The shoe upper features a double­layer of cut resistant fabric as well as a pile­knit sole for a combination of worker­friendly safety and comfort. Besides shoe uppers, SWG091N2 is capable of knitting a variety of other items in safety, sports, medical, and other applications, from gloves, socks, knit caps, and balaclavas to lining for protective headgear and various joint supports, all produced in one entire piece without the need for sewing afterward, according to a press release by the company.

Also exhibited will be the SVR123SP computerised flat knitting machine featuring a dedicated loop presser bed that permits full use of inlay technique for the production of hybrid fabrics that feature both knit and weave characteristics, suited to the production of safety­oriented functional fabrics. At A+A, SVR123SP will be knitting a light­weight cut­resistant apron as an alternative proposal to current heavy vinyl aprons used in the meat packing industry.

Also demonstrated will be Shima Seiki’s new SDS­ONE APEX4 3D design system. APEX4 is at the core of Shima Seiki’s Total Fashion System concept, made possible through its comprehensive support of the knit apparel production process from planning and production to sales promotion. Furthermore its capability for virtual sampling is especially effective in streamlining the production process. Ultra­realistic simulation capability allows the use of virtual samples for evaluating design variations without producing actual samples for each variation, thereby minimising the time, cost and resources normally required with sample­making, supporting smart, speedy, and sustainable apparel production. APEX4 features programming and simulation processing speeds of up to 6 times that of the previous APEX3 system.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (GK)