Shima Seiki Italia S.p.A., the Italian subsidiary of leading Japanese computerised knitting solutions provider Shima Seiki, will exhibit at the 96th edition of the Pitti Immagine Filati exhibition in Florence, Italy. Once again it will exhibit in the CustomEasy section, which explores various aspects of customisation in the presence of textile machinery and design software, represented in part by Shima’s lineup of computerised flat knitting machines and APEXFiz design software.

SWG-XR

As Shima Seiki celebrates the 30th Anniversary of pioneering WHOLEGARMENT seam-free complete garment knitting technology, it is worth noting that the technology, which was launched in 1995 at the ITMA exhibition in Milan, has gained wide acceptance by notable knitwear brands and manufacturers in the Italian market. Now more than ever WHOLEGARMENT is gaining further interest from the apparel industry due to the shrinking workforce of skilled sewing and linking personnel, especially for high-quality fine-gauge items that are becoming increasingly popular.

With this situation in mind, Shima display its new-generation SWG-XR flagship WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine in gauge 22LL. Shown at ITMA Milan in 2023 as a prototype, SWG-XR is now available as a production version and is shown for the first time in Italy at Pitti Filati. Initially available in 22LL, SWG-XR features 4 needle beds using an 18-gauge version of the company's original SlideNeedle mounted at 22-gauge pitch for all-needle knitting of WHOLEGARMENT products with very high-quality 18-gauge fabric.

In addition, SWG-XR features a re-designed sinker system and a compact, light-weight carriage featuring 4 systems as well as auto yarn carriers. All contribute to increased productivity of more than 25% over previous models. Product range is increased, supporting a wider variety of yarn for use in knits for all seasons, as well as a wider range of new fabrics and silhouettes, including punch-lace patterns, variable stitch knitting and intarsia knitting. SWG-XR sets new standards for the next generation of waste-free, sustainable WHOLEGARMENT knitting.

N.SIR183SP

The N.SIR183SP computerised knitting machine with intarsia capability features a special loop presser bed for producing hybrid inlay fabrics with both knit and weave characteristics. Shown in 18-gauge, N.SIR183SP will also feature the special i-Plating option, capable of alternating yarn colours in any pattern, producing jacquard-like designs using plain jersey stitch. Plating can be performed within the same course and for individual needles. In combination with the loop presser and spring-type moveable sinker system even greater diversity in knit design is possible. The wider needle bed of N.SIR183SP model supports production of larger items as compared to the N.SIR123SP shown previously at Pitti Filati.

N.SSR072

Shima’s N.SSR072 computerised jacquard collar machine can produce shaped collars efficiently based on computer-generated designs. N.SSR072 is based on the workhorse N.SSR112 garment shaping machine, and offers similar industry-leading technology in an economical yet reliable package. Made-in-Japan quality, reliability, productivity, user-friendliness and cost-performance combine to satisfy high expectations placed by the world's fashion industry.

APEXFiz

APEXFiz subscription-based design software supports the creative side of fashion from planning and design to colourway evaluation, realistic fabric simulation and 3D virtual sampling. Virtual sampling is a digitised version of sample making, accurate enough to be used effectively as prototypes. By replacing physical samples, virtual samples reduce time, cost and material that otherwise go to waste. APEXFiz thereby helps to realise sustainability and digitally transform the fashion supply chain.

Shima online

The product planning capability of APEXFiz is enhanced by several web services featured as part of the Shima Seiki Online Services (Shima online) web platform. These include Shima Datamall digital content web service that allows users to search, browse and purchase a variety of useful data for streamlining the planning and production of fashion items, as well as the yarnbank digital yarn sourcing web service that offers digitised yarn data by yarn companies from around the world for download and use in virtual sampling.

The booth also features several companies exhibiting in collaboration with Shima Seiki Italia, including specialty yarn manufacturers, linking machine manufacturer, design and production firm, and more.

The potential of Shima Seiki knitting machine technology is presented through the display of WHOLEGARMENT and other knit samples, a portion of which is once again designed in collaboration with fashion academy students. 

Exhibition Details

Pitti Immagine Filati 96

28-30 January 2025

Fortezza da Basso, Viale Filippo Strozzi, 1, Florence, Italy

Padiglione Centrale, Piano Inferiore, CustomEasy Section

Booth C/4-8

www.shimaseiki.com