SVR093SP-SV computerised flat knitting machine. © Shima Seiki

Leading flat knitting solutions provider Shima Seiki, of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Portuguese subsidiary Shima Seiki Portugal, Unipessoal, will participate in the third edition of the Maquishoes Machinery, Technology and Accessories for the Footwear Industry Fair in Matosinhos, Portugal, next month.

The global shoe industry is adopting various textile and material technologies in footwear applications, especially in the area of fit, comfort and functionality. Working off the recent trend in knitted shoe uppers in the athletic footwear market, Shima Seiki proposes knitted fabrics to the general footwear market as an alternative to the prevailing material in this field – leather.

Compact SVR093SP machine

The company will be showcasing the latest applications of computerised flat knitting technology to demonstrate its contributions in this field. On display will be its compact SVR093SP machine specially developed for shoe upper manufacturing.

SWG091N2 Wholegarment knitting machine. © Shima Seiki

SVR093SP features a dedicated loop presser bed mounted above the rear needle bed. This permits full use of inlay technique for the production of hybrid fabrics that feature both knit and weave characteristics, suited to shoe upper applications that require formfitting function, comfort, flexibility, breathability as well as strength and stiffness.

Also on display will be the SWG091N2 Wholegarment knitting machine featuring Shima Seiki’s original SlideNeedle technology. This largest of the SWG-N2 series is designed to allow shoe uppers, socks, gloves, tights as well as other footwear and legwear to be knit in one entire piece without the need for sewing afterward.

Virtual sampling

Shima Seiki’s new SDS-ONE APEX4 3D design system will also be available for demonstrations in design and simulation suited to shoe production. “Of particular interest is APEX4’s ultrarealistic simulation capability that realizes Virtual Sampling,” the company reports. “When countless variations must be evaluated before arriving at a final design, virtual product samples can be used to streamline the decision-making process by minimizing the enormous amount of time and cost normally associated with producing actual samples for each variation.”

SDS-ONE APEX4 3D design system. © Shima Seiki

“The sustainability factor is also undeniable considering the amount of material normally gone to waste in the sampling stage. APEX4 makes further contribution to this effort with programming and simulation processing speeds of up to 6 times that of the previous APEX3 system.”

Exhibition details

The Maquishoes Machinery, Technology and Accessories for the Footwear Industry Fair will take place from 7-9 November at the Exponor Feira Internacional do Porto in Matosinhos, Portugal.

The company will display its SVR093SP-SV 14G computerised flat knitting machine, SWG091N2 15G Wholegarment knitting machine, and the SDS-ONE APEX4 3D design system.

For more information please contact Shima Seiki Spain at [email protected] or Shima Seiki Portugal, Unipessoal, at [email protected].

www.shimaseiki.com