Leading flat knitting technology company SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, will be participating in the ITMA Asia + CITME 2022 exhibition in Shanghai, China later this month.

Postponed for a year due to COVID, the Asian version of ITMA is being held in the same year as the European show held in Milan, Italy back in June. In Milan SHIMA SEIKI exhibited its entire lineup of next-generation ‘Type R’ prototype machines to much acclaim. Despite ITMA 2023 being a great success whereby it presented an ideal opportunity to demonstrate our strength as leading flat knitting technologist, unfortunately not many Chinese delegates were able to participate as part of that audience. For that reason, SHIMA SEIKI's presentation at ITMA Asia will be spearheaded by the same SWG-XR^® next-generation WHOLEGARMENT^® knitting machines shown at ITMA Milan.

The ‘R’ moniker of SWG-XR^® stands for ‘Reborn’ in reference to it being a renewal of the original SWG^®-X 4-bed WHOLEGARMENT^® knitting machine which debuted at ITMA in 1995. It is this renewal that became the core of SHIMA SEIKI's exhibition concept for ITMA 2023, which is repeated for ITMA Asia + CITME 2022: “SHIMA SEIKI Reborn.”

Of the 5 knitting machines SHIMA SEIKI is exhibiting at its 400 sq. meter booth located at Hall 4, Stand D20, three will be WHOLEGARMENT^® knitting machines, two of which are SWG-XR^® machines. One will be a prototype machine that will demonstrate knitting of a high-quality 18G pullover in all needles, while the other will be paired with the optional i-DYCS^® intelligent Digital Yarn Changer System to knit a 34-color item. The third WHOLEGARMENT^® machines will be a V-bed machine that produces WHOLEGARMENT^® items in half-gauge fabrics. Two other shaping machines will be presented as well. N.SVR^®122 is SHIMA SEIKI's benchmark in computerized flat knitting and is equipped with the latest technology which in themselves have become industry standards, while N.SIR^®123SP features an extra loop presser bed for performing inlay knitting and optional i-Plating^®, all in combination with multi-color intarsia knitting.

In addition to machine technology, SHIMA SEIKI's SDS^®-ONE APEX series computer graphic design system and software will be shown with their latest software upgrades that feature significant improvements in knit programming, 3D functions and speed. Demonstrations will be available for a comprehensive fashion tech solutions package based on realistic virtual sampling and supported by various digital solutions and web services.

With a comprehensive display of its latest products and services, SHIMA SEIKI technology at ITMA Asia + CITME 2022 will demonstrate smart, speedy and sustainable production that further secures its leading role as flat knitting solutions provider.