In Part 2 of our deep-dive at the Karl Mayer Textile Innovation Center in Obertshausen, Ilkay Özkisaoglu is joined by Jürgen Trötzsch (Project Manager Machine Specials) to explore the fascinating world of technical textile machinery.
This episode goes beyond materials and dives into how advanced warp knitting technologies enable high-performance applications across industries—from composites and infrastructure to medical and filtration systems.
🔍 What you’ll discover in this walkthrough:
👉 Multiaxial Warp Knitting Machines (Non-Crimp Fabrics)
We start with the backbone of composite reinforcement: multiaxial fabrics. Learn how fibers are precisely oriented (0°, 90°, ±45°) to create high-performance reinforcements used in automotive lightweight structures, sandwich panels, and pultruded components.
👉 Raschel Machines with Weft Insertion
A key technology in technical textiles: Raschel machines allow the integration of additional yarn systems. With weft insertion, fibers are laid in a controlled, perpendicular orientation and then stitch-bonded—enabling precise mechanical performance and tailored functional textiles.
👉 Handling Sensitive Functional Fibers
Discover how Karl Mayer machines process delicate fibers such as hollow fibers for filtration and medical applications. These systems operate at extremely low tensions to preserve fiber geometry and functionality—critical for dialysis, oxygenation (ECMO), and advanced filtration.
👉 Tricot Machines – The Core of Warp Knitting
Understand the fundamentals of warp knitting with tricot machines, where multiple yarns are knitted simultaneously to create flexible, durable fabrics used in applications ranging from apparel to camouflage textiles.
👉 Specialized Machinery for Filtration & Medical Textiles
We explore how aligned fiber structures are produced for filtration cartridges, enabling precise control over spacing, density, and flow characteristics—opening opportunities in water treatment, healthcare, and beyond.
👉 Laboratory & Modular Innovation Systems
Inside the Innovation Center, Karl Mayer showcases flexible lab-scale machines used for customer trials. These systems allow rapid prototyping—from fiber spreading and coating to winding—bridging the gap between idea and industrial production.
👉 Investment & Market Trends
What does it take to enter the technical textiles space? Jürgen shares insights on machine investments (€500k–€1M), long lifecycle performance, and key growth areas such as medical textiles, filtration, and functional composites.
💡 Key takeaway:
Karl Mayer is not producing textiles—they are engineering the machines that enable entire industries. Their technologies sit at the very beginning of the value chain, shaping the performance of products that follow.
🎯 This video is for: • Composites & advanced materials professionals
• Textile engineers & manufacturers
• Investors exploring technical textile markets
• Anyone curious about the machinery behind high-performance fabrics
📍 Filmed at: Karl Mayer Textile Innovation Center, Obertshausen (Germany)
👉 Stay tuned for more deep dives into warp knitting, composites, and industrial innovation.
#technicaltextiles #WarpKnitting #KarlMayer
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YouTube Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OJc5AGe2l8