Karl Mayer has launched the new HKS 3-M ON tricot machine with a new patterning concept and even greater output. The innovative model works with data loaded directly from KM.ON’s secure cloud rather than pattern disks. The HKS 3-M ON offers the simple, fast pattern change of EL gears, while doing so at the speed of machines with N pattern drives.
“The new HKS 3-M ON 280” is even faster than its predecessor, up to 15 per cent, and with a completely new multi-model concept, it offers maximum flexibility in patterning. With different models, customers can quickly and easily adapt the machine’s patterning possibilities to current market and budget requirements,” Karl Mayer said.
In future, Karl Mayer will have two business models for creating new articles on the HKS 3-M ON, offering three different interchangeable options and thus maximum flexibility. The first two variants, SwapKnit 36 and SwapKnit 36 Flat, are suitable for designs with repeats of to 36 stitch courses. Anyone who selects these machines can purchase lapping patterns from Karl Mayer’s Webshop Spare Parts in just a few clicks, load them onto their machine and create new or old, tried-and-tested products. Variant three has been developed for pattern repeats over 36 stitch courses. It uses web-based software k.innovation – CORE by KM.ON, which includes a lapping editor. The intelligent software solution derives the chain link notation for a new design and then creates the pattern files that are processed by the HKS 3-M ON, the company said in a press release.
A technical prerequisite for using all three variants is that the machine must be connected to the KM.ON cloud via k.ey. To offer attractive economic opportunities, various business models are available. While customers can buy single lappings or a whole catalogue of lapping patterns for SwapKnit, a licence can be obtained for k.innovation –CORE. The licence regulates the period of use. This means individual variants can be chosen completely flexibly. A change by article is possible, as is using one of the three options in the long term. This makes the HKS 3-M ON a hybrid all-rounder that combines the patterning possibilities of typical N and EL pattern drives in a single model, Karl Mayer said.
It only takes a few simple steps to purchase the lapping and then change the pattern on the HKS 3-M ON. KM.ON’s cloud plays a crucial role in this process. After placing the order via the Webshop Spare Parts, the lapping data is released by the storage platform and displayed on the machine user interface (BO) of the machine, which is networked with the cloud via k.ey. The lappings for the intended product are put together using the easy-to-use human-machine interface. What’s more, further product data can be stored in the cloud via the BO, and the product can be loaded. Once saved, the articles with the stored data are available for retrieval at the machine at any time.
The HKS 3-M ON also offers greater flexibility than ever before with a larger working width than its predecessor. An increase of up to 20” is possible. Now with a maximum of 300”, wider items can be produced or several narrow fabric lines can be produced beside one another with a higher variance in number and width. In addition, the expanded working width and a higher speed result in a significant increase in productivity, according to Karl Mayer.
In addition to higher performance, the latest generation of HKS 3-M ON in 280” is easier to operate compared with previous models. The newcomer stands out by offering improved handling, particularly when changing warp beams. A moveable ladder makes it easy to access the couplings and a side work platform provides additional support access. In addition, it is considerably easier to remove the guide bars thanks to a well thought-out solution. These changes will also be rolled out for the HKS 3-M ON across further working widths and other machine types.
