SHIMA SEIKI to Exhibit at Pitti Filati 80

16/Jan/2017

SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., Italian subsidiary of leading Japanese computerized knitting machine manufacturer SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD., will exhibit at the 80th edition of the Pitti Immagine Filati exhibition in Florence, Italy. It will participate in the Fashion At Work section of the exhibition aimed at appealing to the technical and creative interests of visitors by providing hardware and software solutions for design, manufacturing and processing of knitted goods.

On display will be SHIMA SEIKI's flagship WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine, MACH2XS. Featuring such innovations as the original SlideNeedle on four needle beds as well as the company's patented spring-loaded moveable sinker system, MACH2XS can knit beautiful, high-quality 3D Items with dimensional structures and details that are uniquely WHOLEGARMENT, all with very high efficiency while minimizing dependence upon labour-intensive sewing and linking.

These qualities of WHOLEGARMENT knit production are maximized in combination with the SDS-ONE APEX3 3D design system, the latest version of which will be exhibited at Pitti Filati. At the core of the company's "Total Fashion System" concept, APEX3 provides comprehensive support throughout the apparel supply chain, integrating production into one smooth and efficient workflow from yarn development, product planning and design to production and even sales promotion. Especially effective is APEX3's capability to improve on the design and evaluation process with Virtual Sampling. Ultra-realistic simulation capability on APEX3 allows Virtual Sampling to minimize the time- and cost-impact that the sample-making process has on current manufacturing. With this new manufacturing model, the production cycle can be shortened to such an extent that on-demand production can revolutionize the supply chain by freeing itself from seasonal cycles.

To further enhance the planning and design capability of APEX3, SHIMA SEIKI's new web-based fashion service "staf" (shima trend archive and forecast) will also be demonstrated. staf provides a massive collection of fashion related content including an archive of fashion and color trends covering the past 50 years. This information can be neatly organized on a virtual concept board that can be shared across various devices, improving on planning efficiency significantly.

Examples of knitwear produced on SHIMA SEIKI's latest line of computerized knitting machines will be on display as well, including WHOLEGARMENT knitwear as well as new proposals in knit-weave hybrid textiles produced on the SRY series machine.