SHIMA SEIKI introduces five new machines in 2012

New machines, models and gauges were mostly introduced at SHIMA SEIKI's WHOLEGARMENT private exhibition held in March at company headquarters, at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012 held in June in Shanghai, China, and at the company's 50th Anniversary Celebration in SHIMA SEIKI's hometown of Wakayama, Japan in November. They appear in the following list in the order in which they were announced.

• SWG-FIRST154 S21 (New Machine) / S18 (New Gauge) / SWG-FIRST124 (New Model)

Introduced as a prototype at ITMA 2011 and premiering at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012, SWG-FIRST154 S21 is the world's first flat knitting machine that can perform shaping (knit and transfer) in 21G. It was also shown at the WHOLEGARMENT private exhibition in March along with an 18G version of the machine. Both feature, in addition to the SlideNeedle, loop pressers and transfer jacks, permitting a wide variety of patterns in a wide range of gauges never before possible. S18 can produce single jersey fabrics from 16G to 24G (19G for ribs), while S21 is capable of knitting from 18G all the way up to 26G (20G for ribs). A new short-bed edition, SWG-FIRST124, was introduced later in the year at SHIMA SEIKI's 50th Anniversary event.

The new SWG-FIRST154 S21

• MACH2X123 (New Machine)

The 4-bed SlideNeedle-equipped MACH2X series lineup was joined by the compact MACH2X123 at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012. Complementing the 68-inch MACH2X173 and 60-inch MACH2X153, the 50-inch (125cm) MACH2X123 gathers high expectations as the most flexible of the trio. Its compact size allows easier shipping and installation, while its knitting width is adequate for everything from small accessories and childrenswear to ladieswear and even some menswear. The same machine can knit WHOLEGARMENT knitwear as well as integral knits. Three versions of MACH2X123 are available, each capable of efficiently knitting high-quality WHOLEGARMENT products in the following range: 8L (6-10G); 15L (10G-15G); and 18L (14G-18G). The technology to knit ultrafine gauge WHOLEGARMENT knitwear in all-needle knitting is exclusive to SHIMA SEIKI.

• MACH2X103 (New Machine)

Also introduced at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012 was an even more compact and lightweight WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine, the MACH2X103. MACH2X103 features a knitting width of 40 inches (100cm) and is capable of knitting most children’s sizes and some ladieswear, as well as WHOLEGARMENT accessory items. Such features as all-needle knitting, the SlideNeedle, R2CARRIAGE, i-DSCS+DTC and pulldown device allow the same stable, high-quality knitting achieved by the larger models in the MACH2X lineup.

• SWG021N (New Model)

Affectionately referred to as “SWG-Mini,” SHIMA SEIKI's compact line of WHOLEGARMENT machines allows customers to participate in the WHOLEGARMENT market with minimal investment. Returning after a hiatus of several years, the most compact among the SWG-Mini lineup was re-introduced at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012 as the SWG021N, this time with the "N" designation denoting the current generation lineup. With a compact knitting width of 10 inches (25cm), SWG021 is especially suited to high-quality knitting of WHOLEGARMENT gloves, socks, five-toe socks, leg warmers and other legwear.

• SIP-160F2S (New Model)

SHIMA SEIKI's SIP-160F2 inkjet printing machine lineup saw the addition of a "short," compact model SIP-160F2S at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012. At half the size of the larger SIP-160F2L, its possible range of installation is increased dramatically. With the same printing speed and features as its larger counterpart, SIP-160F2S enjoys an even greater cost-performance ratio, especially as a sampling machine for large-scale printing operations.

• P-CAM120C (New Machine)

SHIMA SEIKI's diversified product line includes the P-CAM series computerized cutting machine which has gained a steady following worldwide for its speed and precision as well as full-featured CAD programming support from SDS-ONE APEX3. Its latest offering is P-CAM120C, introduced in October at the Japan International Aerospace

Exhibition in Nagoya, Japan. A compact single-ply cutting machine for cutting industrial materials such as carbon fiber- and glass fiber-reinforced pl astics, P-CAM is also suited to cutting of industrial textiles for use in the automotive industry.

 

 

Pic: The new P-CAM120C

• MACH2X173 5S (New Gauge)

A coarse gauge machine was added to the MACH2X lineup at SHIMA SEIKI's 50th Anniversary event. The MACH2X1735S machine features a 68-inch (170cm) knitting width and 5G standard-hook needles. With the new machine capable of knitting WHOLEGARMENT knitwear ranging from 4G to 6G, the MACH2X lineup now covers a full range of gauges from 4G to 18G possible for all-needle knitting of WHOLEGARMENT items.

• SRY123LP (New Machine)

SRY123LP is a new four-needlebed machine featuring two loop presser beds on top of a conventional V-bed.
Appropriately released for the 50th Anniversary of a company that has thrived on innovation, the machine features the current iteration of a long evolution of patents surrounding the holding down of knitted loops for permitting the formation of various knit structures. Beginning with SHIMA's takedown system and evolving through the stitch presser and springloaded full-time sinker system, the latest loop presser mounted across the entire knitting width over both front and back beds now allows holddown over every single loop, even for rib patterns. This makes the SRY123LP especially effective in knitting flechage and inlay patterns in all-needle knitting.

Inlay permits users the exploration of applications for non-elastic knits outside the realm of fashion. Non-elastic material as carbon fiber and other industrial materials can also be laid-in, paving the way for new non-garment applications such as industrial and technical textiles.

• SDS-ONE APEX3 Realtime 3D View (New Feature)

SHIMA SEIKI provided demonstrations on multiple SDS-ONE APEX3 3D apparel design systems as part of its 50th Anniversary event. It was the perfect opportunity to introduce its new Realtime 3D View function, which allows the designer to make changes to a design while viewing those same changes on a 3D image of a model wearing that garment, in realtime. Using a large vertical monitor, it is possible to confirm these changes in life-size.