Albstadt, Germany/Shanghai, China: From October 14 to 18, 2024, the ITMA Asia + CITME invites the textile industry to the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China. Groz-Beckert will be presenting the highlights and innovations of its six product areas – Knitting, Weaving, Nonwovens, Tufting, Sewing and Spinning – in Hall H4, Booth C04.

Knitting

The Knitting product area is showing the novelties of its four product groups Circular Knitting, Flat Knitting, Legwear and Warp Knitting. The Circular Knitting product group is presenting two new knitting systems and a new compound needle, developed together with cooperation partners.

One of the new knitting systems is the innovative LCmax™ circular knitting machine needle in combination with the newly developed sinker SNK-F. The LCmax™ features a completely new, wave-shaped shank geometry. The use of the needle reduces energy costs in the knitting process through minimal power consumption and reduced machine temperatures. Compared to a standard needle, up to 20 % of energy consumption can be saved by using the LCmax™. At the same time, the LCmax™ enables utilization of the maximum machine speed and easy handling.

The new SNK-F sinker also features significantly higher wear resistance. It also enables smoother running of the circular knitting machine and improved loop structure.

Together with the innovative sinker SNK DUO-OL, the new SAN™ DUO forms the second new knitting system from Groz-Beckert. Both the SANTM DUO and the SNK DUO-OL feature a particularly low shank with predetermined breaking groove. The low shank minimizes soiling in the knitting process with abrasive yarns. The predetermined breaking groove in turn enables controlled needle breakage in the event of wear at the desired point. This reduces errors in the knitting process as well as downtimes.

Another innovation is a new compound needle from Groz-Beckert for circular knitting machines. With this needle variant, the closer is guided safely and precisely in the groove in the needle shank. At the same time, however, the base of the needle shank is worked in a closed manner, ensuring maximum stability. The compound needle reliably prevents latching and thus makes a decisive contribution to process reliability. Its use ensures a uniform and speed-independent loop structure, even at maximum speeds.

The Flat Knitting product group puts special application needles at the center of its presentation. The SAN™ TT is particularly suitable for knitting of narrow loops in the field of technical or medical textiles. The new

SAN FY is designed for processing robust, uneven fancy yarns. The advantages of the SANTM series are an increase in process reliability and a reduction in needle breakage rates, as well as a particularly precise loop pattern.

Particularly durable dur™ needles for the sock and fine hosiery sector with high load limits, as well as the steadily growing portfolio of system parts, is presented by the Legwear product group. In addition, products for application-related use in the production of smooth, plush or patterned plush knits are presented. Thanks to their high resistance, these needles help to reduce knitting process costs.

Its continuously growing portfolio of modules is showcased by the Warp Knitting product group. They enable an individual and varied production spectrum including easy needle handling. The system components have been supplemented by the newly developed guide needle for piezo jacquard machines. The perforating needles are characterized by fast assembly and ensure an optimized appearance of the fabric. The new guide needle is presented with the specially developed "JacquART Visualizer", which visually and interactively simulates the function and movement of the system parts.

Weaving

The Weaving product area presents the KnotMaster tying machine for weaving preparation, as well as its wide product portfolio of healds and heald frames. The high-performance KnotMaster is characterized by its versatility and easy handling. In addition to single and double knots, the KnotMaster can perform up to four different types of knotting with the help of Quattro technology, thus guaranteeing maximum flexibility in use.

With a focus on high efficiency and minimal production interruptions, Groz-Beckert offers high-quality healds that are specially tailored to the requirements of modern weaving machines. The range of healds from Groz-Beckert includes different versions and materials, each designed for different applications. This is how they contribute significantly to flawless fabric quality.

The wide range of designs for Groz-Beckert heald frames is a byword for efficient fabric production on modern, high-performance weaving machines. High stability, low weight and easy handling are the hallmarks of their proven quality and reliability. The heald framesn offer a wide range of innovative solutions, such as intelligent damping systems or high-performance carbon fiber profiles.

Nonwovens

The product area Nonwovens presents products for classic needling, hydroentanglement and carding in the nonwovens industry. In the field of felting needles, visitors can see two innovations: a new barb design for felting needles and the Groz-Beckert felting needle module. The new barb design of the felting needles was specially developed for needling highly abrasive fibers to achieve delayed wear. The barb shape also reduces clogging of the barbs, for example when needling bentonite mats.

The new Groz-Beckert felting needle module was developed in cooperation with the Dilo Group for their innovative MicroPunch intensive needling technology. Groz-Beckert felting needles are embedded as a module in a plastic mold. The felting needle modules are characterized by very high deformation resistance and offer new dimensions in needle density. This is made possible by the new intensive needling technology, which was specially developed for light grammages. The assembly and replacement of the modules are also particularly economical.

The division also presents its extensive range of trials on the staple fiber needling line at the Technology and Development Center (TEZ) in Albstadt, Germany, with a virtual tour.

In the field of hydroentanglement, Groz-Beckert shows its HyTecTM P jet strip, which features significantly improved wear resistance and handling properties.

Various new and further developments are also being presented in the field of card clothing for the nonwovens industry. These include, for example, the world's finest interlocked card clothing for a reduced risk of crash. In addition, new SiroLock™ plus types from the Groz-Beckert InLine card clothing series are being presented, which enable higher plant availability and a more uniform carding result thanks to special geometries.

Tufting

For the production of tufted floor coverings such as carpets, bath mats or artificial turf, the Tufting product area is presenting its proven gauge part system at the Groz-Beckert booth. In addition to needle and looper modules, the system also comprises the reed finger module and tufting knives. To ensure the interaction of all components, the highest precision is required in the production of all individual components. The coordinated combination of different materials and the functional interaction ensure a convincing result when using the Groz-Beckert gauge part system.

Sewing

The Sewing product area focuses on presenting its special application needles SANTM. The sewing machine needles of the SANTM series have been specially developed for demanding sewing operations. The SAN 5.2TM, for example, is particularly suitable for sewing technical textiles such as airbags thanks to its increased stability and secure loop pick-up. The SAN 6TM offers high process reliability when processing woven fabrics such as denim.

Both the SANTM 5.2 and the SANTM 6 are equipped with a GEBEDURTM coating. This protects the needles from wear and damage, especially in the point area. The slim yet dimensionally stable SANTM 10 is used for sewing fine knitted and woven fabrics. The even slimmer SANTM 10 XS is perfect for extremely fine materials or materials that require critical sewing.

The Sewing product area is also presenting its patented INH (Ideal Needle Handling) quality management system at the trade show. INH enables easy handling of sewing machine needles in sewing shops, as well as seamless and digital documentation of all needle changes and breakages. The quality management system includes various work tools such as the needle dispensing trolley, the needle return box, and two software components developed by Groz-Beckert: the "INH@site" app and the "INH@office" administration program.

Spinning

For customers in the spinning industry, the Spinning division is introducing a new maintenance-free cylinder wire with increased service life and lower maintenance costs. In addition, further developments of the stationary flats and revolving tops will be presented. The revolving tops have been adapted for processing fine yarns, while the stationary flats have been provided with a new, durable aluminum profile.

Sustainability

Numerous products, services and the latest innovations from Groz-Beckert focus on reducing the company's carbon footprint. That Groz-Beckert's commitment also goes beyond this is shown by the sustainability theme corner. Here, examples from the company are presented to show which measures have already been implemented and what role the topic plays in everyday life.

About Groz-Beckert

Groz-Beckert is the world's leading supplier of industrial machine needles, precision parts and fine tools, as well as systems and services for the production and joining of textile fabrics. Its products and services support the fields of knitting, weaving, nonwovens, tufting, sewing, and spinning.

Groz-Beckert is part of the Groz-Beckert Group, a market leader in the development, manufacture and distribution of process-critical textile precision tools, industrial cutting solutions and solution provider for textile construction and reinforcement solutions made from high-performance technical fibers for composite materials.

The group consists of the companies Groz-Beckert, TKM and solidian and generated sales of 880 million euros in 2023 with around 9,500 employees worldwide. The company is active in more than 150 countries with agencies, production and sales subsidiaries.