Lonati’s digital workflow for medical compression hosiery

Italian knitting machinery manufacturer Lonati showcased an integrated digital workflow for medical compression hosiery manufacturing at The Loop – Chapter One: Medical Textiles event in Albstadt, Germany. The solution unifies advanced machine programming, 3D product simulation, automated dimensional measurement, and AI-powered production analysis — aiming to shorten development cycles, improve structural precision, reduce physical sampling, and cut yarn waste.

At its core is Orion, Lonati’s proprietary programming and design environment. It enables developers to build and modify knitted structures — including stitch patterns, yarn arrangements, and machine configurations — within a true 3D digital twin. Unlike conventional design tools, Orion renders what the Lonati machine will actually produce, allowing technicians to inspect localized elasticity and compression profiles before any physical knitting begins — critical for garments requiring precise, zoned pressure distribution.

Complementing Orion is Orion Predictive (under development), which uses design inputs, yarn data, and target dimensions to suggest optimized machine settings — potentially reducing trial-and-error adjustments. The DSC EVO measurement system provides ±1 mm accuracy for hosiery, socks, and underwear, featuring an integrated touchscreen, cameras, and seamless connectivity with Orion and Dinema’s Arcadia platform. Arcadia collects real-time data from Lonati machines — output, stoppages, status, operating conditions — and delivers actionable insights via dashboards. Its predictive modules (also under development) aim to detect abnormal machine behavior using historical and live production data.

Together, Orion, DSC EVO, Arcadia, and Lonati’s hardware portfolio — including GE, ETE, LBE, and LBEME series — form a closed-loop process linking design, prediction, knitting, verification, and analytics. This enables iterative refinement across development and production phases.

What it means for fabric buyers: For fabric suppliers specializing in medical-grade hosiery — especially those operating or planning to adopt Lonati equipment — this integrated approach supports faster, more reliable sampling and tighter control over compression performance and dimensional consistency. It benefits both Chinese manufacturers in Keqiao seeking premium medical textile partnerships and overseas buyers sourcing technically demanding, compliant products with shorter lead times.