Stoll – Tradition, Technology, Innovation – Part 2

3 September 2008, Reutlingen - When ITMA Asia + CITME opened its doors in Shanghai one month ago, German flat knitting machine builder H. Stoll & Co was popping the champagne corks to celebrate the company’s 135th anniversary. Stoll was actually founded 135 years to the day on the 27th of July 1873.  Stoll demonstrated how a company with a long tradition and established technology should continue to innovate. In Part 1 of this two part Feature, KnittingIndustry.com looked at Stoll’s latest flat knitting machinery offer. Here in Part 2 we examine the German company’s Software Solutions.

Stoll-Software Solutions offers innovative software tools for more transparent, effective and economic pattern design and knitting processes. From pattern programming, through communication with the machine, to fast error correction, Stoll’s software tools not only simplify daily work, but also make a considerable difference in the knitter’s operating results.

Based on experience and Stoll’s knitting know how, Stoll-Software Solutions presents an extensive software offer around the knitting process in following main areas:

• Design-Software

• Connectivity

• Machine Management Tools

• Machine Operating System

• Design Software

Pattern-Software M1plus

According to Stoll, the plus in its Stoll Pattern-Software M1plus are the Colour Arrangements and Module Arrangements with which it is possible to specify the knitting cycles graphically and in a flexible way. For easy drawing of the pattern, without the influence of knitting technique aspects, Stoll has created the Design Mode.

With the new version 4.1 of the M1plus, presented for the first time at ITMA Asia + CITME, the programmer is provided with further tools and an even clearer structured process of pattern design. Stoll says that, due to further improvements in handling, the programmer can achieve results even faster than previously and cites the following examples:

• With the help of a new toolbar the user can draw with different front and back stitch lengths simultaneously both in the pattern and within the control columns

• The selected drawing attributes are displayed directly beside the cursor so that it is always clear which data is being drawn

• The pre-configured machine dependent settings simplify the pattern configuration when creating a new pattern

• Besides the views (Symbol, Technical and Fabric View), the presentations within the symbol view are to be pointed out. This allows the knitting data to be displayed at a glance in any desired combination. Also new in version 4.1 is that the shape attributes and the knitting structure are also displayed together in one single presentation.

Additional new functions, which simplify the pattern draft:

• Drawing with the keyboard
• The function ‘Move’ is used for moving complete rows, stitches or pattern areas vertically
• The ‘magic wand’ and the ‘fill line’ functions have been enhanced with new options
• The Colour Arrangements now enable an expansion in areas outside shape as well
• When importing a picture it is now possible to carry out a colour reduction of up to 32 colours

By enhancements to the module database, the programmer is also aided with further knitting techniques. Optimized cycles stand in the foreground with the new version 4.1 and a special highlight is the new optimized ‘Stoll high performance’, which reduces yarn waste and press-off courses for even shorter knitting times.

Eneas Software Packages

Another highlight of the ITMA Asia presentation was the Eneas Software Packages, the result of the exclusive cooperation between Stoll and Eneas Informatica srl. With the new Pattern-Software M1plus, Stoll stresses that ideas can quickly be converted into knitting programs and Eneas offers the necessary program modules for a perfect presentation. The options for linking Eneas software to the M1plus using picture import and export, offers new options regarding design, fabric simulation and presentation of knitting patterns.

When generating the shape, the Eneas Shaper simplifies the task with many practical functions. Stoll claims that the Designer package is ideal for pattern drafting and in Mask Dip, the colouring of the knitting patterns can be varied realistically and structure and stitch appearance are maintained unvaried. In the 3D Viewer knits can be dressed on a model with the help of a 3D simulation and can be viewed from all sides. Page Studio displays the fabrics for presentation in a broad range of colour variations.

Connectivity

Connectivity stands for the networking of Stoll machines, which along with the new KnitLAN technology enables the data exchange with the machines and controlling them in a centralized manner as well as capturing and evaluating operational and machine data. For these applications Stoll offers further interesting software solutions, its Machine Management Tools.

Knitting machines are networked via Ethernet cabling according to the Windows standard or via a WLAN wireless Ethernet connection.  Bluetooth wireless connection to the knitting machine is also possible via the optional USB Bluetooth Stick.

Further claimed advantages of networking are the online functions, with which it is possible to communicate with individual machines by means of a simple control interface and to transfer for example pattern files to any desired machine. The function MC Shell enables a script bound and therefore extremely flexible automated control of the machines.

Machine management tools

Stoll Machine Management Tools make the processes for all knitting aspects more transparent and effective. The new Order Management Software makes it possible in conjunction with the company’s ERP software to, for example automatically document and manage knitting orders, manage the knitting order data, control the maintenance orders for the knitting plant or optimize the control of the knitting plant. This way, for example, the software enables the printing of routing slips for finished fabrics offering a free design of layout and content and together with ERP software an order and goods flow control, the transfer of orders and the monitoring of the order status.

Stoll-knit report 2 ensures precise monitoring and control of the knitting plant and  offers a quick overview over the entire plant . At the show this was demonstrated live by networking the exhibited machines. Stoll-knit report 2 allows the creation of statistics for individual or several machines, patterns or shifts or the evaluation of the minimum, maximum or average running times of patterns.

With Remote Control, it is possible to monitor and operate the networked knitting machines from a central control station or access the complete machine console from a standard PC. This way service, instruction and administration, or the possibility of remote help, is made easier.

With Internet Explorer, customer owned intranet sites can be accessed directly from the networked knitting machine. Internet Explorer also enables a fast connection to further programs, for example to Stoll-knit report 2, for displaying the status of all machines. In addition, HTML forms can be displayed, for example, on the Stoll Pocket Card on the knitting machine. An e-mail client is fitted to every Stoll knitting machine and sending log files and news, for example to management or to the yarn stores, directly from the networked knitting machine, is feasible.

Stoll-Plus

A large number of extras, embraced under the term Stoll-Plus, are also offered to all Stoll customers, which are meant to support customers and to ensure their success. Stoll aims to stand by its clients as a competent partner even at the planning and application consulting stages just as with the financing. Stoll Financial Services GmbH for example was founded in 2002 and offers machine financing to customers.

Practice-oriented training courses in different languages are also offered, irrespective of whether the attendees are newcomers or experienced knitters or machine technicians, service experts or programmers. In modern training centres, competent course instructors impart the knowledge needed for the use of the Stoll knitting machines and software tools to the many hundreds of participants from all over the world who annually attend.

A worldwide service network allows Stoll to always be close to its customers and to stay in touch with them. For example in Hong Kong and China, more than 200 employees of Stoll’s sales and service partner Chemtax, work exclusively for Stoll products. They support their customers whilst expanding their business assisting their customers with administrative issues, financing and even with the personnel procurement and capacity utilization. Due to the strong regional infrastructure it is possible to respond quickly to customers’ needs. Own training courses, pattern development and the participation in numerous small regional fairs top the customer service off.

According to Stoll guaranteed and efficient long term supply of spare parts, as well as their proven helpline has become a matter of course for Stoll customers a long time ago. Stoll customers also have their separate homepage, ‘the Customer-Net’ on the company’s website. The password-protected area simplifies the registration for training and gives names of contact persons worldwide. As a special service, software updates or operating manuals can also be downloaded directly from the customer net and Stoll also offers tips and tricks on knitting and for using Stoll products.