Leading manufacturer of advanced computerized flat knitting machines Shima Seiki is investing in a new purpose built factory which will manufacture the Japanese company's state of the art Wholegarment flat knitting machines.

The new Japanese Yen 700 million (US$ 8.98 million) facility, which is being built in anticipation of increased demand for Wholegarment technology is already under construction at the 50 year old company's Wakayama headquarters.

Wholegarment or complete garment knitting, where an entire garment is produced on the knitting machine without the need for sewing or linking afterwards, has been pioneered by Shima Seiki and was commercially introduced in 1995.

Shima's ongoing research in the area of complete garment knitting spans 25 years and with over 15 years of practical field experience and know-how, the company has amassed a staggering 1000 plus patents covering the technology on machinery, stitch structures and machine programming.

Solutions for Diversity

With Solutions for Diversity as its exhibit theme at last autumn's ITMA in Barcelona, Shima presented a range of products that reflected the dichotomy of the flat knitting machine market. Anticipating the ITMA visitor profile to include both high-volume export-oriented factories as well as manufacturers catering to local consumer markets, Shima exhibited a balanced cross-section of its entire line-up in both shaping and Wholegarment applications.

In addition, Shima took the opportunity to demonstrate its role as leading innovator by unveiling an impressive number of first-time exhibits in the form of new models, gauges and prototypes.

In fact, of the 13 models exhibited, 11 were new exhibits and 5 had Wholegarment capability. Some other noteworthy developments included the world's first flat knitting machine capable of shaping in 21 gauge, and a V-bed prototype machine equipped with two additional loop presser beds.

The Wholegarment machine line-up at ITMA was as follows:

MACH2X153 18L

The world's only 4-bed Wholegarment machine and the pinnacle of flat knitting technology, the MACH2X series expanded its line-up with a wider gauge range. On the fine gauge side the line-up now features a new 18L machine that produces even finer, more sophisticated fabrics than ever before. The capability to knit ultrafine gauge Wholegarment knitwear using all-needle is exclusive to Shima.

A special large-hook version of the SlideNeedle is mounted at 18-gauge pitch, allowing production of very tight, high-quality fabrics in the 14 to 18 gauge range. High productivity is achieved with a maximum knitting speed of 1.6m/sec combined with quick carriage returns achieved with Shima's R2CARRIAGE.

MACH2X153 18L also features i-DSCS+DTC for supporting high-speed knitting of fine and delicate materials such as cashmere and fine count yarns. MACH2X173 15L As the pioneer of complete garment technology and the only machine manufacturer to continually support commercial Wholegarment production, Shima developed the MACH2X as the ultimate Wholegarment machine and presented it as a prototype at the previous ITMA exhibition.

Four years later this same machine was exhibited at ITMA 2011 as the MACH2X173 15L, a proven production machine which the company says has gathered a large following. With a large-hook version of the SlideNeedle mounted on four needlebeds at 15-gauge pitch, high-quality Wholegarment products in the 10G-15G range can be produced efficiently.

MACH2X173 8L

Development of the MACH2X series has until now been concentrated on the fine end of the spectrum. Now Shima offers a solution for very high quality middle-gauge Wholegarment production, in the form of its brand new MACH2X173 8L.

Such features as all-needle knitting, the SlideNeedle, R2CARRIAGE, a maximum knitting speed of 1.4m/sec, i-DSCS+DTC and pull down device allow stable, high-speed knitting of high-quality items.

Large-hook SlideNeedles mounted at 8G pitch yield high-quality Wholegarment products in the 6G-10G range efficiently. With all-needle knitting, cable patterns and traditional Aran knits can be produced easily using the double racking mechanism, maximizing the middle gauge capabilities of the MACH2X 8L machine, Shima says.

MACH2S183 12G

With its V-bed configuration and latch needle, MACH2S is a flexible all-round model that can knit everything from fully fashioned items to Wholegarment knitwear. Capable of Wholegarment knitting in half-gauge, this is the only machine in the line-up that competes directly with other manufacturers' complete garment-capable machines.

However, Shima says, without such specialized functions as Shima's original spring-type sinker system and i-DSCS digital stitch control system with intelligence, only MACH2S has the competence to work effectively in daily Wholegarment production, making it the overwhelming choice as a basic Wholegarment machine.

SWG091N 18G

Affectionately referred to as SWG-Mini , Shima's compact line of Wholegarment machines-SWG041N, SWG061N and SWG091N- aims to allow customers to participate in the Wholegarment market with minimal investment in niche products.  

Shima says that SWG091N in particular is especially capable due to its 36-inch knitting width, for knitting such items as gloves, socks, hats, mufflers, neckties and other small accessory items, as well as garments such as infant knitwear, kids' one-piece dresses and ladies' leggings and tanktops. The company's ITMA exhibit featured a new 18G version shown for the first time as a proposal for fine and sophisticated, high-quality niche items.

50 years in business

From a commemorative standpoint, ITMA 2011 held particular significance for Shima Seiki as well. It was the company's 10th ITMA as an exhibitor and 2011 also marks its 50th year in business. The past 50 years has certainly been fruitful for Shima Seiki, having introduced a number of revolutionary technologies in flat knitting including seamless glove knitting, v-bed shaping in the form of the company's SES range of knitwear machines and Wholegarment knitting.  

Shima says, ITMA was not an occasion for celebrating the past but an opportunity to establish, once and for all, its position as leading innovator and provide customers with the confidence and peace of mind that Shima can be depended upon for the next 50 years.