Although the machines which make up the BASICLine series are “thoroughbred” Mayer & Cie. circular knitting machines complying with stringent Mayer & Cie. standards in technical and qualitative terms, a new production concept and widespread standardization and optimization of the materials used has allowed this machine series to be offered with a more affordable price tag than the Mayer & Cie. standard range.
One of the exhibits taking pride of place on the stand was the single jersey BASICLine S4-3.2 machine with open-width device. It offers every conceivable feature for top quality single jersey knits in 2 and 4 needle structures as well as single jersey plated. It covers the whole range of currently popular fabric weights in the clothing sector and achieves the high output you would generally expect from Mayer & Cie. of 2.4 m/sec, corresponding to 35 rpm with a 30” diameter. The S4-3.2 is offered in diameters ranging from 30“ to 38“ and gauges from E18 to E32. Versatility has become one of the overriding demands made by modern circular knitting factories. Up to 4 needle types each for 3 needle positions offer wide scope for different fabric constructions. And the facility for resetting to three-thread fleece makes the S4-3.2 more flexible still. The machine is equipped as standard with high-precision triple plating ceramic feeders.
The S4-3.2 features a take-down with wrapping winder mechanism and MCT trapezoidal spreader for fabric rolls up to 480 cm in diameter as standard. A fabric take-down for layering is offered as an optional extra.
The second machine on show was the BASICLine D4-2.2 for double jersey constructions – primarily also for normal and elastomer plating. This model made a big impact on visitors to the stand with its impressive scope for production across the weight range for rib fabrics.
And where different gauge ranges are called for, the cylinder and dial are quickly and safely exchanged using the proven MCT “Quick-Change” system. The D4-2.2 is equipped as standard with 2 needle tracks and 2 needle types in the cylinder and dial cam, meaning reduced cam parts and shorter resetting times. For maximum flexibility, the machine can be extended to 4 needle tracks in the cylinder. Whole segments can be exchanged for changes of construction, in some cases eliminating the need for exchanging individual cams. A central stitch length adjustment facility further simplifies operation and reduces setting times.
To allow even the most ultra-modern synthetic yarns to be processed without problems, the standard D4-2.2 is equipped with high-precision Mayer & Cie. ceramic feeders. It is available in diameters ranging from 30“ to 38“ and gauges from E18 to E28 as well as E32. This model also produces an impressive Mayer & Cie. performance from 2.2 feeders per inch at speeds of 1.49 m/sec (37 rpm at 30“).
The take-down with wrapping winder mechanism and MCT trapezoidal spreader are designed to accommodate fabric rolls of up to 480 cm in diameter, with a fabric take-down for layering available as an optional extra.
BASICLine circular knitting machines open up the world of Mayer & Cie. quality to circular knitting factories which were previously restricted to lower-cost options. They provide the idea entry level alternative for a substantial increase in performance – both in terms of fabric quality and productivity, and consequently profit.
Mayer & Cie. addresses the issue of striping with a range of different machine models. A particularly interesting option is the Relanit 1.6 R, which produces stripes in up to 6 colours at full output, and up to 12 colours using 2 feeders each.
The Knit-Tech provided impressive proof that the Indian market is eager to invest. Alongside this development, the increasing importance of factors such as quality awareness, high productivity and reliability for the Indian circular knitting industry was also very much in evidence. These conditions offer the ideal market opportunity for Mayer & Cie. with its legendary machine quality.
