Billy Hunter reports from Wakayama

High technology flat knitting machine builder Shima Seiki launched two new machines at its 50^th Anniversary celebrations here in Wakayama yesterday where around 1500 guests gathered to celebrate the occasion.

The market leading Japanese company headed by founder Masahiro Shima, has come up with an innovative solution for improving dimensional stability and strength in technical flat knitted fabrics.

The technology leading Japanese company unveiled an interesting 5 gauge version of its high speed four needlebed MACH 2X, which is a new coarse gauge option for X technology, and an all new and even more interesting SRY123LP flat knitting machine for ‘inlay’ fabrics using the company’s loop presser technology.

SRY123LP

The SRY123LP is a brand new model aimed at technical textiles markets where particular properties are required in a fabric that can be achieved by inlaying (i.e. where the particular yarn is not knitted but laid in to the fabric and locked in by subsequent knit or tuck loops).

Shima's SRY123LP 'inlay' machine

As most flat knitted fabrics are dimensionally unstable, the inlay technique can be employed to stabilise the fabric. Tensile strength and stiffness can also be improved significantly by laying in high modulus (low elasticity) yarns.

Although Shima declined to comment, the timing of the launch of the SRY123LP is significant given the recent launch of Nike’s Flyknit running shoe range with seamless flat knitted uppers. All of the evidence to date shows that Flyknit is produced on Stoll machines (Shima’s main competitor) fitted with a special patented inlay device.

Close examination of Flyknit shoes and recently published patents reveal that Nike uses an inlay technique to lay-in its Flywire braided yarn which imparts strength and support at the side of the shoe upper. At least one recently published Nike patent reveals how a novel yarn feeder moves in and out of the knitting area as required in order to lay in the Flywire yarn.

There are of course many other applications of the inlay technique in technical textiles where properties similar to rigid woven structures are required.

Shima’s loop presser technology is applied to the SRY123LP machine on two upper beds in a similar manner as those used on its FIRST machine range. In the case of inlay fabrics the loop presser will act to hold the inlaid yarn in place whilst subsequent courses of knit or tuck loops are made. This is a machine with a specific type of fabric in mind which requires no modification or additional parts to make inlay fabrics.

MACH2X – 5 gauge

The new 5 gauge MACH2X completes the MACH2X machine range with gauges 5S, 8L, 15L and 18L now being available. Shima originally launched its X technology in 12 gauge for the volume 12 gauge women’s knitwear market and subsequently launched both finer and coarser gauges for other market segments. The introduction of the 5 gauge model completes the MACH2X family for all of the main knitwear market segments.

Visitors take the red carpet to view the new MACH2X 5 gauge machine

MACH2X 5 gauge is the latest addition to Shima’s line of Wholegarment specialty machines that features 4 needle beds. It is designed to produce shaped, high-quality Wholegarment products which conform to the body for improved comfort and a more elegant silhouette. As the MACH name suggests, speed and productivity are paramount.

The MACH2X 173S on show has a maximum knitting speed of 1.1 metres per second and also features Shima’s high speed R2CARRIAGE, SlideNeedle and i-DSCS + DTC.

A full report on the Shima Seiki 50^th anniversary celebrations will be available shortly..