SHIMA SEIKI to Exhibit at Techtextil North America

15/Apr/2016

Leading computerized knitting machine manufacturer SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its U.S. subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI U.S.A. INC., will participate in the Techtextil North America exhibition in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. in May. On display will be the company's latest technological contributions to the field of technical textiles.

Known for its pioneering WHOLEGARMENT knitting technology wherein a knitted item is produced in its entirety without seams, SHIMA SEIKI introduces its SWG091N2 compact WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine that features the company's original SlideNeedle. Capable of producing small knitted items from safety gloves and compression socks to more sophisticated industrial applications such as tubular shields and harnesses, SWG091N2 offers unique solutions for the automotive, aerospace, sports, medical, safety, outdoor and other markets by knitting items in 3D without seams.

SRY123LP is SHIMA SEIKI's latest computerized knitting machine that features loop presser beds mounted atop conventional needle beds, providing improved control over pressdown of individual loops. This presents unprecedented capability especially with inlay patterns. Inlay fabric is produced by inserting yarn into existing knit fabric in a weave fashion, opening opportunities for expansion into markets for wovens. Inlay also suppresses typical stretch characteristics of knitted fabrics, and since new materials such as metallic and monofilament yarns can be used for inlay structures, new applications in industrial textiles are realized.

Also on display is the new Yarn Unwinding Option. Normally when knitting with stiff materials such as metallic and monofilament yarns, the yarn has a tendency to kink, making it practically impossible to feed smoothly into the knitting machine. A motorized bobbin actively unwinds yarn to provide smooth and stable yarn feed with careful control over feed amount and tension.

The latest version of SHIMA SEIKI's "SDS-ONE APEX3" 3D design system will also be available for demonstrations.