The new machine control system Control 5.0 from Mayer & Cie. makes the company’s circular knitting machines Internet- and knitlink-ready, preparing them for the digital future of textile production. Control 5.0 is the prerequisite for accessing knitlink, Mayer & Cie.’s digital platform. The new machine control system is available as an upgrade kit for all machines built from 2001 onward. From now on, every newly delivered mechanical circular knitting machine will be equipped with Control 5.0 as standard. Since older models and configurations can vary, the company provides a detailed checklist to clarify individual upgrade requirements in advance.
New concept in machine operation
Benjamin Mayer, Managing Director of Mayer & Cie. emphasised that Control 5.0 marks a milestone in the evolution of circular knitting for the digital age, saying: “With Control 5.0, we’re guiding our customers step by step into the world of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). That makes our machines not only smarter but also more efficient in the long run.”
From Stand-alone to IoT-ready
Since the 1990s, Mayer & Cie. machine control systems have undergone continuous development – from stand-alone solutions to locally installed data interfaces, and now to Control 5.0, which enables a direct, secure connection to the cloud-based knitlink platform.
Control 5.0 consists of an edge device for internet connectivity and a new human-machine interface (HMI). Customers can choose between two interface options:
SmartControl (standard): Up to four smart knobs – small, rotary displays – on the machine legs allow the knitter to access all relevant machine functions. More in-depth operation is handled via a mobile device – such as a tablet or smartphone – which allows for role-based user permissions for operators and supervisors.
ClassicControl (optional): All control functions are bundled in one central touchscreen interface located within the machine – in the same position as the previous control unit.