Karl Mayer Adds E 36 Gauge to TM Weft for Fashion Fabrics

Karl Mayer has added an E 36 gauge option, a new EL pattern drive and continuously regulated yarn tension to its TM Weft warp knitting machine, aiming the upgrades squarely at fashion and apparel production. The company will demonstrate the developments at ITMA Asia 2026 in Shanghai, which runs from November 20 to 24.

The finer gauge enables lighter fabrics. The new EL pattern drive allows greater flexibility and speed in pattern development. Yarn tension is now continuously regulated rather than controlled through the previous system, which the company says simplifies operation and supports more consistent fabric quality.

The commercial pitch is efficiency. Karl Mayer's WovenLike concept reproduces the appearance and texture of woven fabrics while retaining warp knitting's flexibility, wrinkle resistance and ease of care. The company says weft-insertion warp knitting can deliver woven-look fabric at higher production efficiency, and can reduce processing requirements compared with certain conventional woven production routes. It cautions, however, that finishing needs will depend on materials and end-use specifications. The concept also handles challenging materials such as linen, acetate and decorative effect yarns.

What will visitors see in Shanghai?

Karl Mayer's Textile Innovation Center has developed two contrasting fabric ranges for the show.

The first range covers dense, textured constructions for autumn and winter apparel:

• A crêpe fabric incorporating Lycra T400 for stretch and shape retention
• A bouclé construction with metallic yarn accents
• A floral design using a burnout technique to create transparency within a closed surface

The second range targets lightweight fabrics resembling crinkle chiffon, with flowing drape, textured surfaces and varying degrees of transparency. The lightest fabric weighs just 63 gsm. Acetate yarns supply sheen and a cool, smooth handle, while viscose adds softness and a more subdued lustre. A cotton-blend fabric with a linear stripe design offers an alternative to the crinkled constructions.

Karl Mayer sees particular potential for the lightweight materials in modest fashion, including clothing for Muslim women, where fluid drape, comfort and coverage matter.

Where can buyers inspect the machine?

The collection will be presented at Karl Mayer's stands in Hall 4.1/C18 and Hall 3/A24 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. Buyers who want to see the machine running outside the fair can travel to Karl Mayer China in Changzhou, where the upgraded TM Weft will operate during a product show, producing fine and textured fashion fabrics.

For sourcing teams weighing woven alternatives, the Shanghai presentations offer a chance to test the company's woven-look claims against measured output, fabric weights and finishing requirements rather than marketing materials. The Changzhou demonstration should show whether the continuously regulated tension system delivers the consistency Karl Mayer promises.