The Original SlideNeedle

The SlideNeedle is the result of a thorough re-evaluation of the 150-year old design of the conventional latch needle. A flexible two-piece slider mechanism replaces the latch and offers knitting possibilities never imagined before. Using the slider mechanism for transfer effectively eliminates the transfer clip, allowing the SlideNeedle to be mounted in the center of the needle groove, thereby achieving perfectly symmetrical loop formation for knitting the highest possible quality fabrics.

WideGauge Knitting

Needles dedicated to WideGauge allow a variety of gauges to be knit on a single machine. This allows the freedom to handle changing seasons and shifting trends without investing in a machine for every gauge or resorting to the complex, time-consuming task of gauge conversion.

4-Bed Configuration

MACH2XS and MACH2X present a technological breakthrough in modern computerized flat knitting, in its 4-needlebed configuration, featuring 2 extra beds on top of a conventional V-bed. This setup allows unprecedented capabilities in knit and transfer, significantly expanding design and patterning capability in WHOLEGARMENT production. As a result, only SHIMA SEIKI's 4-bed WHOLEGARMENT machines are capable of true WHOLEGARMENT knitting in all needle.

Spring-Type Movable Sinker System

SHIMA SEIKI's spring-type mechanism can work full-time regardless of carriage position, and provides gentle holddown movement. Consequently, significant improvement in fabric quality for complicated patterns is achieved.

Loop Presser Bed

By utilizing a loop presser bed, stable hold-down of loops are achieved, allowing full control especially when producing inlay patterns. Inlay fabric is produced by inserting yarn into existing knit fabric in a weave fashion, yielding unique fabrics that are neither typically knit nor woven. Inlay also suppresses typical stretch characteristics of knitwear, and since new yarns and materials can be used for inlay structures, new applications in addition to fashion apparel such as sports and medical as well as other industrial applications can be anticipated.

i-Plating

i-Plating offers inverse-plating capability in which different yarns can be shown alternately on the fabric surface for a jacquard-like effect in plain jersey stitch. This can be performed within the same course and for individual needles, for greater efficiency and expanded capability.

Rapid Response R2CARRIAGE System

The R2CARRIAGE (R2=Rapid Response) System features an advanced carriage mechanism combined with improved software programming that achieves quicker carriage returns after each course. For a given knitting width, a larger and heavier carriage requires more space (B) at each end of the machine to decelerate, return and accelerate back up to speed, so the actual portion where the carriage runs at full speed (A) becomes very limited. With a compact, lightweight carriage, less space is required for the carriage to make returns, allowing more area for the carriage to run at full speed. This allows faster knitting per course, resulting in higher productivity.

Stitch Presser

The patented stitch presser system features a special motor-driven system which allows the pressers to carry out individual on/off adjustments in both knit and transfer, in either course direction. These pressers are able to hold down fabric gently for improved consistency and control, contributing significantly to quality shaping.

Twin Carriages and Tandem Operation

Some long-bed knitting machines feature twin carriages. While both carriages can be used together along the entire width of the needle bed in double-system mode, the carriages can be separated into two single-KNITRAN cam systems for knitting two identical pieces, such as collars, simultaneously. Tandem operation thereby allows to perform two separate roles, significantly increasing the versatility and productivity of the machine.

i-DSCS+DTC

i-DSCS+DTC carries over the benefits of DSCS while achieving the ultimate performance in digital knitting. Whereas DSCS is a passive system that mechanically limits yarn-feed, i-DSCS+DTC has the capability to actively control yarn-feed in both feed and retrieval directions as necessary, through variable electronic control of yarn tension. This results in even higher quality and greater productivity using a wider variety of yarns, including high-speed knitting of challenging yarns such as fancy yarns, stretch yarns, slub yarns and delicate cashmeres. Precise electronic control means i-DSCS+DTC provides consistent quality among different machines, production batches and repeat orders, and is crucial to the precision knitting required in WHOLEGARMENT production.

DSCS

Considered one of the most significant breakthroughs in modern-day knitting, SHIMA SEIKI's patented Digital Stitch Control System (DSCS) continuously adjusts yarn feed and tension to yield loop consistency with tolerance to within a remarkable ±1%. The result is quality control capability that is virtually impossible with conventional analog systems. In addition to being an essential element in quality shaping and integral garment production, DSCS allows consistency among different batches and repeat orders. DSCS is the only proven digital system field-tested and market-proven in the industry for 30 years. No other manufacturer can claim this kind of experience or level of refinement.

Intarsia Carriers

Using dedicated carriers for intarsia knitting allows more color changes wthin a given knitting width. Working with Intarsia Carrier Auto Allocation Software, on SHIMA SEIKI's SDS-ONE APEX series design system, production lead time can be significantly reduced.

Yarn Gripper and Cutter

Our unique yarn gripper and cutter system consists of two yarn grippers and one yarn cutter that work in precise coordination with each other. Since the gripper and cutter are separate units, they can be independently activated to delay cutting while holding, or perform holding alone.

Lint Remover

It is possible to absorb the lint in a timely manner by a new lint remover equipped with a yarn gripper.

Edge Yarn Insertion

With a yarn insertion device, edge yarns can be cleaned up not only at the finger/toe tips but also between fingers and toes for gloves and socks. SWG-N2 series feature a motor-driven insertion hook and cutter which ensure reliable insertion.

Auto Yarn Carrier

Conventionally when knitting intarsia patterns, the carriage is used to move the carrier to its knitting position and back out of that position. Since the carriage spends an extra course for each of these movements without actually knitting, they perform "empty courses". With auto yarn carriers, each yarn carrier moves independently of carriage movement, eliminating the need for empty courses and improving productivity and efficiency.

Takedown System

SHIMA SEIKI's fabric takedown system features the patented takedown comb which employs a fully-active row of setup needles. Their compound release mechanism offers complete, reliable, snag-free fabric release.

Pulldown Device

New computerized pulldown system consists of front and rear panels over which tiny pins are distributed for separately controlling pulldown tension for the front and back when knitting WHOLEGARMENT knitwear. In addition, each panel is separated into 1.5-inch sections which can be individually controlled for specific tension control across the entire width of the garment. This precise control over pulldown tension permits three-dimensional shaping of WHOLEGARMENT items—for example, by allowing shoulder lines for set-in sleeves to be positioned over the shoulder toward the back—resulting in a more dimensionally accurate garment which conforms better to the shape of the torso.

Double Setup Device

Until now, short-sleeve WHOLEGARMENT items required mock "sleeves" in order to maintain stable knitting. Referred to also as "waste knitting," these mock sleeves are eventually scrapped. With the double setup device it is possible to knit short sleeve WHOLEGARMENT products with no wastage, further contributing to sustainable manufacturing.

Color LCD Touchscreen

An all-new full-color LCD touch-sensitive control panel features a larger screen that greatly improves on the previous monochromatic display. Still at eye-level, the new control panel maintains established ergonomic benefits by carrying over function buttons for simultaneous use of both hands.

Other Functions

Space efficiency is improved during installation by integrating the fabric collection tray within the machine frame. The network connector is repositioned on the side of the machine for easier access while transferring comprehensive data using Shima KnitPLM. The USB interface is also positioned directly below the control monitor for improved access in data exchange. For those moments when power suddenly becomes unavailable, a backup power supply allows work to resume after power failures. This offers peace of mind that an entire garment will not be lost due to blackouts.