Leading computerized knitting machine manufacturer SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its sales representative in India VOLTAS LIMITED, will participate in the 4th India International Footwear Fair in New Delhi, India next month.

The shoe industry is currently evolving at a rapid pace, taking on various textile and material technologies especially in the area of fit, comfort and functionality in athletic footwear applications. Knitting is one of those areas of interest, and SHIMA SEIKI will be showcasing the latest applications of computerized flat knitting technology to demonstrate its contributions in this field. On display will be its compact SVR093SP machine especially designed for shoe-upper manufacturing. SVR093SP features a dedicated loop presser bed mounted above the rear needle bed. This permits full use of inlay technique for the production of hybrid fabrics that feature both knit and weave characteristics, suited to various technical applications including shoe uppers that require form-fitting function, comfort, flexibility, breathability as well as strength and stiffness. Also on display will be seam-free WHOLEGARMENT 3D shoe uppers, as well as knitted bag samples.

The latest version of SHIMA SEIKI's SDS-ONE APEX3 3D design system will also be available for demonstrations in design and simulation of suited to shoe production. Of particular interest is its ultra-realistic simulation capability that realizes Virtual Sampling. When countless variations must be evaluated before arriving at a final design, virtual product samples can be used to streamline the decision-making process by minimizing the enormous amount of time and cost normally associated with producing actual samples for each variation. The sustainability factor is also undeniable considering the amount of material normally gone to waste in the sampling stage.