Flat knitting solutions provider Shima Seiki Mfg, Ltd (Japan), together with its Spanish subsidiary Shima Seiki Spain, SAU, will participate in International Leather Footwear and Leather Product, Components and Machinery Exhibition (FUTURMODA) in Elche, Spain this month. On display will be its SVR093SP machine especially designed for shoe upper manufacturing.

The global shoe industry is currently evolving at a rapid pace, adopting various textile and material technologies especially in the area of fit, comfort and functionality in footwear applications. Working off the recent trend in knitted shoe uppers in the athletic footwear market, Shima Seiki is proposing knitted fabrics to the footwear market from casual to formal and in between, as an alternative to the prevailing material in this field—leather. To that effect Shima Seiki will be showcasing the latest applications of computerised flat knitting technology to demonstrate its contributions in this field.

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 shoe upper applications that require formfitting function, comfort, flexibility, breathability as well as strength and stiffness. Also on display at the fair will be the SWG091N2 Wholegarment knitting machine featuring Shima Seiki's original SlideNeedle technology.

This largest of the SWGN2 series allows shoe uppers, socks, gloves, tights as well as other footwear and legwear to be knit in one entire piece without the need for sewing afterward. The latest version of Shima Seiki's Sdsone Apex3 3D design system will also be available for demonstrations in design and simulation of suited to shoe production. Of particular interest is its ultrarealistic simulation capability that realises 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 minimising 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.

Shima Seiki is a leading manufacturer in the computerised flatbed knitting machine industry. With complete systems integration from planning, production to sales promotion and retail sales, Shima Seiki has been dedicating its products and services to the knitting industry worldwide through the latest in computerised knitting technology.

Shima Seiki is also the pioneer in complete garment manufacturing technology—called Wholegarment—wherein an entire knitted garment is produced on the knitting machine without the need for linking or sewing afterward.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (PC)

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