Leading Japanese flat knitting technologist Shima Seiki's exhibition theme is‘Breakthrough Technology'.It is presenting its exhibition line-up in three zones at Stand D I in Hall E4.

The zones are: Breakthrough Zone - catering to current needs, WHOLEGARMENT Zone - catering to upgraded needs and Expansion Zone - catering to diversified needs.

In the Breakthrough Zone, with its new workhorse SVR machine, Shima Seiki proposes new applications in shaping and integral knitting through higher production efficiency and flexibility, resetting the industry benchmark in the tradition of its SES and SSG machines, said the company.

Also on display are the specialty intarsia machine, MACH2SIR with 40 intarsia carriers - said to be the highest number of carriers currently available and the coarse g

and optimum loop formation and fabric quality. Because of their capability to produce an entire garment without the need for sewing or linking, WHOLEGARMENT knitting machines realise quick response production with on-demand capability due to reduced lead times and offer reduced dependence on labour as well as associated cost reductions, said Shima Seiki.

The Chinese market is steadily becoming ripe for WHOLEGARMENT applications due to rising wages and a diminishing post-production workforce. Add to that the rapid growth of the domestic fashion industry along with increased demand for more fashionable,higher quality items, and WHOLEGARMENT bec

The company's planning, design and virtual sampling system, SDS-ONE APEX3 3D is also on display in this zone as well as its flagship MACH2X with four needle beds and SlideNeedle that realise full WHOLEGARMENT knitting capability. The newSWGN2 series suited to production of small WHOLEGARMENT items and accessories, as well as technical textile applications is also on view.

The Expansion Zone consists of two new machines that cater to diversified market needs, both with great potential for growth in Asia. One is a knitting

machine that borrows heavily on Shima Seiki's experience with four-bed knitting, featuring a pair of loop presser beds mounted above a conventional V-shaped needle bed.

The new SRY ma

An updated version of Shima Seiki's SIP flatbed inkjet printing machine will also be on display to demonstrate the effectiveness of added-value to knitwear, it said.