Leading computerized flat knitting machine manufacturer Shima Seiki exhibited at Techtextil in Frankfurt this month together with its Italian subsidiary Shima Seiki Italia and displayed a new range of performance textiles created in collaboration with product designer and developer StephanPartner and Redaelli Velluti a division of Marzotto Lab srl.

Shima Seiki and Redaelli Velluti are exploring new avenues by taking a different approach to classic textile technologies – Redaelli Velluti is a velvet manufacturer.

What the two companies have in common is their use of distance fabrics (For Shima that means flat knitted spacer fabrics and for Redaelli Velluti it means double plush woven fabrics which are split down the middle to create velvets) with unexpected properties in an extensive range of applications from functional clothing to acoustically effective wall coverings.

StephanPartner is a design office that works at the interface of research and development and design. “In the role of coach or interpreter between two different ways of thinking, we enable and accelerate product and market based processes,” Marko Stephan told Knitting Industry.

“We offer a creative strategy service for companies, brands and products, ranging from product developments to down to positioning and market launched.”

“Our partners profit from our extensive expertise in the textile and clothing sectors, from wood and plastics to composites,” Stephan said.

One of the StephanPartner developments on show was R.ABS or Rapid Knitted Shock Absorber, which Stephan says is defining a new standard in the manufacturing of true-to-form, integrated spacer structures in clothing and gear.

“The performance of the impact and shock absorbing knitting structures, which are completely created in one working step, reaches new dimensions in production flexibility and physiological clothing comfort,” Stephan explained.

SRY123LP

Also on display was Shima’s latest technological contribution to the field of technical textiles, the SRY123LP computerised flat knitting machine. The machine features loop presser beds mounted above conventional needle beds that provide improved control over the press down of individual loops.

Shima claims that this presents unprecedented capability especially with partial knitting patterns and inlay patterns. Inlay fabric is produced on the SRY123LP by inserting yarn into existing knit fabric in a weaving like manner, opening opportunities for expansion into markets for wovens.

Inlay also suppresses typical stretch characteristics of knitted fabrics, and since new materials such as metallic and monofilament yarns can be used for inlay structures, new applications in industrial textiles are realized.

Examples of technical textiles produced on SRY123LP were on display, as well as other samples produced on other knitting machines, including those utilizing Shima Seiki’s exclusive Wholegarment knitting technology.

Wholegarment is capable of producing knitted items in their entirety on the machine, and allows 3D forms and tubing to be produced without sewing.

The latest version of Shima Seiki’s SDS-ONE APEX3 3D design system was also available for demonstrations in design and simulation of various technical textiles.

Further information

Shima Seiki Italia S.p.A.

Tel: +39 02 216621

E-mail: [email protected]

www.shimaseiki.com