Sales start of Mayer & Cie.’s new machine control system: Control 5.0 makes circular knitting machines IoT-ready

The new machine control system Control 5.0 from Mayer & Cie. is now available. It makes the company’s circular knitting machines Internet- and knitlink-ready, preparing them for the digital future of textile production. Control 5.0 is the prerequisite for accessing knitlink, Mayer & Cie.’s digital platform. The new machine control system is available as an upgrade kit for all machines built from 2001 onward. From now on, every newly delivered mechanical circular knitting machine will be equipped with Control 5.0 as standard.

New concept in machine operation

“Control 5.0 marks a milestone in the evolution of circular knitting for the digital age,” says Benjamin Mayer, Managing Director of Mayer & Cie. “With Control 5.0, we’re guiding our customers step by step into the world of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). That makes our machines not only smarter but also more efficient in the long run.”

From Stand-alone to IoT-ready

Since the 1990s, Mayer & Cie. machine control systems have undergone continuous development – from stand-alone solutions to locally installed data interfaces, and now to Control 5.0, which enables a direct, secure connection to the cloud-based knitlink platform.

Gateway to the knitlink platform

Control 5.0 is the key to accessing knitlink, Mayer & Cie.’s digital platform that currently includes three apps:

• my.monitoring provides real-time machine operating data.
• my.service enables fast and competent remote support.
• my.shop delivers precise search results for “registered machines”, e.g., for spare parts.

Another major benefit: updates are now delivered over the air (OTA) – making USB sticks a thing of the past.

SmartControl or ClassicControl – your choice

Control 5.0 consists of an edge device for internet connectivity and a new human-machine interface (HMI). Customers can choose between two interface options:

• SmartControl (standard): Up to four smart knobs – small, rotary displays – on the machine legs allow the knitter to access all relevant machine functions. More in-depth operation is handled via a mobile device – such as a tablet or smartphone – which allows for role-based user permissions for operators and supervisors.
• ClassicControl (optional): All control functions are bundled in one central touchscreen interface located within the machine – in the same position as the previous control unit.

Upgrades for machines built after 2001

Going forward, all new mechanical circular knitting machines from Mayer & Cie. will be equipped with Control 5.0.
For existing customers looking to retrofit their machines to use knitlink, Mayer & Cie. offers upgrade kits for machines built from 2001 onward. Since older models and configurations can vary, the company provides a detailed checklist to clarify individual upgrade requirements in advance.