The combination of new technologies such as additive manufacturing with the traditional procedures used in the textile industry offers numerous potentials for product development and hence new market opportunities. The KARL MAYER GROUP has recognised this and has developed a technological solution for combining warp knitted textile manufacturing with 3D printing. The innovation combines the warp knitting machine with the 3D printing system in a homogenous process according to the roll-to-roll principle. The result is maximum flexibility and efficiency in manufacturing customised products. “3D printing allows us to completely rethink our whole approach to textile product design. The world of sportswear is already showing us what is possible. Mass-produced articles complete with 3D-printed branding and functional elements are already firmly established in this domain,” notes Michael Kieren from KARL MAYER’s New Business Development team. In addition, the carbon footprint of newly developed products is good, since savings are made on material and energy-intensive working steps.

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