SHIMA SEIKI's unswerving tradition of introducing new technology at ITMA remains intact for 2019. The 566 square meter booth located at Hall 8.0, Stand B106 will feature a comprehensive lineup of brand new WholeGarment® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines, computer graphic design systems as well as various digital solutions making their debut at this ITMA.

SHIMA SEIKI will exhibit at ITMA 2019 under the theme "KNITify the World—Smart Solutions in Textiles." The theme illustrates the flexibility of SHIMA SEIKI products for catering to various industries in addition to its traditional customer base in the apparel industry. In its approach to presenting new proposals for non-fashion related industries, SHIMA SEIKI takes on the challenge of knitting what was previously deemed impossible to knit, or what has never even been considered for knitting. Disrupting the conventional perception of knitting through its arsenal of patented knitting techniques combined with cutting edge hardware and software, SHIMA SEIKI offers the benefits of knitting to prospective customers who are as yet unaware of the true and current potential that knitting possesses. To this end, the latest technological contributions aimed at promoting knitted applications in various fields ranging from fashion, sports, shoes and accessories to medical, automotive, aeronautical and other wearable and industrial textile applications will be displayed at the SHIMA SEIKI booth.

Knitting offers great potential for technical textiles with its inherent characteristics: stretch and compression. Flat knitting provides further potential as the only textile production method that can shape fabric on the machine. To this end, new knitting techniques such as inlay has gained particular attention for its capability to produce hybrid knit-weave fabrics that allow insertion of technical yarns heretofore considered incompatible with knitting, into existing knit fabrics. These include carbon fiber, monofilament and even metallic yarns. SHIMA SEIKI has even developed a special device for unwinding spools of technical yarn to ease yarn feed for such difficult-to-handle material.

WholeGarment® knitting maximizes the benefits of shaped knitting even further by expanding that potential to 3 dimensions. WholeGarment® knitting is capable of producing knitted items in their entirety on the machine, and allows 3D forms and tubing to be produced without sewing. Elimination of sewing allows for faster turnarounds and high potential for on-demand knitting. The seam-free nature also ensures continuity of the fabric, allowing functional yarns such as those made from conductive fibers to wrap around the entire body without interruption for applications in smart garments and wearable technology. 3D knitting provides fit, comfort, lightness and mobility—key factors that make seam-free WholeGarment® knitwear ideal as wearable technology platforms.