Leading Japanese textile technology solutions provider Shima Seiki, along with its Italian subsidiary Shima Seiki Italia, will be exhibiting at the Techtextil exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany this month.

On display will be Shima’s MACH2 XS153 15L computerised WHOLEGARMENT flat knitting machine and SDS-ONE APEX4 3D design system. MACH2 XS features 4 needle beds and Shima’s original SlideNeedle, which is capable of producing high-quality fine gauge WHOLEGARMENT products in all needles.

Shima says there is great potential for WHOLEGARMENT knitting in the field of technical textiles, where most items are produced using weaving, circular knitting and warp knitting technologies, using specialised industrial materials, that are in many instances very costly. Textile production usually involves knitting or weaving a square fabric or sheet from which 2D patterns are cut and sewn together to make the final product, during which precious material is wasted, Shima explains.

In sharp contrast, the WHOLEGARMENT knitting process can produce a complete item in 3D without the need for sewing or linking, and no material is wasted. Through WHOLEGARMENT knitting technology, Shima therefore offers a sustainable, economical and smarter alternative to current manufacturing processes for technical textiles.

In addition, because WHOLEGARMENT knitting can produce one product at a time, it is possible to perform on-demand production for customised items such as for

patient care in the medical field. Examples in technical textiles and industrial materials using flat knitting technology by MACH2 XS and other computerized flat knitting machines in Shima’s line-up will be on display. These include Shima’s original samples as well as those by users and other partner companies.

Shima's SDS-ONE APEX4 3D design system will be available for demonstrations as well. Of particular interest should be its ultra-realistic simulation capability that realizes virtual sampling. 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 minimising the enormous amount of time, cost and material normally associated with producing actual samples for each variation. When approved, the same data can be converted to machine data for immediate knitting, significantly reducing lead times.

Exhibition details

Techtextil 2024

23-26 April 2024

Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Hall 12.0, Stand A55 (Shima Seiki Italia S.p.A. booth)

For more information please contact:

Shima Seiki Italia

Tel: +39 02 216621

[email protected]

www.shimaseiki.com