure
Download KAMCOS brochure
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