Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan is participating in the ITMA Asia + CITME 2025 exhibition held in Singapore. In line with its exhibition concept at ITMA 2023 and subsequent ITMA Asia + CITME editions, SHIMA SEIKI continues the concept for this year’s exhibition: “SHIMA SEIKI Reborn.”
SHIMA SEIKI Reborn represents a return to origin, for the company and for its products, fueled by the renewal of passion and commitment toward innovation. The concept is manifested in physical form as the highly anticipated production version of the SES®-R next-generation computerized flat knitting machine, introduced to much acclaim as prototypes at ITMA 2023 in Milan, Italy.
SHIMA SEIKI’s 200 sq. meter booth in Hall H5, Stand C301 features a single SWG®-XR flagship WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine and two computerized flat knitting machines, one of which is the SES®-R. In addition to machine technology, SHIMA SEIKI’s APEXFiz® subscription-based design software, with its latest software upgrades including new generative AI functions, is available for demonstrations as well.
Description of Main Exhibits
SWG®-XR124 18L
WHOLEGARMENT® Knitting Machine
2025 marks the 30th Anniversary of SHIMA SEIKI’s pioneering WHOLEGARMENT® seam-free 3D knitting technology. Now in its 5th generation, SHIMA SEIKI’s SWG®-XR flagship
WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine has raised the benchmark once again for speed, efficiency, quality, variety and reliability. As part of the newly revamped R-series machines developed under the “SHIMA SEIKI Reborn” concept, the SWG®-XR name lends tribute to the original SWG®-X, the world’s first 4-needle bed machine that launched a new genre of seam-free knits produced in one entire piece, which debuted at ITMA 1995 in Milan. Now, SWG®-XR has been re-evaluated from the ground up as a machine capable of very high quality and stability in all-needle knitting of a wide variety of WHOLEGARMENT® products. Featuring SHIMA SEIKI’s original SlideNeedle™ on 4 needle beds, an re-designed spring-type moveable sinker system and a compact, light-weight carriage featuring 4 systems as well as auto yarn carriers, productivity has increased by more than 25% over the previous MACH2®XS machine, with increased product range using a wider variety of yarn for supporting knits for all seasons, and higher quality for knitting beautiful fabrics and silhouettes. Even items that were impossible to knit with the previous MACH2®XS series can now be knit, including punch lace fabrics, variable stitch patterns and intarsia patterns. Shown with a 50-inch (125 cm) knitting width in 18L at ITMA Asia + CITME 2025, SWG®-XR is capable of efficient, high-quality all-needle knitting of fine gauge fabrics up to 15 gauge. SWG®-XR sets new standards for the next generation of waste-free, sustainable WHOLEGARMENT® knitting.
SES®-R V14G NEW
Computerized Flat Knitting Machine
SHIMA SEIKI’s legendary SES® series was the world’s first short-bed full-fashioning machine that could produce shaped pieces for one garment at a time and supported multi-variety, small-lot, quick-response production. First introduced in the 1980’s to a market filled with long-bed machines knitting square fabrics for cut-and-sewn products, it was a machine that challenged the status quo. Now the current status quo established by the SES® series is once again being challenged with the new SES®-R. SHIMA SEIKI’s next-generation shaping machine has been “Reborn” with an all-new spring-type moveable sinker system that features switchable sinker stroke and pause function for increased capability in knitting dimensional sinker patterns. Auto yarn carriers and loop presser beds mounted above both front and back needle beds enhance performance in both inverse plating and inlay knitting. Shown at ITMA Milan in 2023 as a prototype, the production version of SES®-R is shown at ITMA Asia in production form in 14 gauge, with a 52-inch (132 cm) knitting width to support knitting items in larger sizes.
N.SSR®132 V14G NEW
Computerized Flat Knitting Machine
The N.SSR® series, SHIMA SEIKI’s global standard in shaped knitting now includes an even
more cost-effective choice. The new N.SSR®132 maintains high productivity with a compact, lightweight carriage and maximum knitting speed of 1.2 meters per second, as well as quick carriage returns with the R2CARRIAGE® system. N.SSR®132 carries over proven SHIMA SEIKI technology such as our renowned Digital Stitch Control System (DSCS®), spring-type moveable sinker system, stitch presser, yarn gripper and cutter, and takedown comb. New features include a 52-inch (132 cm) knitting width for supporting larger sizes and optional sub-rollers, offering the flexibility required for responding to various customer and market needs. Realizing excellent cost performance while ensuring Made-in-Japan quality, safety, reliability and user-friendliness, N.SSR®132 sets a new standard for a new era in computerized flat knitting machines.
SDS® KnitPaint-Online NEW
Knit Software
KnitPaint is proven software used by knitting companies across the globe to create knitting data for programming SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting machines, which was only available as part of SHIMA SEIKI’s SDS®-ONE APEX series all-in-one design system. With SDS® KnitPaint-Online, KnitPaint software becomes available as standalone software that carries over the same familiar KnitPaint functions, but enhanced with planning and design functionality as well. At ITMA Asia SDS® KnitPaint-Online is available for demonstrations in knit data creation, machine programming and supporting software.
APEXFiz®
Design Software
SHIMA SEIKI’s APEXFiz® subscription-based design software supports the creative side of
fashion from planning and design to colorway evaluation, realistic fabric simulation and 3D virtual sampling. Virtual samples are a digitized version of sample making that are accurate enough to be used effectively as prototypes, replacing physical sampling and consequently reducing time, cost and material that otherwise go to waste. When a design is approved for production, knitting data which is automatically generated can be converted easily to machine data, allowing smooth communication for digitally bridging the gap between design studio and factory. Before going to production however, the same virtual samples can be used in retail, for example in e-commerce, to gauge consumer response to items before going to market, effectively realizing production based on demand forecasting. In such a way, inventory can be optimized to minimize deadstock waste. APEXFiz® therefore helps to realize sustainability while digitally transforming the fashion supply chain. At ITMA Asia APEXFiz® is available for demonstrations of its comprehensive fashion-tech solutions along with various web services to enhance the APEXFiz® experience.
yarnbank®
Digital Yarn Sourcing Web Service
The product planning capability of APEXFiz® is enhanced by several web services featured as part of the SHIMA SEIKI Online Services (SHIMA online) digital web service platform. One of these is the yarnbank® digital yarn sourcing web service, the world’s first online service for searching and viewing current yarns, developed in cooperation with yarn companies from around the world. Registered users can download yarn data for free, for use in fabric simulation and virtual sampling on APEXFiz®, avoiding the need to scan yarn on their own. By using actual yarn that is available in yarnbank®, designers and apparel companies can rest assured that the simulations they create are not merely realistic images but accurate representations using yarn that can actually be purchased and used in production. With yarnbank®, the entire supply chain from yarn companies and apparel companies to knit manufacturers can be connected digitally.
SHIMA Datamall™
Digital Content Web Service
Another SHIMA online web service featured at the SHIMA SEIKI booth is SHIMA Datamall™, a digital content web service that allows users to search, browse and purchase a variety of useful data for the planning, production and sales of fashion items. Over 8,700 pieces of data, ranging from knit item data and knit design data to 3D model patterns, are available. Users of APEXFiz® design software as well as SHIMA SEIKI flat knitting machines will be able to streamline their operations and further promote the digital transformation of textile manufacturing, thereby realizing a shift toward sustainable manufacturing.
Knit Samples
The true potential of SHIMA SEIKI knitting machine technology and solutions can be seen through the various knit samples on display, representing the manifestation of available technology. Approximately 140 items are presented as proposals for knitted applications in various fields ranging from fashion to shoes, bags and accessories throughout the SHIMA SEIKI booth. A special display in collaboration with textile machine needle manufacturer Groz-Beckert KG features a brand-new product category of seam-free WHOLEGARMENT® knitted baseball cap produced on the SWG®091N2 compact WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine, which is equipped with the original SlideNeedle™ that is supplied by the needle producer.
Video Presentations
A large wide screen monitor is central to SHIMA SEIKI’s display at ITMA Asia, and several different presentations are scheduled for viewing. One such presentation is a solution proposal that explores the potential APEXFiz® design software has of becoming an effective tool for giving knit production factories the power to make proposals back to the design studio or apparel brand, a reversal of the traditional supply chain model where the factory works strictly according to instructions from the designer. This is in anticipation of the expected demographic of visitors to the Singapore exhibition, which consists of factory management from Asia and South Asia who are looking for ways to differentiate their business from competitors in seeking jobs from Western brands.
