Shima Seiki, a leading manufacturer of seamless technology, computerised flat knitting machines, CAD/CAM systems and computer graphics, also offers complete systems integration from planning to production and sales promotion. The 2008 Edition of ITMA+CITME will see the company put up the best of its technology. On display will be the SSG® and SIG® series of computerised machines with focus on features such as DSCS® digital stitch control, RapidReturn R2Carriage® and WideGauge®.
Also displayed will be the latest flat knitting technology in Wholegarment®. Shima Seiki plans to also introduce the latest version of SDS®-ONE, a specialised hardware/software system that covers the knit supply chain from yarn design to retail promotion, and organize demonstrations for its potential customers to get a feel of this unique technology.
The essence of manufacturing lies in the ability to shape the designer’s vision into a product. Drawing from its years of experience, Shima has developed for the fashion and textile industry, a specialised hardware and software, SDS®-ONE, that supports production right from product planning to design. A user friendly set up, the SDS®-ONE consists of a pressure-sensitive cordless pen and digitiser tablet as well as a trackball unit with duplicate keys for often-used functions. A high-recognition menu features buttons for each software application with picture icons formed with 3D-like illustrations contributing to increased efficiency. A work menu is also available which features pre-registered workflow sequences for often used functions, which users can customise on an individual basis. Should the need arise, online help is available as a reference aid.
Color Management – With an inbuilt colour management system and Eye-One colour calibrator, SDS®-ONE can create colour adjustment profiles based on sRGB colourspace, so that every aspect, from scanned-in data to display monitor to printer output, can be calibrated to approach the original colour.
Yarn Design Tool – SDS®-ONE offers a full-featured yarn design program; from designing original yarns, to arranging existing yarns that are scanned-in, or simulating the twisting of several yarns together. Realistic virtual yarns can be used to create convincing fabric textures, thereby increasing the effectiveness of loop simulations and textile simulations for presentations.
Knit Design Tool – When it comes to knit design, the collective know-how of SDS®-ONE offers unparalleled performance in this field. Loop simulation allows quick evaluation of virtual knitwear without sample-making. Various simulations can be performed for Wholegarment, conventional flat knitting and circular knitted goods. It also offers a vast database of knitted parts, such as collars, plackets and cuffs, with the option to alter these designs. Knit designs created in the Paint program are simultaneously converted to knit programming data, so that designers and technicians can keep in close communication with each other over the same job.
Apparel Design Tool – SDS®-ONE features a variety of tools for apparel design, from design sketches to print design, textile design, simulation and colourways. A special colourway menu featuring a licensed Pantone colour database provides accurate colour communication and can be combined with knit and weave textures for realistic effects. In-built database gives a choice of automated patterns such as polka dots, stripe/border patterns and argyles.
Automatic pattern repeats for both normal and stepped repeats can be performed with controlled precision. The garment simulation combines yarn data, knit simulation and texture mapping to yield incredibly photo-realistic images. These features allow the designer to concentrate on creativity rather than spend time on tedious sketches. Leadtime is reduced significantly, and the realism achieved through virtual sampling provides the power to make impressive presentations for accurate evaluation and even visual merchandising.
Apparel CAD & Knit CAD – The PGM software features comprehensive patternmaking, grading and marking functions for creating and fine-tuning patterns for all apparel applications. The patternmaking software allows comprehensive drawing and editing functions. Macro functions allow users to accumulate and manage their own know-how. For knitwear, the PGM software offers some impressive features; whereas flat 2D patterns are the mainstream in patternmaking, this technology is applied to creating beautiful 3D silhouettes in knitwear and is especially important in creating Wholegarment products.
Correct sizing of products can be achieved with the grading software using both, pitch-formula grading and rule-formula grading, depending on their requirement. High-quality grading features such as line-check and automatic pitch calculation ensure optimum grading is achieved for each product size. SDS®-ONE’s ultra-high speed automatic marking software is also capable of creating markers in sequence, allowing fully automated marking of multiple jobs overnight.
Pattern-matching can also be performed easily by displaying a grid over the marking screen.The KnitCAD software features automatic programming based on conversion of patterns to number of loops, and an abundant database of know-how and expertise. Combined with loop simulation, extremely efficient production can be achieved.
Wholegarment Programming – The Wholegarment technology is changing everyday and for 3-dimensional Wholegarment products, emphasis is placed on perfecting the silhouette. Till now, programming for such products was considered complex and time-consuming, but with the KnitPaint program, this is performed very quickly and easily. In addition, functions as machine data conversion, knit simulation, control simulation and loop simulation allow the user to check for potential problems ahead of time.
Shaping, Intarsia and Jacquard – The KnitCAD features can be enhanced for increased functionality of conventional knitwear. Data derived from the user’s know-how can be combined with the database featured in KnitPaint, effectively exploiting his talent. For intarsia, advanced features such as automatic allocation of intarsia yarn carriers help to simplify programming.
Jacquard programming is performed automatically, for combining with structure patterns as well. Other functions such as knit simulation and control simulation that check for production errors, the Work Menu that registers workflow sequence, automatic output of knitting adjustment data and Sample Box for database creation, are all featured to increase operational performance.
