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Warp Knitting/​Crochet

Fine distinction of 50 gauge warp knits

Fifty gauge (E50) fabric makes a fine distinction when it comes to warp-knitted lingerie and sportswear fabrics. The finest warp-knitted fabric in the world produced on a machine fitted with 50 needles per inch, is the result of research work carried out by Karl Mayer and was available for viewing at the Interfilière trade fair for lingerie and swimwear in Hong Kong earlier this year.

14th May 2013

Knitting Industry
 |  Hong Kong

Intimate Apparel

 

Fifty gauge (E50) fabric makes a fine distinction when it comes to warp-knitted lingerie and sportswear fabrics. The finest warp-knitted fabric in the world produced on a machine fitted with 50 needles per inch, is the result of research work carried out by Karl Mayer and was available for viewing at the Interfilière trade fair for lingerie and swimwear in Hong Kong earlier this year.

It was here that the exceptionally smooth and supple fabric was showcased during a 45-minute paper presented on the 26th and 27th March by Jackie Ho of Karl Mayer’s Hong Kong subsidiary.

Textiles specialist Ho, first of all described the technology of the HKS 2-3, the machine behind the production of the new fabric. This high-speed, two-bar tricot machine was specially configured to enable it to operate at a gauge of E 50, and the knitting motion was also modified accordingly. It also offers an unparalleled rate of production.

Once he had described the technical features of the machine, Ho presented the advantages of the technology and illustrated the resulting new applications. The E-50-gauge fabric is very light and opaque and has exceptional draping characteristics.

However, Karl Mayer says, “above all else, it has an exceptionally fine knitted surface, which makes it look completely smooth – the fabric has an exceptional profile of characteristics and is ready for the market.” The superfine fabric is certified in accordance with the Lycra Beauty Standard, which qualifies the new E-50-gauge fabric for use in lingerie collections.

Design potential

The results of a competition, which Karl Mayer carried out in conjunction with the Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Fachbereich Gestaltung Berlin (Berlin University of Applied Sciences, Department of Design) last year, showed the design potential unleashed by this new fabric.

The aim of the competition, held to showcase the creativity of the students, was to produce light shapewear styles from E-50-gauge fabrics - leading lingerie producers have already successfully launched their first collections made from this supple fabric in the market.

As well as brochures and samples of current collections, the exhibits on show complemented Karl Mayer’s presentation at Interfilière in Hong Kong, which it says was the perfect opportunity for representatives from the design, product management, R&D and buying sectors to familiarise themselves with this new dimension in design. At the end, they asked many questions relating to their own particular business fields and discussed new ideas with the speaker in lively discussion.

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