Stoll, a manufacturer of knitting machines, is presenting the latest member of its ADF machinery portfolio – the ADF 830-24 W – for the first time at ITMA Asia + CITME (Hall 4, Booth C06).
Stoll is showcasing its machinery and knowledge of the knitting industry
Featuring a working width of 84 inches, the ADF 830-24 W has the capacity to weave various fabrics for fashion or technical textiles, even oversized textiles or those with unusual cuts or long patterns.
In addition, the ADF 830-24 W is equipped with the innovative Stoll-weave-in technology. This enables the knitting of textiles with weave-like optics and properties; a product advantage that directly affects form, comfort and flexibility. Unlike traditional knitwear, weave-like textiles are more stretchable and comfortable depending on the type of knit. In addition, they can already be preformed in the machine and provided with 3D elements, says Stoll.
Based on Stoll’s ADF technology, the ADF 830-24 W also scores with the yarn carriers, which are independent of the carriage and allow a particularly high degree of flexibility. Each pair of them is mounted on a total of 12 tracks on the ADF 830-24 W and can be moved both horizontally and vertically, be easily programmed and quickly equipped with yarn.
The EKC operating system completes the modern equipment. It facilitates the operation, since it is intuitive, and can be learned without much training effort, Stoll adds.
The company chose ITMA Asia + CITME to launch the machine because according to Alexander Föll from Stoll Marketing Services, knitting is a huge market in China and is an important area for machine flexibility. He adds: “ITMA Asia + CITME is a show we cannot miss.”
Software solutions
However, the company’s intention was not just to show machines, but to showcase the company’s software to demonstrate how Stoll can look after the whole knitting process, not just the machinery.
As a result, the company is also showcasing its ‘knitelligence’ software solution. The solution is a modular system that combines all of Stoll’s software solutions under one platform that covers the entire value chain of flat knit production. The software can be integrated into existing customer processes, says the company.
Föll says: “The ‘knitelligence’ software is ideal for the Chinese market because it is open to this technology and automation mindset. We try to serve both machinery and software as software is becoming more and more important.” This is due to the need for increased productivity and the consequent streamlining of processes that software can provide.
The increase in environmental regulations and the increase in labour costs in the Chinese market has meant that technology innovations are needed to support manufacturers. Föll says: “The ‘knitelligence’ software supports automation. For example, with the software less staff are needed. You only need one employee per machine and everything can be controlled centrally.” A fleet of machines in Bangladesh, for example, could be centrally controlled in the US or Europe.
