KARL MAYER presented the HKS 3-M ON knitting machine as one of its first developments linked to its digital world at ITMA 2019. The innovative model works with data loaded directly from KM.ON’s secure cloud rather than pattern disks and it is based on the new ON pattern drive and networking the machines via k.ey. In this way, 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. In the last months of 2020, the company launched the next step for this development in a wider working width at the WTiN virtual trade show: the new HKS 3-M ON 280″.
Offering up to 15% faster speed than the previous version, this new multi-model concept also provides more flexibility than ever before with a wider working width. In this way, while an increase of up to 20″ can be achieved; now, with a maximum of 300″, wider items or several narrow fabric lines can be produced beside one another with a higher variance in number and width. The expanded working width and higher speed lead to a significant increase in productivity. In addition, innovations providing affordable opportunities for customers with different purchasing options, considerably shorten the time to market the product.
3 different interchangeable options
In the 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. SwapKnit 36 and SwapKnit 36 Flat which are suitable for designs with repeats of to 36 stitch courses, correspond to the first two options. 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.
The third option has been developed for pattern repeats over 36 stitch courses and it uses web-based software k.innovation – CORE by KM.ON including 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 machine must be connected to the KM.ON cloud via k.ey for using all three variants.
HKS 3-M ON 280″ combines patterning possibilities in a single model
KARL MAYER offers various business models to provide affordable opportunities to its customers. While customers can buy single lappings or a whole catalogue of lapping patterns for SwapKnit, they can obtain a licence regulating the period of use, for k.innovation –CORE. This allows for individual variants can be chosen completely flexibly and provide an opportunity for 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.
Faster, flexible and easy to use
It only takes a few simple steps to purchase the lapping and then change the pattern on the HKS 3-M ON. After placing the order via the WEBSHOP SPARE PARTS, the lapping data is released by the storage platform. Then the data 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. Moreover, while 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.
Together with higher performance, the latest generation of HKS 3-M ON in 280” is easier to operate compared to previous models. The new machine 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.
k.innovation – CORE solution for longer pattern
Using the k.innovation – CORE software solution, longer patterns can be created flexibly. The customer can simply use their log-in details to access the k.innovation – CORE from any web browser on an internet-enabled device and immediately start creating patterns. They then select the machine, enter the lappings for the individual ground guide bars and subsequently create a pattern file in just a few clicks. With a further click, this pattern file is sent to the KM.ON cloud and then securely made available to the ON machine. All that remains is to select the file on the machine’s user interface and start production.