In an exciting presentation created for SPINEXPO, knitwear manufacturer PT Jaba Garmindo will highlight knitting machinery supplier Shima Seiki’s technology at the show’s New York edition in July.

The level of sophistication of Asia’s knitwear design and production has improved dramatically in a few years’ time. This is in no small way due to the innovative machinery and software developed by Japan’s Shima Seiki, allowing knitwear designers to create unique stitches, integrate multiple gauges in a single panel, and knit three-dimensional, seam-free garments in one-piece; and to develop virtual samples on the company’s SDS-ONE APEX3 design system.

One of Shima Seiki’s largest customers, Indonesia’s PT Jaba Garmindo is the largest automated knitting factory in Asia, with over 1000 Shima Seiki flat knitting machines enhanced by Shima Seiki’s ink-jet printers and APEX3 design system. “The capabilities of Shima Seiki’s machinery help us to add value to our products by providing more interesting looks and unique twists to our sweaters,” explains PT Jaba Garmindo’s Director of R&D and US Representative  Felice Gunawan Beckman.

“For example, a sweater using plain yarn is upgraded using Shima Seiki’s multi-gauge machine, which allows us to continuously change gauges within one sweater panel. Or, we can use Shima Seiki’s ink-jet printing machine (SIP) to add a beautiful print. In addition, Shima Seiki continues to introduce new innovations and technology that help us to increase our efficiency and maintain consistent and high quality production.”

The SPINEXPO exhibit will feature highlights from PT Jaba Garmindo’s collection for Fall/Winter 2014, as well as demos of Shima Seiki’s SDS-ONE APEX3 simulation software technology, which will be based on Jaba’s collection. “Customers will be able to see the simulation, and at the same time compare it to the actual finished sample. We think it will be exciting for customers to see firsthand how this software can help in the design process across a variety of samples,” says Mrs. Beckman.

PT Jaba Garmindo’s Fall/Winter collection is designed to be unique, smart, and wearable, according to Mrs. Beckman, pairing simple shapes with interesting stitches and yarns, and creating subtle plays on silhouettes and details. The company uses local yarns to showcase Indonesia’s capabilities, as well as yarns from Japan and China, including a number of spinners exhibiting at SPINEXPO.

“I think that this collection will be exciting for buyers because they can see what an Indonesian factory is capable of, and I think they will be pleasantly surprised. The general perception of Indonesian manufacturers is that we make only basic items; we want to use this collection to change that image,” she enthuses.

The Shima Seiki SDS-ONE APEX3 will be demonstrated at PT Jaba Garmindo’s booth during the show. The unique software system enables design teams to change out any number of elements in a sample design, viewing and sharing the results virtually, before sending the program to the knitting machine. Shima Seiki’s knitting machines and design systems are used by a number of SPINEXPO’s knitwear exhibitors, as well as by spinners to develop swatches or colour cards which highlight their yarns.

“Shima Seiki is delighted to be invited to showcase the capabilities of the SDS-ONE APEX3 system with PT Jaba Garmindo’s collection at SPINEXPO New York,” said the company. The exhibit will also include garments knit on Shima Seiki’s new MACH2X 153 18L WHOLEGARMENT ^® machinery.