#Knitting & Hosiery

2021-04-01

SHIMA SEIKI releases new design software

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan announces the release of its new “APEXFiz™” subscription?based design software. APEXFiz™ is intended to aid in the digital transformation of the fashion industry.

APEXFiz™ is the latest addition to SHIMA SEIKI’s proven SDS®?ONE APEX series design system lineup, but with an unprecedented twist. Whereas previous APEX?series design systems were offered as an all?in?one proprietary hard?ware/software package, for the first time in its nearly 40 years of design system development, SHIMA SEIKI has released its new APEXFiz™ as subscription?based design software that can be installed on customers’ individual com?puters. Maintaining proven functions that have made the APEX series so popular with fashion designers, with APEXFiz™ those strengths are now enhanced with the added versatility to adapt to different work styles and business environ?ments of the “new normal,” including teleworking and telecommuting. APEXFiz™ is furthermore available in 5 different product variations that can be selected according to the customer’s needs, from APEXFiz™ Design Jr. to APEXFiz™ Design Pro.

APEXFiz™ software supports the creative side of fashion from planning and design to colorway evaluation, real?istic fabric simulation and 3D virtual sampling. Otherwise known as “digital twins,” virtual samples are a digitized ver?sion of sample making that allows visual confirmation of garment designs without the need for knitting physical sam?ples. Virtual sampling on APEXFiz™ is also a communication tool that is not only an accurate representation of the product, but it also digitally bridges the gap between the studio and the factory. By sending data to the knit manufac?turer it can be converted to machine programming data, shortening lead times and allowing the production of items faithful to their design as originally intended by the designer. This accuracy allows virtual samples on APEXFiz™ to be used effectively as prototypes, replacing physical sampling and consequently reducing time, cost and material that are otherwise wasted. APEXFiz™ thereby helps to realize sustainability and digitally transform the fashion supply chain.

APEXFiz™ is supported by two other web services to enhance its user experience. “yarnbank™” is the world’s first online web service for searching and viewing the latest yarns, developed with cooperation from yarn companies from around the world. Registered users can download yarn data for free, for use in fabric simulation and virtual sampling on APEXFiz™, avoiding the need to scan yarn on their own.

By using yarn that is used in actual production, design?ers and apparel companies can furthermore rest assured that the simulations created using yarn from yarnbank™ are not merely realistic images but accurate representations using yarn that can actually be purchased and used in production. “SHIMANAVI™” e?learning system allows APEXFiz™ users to experience online training when and where it is con?venient, and at their own pace, supporting "new normal: work styles. SHIMANAVI features several courses available in different languages to suit the needs of individual customers as well.

APEXFiz™ Details

Product Description:

APEXFiz™ (subscription?based design software)

Software Variations:

APEXFiz™ Design Jr.

APEXFiz™ Design?Standard APEXFiz™ Design?Knit

APEXFiz™ Design?Weave APEXFiz™ Design Pro

Release date: March 2021

https://www.shimaseiki.com/fiz

SDS®-ONE APEX Fiz™ Details

Product Description:

SDS®?ONE APEX Fiz™ Subscription?based design software Software Variations:

Fiz Design Jr.

Fiz Design?Standard

Fiz Design?Knit

Fiz Design?Weave

Fiz Design Pro

Release date: March 2021

https://www.shimaseiki.com/fiz

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Intertextile Shanghai

Leading digital textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Hong Kong and Chinese market subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI (HONG KONG) LTD., will exhibit at the Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition 2025 show in Shanghai, China next month. It will exhibit once again as part of the Digital Solutions Zone which allows visitors various opportunities to partake in the digital revolution that is currently making waves in the apparel industry.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Preview in Seoul

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Korean subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI KOREA INC., will participate in the 26th edition of Preview in Seoul exhibition in Seoul, Republic of Korea this month, with a lineup of knitting machines and design systems. SHIMA SEIKI will be exhibiting two SWG®091N2 WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines in different gauges.

SHIMA SEIKI to exhibit at Future Fabrics Expo

Leading textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan will participate in the Future Fabrics Expo 2025 exhibition in London, England this month. Held during London Climate Action Week, Future Fabrics Expo showcases sustainably and responsibly produced materials to the textile industry, and is considered a platform for exchange of knowledge and sourcing of sustainable textiles, materials and leading innovations for fashion, home and interior brands.

KARL MAYER develops seersucker WARP KNITS with even more character and style

Seersucker fabrics are icons of the clothing industry and assure their manufacturers' success. Just in time for ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025, the textile product developers at KARL MAYER have succeeded in creating brand new variants of this material. These fancy newcomers feature unique bubble effects and, with their new dimensionality, inject extra dynamism into the textile surface – and into the market.

The KARL MAYER Warp Knitting Business Unit at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025

The manufacturing of warp knitting machines has made KARL MAYER a leader in its field. It remains the company’s most important Business Unit today and has established its name as a brand in the warp knitting industry. KARL MAYER stands for the very highest quality, performance and technical progress. In a persistently difficult market environment, the company is seeking to strengthen its outstanding reputation and, above all, focus more than ever on innovation. The man responsible for this reorientation is Axel Wintermeyer, who has been President of the Warp Knitting Business Unit at KARL MAYER since January 2025 and is also part of the Management board.

Heimtextil 2026 strengthens the global home textile industry with trends, designs and AI technologies

With an optimised hall layout, progressive design collaborations, inspiring trends and AI-driven innovations, Heimtextil 2026 reacts to the current market situation – and offers the industry a reliable constant in challenging times. Under the motto ‘Lead the Change’, the leading trade fair for home and contract textiles and textile design shows how challenges can be turned into opportunities. From 13 to 16 January, more than 3,100 exhibitors from 65 countries will provide a comprehensive market overview with new collections and textile solutions. As a knowledge hub, Heimtextil delivers new strategies and concrete solutions for future business success.

A circular European value chain turns post-consumer textile waste into new garments for Dutch retailer Zeeman

A closed-loop recycling project has successfully transformed 24 tons of post-consumer textiles into nearly 50,000 garments for Dutch retailer Zeeman, with each product containing a high-rate of 70% recycled content. This achievement represents a major milestone in accelerating textile-to-textile recycling in Europe.