Seamless Knitwear Technology - International Specialised Skills ...

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Destination: Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd.
Location
• 85 Sakata, Wakayama, 641-8511 Japan
The International
Experience
Contacts
• Masayuki Takenaka, Chief, Overseas Sales Division, Shima Seiki
• Yasuhiro Taniyama, Sales, Total Design Center, Shima Seiki.
• Masatoshi Wakano, Programmer, Total Design Center, Shima Seiki.
Objectives
The objectives of this Fellowship were to advance previous training with Shima Seiki by undertaking
seamless programming course offered, and to build on the limited understanding and technical
knowledge of industrial knitting machines and fashion knitwear designs in the industry:
• Understand the technical aspects of producing seamless knitwear on industrial knitting machines.
• Understand the computer programming required to achieve desired outcomes and the basic
mechanics of how the machine works in order to produce the desired outcome.
• Improve on the knitwear design skill base through a more thorough understanding of structures
and process of knitting using the industrial machines.
Outcomes
Advance Previous Training with Shima Seiki by Undertaking WHOLEGARMENT Programming
There are a small proportion of knitwear companies utilising, creating and advancing seamless
technology in the world; however, this is slowly growing. This technology is not as yet widely used as
knowledge and exposure to the technology itself is limited. The Fellow undertook the Certificate of
Completion (WHOLEGARMENT®), Authorized course for Shimatronic Computerized Jacquard Flat
Knitting Machine offered by Shima Seiki, and was the only one taking part from across the globe at
that time.
The course provided the Fellow with the unique opportunity to gain knowledge of Shima Seiki’s unique
seamless knitwear technology, known as WHOLEGARMENT®. Shima Seiki’s WHOLEGARMENT®
knitwear technology is at the forefront of seamless knitwear manufacturing, producing a garment in
an entire piece with no further construction processes required, unless desired. WHOLEGARMENT®
knitwear is manufactured with no waste and less labour. The production of a seamless garment
requires less manufacturing processes, time and cost. This is very beneficial when labour costs are
high. This knowledge will greatly benefit the Australian knitwear industry.
Understand the Technical Aspects of Producing Seamless Knitwear on Industrial Knitting
Machines
There are a variety of machines available for the production WHOLEGARMENT® knitwear. The latest is
the Mach X machines. These machines have four needle beds used for finer gauge fabrics: two needle
beds are used for knitting and two needle beds for transferring. Four needle beds allow all needles on
the needle bed to be used – the extra two needle beds on the top making it possible to transfer stitches.
The Mach S machines have two needle beds – one for the front and one for the back. The Mach S knits
at half gauge, meaning every second needle on the needle bed is used, producing a heavier weight
fabric. Half of the needles are available for transferring and the other half are occupied with stitches.
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