While Shima Seiki Mfg. Ltd. makes its final preparations in Japan for ITMA Asia + CITME in Shanghai next month, the company’s latest high-speed premium MACH2 technology has been on show at its subsidiaries in Italy, Spain and UK. Shima’s latest four-needle bed Wholegarment knitting machine, the MACH2X153 in 18 gauge and its high-speed 40 feeder intarsia machine, MACH2SIG in 12 gauge, have been demonstrated to the cream of Europe’s knitwear manufacturers over the past few weeks, who are said to be very impressed by the technology.

Shima recently announced its line up for ITMA Asia + CITME, which includes the two above mentioned models as well as its brand new NSSG and NSIG models. The new models are said to be improved versions of its best-selling workhorse SSG series and its intarsia counterpart, the SIG series. Now called NSSG122 and NSIG122, they feature several improvements over their predecessors. 

European shows

European knitters viewed the new MACH2X153 18L machine, the latest model in Shima Seiki's flagship MACH2X series which knits high quality shaped Wholegarment knitwear in 18 gauge. The model on show at the European shows is the first ultra-fine 18 gauge four needle bed Wholegarment model and is cut 18 gauge and fitted with L type hook needles. The resultant fabric is therefore only very slightly coarser than standard 18 gauge fabric. At Shima Seiki Europe’s open day which was held earlier this month, the MACH2X153L knitted a v-neck single jersey sweater (right) in wool  in just 52 minutes which is very productive for 18 gauge knitwear. The laterally transferred neck is knitted integrally (right).

The MACH2X153X has a maximum speed of 1.6 metres per second, a working width of 150cm and is fitted with Shima's Rapid Response R2CARRIAGE for quicker carriage return after each traverse.

Dynamic Tension Control

In order to keep up with the increased speed (up to 1.6 m/s), Shima Seiki's i-DSCS Digital Stitch Control System with Intelligence has been upgraded to a brand new system called i-DSCS+DTC featuring Dynamic Tension Control. i-DSCS+DTC is said to permit variable electronic control of yarn tension, thereby supporting high-speed knitting of delicate yarns to reduce the chance of yarn breaks.

Other new features include a yarn gripper and cutter system equipped with a new lint remover for reduced maintenance; a USB interface positioned directly below the control monitor for improved access in data exchange; the network connector has been repositioned to improve access for factory data management with Shima Network Solutions; and improved space efficiency realized by integrating the fabric collection tray within the machine frame.

High speed intarsia with up to 40 feeders

Also on show at Shima’s European subsidiaries was the company’s latest intarsia flat knitting machine which looks set to raise standards in the machine knitted intarsia market. The company’s new MACH2SIG model is the latest addition to its latest generation high speed MACH2 series machines and will be its premium intarsia offer alongside its entry level intarsia model NSIG122.

Until now the MACH2 designation was reserved for Shima’s high speed MACH2X and MACH2S Wholegarment knitting machines. However, the company has now married the MACH2 series’ speed advantages to improved design system software, variable gauge knitting capability and increased intarsia patterning potential to set what it calls, new standards in the flat knit intarsia field. Shima describes the MACH2SIG as “a revolution in multi-colour intarsia knitting by increasing productivity in ways never before possible”. The model on show at Shima Seiki Europe was a MACH2SIG123-SV Wide Gauge model in 12 gauge. This model is fitted with L type needles in order to accommodate heavier yarns when knitting coarser fabrics.

MACH2SIG is at the cutting edge of Shima Seiki’s flat knitting machine technology, full of the latest developments to enhance intarsia knitting. The machines’ productivity is enhanced through the combination of several key features, including a maximum knitting speed of 1.4 m/sec.

The R2CARRIAGE which is a fixture in MACH2X and MACH2S models helps the new intarsia machine achieve higher efficiency and features a mechanism which achieves quicker carriage returns after each traverse, resulting in a significant increase in productivity. Shima says other improvements in hardware and software have also helped increase maximum knitting speed dramatically.

With the MACH2SIG, the maximum number of available yarn carriers has increased from 32 to 40, allowing more flexibility during knitting and expanding the range of intarsia patterns which can be knitted. Shima says it’s new Automatic Yarn Carrier Setting software on its SDS-ONE apparel design workstation improves set up times and reduces production lead times dramatically, for up to 40 yarn carriers. Depending on the intarsia pattern, what used to take hours or days to program can now be performed in minutes or even seconds, the company says.

The MACH2SIG’s intarsia carriers are also, Shima says, more efficient and capable of producing finer, sophisticated intarsia designs, by reducing for example the minimum repeat width of argyle patterns from 6 to 3 inches.

WideGauge knitting

MACH2SIG is available in 3 different variants: SV – sinker variable (WideGauge); SC- sinker classic (true gauge); and FC – with fixed knockover. SV and SC variants are available in 12, 14 and 16 gauge and the FC variant is available in 16 gauge only. All 3 variants have 120cm wide needle beds and the variants will be known as MSIG123SV, MSIG123SC and MSIG123SC.

The MACH2SIG123SV variant, which should be the biggest seller due to its flexibility, features WideGauge knitting capability that allows a variety of gauges to be knitted on a single machine, allowing the MACH2SIG to play various production roles. The WideGauge feature is designed to allow the freedom to handle changing seasons and shifting trends without investing in a machine for every gauge or resorting to the complex, time-consuming task of gauge conversion. A MSIG123SV 14 gauge machine, for example, can be programmed to knit an order of 14 gauge intarsia garment panels followed by an order for 7 gauge panels.

New features

MACH2SIG 123SV also gets the optional i-DSCS+DTC.  Other new features include a yarn gripper and cutter system which is equipped with a new lint remover for reduced maintenance. MACH2SIG machines also get a USB interface positioned directly below the control monitor for improved access in data exchange and the machine’s network connector has been repositioned to improve access for factory data management with Shima Network Solutions.

According to Shima, improved space efficiency is achieved by integrating the fabric collection tray within the machine frame itself. Shima’s Air Splicer, a device for ‘on the fly’ colour changing of yarns is also available for the MACH2SIG as optional equipment.