Wakayama - A prominent market for Shima Seiki computerized knitting machines with both an established export base to Europe as well as a growing domestic market, Turkey is a high-potential market for the company’s WHOLEGARMENT knitting technology.

As such, the company will participate in the ITM 2018 International Textile Machinery Exhibition in Istanbul this month where it will exhibit a wide range of its products, including proposals in seamfree WHOLEGARMENT knitting technology that offers an alternative to labor-intensive manufacturing in Turkey and other international markets.

Featured will be the flagship MACH2XS WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine with original SlideNeedle on four needle beds and springloaded moveable sinkers with expanded patterning capability, the MACH2X machine in 18G for producing refined ultrafine gauge items, as well as the compact SWG091N2 for producing smaller WHOLEGARMENT items and accessories.

Elsewhere, novel proposals in knitweave hybrid fabrics will be made on SRY machines featuring double loop presser beds while the SVR workhorse series, touted as the industry benchmark for shaped knitting, will be shown in different knitting widths and gauges, including the SVR123SP model with a single loop presser bed and similar capability as SRY.

Rounding off the flat knitting exhibit will be the SSR series offers industry-leading technology in an economical package and the SCG122SN with specialized coarse gauge knitting.

Also on display will be the SFGI glove-knitting machine, SIP series inkjet printing machine and PCAM series cutting machine, showcasing Shima Seiki's comprehensive capability for innovation as textile machinery manufacturer.

Demonstrations will be performed on the SDSONE APEX3 design system that is at the core of the company’s “Total Fashion System” concept. With comprehensive support of the knit supply chain, APEX3 integrates every stage from planning and design to machine programming, production and even sales promotion into one smooth and efficient workflow.

Photorealistic simulation capability allows Virtual Sampling to minimize the need for actual samplemaking, effectively reducing time, material and cost while increasing presentation quality in the sampling process.

APEX3 supports design and simulation in a variety of textile including flat knitting, circular knitting, weaving, pile weaving and printing for such industries as towel and home furnishings as well.

In addition, SHIMA SEIKI will present its virtual showroom technology at ITM, based on virtual 3D models wearing realistic simulations of knitwear created on APEX3. The company proposes its virtual showroom in hopes to reduce time and cost as well as material necessary for the designer to produce collections and other costs required to organize formal presentation.

A simplified version is already available for viewing with Shima Seiki’s app “VRknit.com™” available for iOS and Android devices, and can be accessed at http://www.vrknit.com.

ITM takes place from 14 to 17 April at the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center. Shima Seiki can be found in Hall 7, Stand 710C.