Leading Japanese builder of computerised flat knitting machines Shima Seiki looks set to introduce its slide needle technology into the company’s coarse gauge sweater knitting machines. At last week’s ITMA Asia + CITME in Shanghai, the Wakayama based technology leader showed a prototype 3 Gauge machine which is aimed at the ultra-coarse ‘hand knit look’ market incorporating its slide needle technology.

Although Shima’s slide needle technology has been around since the mid 1990s, the company’s coarse gauge machines (3-5 gauge) such as the SES122FF, SES122CS, NSES122CS and SES234CS have all been equipped with its well known tried and tested compound needle which was developed in the late 1980s. The compound needle was designed to allow a shorter needle stroke which allowed re-profiling of cams to give a subsequent reduction in carriage weight and size, necessary for the short stroke knitting required to knit fully fashioned pieces on the new generation of  ’compact’ flat knitting machines.

Shima introduced its Slide Needle technology in 1995 with the launch of its FIRST Wholegarment technology and has successfully integrated it into its SWGX series of fine gauge Wholegarment machines and SWG041/091 accessories machines. Slide Needle offers a further reduction in needle stroke, a range of new knitting possibilities and the possibility to cover a wider range of gauges on one machine. The new prototype shown aims to cover the 2 to 4 gauge range.

Masaki Karasuno of Shima’s Corporate Planning Division explained: “In addition to such priorities as speed, efficiency and consistent quality, market demand reveals that the computerization of traditionally hand-knitted low-gauge knitwear must place additional emphasis on fabric texture and feel.”

“Incorporating our unique SlideNeedle, this 3 gauge prototype machine can produce knitwear with robust, hand-crafted texture as low as 2 gauge. Digital Stitch Control System with Intelligence and Dynamic Tension Control (i-DSCS + DTC) assures extremely high quality and consistency even with thick, difficult-to-knit fancy yarns,” adds Karasuno.

According to Shima a double racking mechanism provides better racking control in both directions for realizing bold and interesting designs while reducing total racking movement by half. Shima says that, for all the capability, productivity does not suffer, with higher knitting efficiency achieved through a narrower needle pitch and quicker carriage returns using the Rapid Response R2CARRIAGE system.

The 48 inch needle bed prototype machine also comes with a long list of useful features including the spring-type sinker, takedown comb, USB memory interface and backup power supply. Maximum knitting speed for the two system Knitran machine is 1.1 m/s.